Fair allocation process for aircraft landings in Westland Tai Poutini National Park
DOC has completed an allocation process for new concessions.

Background

Aircraft landings on public conservation lands and waters need a concession issued by DOC. In Westland Tai Poutini National Park, DOC grants concessions to operators to enable them to land at high altitude landing sites for scenic landings and to position recreationists. The current landing concessions for scenic flights and positioning recreationists expired in June 2025.

DOC has consulted interested parties on the design of a fair allocation process for this limited supply opportunity. Existing concessions continue according to their current terms and conditions until new concessions are in place.

Applications for concession allocations have closed

Applications for concession allocations in Westland Tai Poutini National Park have been considered, and this part of the process is concluded.

Applications were assessed by an assessment panel against published criteria:

  • operator experience
  • impacts on and benefits to conservation
  • recognising Treaty rights and interests
  • offerings to visitors
  • benefits to the local area.

Each criterion was ranked out of 10, with a possible maximum overall score of 50.

Applicants were required to meet a minimum score of 25 to receive an allocation. Panel scoring informed DOC's allocation decisions.

Securing an allocation does not guarantee a concession; both are required to operate. DOC will now process concession applications for applicants that received an allocation.

Key dates

  • June 2024: DOC restricted new applications for landings for scenic flights and positioning recreationists, other than one-off applications, until the new process was developed.
  • April 2025: Expression of interest process occurred.
  • October 2025: Consultation document was shared.
  • 19 March 2026: Applications for the Westland aircraft landings allocation process opened.
  • 24 April 2026: Applications for the Westland aircraft landings allocation process closed.
  • 27 April 2026: Panel assessment began.
  • August 2026: DOC made decisions and notified applicants.

Relevant legislation

DOC is required to consider concessions in accordance with legislation and relevant statutory documents. These include:

  • Section 4 of the Conservation Act, to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
  • National Parks Act 1980
  • General Policy for National Parks 2005
  • Part 3B of the Conservation Act
  • Westland Tai Poutini National Park Management Plan
  • West Coast Conservation Management Strategy.

Contact: westland-allocationprocess@doc.govt.nz 

Legal information

Official Information Act

The interested party acknowledges and accepts that the Minister and DOC may be required to release information submitted through the expression of interest process in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982.

No contract

This expression of interest and any submissions made do not constitute a contract with the Minister and does not give any rights or cause of action against the Minister.

No obligation

The Minister has no obligation whatsoever to compensate or indemnify any respondent for any expenses or loss that they may incur in the preparation of their expression of interest. There is no guarantee that the expression of interest will result in any subsequent process run, and/or any concession granted.

The Minister is not bound to complete the expression of interest.

Conservation Act 1987

Pursuant to s17R(2)(a) no new applications will be accepted for landings for scenic flights and positioning recreationists (other than 'one offs') can be considered while the s17ZG(2)(a) process that applies to this activity and process is in place.

Fees

Fees will be charged for processing applications received under the allocation process.  

Concessions granted as a result of the allocation process will be subject to ongoing fees.  These may include an annual management fee, activity fees, and fees to monitor the effects of the activity and compliance with authorised terms and conditions.

Activity fees may be fixed at the market value, having regard to:

(a) any circumstances relating to the nature of the activity; and

(b) the effects of the activity on the purposes of the area affected; and

(c) any contractual conditions, covenants, or other encumbrances placed upon intrinsic resources, natural resources, or historic resources by the concession.

Rent, fees, and royalties for a concession will be reviewed at intervals not exceeding 3 years.

Details of ongoing concession fees will be included in the information provided for the allocation process in due course, but an outline of what you may expect to pay to undertake some activities on conservation land can be found at Concession fees: Managing your concession

Contact

If you have a question regarding this process, email Westland Allocation Process westland-allocationprocess@doc.govt.nz