About the project
Breathtaking Milford Sound Piopiotahi draws over a million visitors a year, bringing $200 million to the region, however tourism growth also presents environmental, safety and management challenges.
The Milford Opportunities Project sought to address visitor pressures at Piopiotahi and along the Milford Road to enhance and sustain this World Heritage Area and final masterpiece of Tū Te Rakiwhānoa.
Key proposals included:
- introducing an international visitor access charge to invest back into conservation and visitor infrastructure
- improving visitor experiences
- greater acknowledgement of Milford Sound’s significance to Ngāi Tahu
- taking steps to mitigate risks to visitors.
The Project's recommendations for a self-funded, sustainable tourism system for the Milford Road and Piopiotahi were provided to government in a masterplan in 2021 and feasibility business case in June 2024.
Who was involved
The Milford Opportunities Project was a collaboration between Ngāi Tahu, the Department of Conservation, Southland District Council, Environment Southland, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Ministry of Transport and Waka Kotahi.
It was led by a Ministerial Group consisting of the Ministers of Conservation, Tourism and Hospitality, and Transport, supported by an independent Milford Opportunities Project Board and delivery unit.
The Project carried out extensive research and engagement with conservation and recreation groups, tourism operators, communities and other experts to inform recommendations.
Stages of the Project
- Stage 1: Establishing context, vision and objectives (completed in September 2018)
- Stage 2: Consultation, engagement and research to develop a Milford Opportunities masterplan (launched in July 2021)
- Stage 3: Testing the feasibility of the masterplan’s recommendations (June 2022 to June 2024). A feasibility business case with options was delivered to ministers in June 2024.
Government’s response
The Project informed government decisions and work on broader legislative change including:
- $6.4 million International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) funding for visitor experiences and a greater cultural narrative including a new gateway pou whenua
- $1.8 million IVL funding for a 2-year work programme (2025 to 2027) to deliver change, including new infrastructure plans, safety improvements and a revenue strategy for Milford Sound Piopiotahi
- national legislation changes, initiated in 2024, to improve concessions processes and consider access charges to premier visitor sites
- retaining the Milford aerodrome
- not preventing access to the fjord for cruise ships
- maintaining unrestricted road access with safety and traffic management improvements
- Milford Sound Piopiotahi will remain within Fiordland National Park. Consideration will be given to establishing a Special Amenities Area within the park and improved governance tools.
Read the joint Ministerial media release 4 June 2025
Supporting documents
Government response June 2024
Department of Conservation summary of response and next steps (PDF, 351K)
Cabinet paper - Milford Opportunities Project Government response (PDF, 788K)
- Cabinet paper – Appendix 1 (PDF, 670K)
- Cabinet paper – Appendix 2 (PDF, 694K)
- Cabinet paper – Appendix 3 (PDF, 606K)
- CAB-25-MIN-0125 (PDF, 572K)
- ECO-25-MIN-0053 (PDF, 667K)
Business case
Prepared by the Milford Opportunities Ministerial Advisory Group
- Milford Opportunities Project brochure (PDF, 9,257K)
- Milford Opportunities Project business case summaries (PDF, 1,138K)
- Milford Opportunities Project business case (PDF, 53,450K)
MOP technical reports
The Milford opportunities Business Case was informed by just under 50 technical reports on a wide range of relevant topics including impact assessments, natural hazards and consumer insights.
If you cannot see the report you are looking for, it may be released shortly. Check back at a later date.
- Cruise tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand: Impacts and management with reference to Piopiotahi Milford Sound June 2024 (PDF, 17,700K)
- Impact Assessment Te Anau Downs to Cascade Creek Trail - Addendum 18 June 2024 (PDF 1,785K)
- Impact Assessment Te Anau Downs to Cascade Creek Trail: Final Report 29 November 2023 (PDF, 5,798K)
- Indicative Statutory Planning Assessment Report – Management Planning, Department of Conservation 10 June 2024 (PDF, 8,226K)
- Kantar Milford Opportunities Research Summary Infographic 2023 (PDF, 1,127K)
- Kantar: Consumer insights to support the development and implementation of the Milford Opportunities Project Masterplan: April 2023 (PDF, 12,869K)
- Kantar: Consumer insights to support the development and implementation of the Milford Opportunities Project Masterplan: NZ market insights May 2023 (PDF, 5,452K)
- Milford Opportunities Project Natural Hazard Assessment: Part A - Preliminary Screening Analysis 26 March 2024 (PDF, 7,341K)
- Milford Opportunities Project RMA Statutory Assessment June 2024 (PDF, 2,454K)
- Milford Opportunities Project RMA Statutory Assessment: Likelihood Matrix June 2024 (PDF, 862K)
- Milford Opportunities Project Stage 3 Preliminary Assessment of Environmental Effects 2 May 2024 (PDF, 94,252K)
- Milford Opportunities Project Walking & Cycling Experiences Report April 2024 (PDF, 22,307K)
- Milford Opportunities Stage 3 Landscape Feasibility Advice 28 March 2024 (PDF, 8,480K)
- Milford Opportunities: Critical Structures for Walking and Cycling: Construction Feasibility 03 April 2024 (PDF, 12,926K)
- Milford Sound Piopiotahi Heliport Feasibility Assessment Final Report 09/05/2024 (PDF, 15,975K)
- Milford Sound Piopiotahi Park and Ride Design Report Feasibility Study 14 May 2024 (PDF, 12,992K)
- Transport and Permit System: Technology to Manage Access to Milford Sound Summary Report April 2024 (PDF,1,421K)
- Walking & Cycling Experiences Report: Cost Estimate Workings April 2024 (XLSX, 187K)
- World Heritage Impact Assessment of Milford Opportunities Project Proposals: Feasibility Stage Assessment (PDF, 2,907K)
More information
2023 project and ministerial briefings and memos
Cabinet papers: