Tēnā koe 

And just like that, it's June! I'm looking forward to the 'shortest' day in a few weeks... the longer days certainly appeal!

We have two priority areas this month... submissions on the Conservation Amendment Bill / National Conservation Policy Statement (see more below) and launching The Coromandel Cure winter campaign. We have loads of operators already on board, with plenty of 'prescriptions' ready to roll on the website. It's not too late to get involved - please check here or contact Megan directly. The campaign runs through to August...and then we are working on a concept to extend the campaign into spring by highlighting our amazing local food producers. More to come on that one.

In our newsletter below, we have an update on our international marketing activity including TRENZ and KiwiNorth, some good news on March visitor statistics, and some even better news from Budget 2026.

In further good news - Hauraki Rail Trail has received funding for 14 Locky Dock stations as part of the ‘Electrifying the Great Rides’ fund introduced by the National Government in 2024, delivering on one of their election promises.  Nearly 50% of the Hauraki Rail Trail riders are on e-bikes, and previously there was no public charging infrastructure available on the 197km long Trail. Demand for charging was limiting full-day and overnight trips for many of the trail users. The new Locky Dock charging stations are free to use and each cater for charging up to 5 bikes at a time. The units cater for both normal bikes and e-bikes, giving riders the freedom to stop and explore local attractions, restaurants, and shops without worrying about theft or flat batteries.

Noho ora mai,

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). DOC are holding a meeting on 10 June in Hahei to specifically discuss international visitor charging and there is plenty of info on their website, and 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.

TRENZ 2026

Hauraki Coromandel was well represented at TRENZ in Auckland last month. Five operators, plus Destination Hauraki Coromandel, participated in the four-day trade show, collectively meeting with 200 international travel buyers - travel agents, inbound tour organisers, online travel agents, destination managers and more. 

New products, or existing products that have started working with international trade in the past year, were of significant interest to the buyers. Some themes were consistent...

• International tours are increasingly 'small group' rather than traditional coach groups (which is great for Hauraki Coromandel).
• Visitors are wanting genuine connection to people and place, so authentic tours with time to connect with hosts are desirable.
• Activities preferable over generic sight-seeing.
• Significant increase in 'FIT' (free independent traveller) bookings. This usually means the agent books flights and on the ground transport (rental car or camper), and the visitors take themselves around a suggested itinerary. Some pre-book accommodation or activities, whilst others just provide suggestions. We work hard with these agents to ensure Hauraki Coromandel is featured on the itineraries.
• Significant interest from India - a growth market for New Zealand and an important one for Hauraki Coromandel, especially as New Zealand looks to co-host the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup in 2028.
• A noticeable switch in itinerary planning... Hauraki Coromandel is increasingly becoming the 'end' stop of the NZ tour, not the beginning. Visitors are choosing to finish their holiday here, relaxing and refreshing before the longhaul trip back home. This is a great angle for us and one we'll continue to build on.

Megan also attended the International Media Marketplace, where she met with 15 international journalists and specialist travel media to pitch a Hauraki Coromandel story for their respective publication. This was a new approach for us, supported by the MBIE funding we received earlier this year to help with reputation building after the successive weather events. We are now working with these journalists to provide story ideas and famil programmes to host them in coming months.

It was also excellent to meet with Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Hon Louise Upston, at TRENZ. She visited our area and was interested to learn more about how the summer weather events had impacted our visitor economy. 

We are in the process of now following up with all the new leads and connections from TRENZ, and directly communicating with the local operators on the interest in their business.