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3.2 Supply‐side Situation and Trends
43, 44, 45,46
Having examined public demand for recreational facilities, the next section of this report reviews the supply of
DOC destinations at a national level as well as specifically in the TWT Conservancy. The Department’s past and
present role in protecting and developing New Zealand’s natural resources is discussed and DOC‐related TWT
infrastructure/destinations is outlined.
Past
Tasked with managing a great number of assets across the country, DOC has traditionally been facility‐focused
compared to its current destination management approach. This includes maintaining facilities located within
New Zealand’s natural environment such as tracks, huts and bridges – many of which were inherited from its
predecessors and the sum of which has sometimes been unknown. Over the years DOC has become more
aware of its assets and a decade ago its brief was to restore the country’s indigenous biodiversity, protect
public conservation areas and supply access to these places for all New Zealanders. Today DOC’s vision is that
New Zealand is the greatest living space on Earth and the Department is increasingly interested in how all
people choose to use our natural spaces. Its destination management approach sees DOC working
collaboratively with others towards common goals and there is a commercial objective to seek business
opportunities that deliver increased economic prosperity and conservation gain.
Present
DOC has become more customer‐centric in its provision of experiences, aiming to meet the needs of New
Zealand’s residents and visitors. While the Department still manages around 4,500 destinations, including 14
National Parks, it is now focused on understanding demand to provide the best mix of facilities and services to
ensure quality, enjoyable experiences suitable for a range of visitors. Its Destination Management Framework
(DMF) approach looks to increase the participation of people in recreation and protect New Zealand’s historic
heritage.
47
To achieve this destinations are managed as Icons, Gateways, Local Treasures and Backcountry
Networks.
Icons are key destinations intended to underpin national and international tourism in New Zealand, Gateways
encourage people to start recreating in the outdoors and to learn about conservation, Local Treasures provide
local places for local people and support regional outdoor recreation needs and Backcountry Networks are
intended to provide challenging adventures in protected natural areas. In general Tongariro Icons and
Gateways are primarily alpine‐based (i.e. Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Whakapapa Village walks), whereas
Wanganui destinations are river‐based (i.e. Wanganui Journey) and Taranaki destinations alpine/coastal‐based
(i.e. Mount Taranaki, Tapuae Marine Reserve).
Destination management considers people’s desired experience when they visit DOC‐managed destinations
rather than the maintenance of assets. It also aligns with the shared goals of other organisations such as Sport
New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand who similarly seek to optimise user experiences. It is essential that
DOC continues to work with others to deliver the best possible outdoor experiences to visitors. This includes
national organisations (i.e. Tourism New Zealand and Sport New Zealand) as well as Regional Tourism
Organisations, iwi and individual operators. Not only do these organisations have common objectives but DOC
has a core role of facilitating the enjoyment and protection of New Zealand’s natural environment – which
suggests enabling others to implement the experiences that visitors desire.
43
Department of Conservation, A short history of the Department of Conservation: 1987‐2007,
www.doc.govt.nz/publications/about‐doc/a‐short‐history‐of‐doc/
44
Department of Conservation, Statement of Intent 2003–2006, 2003
45
Department of Conservation, Statement of Intent 2012‐2017, 2012
46
Department of Conservation, DOC's 25th Anniversary Exhibition, 2012
47
Department of Conservation, Destination management framework: A new approach to managing destinations, 2011
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DOC has acknowledged tourism as one of New Zealand’s biggest export earners and a sector closely aligned
with its own goals of helping to build economic prosperity, having more people participate in outdoor
recreation and spending their leisure time and money in the places they recreate.
48
The DMF discusses people
engaging with the natural environment as visitors and considers their overall experience when visiting a
destination. The objectives of DOC also align closely with Sport New Zealand who highlight the importance of
organisations and groups that provide opportunities for people to participate in outdoor recreation to be
firstly aware of any changes in participant needs and then to be able to manage their resources to respond
effectively.
49
At a regional level Tongariro is described by international travel guides as New Zealand’s volcanic plateau – it is
an active volcanic region providing a playground for snow sports enthusiasts in the winter and a summer
destination for trampers.
50
The region’s towns are recommended as offering a range of outdoor experiences
across the seasons from extreme activities to more sedate engagement with nature. For example Taupō offers
both adrenaline‐pumping activities
51
as well as scenic experiences, while Ohakune
52
and Turangi
53
provide
access to many outdoor summer activities but come to life in winter. Wanganui’s river and National Park are
described as its central attractions. The overall area is said to offer many opportunities to experience the
outdoors
54
and the city itself is described as pleasant with a thriving arts community.
55
Taranaki is described
as being dominated by Mount Taranaki and the Egmont National Park.
56
It is surrounded by coastline offering
good surf beaches and, although slightly isolated from other New Zealand cities,
57
its main centre (New
Plymouth) is the commercial heart of Taranaki with an international port alongside arts and garden
attractions.
58
A map of current DOC destinations in the TWT Conservancy is shown overleaf. This map has been sourced
from the DOC website and highlights what are promoted as the Conservancy’s key places; categorised as
“Great Walks”, “Must See Places”, “Easier Experiences” and “Historic Places”.
59
It is acknowledged that Mt
Taranaki, Wanganui River, Mt Ruapehu and Lake Taupō are also significant facilitators of recreational activity
across the TWT region, although not necessarily identified as individual destinations on the DOC website. As
shown in the map the TWT Conservancy currently contains groupings of destinations based around the
Tongariro alpine region and Mount Taranaki/New Plymouth, with noticeably fewer destinations in Wanganui
particularly towards its city centre. While the majority of TWT destinations are considered Easier Experiences
or Must See Places, indicating that they are likely to appeal to visitor desires for outdoor experiences that are
easy to engage in and are an escape from people’s everyday lives, groupings of destinations are somewhat
isolated from each other and there is no clear linkage for visitors to transition across the Conservancy.
Current priorities for the DOC regions of Tongariro, Wanganui and Taranaki are to develop infrastructure
around Icon and Gateway destinations, including alternative transportation modes to access destinations and
48
Department of Conservation, Destination management framework: A new approach to managing destinations, 2011
49
Sport New Zealand, Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2009–2015, 2009
50
Rough Guides, Central North Island, roughguides.com/destinations/australasia/new‐zealand/central‐north‐island/
51
Trip Advisor, Taupō, tripadvisor.com/Tourism‐g255113‐Taupō_North_Island‐Vacations.html
52
Lonely Planet, Ohakune, lonelyplanet.com/new‐zealand/Taupō‐and‐the‐central‐plateau/ohakune
53
Lonely Planet, Turangi, lonelyplanet.com/new‐zealand/Taupō‐and‐the‐central‐plateau/turangi
54
Lonely Planet, Wanganui Region, lonelyplanet.com/new‐zealand/wanganui‐and‐palmerston‐north/wanganui‐region
55
Rough Guides, Wanganui, roughguides.com/destinations/australasia/new‐zealand/western‐north‐island/wanganui/
56
Lonely Planet, New Plymouth, lonelyplanet.com/new‐zealand/taranaki/new‐plymouth
57
Lonely Planet, Taranaki, lonelyplanet.com/new‐zealand/taranaki
58
Rough Guides, New Plymouth, roughguides.com/destinations/australasia/new‐zealand/western‐north‐island/taranaki‐
peninsula/new‐plymouth/
59
Department of Conservation, DOC Maps: Discover the Outdoors, maps.doc.govt.nz/Viewer/Index.html?viewer=rwa
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the creation of commercial tourism opportunities. For Tongariro and Taupō this includes further progressing
cycleways and providing access to outdoor experiences, such as a water taxi to support the Great Lake Trail
and alternative experiences to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing for when weather conditions are unfavorable.
Wanganui priorities are to support infrastructure and tourism business based around the Wanganui Journey
and Mountain to the Sea Cycle Trail and attract sports people to the region. Taranaki is focused on increasing
accommodation capacity and improving access to destinations through various transport alternatives.
Map of Present TWT DOC Destinations
(as identified on the DOC website)
North Egmont (Maunga
Taranaki)
Dawson Falls
Stratford Plateau
Pukerangiora
Tapuae Marine Reserve and SLIMPA
Whanganui Journey
Mountains to Sea Cycle
Trail
The Timber Trail
Kakaho
Huka Falls
Mid Tongariro River
Tongariro National Trout
Lake Rotopounamu
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Tongariro Northern Circuit
Whakapapa Village
Old Coach Road
● New Zealand’s Great Walks
● Must See Places
● Easier Experiences
● Historic
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3.2.1 Existing DOC infrastructure and usage
This section lists the relevant high level DOC infrastructure for each of the TWT Conservancy areas including
visitation numbers where available (as provided by DOC). Trend data was unavailable for analysis in this
report.
Taupō
The dominant Icon destination in the Taupō area is Huka Falls, followed by the major Tongariro based
attractions. These Icon destinations are very accessible, located near major tourism routes and have gained
widespread exposure and popularity.
Destination Name
Destination type Estimated Visitor numbers per annum
Huka Falls
Icon
605,000
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Icon
82,500
Tongariro National Trout Centre
Icon
58,000
Mid Tongariro River Walks
Icon
45,000
Of the designated Gateway destinations, the Upper Waikato River Tracks attract the largest number of visitors.
Destination Name
Destination type Estimated Visitor numbers per annum
Upper Waikato River Tracks
Gateway
70,000
Lake Rotopounamu
Gateway
30000
Tongariro Northern Circuit
Gateway
6500
The TWT Conservancy encompasses a larger number of Backcountry and Local Treasure destinations. The most
popular are listed here with the remainder outlined in the appendix to this report.
Destination Name
Destination type Estimated Visitor numbers per annum
Tongariro River TR access track
Backcountry
12,000
Clements Mill Road
Backcountry
10,300
Tongariro River TL rds/tks
Backcountry
8,000
RTM‐Ohinepango Spg 2 Waihohonu
Backcountry
5,500
Waiotaka River access track
Backcountry
5,000
Tauranga Taupō River access track
Backcountry
5,000
Destination Name
Destination type Estimated Visitor numbers per annum
Tokaanu Hot Pools and Car Park
Local Treasure
135,000
Tokaanu Thermal Walk
Local Treasure
65,000
Aratiatia Rapids Viewpoints Walk
Local Treasure
40,000
Aratiatia Road
Local Treasure
35,000
Blue Pool Toilet
Local Treasure
30,000
Whakaipo Bay Amenity Area
Local Treasure
22,000
Interviews with Great Lake Taupō RTO confirmed that, from a tourist destination perspective, the area has
‘sufficient’ supply of experiences and activities in relation to the preferences of the traditional markets, i.e. the
variety of outdoor experiences and activities on offer in the area from water to alpine, sedate to extreme,
iconic to niche experiences. The area is regarded as the nature playground of the North Island, with a stable or
growing demand. It was acknowledged that the supply of nature‐related experiences will have to be
sustainably managed in the future in order to preserve this demand.
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New planned or possible ‘pipeline’ developments in the area with a possible impact on recreation and tourism
include the development of more cycle trails into wilderness areas such as the Kaimanawa’s. There is also a
potential to link those new trails with existing cycle trails such as the Tongariro River Trail. The extension of
existing cycle trails to other destinations such as Taupō Town, Tongariro National Park and other existing cycle
trails (Timber Trail to Great Lakes Trail) and building transportation infrastructure around them (water taxi in
Lake Taupō for instance) have also been raised as possibilities. In addition there are new walking opportunities
identified at the southern end of the lake including a wetland walk and Mt Kakaramea.
Other social and political issues have also been identified as potentially playing a role in future developments
in the Taupō area. These include the perceptions around the access to the lake and the impact that future
treaty claims may have on access to other areas. Changes to the local government act and also a potential
amalgamation of RTO’s could have a negative and positive effect on destination marketing respectively.
Tongariro
The Tongariro experiences on offer are also classified as Taupō‐related destinations. However, the
Tongariro/Ruapehu area benefits and services the Tongariro drawcards to a large degree as well and are
relisted here.
Destination Name
Destination type Estimated Visitor numbers per annum
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Icon
82,500
Old Coach Road
Icon
10,500
Destination Name
Destination type Estimated Visitor numbers per annum
Whakapapa Village walks
Gateway
40,000
Tongariro Northern Circuit
Gateway
2,500
Destination Name
Destination type Estimated Visitor numbers per annum
Dome volcanic eruptn/Lahar warning shltr
Backcountry
14,000
RTM tk‐Ohakune Mtn Rd ‐Lake Surprise
Backcountry
6,000
Dominion Road‐ (Tongariro Forest Access)
Backcountry
6,000
Kapoors Rd ‐Tongariro Forest/42 Traverse
Backcountry
5,000
42 Traverse‐Slab Rd crpk‐Dominion Rd cpk
Backcountry
5,000
Destination Name
Destination type
Estimated Visitor numbers
Bruce Road (CS)
Local Treasure
454,000
Whakapapa Visitor Centre carpark/toilets
Local Treasure
244,441
Whakapapa Village Bus Park
Local Treasure
100,000
Ngauruhoe Place, Whakapapa Village (CS)
Local Treasure
35,000
Mangawhero Falls Walk
Local Treasure
25,000
Waitonga Falls Walk (RTM Track link)
Local Treasure
20,000
Rimu Walk
Local Treasure
16,000
Ruapehu District Council has a similar view on the demand trends for the area, i.e. it is stable or growing from
the traditional markets. Supply is also seen as sufficient and sustainable management of experiences should be
taken into account. Similarly to Taupō, the amount and variety of the local ‘supply’ of activities and
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experiences is seen as catering well to the demand of the traditional markets, including the expected growth in
demand from these markets. The area is relatively more ‘niche’ oriented towards the scenic or active outdoor
experiences and has less variety in unrelated experiences such as shopping or lake use, as has Taupō. Possible
options of spreading demand over the existing infrastructure would alleviate pressures on iconic destinations
such as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Furthermore, the increasing popularity of cycling/mountain biking and
new cycle way developments are seen as a good way to even out seasonality and to provide alternative
activities for when Mt Ruapehu (or Tongariro) is inaccessible due to weather or other factors.
New planned or possible ‘pipeline’ developments in the area with a possible impact on recreation and tourism
include the upgrading and development of new lift facilities on the Ruapehu skifields and the upgrading of
some tracks (Taranaki Falls, Silica Rapids, Waitonga etc) and huts (Oturere). There has also been identified that
there is significant potential for further mountain biking opportunities within Tongariro National Park.
Taranaki
Mt Taranaki is the dominant attraction in the Taranaki area, with high visitor numbers to surrounding/relating
attractions such as Stratford Plateau and Dawson Falls.
Destination Name
Destination type
Estimated Visitor numbers
North Egmont (Maunga Taranaki)
Icon
101,427
Pukerangiora Pa ‐ Potential Icon
Icon
2,500
Destination Name
Destination type
Estimated Visitor numbers
Stratford Plateau
Gateway
149,674
Dawson Falls (Maunga Taranaki)
Gateway
73529
Ratapihipihi
Gateway
7616
Tapuae Marine Reserve and SLIMPA
Gateway
3,087
Destination Name
Destination type
Estimated Visitor numbers
Northern Summit Route
Backcountry
7,520
Waimoku Track
Backcountry
5,848
Ridge Track
Backcountry
5,000
Ram Track
Backcountry
5,000
North Egmont Summit Tk (Translator Rd)
Backcountry
5,000
AMC Tahurangi ‐ Manganui Skifield Track
Backcountry
4,296
Fanthams Peak Track
Backcountry
4,000
Mangorei Track
Backcountry
3,627
Projected growth in the oil and gas industry in Taranaki will stimulate the local economy, creating jobs,
migration and an increase in the demand for recreational options, as well as a resulting increase in VFR
tourism to the area. This increase in demand is likely to attract new recreation and tourism developments in
the future.
There is potential to grow mountain biking opportunities, including Pukeiti and into the National park itself.
There is currently lobbying for more heli‐tours on Mt Taranaki and also a potential expansion of air linkages to
New Plymouth generally, making Taranaki more accessible. In addition, there are intentions to develop a
historic heritage trail and to expand the successful coastal walkway. There is potential to explore how people
can be connected to the marine environment via a marine reserve.
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Wanganui
Wanganui area has considerably fewer designated DOC attractions and comparatively low numbers of visitors
to the well known places in contrast to the other TWT areas. The prime destinations are the Wanganui River
Journey and the Mountain to Sea Cycle Trail.
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