Important information for concessionaires and permit holders No images? Click here 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. Jobs for Nature – Mahi mō te TaiaoWe are making great progress rolling out our Jobs for Nature programme creating nature-based jobs for those impacted by COVID-19, particularly in the tourism, hospitality and services sectors. DOC has been allocated more than $500 million over the next four years as part of the Government’s overall $1.3 billion Jobs for Nature investment. So far our projects include setting up a new workforce group in Wakatipu, investing in projects with our Treaty Partners in Rotorua and Whakatane and collaborating with our tourism and business partners on the West Coast. Working with the tourism industryCOVID-19 has changed our world and the way people see it. Te Papa Aawhai is proud to be working alongside our friends at Tourism New Zealand as they pivot towards a local audience and ask Kiwis to ‘Do Something New’. While the Tourism Futures Taskforce work on what a sustainable industry could look like in the years to come, we are ensuring nature and heritage is at the heart of the tourism restart. And so far, so good. We launched our new online booking system in late June and saw record breaking numbers of bookings for our Great Walks. In fact, on opening day we saw a 43% increase in bookings over last year! Undoubtedly, we will still feel the pressures of the lack of international visitors this summer. However, these early results clearly demonstrate the domestic market is responding positively to the call to support Aotearoa’s post COVID-19 recovery. Nature through new eyes – Conservation WeekThe concept for Conservation Week this year is ‘Nature through new eyes’ or in te Reo, "He tirohanga hou ki te taiao" meaning 'a new way of viewing nature'. The lockdown period brought about a change in perspective for many people and we gained a new appreciation for the important things in life. Nature hasn’t changed… but we have. For Conservation Week 2020 (August 15-23), we’re encouraging everyone to look at nature through new eyes. Take time to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy its benefits – Papatūānuku’s wellbeing is our wellbeing. Posters, digital assets, social media banners, media release templates and more are available on this page for you to download and use if you'd like to help spread the word. Partial review of general policiesThe Conservation General Policy and the General Policy for National Parks are being partially reviewed. This is part of DOC’s work to improve the delivery of its responsibility to give effect to Treaty principles. Options Development Groups will consider ideas and make recommendations for change in the general policies. Nominations are currently open (until 11 August) for whānau, hapū and iwi, and Māori organisations and conservation board chairs to submit nominees. Once the Options Development Groups have developed ideas for changes to the general policies, DOC will hold workshops and meetings with conservation stakeholders (including concessionaires) to understand their views on potential changes to the general policies. National Park Management Plan updatesDOC and Ngāi Tahu are working in consultation with the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board, to start a new review of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Management Plan (the review was paused in 2019 to consider the implications of the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Supreme Court decision). The new draft plan will take account of the matters raised by submitters last year. More information is available on our website. We have also decided to stop the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Management Plan review while we review the West Coast Conservation Management Strategy. This will give us time to consider several issues, such as the effects of climate change and increased large weather events on visitor access and safety. See our website for more information. Differential pricing trial for international visitorsFor the last two summer seasons DOC trialled ‘differential pricing’ (a higher price for international visitors) on four of the most popular Great Walks (Milford, Routeburn, Kepler and Abel Tasman Coast tracks). The trial obtained valuable information on the effectiveness of pricing as a tool to manage visitor pressure and how to set and maintain a fair pricing system. Due to the impact of COVID-19 we will not apply differential pricing to the Great Walks for the 2020/21 season. However, we’ll look to implement differential pricing in future years if the appropriate economic conditions are in place and take into account visitor feedback and quantitative analysis. Tourism concessionaire fee reliefAs announced last month, fees are being waived for tourism concessionaires to assist them with the impacts of COVID-19. The waiver applies from 1 March until the end of June 2021. We have been communicating with those affected, however if you believe this applies to you and you haven’t heard from us, please contact transactioncentre@doc.govt.nz. Remember if you are a tourism concessionaire you still need to provide us with your usual activity returns and financial statements to enable the waiver to be processed. Outdoor Safety CodeAs New Zealanders take advantage of the amazing tourism and outdoor experiences in their backyard, it’s important to make sure those heading into the wilderness are well prepared. To help keep kiwis safe in the outdoors this winter, organisations across the tourism and safety industries are promoting the Outdoor Safety Code. Keep your staff and customers safe in the outdoors this winter by using the Outdoor Safety Code messaging here, and sharing some of these assets through your online networks. Jump on board our online booking systemOur new booking system for DOC huts and campgrounds is now live, and you can apply to add your services to our system at no cost. All you need to do is go to this page on the website and select ‘Create account’, then click on ‘Register for an account’ (next to the note for concessionaires, schools or community groups) and the online form will step you through the rest of the process. You will need a copy of your credit application form and evidence of a valid concession. Cape Kidnappers track decisionAfter receiving a risk analysis of the cliffs at Cape Kidnappers/Te Kauae-a-Māui, DOC and Hastings District Council say people will be able to access the DOC track at the end of the beach later in the year – but warn that the risks are high. The QRA was commissioned after two tourists were severely injured by a landslide in 2019, and shows the risk from potential landslides and rockfalls is much higher than most typical beach walkers might expect. DOC will provide more warning information at the site to allow people to make informed decisions about travelling along the beach. Concessions associated with travelling along the beach will require an audited safety plan that satisfactorily address the risks identified in the QRA. Regional news roundupCheck out some of the things we've been up to over the past few months: • Seals resting on Whanganui beaches (Whanganui) Is there something you would like to see in this newsletter? Email us at businessonthegreen@doc.govt.nz |