Existing concessions for commercial activities at a number of locations in Abel Tasman and Kaiteriteri are due to expire on 30 April 2027. DOC will consult interested parties on the design of a fair allocation process for this limited supply opportunity.
Background
All land and water-based commercial activity on public conservation land requires a concession issued by DOC. The management plans for the Abel Tasman National Park, Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve (gazetted as Abel Tasman Scenic Reserve) and Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve specify limits on the amount of commercial activity at each of these locations. Limiting concession activity aims to protect conservation values and recreation experiences.
Existing concessions for the following types of activity within the Abel Tasman National Park/Abel Tasman Scenic Reserve and Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve are due to expire on 30 April 2027:
- Water-based activities including guided kayaking, guided waka trips, water taxi, charter boats, cruise ship activity and floating accommodation in the Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve/Abel Tasman Scenic Reserve.
- Land-based guided walking on the Abel Tasman Coast Track and associated facility use in the Abel Tasman National Park.
- Water-based activities including guided kayaking, water taxi, charter boats, SUP, and waka ama in the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve.
DOC wants to consider the future of these concession types within these places in a fair and consistent manner, by way of an allocation process.
Allocation process
DOC, along with the iwi of Te Tauihu / Te Tau Ihu, will design an allocation process to grant new concessions. To do this, we need to understand the views of current and prospective concessionaires, as well as other interested people and organisations. We will do this through a targeted consultation process.
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
- Abel Tasman National Park Management Plan
- Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve Management Plan
- Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve and Kaka Point Historic Reserve Management Plan
Timeline
The timeline below is tentative. It shows you how DOC will develop the allocation process and how you will be able to have your say during the process:
- September 2024: section 17ZG(2)(a) notice issued to restrict new applications for commercial activities at these locations until the new process is developed. (complete)
- May 2025: DOC will release an expression of interest on 1 May 2025. The expression of interest will run for three weeks. It aims to help DOC understand the nature and number of parties that may be interested in holding a concession. This expression of interest is not part of the formal allocation process that will be run later in the year. Rather, it will help to inform the development of the allocation process.
- July 2025: release of a targeted consultation document. The consultation document will outline the proposed allocation process. It will seek feedback from current and prospective concessionaires as well as other interested people and organisations. It is anticipated that the consultation document will include information about the cost of a concession.
- August / September 2025: analyse feedback on the proposed process, make any necessary changes, and finalise the allocation process to be used.
- October / November 2025: Formal allocation process begins for concessions that will come into effect from 1 May 2027. We recognise that this date is close to the peak season for commercial activity that takes place at Abel Tasman and Kaiteriteri. Subject to feedback received through the consultation process, the formal allocation process may be delayed to 2026.
Expression of interest
DOC seeks to understand the nature and number of parties that may be interested in holding a concession from 1 May 2027 for the commercial activities listed above in Abel Tasman and Kaiteriteri.
This expression of interest is separate to the formal allocation process that will be carried out to allocate concessions later in the year. Rather, information gathered from this expression of interest will inform the design of the allocation process.
To express an interest in holding a concession from 1 May 2027, fill in the form linked below. We do not require full applications at this stage.
Express an interest in a concession by filling in this form
The expression of interest process is for the activities listed in the ‘Background’ section above, for which limits are specified in the respective management plans. If you would like to express an interest in using some of the relevant allocation(s) for an activity that is not explicitly listed in the expression of interest form, select the ‘other’ option and provide details of the activity that you would like to be considered.
What happens next
The expression of interest will close at 5 pm on Friday 23 May 2025.
The results of the expression of interest will inform the design of the allocation process for concessions.
This web page will continue to be updated as this work continues.
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 the activities described in the ‘background’ section while the s17ZG(2)(a) process that applies to these activities is taking place.
Fees
There is no fee to submit an expression of interest.
Fees will be charged for processing applications received under the allocation process that is run later this year. Details of the anticipated processing fee will be included in the information provided for the allocation process in due course.
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:
- any circumstances relating to the nature of the activity; and
- the effects of the activity on the purposes of the area affected; and
- 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.
Contact
If you have a question regarding this process, email abeltasmanallocationprocess@doc.govt.nz