This DOC-led programme is funded by the International Visitor Levy. Its purpose is to:
- deliver high-quality visitor experiences sustainably for generations to come
- ensure the protection of natural and cultural heritage and National Park/World Heritage values
- realise positive opportunities for conservation, our Treaty Partners, and the Aoraki/Mount Cook community.
Background
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a rugged land of ice and rock with 19 peaks over 3000 metres, including Aotearoa’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook. This maunga holds tremendous significance to Ngāi Tahu, and is revered as a sacred tipuna (ancestor).
The National Park is also home to a number of stunning short walks and back country experiences that attract over one million visitors each year from all over the world, making Aoraki/Mount Cook one of the most popular destinations in Aotearoa.
This number of visitors brings all kinds of pressures to the National Park and the small community of Aoraki/Mount Cook – particularly to maintaining and improving visitor experiences, environmental sustainability, and local infrastructure.
About Sustainable Destinations - Aoraki
Sustainable Destinations - Aoraki builds on the work that began in 2018 under Te Manahuna Ki Uta.
This was a project led by Mackenzie District Council, and supported by nine partners, including DOC and Ngā Kaitiaki Rūnaka (Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, Te Rūnanga o Waihao, and Te Rūnanga o Moeraki).
In 2022 the project delivered a comprehensive Destination Management Plan for the Mackenzie District. This was followed by work to establish a physical presence for mana whenua throughout the Mackenzie District and at Aoraki/Mount Cook, led by Ngā Kaitiaki Rūnaka.
Since then, the Government has invested a share of $13.6 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) across specific packages towards managing visitor pressures at Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Sustainable Destinations - Aoraki will be a non-statutory plan that will set a multi-generational vision, outlining assets and infrastructure planning for the next 50 years, and a staged investment strategy for the next 10 years.
DOC will lead the planning and delivery of the project with strategic advice and support from a Project Board.
Project Structure
Internal Governance Group
The Project Governance Group (PGG) provides guidance and support to the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) to ensure business objectives are being adequately addressed and alignment with wider DOC programmes. The PGG ensures the project remains viable and aligned to DOC’s strategic priorities.
External Advisory Board
The External Advisory Board is collectively responsible for providing sound, objective advice to support the Senior Responsible Owner of Sustainable Destinations - Aoraki in making informed decisions, and can make recommendations as the project develops.
The Project Board is made up of Ngāi Tahu, community, and commercial representation.
Stakeholder Reference Group
The Stakeholder Reference Group is an advisory group. Their purpose and function is to provide a transparent platform to share information and gather feedback from a stakeholder perspective on the Sustainable Destinations – Aoraki project. We will engage with other stakeholders as required.
This feedback will inform decision-making by the Governance Group.
Updates
External Advisory Board meeting summaries
- To be added when available.
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