Next steps for the Bill
Now that the Conservation Amendment Bill has been introduced to Parliament, it needs to go through the legislative process. The Bill has been referred to the Environment Select Committee for consideration.
The Select Committee process provides an opportunity for people to provide feedback on the Bill.
More information about the Bill and its progress through Parliament can be found here:
- Landmark Conservation Reform Bill will boost economy and protect nature | Beehive.govt.nz
- Conservation Amendment Bill | New Zealand Legislation
- Conservation Amendment Bill – factsheet (PDF, 190K)
- Conservation Amendment Bill | New Zealand Parliament
Targeted consultation on access charges
The Department of Conservation is undertaking targeted consultation on access charging regulations, revenue allocation and implementation until mid-July 2026. This consultation is separate to the Select Committee process for the Bill.
Targeted consultation is focussed on how access charging for international visitors could be carried out at:
- Aoraki/Mount Cook
- Mautohe/Cathedral Cove
- Piopiotahi/Milford Sound, and
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Read more about what is being consulted on: Access charging for international visitors fact sheet including maps (PDF, 2,479K)
A public webinar for those interested in this work will be held online at 12 pm on 9 July 2026. A link will be added to this webpage at the start of July.
Send any written feedback on access charging regulations, revenue allocation and implementation to accesscharging@doc.govt.nz before 31 July 2026.
Discussion document
Discussion document (PDF, 2,272K)
This discussion document sought feedback on whether access charges for some public conservation land should be introduced, including:
- who should pay
- where access charges could be used
- how the funding could be invested.
Summary of submissions
Summary of submissions (PDF, 2,105K)
Over 7,400 submissions were received from the public. Key themes from consultation have been collated and summarised in a summary of submissions. Submissions opened on 15 November 2024 and closed at 5 pm 28 February 2025.
Supporting Cabinet papers and advice
You can find the Minister of Conservation’s Cabinet papers and related advice supporting this proposal below. Some information has been withheld consistent with the Official Information Act 1982.
- Exploring charging for access to some public conservation land: Approval to consult - Cabinet paper and Cabinet committee minute (PDF, 1,130K)
- Growing third-party revenue for conservation - Cabinet paper, Cabinet committee minute and associated advice (PDF, 4,353K)
- Conservation priorities - Cabinet paper and Cabinet committee minute (PDF, 1,781K)
- Financial sustainability review international comparison (Allen & Clarke) (PDF, 23,571K)
- Exploring charging for access to some public conservation land: Policy decisions - Cabinet paper, Cabinet committee minute and associated advice (PDF, 6,363K)
Contact
Direct any questions regarding this work programme to accesschargingconsultation@doc.govt.nz