The disposal of the Evangeline Bivvy is notified under section 49 and 28(3) of the Conservation Act 1987.
Location of bivvy: Evangeline Stream, Lake Sumner (Hoka Kura) Forest Park.
Map reference: Between approximate map references NZTM: 1540907.7661 and 5274202.3733.
Summary of proposal
Evangeline Bivvy is a basic two-bunk hut located in the Lake Sumner (Hoka Kura) Forest Park. In March 2023, the Evangeline Bivvy was severely damaged in a major weather event which washed it off its foundations. The structure was removed for safety and stored at a nearby location while DOC confirmed next steps for the bivvy.
The bivvy had very low recorded use prior to being damaged. DOC’s position has remained that reinstating the bivvy near its original site is not financially viable. Maintaining the existing visitor network to a safe standard exceeds the Department’s available resources and it needs to evolve so that it is fit-for-purpose and better meets visitor needs.
In 2024, DOC and an interested third party recognised the stored bivvy as having the potential to be repurposed as a day shelter on Te Ara Pātaka on Banks Peninsula.
- Repurposing the bivvy structure as a day shelter on Te Ara Pātaka would be fully funded by the third party and it would no longer be the responsibility of the Department.
- The repurposed day shelter bivvy would offer 1000+ visitors per year a place to stop and rest on Te Ara Pātaka, ensuring the bivvy has a practical future use that recognises its heritage values.
For these reasons DOC is proposing to legally “dispose” of the Evangeline Bivvy structure by way of gifting it to a third party.
Additionally, DOC is in discussions with a different interested party (to the above) to devise a plan to build a new bivvy in a new location, along the Evangeline Stream. The new Evangeline bivvy would be completely owned, funded, and managed by the group.
Submissions
Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing to the Director-General on the proposal. The submission must be made on a submission form downloaded here or available from your local DOC office.
You may make a submission by sending a written or electronic submission to:
Email: northcanterbury@doc.govt.nz
Post:
Director-General
Department of Conservation
32 River Road
Rangiora 7400
Attention: Emma Hunt, Principal Ranger.
Submissions close on Thursday 9 July 2026 at 5:00 pm.
Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, you need to state this in writing when making your submission.
Any person or organisation wishing to be heard in support of his/her submission, must request (within that submission) an opportunity to appear before the Director-General.
DOC comment regarding publicly notified applications
The Minister of Conservation has made no determination regarding the proposed disposal of the Evangeline Bivvy. This public notification should not be interpreted as an intention on the part of the Minister of Conservation to grant the proposed repurposing.
Hearing details
If a hearing is required, it is likely to occur the week starting 20 July 2026.
Decision
No details at this point.
Contact
Email northcanterbury@doc.govt.nz if you need any assistance or clarification about this consultation process.