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The Department of Conservation has opened applications for aircraft landing allocations in Westland Tai Poutini National Park, as demand for glacier experiences continues to grow.
The allocation process, which manages access to landing sites around the South Westland glaciers, will remain open until 5pm Friday, April 24, 2026.
Aircraft landings are a key component of the visitor experience in the region, providing access to glacier environments that are otherwise difficult to reach.
Strong operator demand
South Westland operations manager Wayne Costello says interest in landing allocations remains high.
“There’s strong demand for the landings available. We received expressions of interest from 11 operators, more than the current four operators with concessions to land in the park,” Wayne says.
The process follows consultation with operators and stakeholders on how landings should be managed, particularly as environmental conditions continue to change.
Balancing access and conservation
Climate change is affecting glacier conditions, including reduced snow cover and retreat, which is impacting the safety and usability of some of the 18 approved landing sites.
Wayne says the allocation framework is designed to balance visitor access with environmental and operational considerations.
“We’ve designed the allocation process to support exceptional experiences for visitors, including time on the ground, storytelling, and deeper understanding of Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area,” he says.
The process does not increase overall landing limits but aims to improve how sites are used.
Managing visitor experience
DOC says the framework also considers the experience of other park users, including those visiting on foot.
“We also considered the experiences of other users, such as people walking in the Franz Josef Glacier valley, to ensure impacts on their experience are minimised,” Wayne says.
Next steps
Applications will be assessed from April 27, with operators expected to be notified of outcomes in July 2026.
Successful applicants will still need to apply for concessions before undertaking flight landings.
