Tongariro Crossing proposed limits worry
A proposal to limit the number of walkers on the Tongariro Crossing has local business owners concerned as they prepare to welcome international tourists back to the Central Plateau.
Ameeting held by the Department of Conservation at the Whakapapa Visitor Centre on Tuesday outlined a proposal to limit walkers on the Crossing to 800 people per day, with a further proposal to control capacity through a dedicated booking system.
DOC is still working with local business to finalise the details, but the plan is to implement the trial ahead of this year’s summer season.
DOC operations director for the Central North Island, Damian Coutts, said ‘‘traversing a dual World Heritage site and sacred landscape, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the country’s most heavily visited one-day walks. ‘‘Numerous reports and studies over the past two decades have questioned the environmental, cultural and social sustainability of the walk when there are too many people. Some days have seen in excess of 2500 people on the crossing.’’
For business operators in the local tourism industry, it poses tough questions for an already struggling industry.
‘‘I’m a bit blindsided by it, to be honest’’ says Tongariro Holiday Park co-owner Greg Hooper. His hotel sits on State Highway 47 halfway between the start and finish points of the iconic walk.
‘‘They’re saying to us 800 people, no exceptions. In a normal year, we’ll have over 1000 people on the crossing for at least 50 days per year, which includes a big chunk of summer.
‘‘I’m worried that it might mean people who would otherwise come here, don’t turn up. We’re seeing what other accommodation providers are prepared to sell their rooms for and quite honestly, we simply can’t afford to drop any lower.’’
The Central Plateau region was hit hard by travel restrictions over the past two years. In pre-pandemic times, the area welcomed campers, walkers, skiers, and other tourists from home and abroad. Since the borders shut, business owners have had to rely on the remaining domestic tourists from other parts of New Zealand.
ACT Party conservation spokesperson Nicole McKee says this is the wrong decision to make at a time when New Zealand should be encouraging as many people as possible to visit.
‘‘It’s like kneecapping an industry when it’s getting on its feet.
‘‘This has a knock-on affect as well. Hotels, shops, bars, restaurants all rely on tourists coming through and seeing the beauty New Zealand has to offer. So it’s not just tourism operators affected, its small town New Zealand.’’
Publicly available details about the proposal have been elusive, and the first meeting was limited to concessionaires and key interested parties. DOC have confirmed further consultations by July but have not stated if they will be open to the public.