Submission form: Exploring charging for access to some public conservation land
The Government is seeking feedback on its proposal to charge for access to some public conservation land.

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The questions in this online submission form relate to sections of the discussion document.

 

To start your submission, enter your details then work through each section. There are 6 parts to the submission form. You can answer all the questions or only the questions you want to provide feedback on.

 

You can't save answers and come back to your online submission form. You need to complete the submission in one go. At the end of the form, submit your feedback. We will send you a copy of your feedback to your email address. 

This submission form is also available in downloadable Word (133K) and PDF (289K) formats. If you would like to include supporting information in your submission, use a downloadable format and email your submission to: accesschargingconsultation@doc.govt.nz

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Part 3 – Issues

The Government faces increasing costs to maintain and improve public conservation land, including keeping visitor facilities safe and preventing biodiversity loss. Our current laws don’t allow us to fairly spread the costs between visitors and taxpayers. Changing the law could help ensure visitors contribute to the upkeep and improvement of these areas, maintaining a high-quality experience for everyone.

 

This is covered on pages 20-22 of the discussion document.

Do you want to comment on Part 3 - Issues?
Do you agree with the issues and how they have been presented?
Have any issues been missed?

Part 4 – Access charging – part of the solution?

This part outlines options to address the issues outlined in Part 3 (including those available without law change). It also provides examples of how access charges have been used overseas and evidence that suggests they could be a useful tool for New Zealand. 

 

This is covered on pages 24-27 of the discussion document.

Do you want to comment on Part 4 – Access charging – part of the solution?
Do you support the Government introducing the ability to charge for access to some parts of public conservation land?
Are there any international examples available that you think the Government could learn from?
Do you agree with the assessment of voluntary and concessionaire-based access charges?

Part 5 – Who should pay an access charge?

Deciding who should pay access charges is important, as it impacts how much funding is collected and how it is implemented. Different places might use varied approaches, especially for domestic versus international visitors.

 

This is covered on pages 30-32 of the discussion document.

Do you want to comment on Part 5 – Who should pay an access charge?

To what extent do you support:

Option A: Charging everyone
Option B: Charging everyone but charging New Zealanders less than international visitors
Option C: Charging only international visitors
Is there anything else the Government should consider when thinking about who should pay an access charge?
Are there any other groups the Government should consider charging for access to some public conservation land?

Part 6 – Where should access charging be used?

We are considering where access charges should be applied, as they aren’t practical for most public conservation land. Research shows these charges work best when they are supported by the community. We want to identify the best places for access charges, which could include a place that has one or more of the following features:

 

  • facing unsustainable pressure from visitors 
  • popular with international visitors
  • with high biodiversity and scenic values
  • where user groups are defined.

 

This is covered on pages 34-35 of the discussion document.

Do you want to comment on Part 6 – Where should access charging be used?
Do you agree that the use of access charges should be limited to some areas of public conservation land?
We have identified the types of places where access charges could be effective, which may include one or more of features listed above. Do you agree with the features identified for where access charging could be used?
Are there any additional features we should consider?
Are there any features of a place that would mean access charging should not be introduced there?
To what extent do you support the ‘parks pass’ approach?

Part 7 – How should the additional revenue be used?

We estimate that introducing access charges at five popular places in New Zealand could raise between $52 million to $70 million each year for conservation. However, there would also be costs associated with implementing these charges.

 

This is covered on pages 38-42 of the discussion document.

Do you want to comment on Part 7 – How should the additional revenue be used?

To what extent do you support:

Option A: More of the money should be invested at the place it is collected
Option B: More of the money should be invested within the region it is collected in
Option C: Invest the money in priority projects across New Zealand, regardless of where it is collected
Are there any international approaches to spending money from access charging that you think the Government should consider?

Part 8 – Working with Iwi (and Hapū)

Iwi have strong, lasting connections with public conservation land, viewing land features as tūpuna (ancestors). Access to public conservation land, waters, and other taonga is important to Iwi. The Government has a duty to protect these rights and interests.

 

This is covered on pages 44-45 of the discussion document.

Do you want to comment on Part 8 – Working with Iwi (and Hapū)?

Part 9 – Other design questions

The Government is also considering the application of access charges to land with conservation values that is administered by others (for example, councils, not-for-profit organisations and Iwi).

 

This is covered on page 46 of the discussion document.

Do you want to comment on Part 9 – Other design questions?
Do you think groups other than DOC should be allowed to charge people to access the conservation land they manage, if it meets certain features in Part 7, to help pay for upkeep and improvement?

Submit your feedback

Thank you for providing your feedback on the Charging for access to some public conservation land discussion document.

 

Once you’re ready, submit your feedback. We will send a copy of your submission to your email address.