International visitor numbers back to 93% of pre-Covid figures
Aoraki Mount Cook is one of the most popular national parks.
Photo:
Getty Images
The department's latest visitor insights showed almost 670,000 bednights were booked between December and February - a 12 percent increase on the previous year - with revenue up by more than 18 percent.
Department of Conservation heritage and visitors director Catherine Wilson said landscapes and scenery remained top attractions for international visitors and short walks were still the most popular outdoor activity across the board.
"Over summer, international visitor numbers were back to 93 percent of pre-Covid figures with more than 50 percent heading to a national park during their visit," she said.
"Huts and campsite fees ensure people make a fair contribution when they stay in these places and help keep facilities available into the future."
Fiordland and Aoraki Mount Cook were the two most popular national parks.
"Almost 75 percent of international visitors enjoy walks or tramps during their time in New Zealand and 99 percent rated New Zealand's natural scenery as good or very good," Wilson said.
Coastal areas and marine reserves were also popular with New Zealanders, but not without problems, she said.
"Sadly, there was also persistent illegal fishing or collecting shellfish in marine reserves with 101 confirmed offences and 79 infringements between October 2024 to March 2025."
The reserves Te Whanganui-o-Hei on the Coromandel Peninsula, Horoirangi in Tasman Bay, and Long Bay-Okura in Auckland saw the highest number of offences.
"This behaviour is truly disappointing, and we've seen wider issues across the country this summer. This includes dogs attacking wildlife, people driving through endangered river-bird colonies and irresponsible camping harming vulnerable natural areas like alpine wetlands," Wilson said.
The department's data showed almost 60,000 people hiked a Great Walk between December and February, 60 percent of whom were New Zealanders.
Outside of the Great Walks, more than 450,000 bednights were booked at campsites and 70,000 in huts over this period.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
44 minutes ago
- RNZ News
'It's all go, everyone's really buzzing' on Mt Ruapehu
October at Whakapapa ski field, Mt Ruapehu, 2023. Photo: Supplied/ Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ruapehu's mayor is happy with how this years ski season is shaping up, under new operators . Whakapapapa Holdings now manages Whakapapa ski field on Mount Ruapehu while Pure Tūroa manages Tūora field. Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) which oversaw both ski fields, went into insolvency in 2022. Mayor Weston Kirton said while the start of the 2025 season was slow due to low snowfall, things are looking better now. "June was a bit spasmodic but kicked in a bit more with July. So from my understanding is that they're good to go, they've got enough snow to allow people to go up there and enjoy both at the beginning level, if not in the intermediate level. "I think it's all go, everyone's really buzzing, everyone's excited and both sides of the mountain with new ownership, but they got new ideas and I think they've had a huge number of people over the school holidays for example, both visiting and also skiing. "So from the point of view of ski season, we're off to a pretty good start," Kirton said. The Delta Chair is likely to open on Saturday, and Tūora ski field is also opening its upper mountain facilities. Kirton also reflected on the journey to secure government funding that enabled the continued operation of both Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields following the collapse of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL). "The snow industry is critical to our economy and regional tourism. It's fantastic to see Whakapapa and Tūroa up and running again, but we must keep building on this success." Kirton said he was hopeful for a few more snowfalls to help extend the season and encouraged people to visit the maunga [mountain] and enjoy all the experiences Ruapehu has to offer - on and off the slopes. He also stressed the need to keep building on the economic momentum generated by the ski areas. "Council is committed to working with government and others to complete our cycle and hiking trail networks which are turning Ruapehu into a true year-round destination while providing much-needed economic resilience." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Tramper rescued from Tongariro Crossing 'knows he had a close call'
Police said the man realised he would not be able to make it through the Tongariro Alpine Crossing alone. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police A tramper rescued from Tongariro Alpine Crossing 'knows he had a close call', police say. The man called police at about 7.30pm on Saturday, after getting into difficulty on the crossing and realising he would not be able to make it out alone. Senior Constable Barry Shepherd of Taupo Police Search and Rescue said it was an example of how things could go wrong quickly. "He realised that he was not dressed or equipped at all for the harsh reality of the landscape in winter," he said. "There had been recent heavy snowfall with freezing conditions. "He didn't have food with him or any extra gear for warmth or shelter. "Luckily, he realised his error pretty quickly and called us." Police Search and Rescue responded with a helicopter, alongside LandSAR. Despite being extremely cold, the man was not injured and was able to walk out. "I think he knows he had a close call," Shepherd said. "If conditions had worsened or he had been unable to make a phone call, he'd have been in real trouble." Anyone heading out into the back-country - even experienced trampers - needed to prepare for harsh conditions through winter, he said, as they could "change on a dime". "Particularly anyone heading out into the alpine environment should take and know how to use ice axes and crampons, and wear suitable footwear. "Take adequate supplies, clothing and shelter, and do your planning - know what the forecast holds and if you're at all in doubt about what conditions might be like, don't go." Department of Conservation Tongariro operations manager Libby O'Brien said the national park was a place "that demands respect". "Temperatures are often freezing, and drop even lower at night and at elevation," she said. "If you don't have alpine experience and the right gear, you need to think long and hard about whether you're going to be able to survive in these conditions. "We all love being out there, but ensure you know what you're doing so you don't put yourself and others at risk by being ill prepared." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Cafe Owner Protests Punakaiki Parking Charges
A Punakaiki café owner is urging the Conservation Department to rethink its plan to charge for parking at the famous Pancake Rocks on the West Coast. Grant Parrett told a meeting of the West Coast Tai o Poutini Conservation Board this week (subs: Tuesday 22/7) that parking charges create de facto entry fee to (Paparoa) National Park, which was unlawful. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has asked for a trial of paid parking to boost revenue. DOC is aiming to launch a pilot programme in October at Punakaiki, Franz Josef and White Horse Hill at Aoraki Mt Cook. Project manager John Dore told the Board that DOC had serious budget pressures including a 30 percent shortfall in funding for its visitor network and a huge deficit in the amount available for biodiversity. 'For protection of all endangered species we have a budget of $300 million - but a need of $2.3 billion," Mr Dore said. Climate events in the last few years had added $90 million in costs, he added. Paid parking was a tool used internationally in nature parks and would help manage overcrowding at busy sites, he told the Board. But Mr Parrett said the move would turn public conservation land into a Wilsons-style parking lot, and urged the Board to oppose it. 'However you label it, it's a National Park entry fee; it contravenes the National Parks Act and it diminishes DOC's social license to operate.' There were no free parks at Punakaiki because they had been removed to make room for the new Visitor Centre development and people would have no option but to pay to walk around the Pancake Rocks, Mr Parrett said. Unlike Franz Josef or Aoraki Mt Cook, Punakaiki was not a tourist destination but a stop-off attraction for people driving the scenic Coast Road, and for most of the year there was no congestion or capacity problem in the carpark, he said. 'Parking fees will disadvantage local people who call in for a coffee or to stretch their legs, and we don't want this,' he said. While DOC owned the land, taxpayers had funded the $45 million Dolomite Point Visitor Centre development and the building was gifted by the last Government to manawhenua, NgatiWaewae, who now leased office space back to DOC. The public has paid for this development and costs should be kept low, he said. "I am surprised that the iwi has supported the paid parking trial … unless they stand to benefit from it," Mr Parrett said. If people had to pay for parking they might be less likely to pay for Ngati Waewae's interactive visitor experience inside, he suggested. Ngati Waewae's representative on the Conservation Board, Francois Tumahai, objected. 'I disagree with everything you've said. The cost of the building was not $45 million and we're not getting a cent from the project. In the early days we suggested we might provide (parking) wardens … that's it.' Mr Parrett suggested it would be good if the iwi put out a statement to that effect in the interests of transparency. The iwi leader responded: 'You're the one causing all the grief - you put it out." Board chair Dr Mike Legge closed off the discussion and thanked Mr Parrett for his contribution to the public forum. The Dolomite Point Visitor Centre, funded by the Provincial Growth Fund, was budgeted to cost $26 million but the project – including the new carparks – received a funding boost of $15 million in 2023 and cost a total of $40.9 million. The paid parking trial, including charging technology and upgrades to carparks at the three sites, is being funded by $3.8 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. DOC plans to release its pricing strategy early next month and hold public drop-in sessions at Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Aoraki in mid August. Submissions close on August 26 for Punakaiki, and September 30 for Aoraki. *The National Parks Act 1980 gives the public freedom of entry and access to the parks "so that they may receive in full measure the inspiration, enjoyment, recreation and other benefits that may be derived from mountains, forest, sounds, seacoasts, lakes, rivers and other natural features.'
