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Tourism Industry Aotearoa is backing reform of New Zealand’s conservation legislation while urging the Government to strengthen protections ensuring conservation remains the overriding purpose of the law.
In its submission on the Conservation Amendment Bill, TIA describes the reforms as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to modernise an outdated framework governing tourism activity on public conservation land.
TIA chief executive Rebecca Ingram says the current legislation creates unnecessary barriers to decision-making and is no longer fit for purpose.
“We support the Government’s commitment to reforming New Zealand’s conservation framework. There are aspects of the Bill we agree on, and a few things we’d like to see changed and strengthened.
“Modernisation cannot come at the cost of conservation primacy. That is a fundamental principle of the legislation, and it must stay.”
Among its recommendations, TIA is calling for the Act to explicitly confirm conservation as its overriding purpose while enabling appropriate economic development. It also supports the proposed introduction of international visitor access levies at high-visitation sites, provided revenue is reinvested where it is collected.
The organisation also backs reforms to the conservation concession system but is seeking greater clarity around competitive allocation processes, pre-approved concessions and protections for existing operators that have invested in conservation-based tourism businesses.
TIA says its submission reflects consultation with members, many of whom operate under Department of Conservation concessions.
