Environment

The National Parks and Walking Access Acts contain provisions regarding the safety of the public in conservation areas and national parks and other areas. Any operators using public land, especially conservation/reserve land, should know their obligations, and if they need to apply for a licence or concession to Local Government or the Department of Conservation.

Applying for a DOC concession

If you want to use public conservation land to run a business or activity you must get permission from DOC in the form of a concession.

The Conservation Act 1987

Created to promote the conservation of New Zealand's natural and historic resources.

The National Parks Act

Specially protected areas can be established that allow partial or complete exclusion of the public from sensitive areas. The National Parks Act provides for the continuance of existing national parks, the creation of new parks, and the management of all national parks.

Walking Access Act 2008

The purpose of this Act is to provide the New Zealand public with free, certain, enduring, and practical walking access to the outdoors (including around the coast and lakes, along rivers, and to public resources) and to establish the Walking Access Commission.

Resource Management Act

The purpose of this Act is to promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources. Operators should ensure their activity has no harmful impact on the quality of land, air and water resources or their sustainability.