Complying with your concession
If you do not comply with the conditions of your concession it can be suspended or cancelled and you could face legal action.
Once you begin your activity, if you find that certain conditions mean you cannot operate your business or activity effectively or you want to change something about the way you operate your activity you can apply for a change to your concession.
If you do breach the conditions of your concession it is better to let us know immediately rather than wait for someone to report you and face the legal consequences.
You should also let us know if you notice illegal commercial activity on public conservation land. These illegal operators take legitimate business away from you and may affect the reputation of your industry. Contact your local DOC office or 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
Comply with the relevant legislation
Where concession activities are undertaken on public conservation land the Occupiers’ Liability Act and the Health and Safety in Employment Act are likely to apply.
The Occupiers’ Liability Act imposes a duty on occupiers of land or building to take care to ensure that visitors are reasonably safe in using the land or building for the purpose for which they are invited or permitted by the occupier to be there.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 sets out the principles, duties and rights of Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs), officers, workers and other persons in relation to workplace health and safety. All work and workplaces are covered unless specifically excluded.
Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2016 define “adventure activity” and require adventure activity operators to have a safety audit certificate and to be registered with WorkSafe New Zealand. For more information see safety plans.
Compliance with conservation laws
A vital part of DOC’s mission to protect New Zealand’s natural heritage is ensuring compliance with laws designed to protect our landscapes, flora, and fauna.
DOC monitors and manages tourism operations and concessions to ensure fairness, support conservation efforts, and uphold legal requirements. When operators breach concession conditions or act unlawfully, DOC has several enforcement tools at its disposal:
- Warning letters for minor or first-time breaches
- Infringement notices (fines) for specific offences, such as operating in unauthorised locations
- Prosecution for serious or repeat violations
- Suspension or termination of concessions for significant breaches
For example, DOC staff may issue infringement notices to commercial operators working outside their permitted areas. These notices require payment of a fine and serve as a deterrent to further non-compliance.
Persistent or serious offenders may face prosecution. For more information, read about our enforcement tools.