Concession prosecution, drone guidance, new booking service and more...
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Our relationship with you and the business you operate on public conservation land is important to us. This newsletter is designed to help you run your business and contains practical information relevant to your permit or concession. If you have any feedback on how we can improve Business on the Green, please let us know.
Concessionaire prosecuted for illegal grazing
In February, DOC undertook a successful conviction against Wairaki Station Ltd for grazing without a concession on public conservation land in Southland. The defendant was sentenced to fines of $52,450 for grazing 380 head of in-calf cows in the Takitimu Conservation Area for 15 days last year. They also agreed to pay $49,823 towards DOC’s investigation costs and remediation.
Part of DOCs statutory responsibility is to ensure that commercial activity on public conservation land is administered fairly. We currently have a number of other concessions-related investigations underway.
Last month we undertook two targeted operations at one of our iconic tourist spots in conjunction with NZ Police, NZTA and Immigration NZ as part of our National Compliance Strategy. These operations, along with our summer monitoring programme, identified compliance issues with 30% of the 585 vehicles checked. These issues are currently being followed up.
DOC remains concerned about the level of illegal / unpermitted guiding suspected to be taking place on public conservation land. If you see any suspicious or illegal activity, please report it to our 24-hour hotline 0800 DOCHOT.
Keeping our wildlife happy
As businesses conducting activities on public conservation land, you are responsible not just for how you and your staff interact with our wildlife, but also any members of the public under your guidance.
We have updated our website with information on how to ensure wildlife are not unduly stressed or disrupted by human interaction. Please read this if you have a wildlife permit or are taking members of the public onto public conservation land.
Improved guidance around drones
We are currently addressing a number of issues that have arisen from the increased use of drones. Anyone using a drone over public conservation land must have a permit from DOC – including recreational users.
We have updated our website with information about how to apply for permission for commercial drone use and recreational drone use. More guidance is being developed, including locations where drone use is more likely to be approved.
Publicly notified applications
The requirements for applications that are publicly notified have changed. DOC will now notify your application exactly as it is received. There will be no assessment made by DOC as to the merits of your application before it is notified (though it is possible more information may be requested).
For this reason, it is important you have enough detail in your application for the public to understand it. For guidance on what to include contact your local DOC office to arrange a pre-application meeting.
DOCs new booking service
We are introducing a new online booking service allowing visitors to set up, modify and cancel bookings themselves.
The new booking service will be introduced in phases, starting with Great Walks in time for the 2018/2019 season. It will be as easy to use as other booking sites and able to be adapted as needed.
We will provide more information to those concessionaires who are impacted in the first phase closer to the time.
DOC advisor at TRENZ
We will be attending TRENZ again this year and someone will be available specifically to discuss any concession / permit related questions or opportunities. Our advisor will be on hand on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 May. Secure a time slot by emailing us your preferred time.
Activity returns changes for beehive and guiding concessionaires
We know filling in activity returns has been a bit of a challenge so we’re making some changes to help make it easier.
The date your activity returns are due remain the same, but the way you present and provide the data to us will change. We’ll provide an activity return Excel spreadsheet template that you download, fill in the gaps then email to us.
Beehive concessionaires will use the new templates from June, and guiding concessionaires from July. We will provide you step-by-step instructions and a video about how to enter and edit data in the spreadsheets.
Walking in NZ – from 30 minutes to multi-day
AA Traveller is publishing Walking in New Zealand featuring a selection of walks, maps, travel information and details useful to independent traveller’s keen to make the most of their walking experiences.
This guide is being developed in partnership with DOC and Tourism New Zealand.
If you are interested in having your business appear in this publication contact Megan Keene, Advertising Manager at AA Tourism Publishing (Mkeene@aa.co.nz or 027 563 0421) before 30 July.
Help protect our kauri
Kauri trees, found throughout the Upper North Island, are under threat of extinction. To protect these majestic giants of the forest from the spread of kauri dieback disease, it’s vital concessionaires, and members of the public under your guidance, comply with hygiene protocols.
This includes ensuring that all footwear, vehicles and equipment are thoroughly cleaned of all visible soil. Once cleaned, footwear should be sprayed with SteriGENE solution before entering, moving between and leaving areas with kauri. Contact your local DOC office for details of SteriGENE suppliers.
More information and guidelines are available on the kauri dieback website. Please review these webpages regularly, to ensure you stay up to date.
Activity fee reviews
The fees for grazing, guiding, easements and filming are still under review. Careful consideration is being given to ensure a fair and equitable charge is applied for each activity type. The new fees for guiding and grazing are expected to be released shortly.
If you have an existing concession there will not be any change to your fees until your usual rental review date or when your concession comes up for renewal, whichever occurs sooner.
Predator Free 2050 – what you can do
New Zealand has a goal to regain the abundance of our native fauna and flora and to do so we’re aiming to rid our lands of introduced predators such as rats, stoats and possums by 2050. To get there, we need the help and support of all New Zealanders, here are some of the ways you can contribute:
- Trapping, funding trapping or applying for trapping funding
- Fund a trap and monitor how it is doing on your device
- Help grow our native tree count
Or, talk to one of our Predator Free rangers for help to establish a predator control program in your community.
Focus on Tourism
Staff working in concessions / permits attended a workshop in February aimed at growing capability as a team. A highlight of the workshop was a tourism panel discussion involving representatives from the Tourism Industry Aotearoa, Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust and Totally Tourism New Zealand.
The panel session was a robust discussion on all elements of tourism, including tourism pressures, sustainability and the impact of tourism on the environment. It was a great opportunity for staff to gain a better understanding of some of the current issues for the tourism industry.
DOC and tourism industry working together
DOC and the Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) signed an agreement in 2015 in which we committed to working together on two key goals: nationally consistent and effective DOC commercial processes and decision-making, and leading and supporting business practices that exemplify Kaitiakitanga.
These strategic goals were developed from information gathered from over 200 tourism operators, at 13 forums held nationwide by TIA and DOC.
In April our teams came together to review actions taken thus far and consider new work that will most quickly and effectively take us towards success. Interestingly, this newsletter had its genesis within this project (known as Project Groundswell) – and is a step towards our goal of better communication!
We’ll continue to update you on progress, but for now, we wanted you to know that TIA and DOC representatives are working (together) to ensure Groundswell lives on and is helping take us towards our joint visions: A partnership that is positive, enduring and a win/win for tourism and conservation.
Is there something you would like to see in this newsletter? Email us at businessonthegreen@doc.govt.nz
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National Office | PO Box 10420 | Wellington 6143 | New Zealand
