A reminder to please complete our survey on the Conservation Reforms by FRIDAY 19 JUNE. 

The Government is making the most significant changes to conservation legislation in nearly 40 years, which will directly affect how tourism operates on public conservation land.
There are two separate but connected processes currently open for feedback:

• The Conservation Amendment Bill (through Parliament)
• The National Conservation Policy Statement (NCPS) (run by DOC)

Both will shape how tourism businesses operate — especially in places like Mautohe Cathedral Cove and across the Hauaki Coromandel area. Destination Hauraki Coromandel (DHC) is developing a submission and is seeking industry input through our survey to ensure your views are represented.

Conservation Amendment Bill (Law change)

• Introduces charging for international visitors at some high-use sites
• Changes how concessions (tourism permits) are granted and managed
• Enables a new national planning framework
  👉 This sets the legal framework.

National Conservation Policy Statement (NCPS)

• Sets national rules and priorities for conservation land
• Introduces “area plans” (replacing current plans)
• Determines:
  • What activities are allowed where
  • How visitor access is managed
  • How concessions are applied
    👉 This will determine the real-world outcomes for operators.

Why this matters

Hauraki Coromandel (particularly sites like Mautohe Cathedral Cove) is a high-use visitor destination, that is heavily reliant on international tourism and already facing capacity constraints, environmental pressure and access issues.

These reforms could directly change whether visitors are charged to access sites, how many operators can access DOC land, how quickly you can get or renew concessions, and whether visitor numbers are managed, limited or redistributed.

DHC is preparing a regional submission to ensure that Hauraki Coromandel-specific issues are understood, the tourism sector’s voice is clearly represented, and policy decisions are informed by real business impacts.

We have prepared some supporting information (with help from AI) to help explain the various aspects of the reform, and how it may impact your business and our region. This is not technical or legal advice. We encourage you to do your own research before completing our anonymous survey (click here to access).

DHC attended a meeting on 10 June in Hahei to specifically discuss international visitor charging and DOC has plenty of info on their website.

You can also submit directly on either the Bill or the NCPS (or both).

We encourage you to connect with your DOC liaison if you have any queries or concerns about how these reforms may impact on your existing concession.