DOC sets out on journey to find more Great Walks
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has received 30 submissions for new Great Walks, with the Humpridge Track in Fiordland scoring the highest.
Rising international visitor numbers, combined with more people seeking outdoor experiences, meant the department’s nine walks frequently hit capacity at peak times.
The West Coast’s Paparoa Great Walk will be completed in 2019, and DOC is looking for another two to add to its existing network.
DOC received 36 submissions, 11 of which were rejected by an independent consultant for not meeting mandatory criteria.
Each submission was scored on policy, feasibility and visitor experience.
Initial rankings from the consultant from December say the Humpridge Track scored highest against the criteria, with Rees-Dart Circuit near Queenstown and Aotea Track on Great Barrier Island second and third, respectively.
The proposed shortlist is: The Humpridge Track, the Rees-Dart Circuit, the Aotea Track, Old Ghost Road, Queen Charlotte Track, Te Paki Coastal Walk, Greenstone Caples Track, Ruapehu Round the Mountain, St James Walk, North Western Ruahines, Tarawera Walk, Timber Trail, Tararua Ranges, Coromandel Coast, Taranaki Crossing, Waiau-toa/Molesworth, Kaimai North South Track and the Central Plateau Walkway.
The Kauri Coast Walk, Cape Brett Walk, Hillary Trail, Coromandel Forest, Wairere Falls, Pouakai Circuit, Tongariro to Turangi to Taupo¯, Kaimanawa, Pounamu Trail, Akaroa Walk and Rahotu Track were rejected.
However, the initial rankings were not the final output of the discussion.
The listed walks required further investigation and analysis.
DOC director of tourism recreation and heritage Gavin Walker said they would work with the new Minister of Conservation before further decisions.
They would then consider which submissions would be taken further in the process.
‘‘These need to rate highly against our selection criteria and offer New Zealand the greatest benefits from being including in the Great Walk network.’’
Walker said they wanted to thank everyone who took the time to make a submission.
DOC received an extensive spread of ideas, split between 20 walks in the North Island and 10 in the South Island, he said.
The existing Great Walks were some of New Zealand’s most popular and well-known visitor experiences, he said.
Walker said new Great Walks would also showcase lesser-visited parts of the country.
‘‘We also want to give New Zealanders Great Walks options closer to home and at quieter times of the year.’’
The two new Great Walks are part of a Government pledge to pour $178m into tourism infrastructure and conservation.