Draft Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Management Plan

Update on the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Management Plan review

The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Ngāi Tahu in consultation with the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board are undertaking a new review of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Management Plan.

The review was placed on pause in February 2019 to consider the implications of the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Supreme Court decision. This decision clarifies the Department and Ngāi Tahu have an important role in giving effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The 2018 notified draft Plan has subsequently been withdrawn and a new draft Plan is being developed.

The decision to start a new review took into consideration the length of time the review had been on pause, as well as the increasing threats posed by climate change in the Park, and the current challenges of managing recreation and visitors to the Park.

The Park contains areas and values of immense importance to Ngāi Tahu. It is internationally recognised for its exceptional natural values through its inclusion in the wider Te Wāhipounamu South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area and the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

The new process

The review process follows the structure set out in the National Parks Act 1980, but it has not started from scratch. The new draft Plan draws on all the work done to date, and the extensive points raised by submitters on the notified draft Plan.

The review will also enable wider discussion around the changes occurring in the Park due to large weather events, new national policy guidance for reducing carbon emissions, and the changing nature of tourism as important factors to be addressed in the new draft Plan.

Once a new draft Plan has been developed, it will be publicly notified, and submissions invited. The new draft Plan will identify the changes made to the notified draft in response to submissions and any new issues that have arisen.

All documents will be made available on this webpage.

Hearings

Hearings will be held after submissions on the new draft Plan are received. Submissions made to the first notified draft plan will be considered as part of the process. All submitters who asked to be heard on both the first notified and new drafts will be invited to attend hearings. These dates will be set at a later time.

Who will be involved?

The review process includes DOC, the three kaitiaki rūnaka – Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, Te Rūnanga o Waihao and Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu working in consultation with the Conservation Board.

Targeted public consultation and workshops will be undertaken with submitters and other stakeholders to address matters raised through the submissions, and any new issues that have arisen since the process was paused.

What is the timeline?

Work on the new draft Plan is progressing well. Analysis of submissions on the notified draft Plan continues to identify where more technical advice is needed and what issues would benefit from further consultation.

We will be undertaking targeted consultation later this year and we are working towards notifying the draft Plan in 2023.

Regular updates on this webpage will keep people informed of progress and of any opportunities for involvement in the review process.