Heritage and Visitor Strategy

Published: February 2021

The Strategy sets out the goals we want to achieve and the steps we will take to get there, so that our heritage and visitor system supports Papatūānuku to thrive.

DOC Heritage and Visitor Strategy (PDF, 4,133K)

It is designed for everyday use by DOC staff. It will help inform visitor and heritage management decisions across the country, including our work with iwi, hapū and whānau, stakeholders and across government, in line with the New Zealand-Aotearoa Government Tourism Strategy.

Goals of the Strategy

The three goals of the Strategy are:

1. Protect: New Zealand’s natural, cultural and historic resources are preserved and protected to maintain cultural and historic values, biodiversity, ecosystem health, landscapes and natural quiet
2. Connect: Visitors are enriched and better connected to New Zealand’s natural, cultural and historic heritage
3. Thrive: Tangata whenua, regions and communities benefit from protecting, and connecting visitors with, their natural, cultural and historic heritage

These goals have a hierarchy. The natural, cultural and historic heritage of places managed by DOC needs to be protected first. Visitors can then experience and connect with these places. This protection and enhanced visitor connection will help support improved wellbeing, enabling communities to thrive.

Developing the strategy

Journey to the Heritage and Visitor Strategy (PDF, 5,391K)

The Journey to the Heritage and Visitor Strategy tells the story behind the final Strategy framework and actions. It expands on the rapidly changing context DOC is operating in, the legislation underpinning its work and the long and short-term trends it must respond to.