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RESOURCES: PAPERS & PRESENTATIONS

Author : Valentina Dinica
School/Work Place : Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Contact : valentina.dinica@vuw.ac.nz
Year : 2014

For the tourism sector the government aims to “Grow the number of new business opportunities on public conservation land in order to deliver increased economic prosperity and conservation gain” (New Zealand Government, 2012: 23). In relation to this objective, the 2013 progress report to Government on the Business Growth Agenda mentions that DOC and MBIE have already implemented changes to the concession regime, which were implemented as part of two bills (2010, 2013) to amend the 1987 Conservation Act, (New Zealand Government, 2013:22). The change in the concession system is only one of several key changes implemented by DOC; but it was the first one, initiated by the Conservation Minister by means of a Concession Reviewing Process (DOC, 2010). The Conservation Chapter of the 2013 Treasury Budget Report signals that, in exchange for the new business opportunities, those obtaining DOC concessions are expected to start contributing to DOC’s work on biodiversity conservation (such as pest trapping, native flora and fauna breeding/repopulation) and the maintenance of facilities and infrastructures used by tourism across the country (Treasury, 2013: 3;12-13).

Additionally, it is also hoped that concessionaires, communities, recreational user groups, and individuals will increase their contributions through donations and volunteer work to implement DOC’s legal objectives (Treasury, 2012 and 2013; New Zealand Government, 2012). However, the Conservation Minister acknowledged that “Currently the pervading attitude by those operating on public conservation land is that they do so by ‘right’ rather than a privilege in which they are prepared to invest. Changing this attitude will require DOC to demonstrate and deliver real value in any established partnerships.” (Treasury, 2013: 11).

In this context, the research question that emerges is: what are the prospects for sustainable tourism and recreation in the National Parks of New Zealand, given the recent shifts in regulation and governance to facilitate a Conservation Economy? This research question will be addressed by considering a number of sub-questions, which emerged not only from the above introductory considerations, but also from the wider literature review:

  • What is the legal-institutional space available to the Department of Conservation to influence the sustainable development of tourism and recreation in National Parks?
  • How do the current National Park Management Plans and visitor planning framework guide the approval, management and monitoring of tourism concessions? What changes in these relationships can we see, or expect, following a shift to a Conservation Economy?
  • How does the new concession regime look like, since 2009? Do the existing and new concession contracts deliver on the promise made by the neo-liberal decision-makers - that opening up conservation lands for tourism businesses will deliver biodiversity and environmental gains in National Parks?

The paper concludes with some policy recommendations based on the preliminary findings reported in this article.


List of Articles
No. Subject Views Datesort
7 Think Tank XV Deconstruction of Man-nature Dialogue Nexus: A Critica... file 8812 Jul 27, 2015

The relationship between man and nature dates back to the millennia. The intimacy of man-nature interaction increased with decreasing healthy nature, as man’s insatiable desire to know and control nature as a commodity becomes more dynamical...

Author: Michael Kweku Commeh 

Year: 2015 

» Think Tank XIV Tourism Concessions in National Parks: Neo-liberal Too... file 4803 Jun 26, 2014

For the tourism sector the government aims to “Grow the number of new business opportunities on public conservation land in order to deliver increased economic prosperity and conservation gain” (New Zealand Government, 2012: 23). In relation...

Author: Valentina Dinica 

Year: 2014 

5 Think Tank XIII The Politics of Community-Based Tourism Planning in th... file 3371 Nov 06, 2013

The management of protected areas has to deal with a wide range of challenges, amongst these, a growing array of social, political and economic expectations. In this regard, protected areas are increasingly expected to particularly serve as ...

Author: Anna Hübner & Truong Si Hong Chau 

Year: 2013 

4 Think Tank IX Developing a knowledge platform on value of parks for ... file 2885 Oct 13, 2013

National Parks and other protected natural areas are a significant point of focus for tourism activity globally. Consequently it is important to understand the values of parks for tourism to assist with effective policy, planning and manage...

Author: Michael Hughes & Jack Carlsen 

Year: 2009 

3 Think Tank VII The Community of Communicators and the Communication o... file 10461 Oct 13, 2013

In spite of the trend towards business as a key element in society and tourism, governments still play an important role in the sustainable development debate. Like any social institution, governments and related organizations do not always ...

Author: Keith Henning 

Year: 2007 

2 Think Tank VI National Park as a Social Corporation file 3634 Oct 13, 2013

The issue is discussed how authorities of National Parks that aim to preserve biosphere can enlarge income. A review indicates that many Parks generate high income from tourism. A Dutch case illustrates that one can find sustainable innovat...

Author: Yoram Krozer & Else Christensen-Redzepovic 

Year: 2006 

1 Think Tank VI Corporate Social Responsibility or Government Interven... file 9265 Oct 13, 2013

Implicit in notions of sustainable development is an holistic triple bottom line approach that seeks to preserve essential ecological processes, protect human heritage and biodiversity and foster inter and intra-generational equity whilst r...

Author: David Wood & Jack Carlsen 

Year: 2006 

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