TIA Welcomes ‘Landmark’ Conversation Amendment Bill

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) has welcomed the introduction of a Conservation Amendment Bill by the Government today, in what has been hailed as the most significant conservation legislation reform in the past 40 years.

TIA Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram says this overhaul is one that the tourism industry has long advocated for, as the current framework is outdated and unclear.

“This is great news, as it’s about making tourism and conservation work together better and smarter. TIA has been calling for transformation on behalf of its members for some time, including in the industry’s Tourism 2050 blueprint launched in 2023,” says Ms Ingram.

“Visitors are drawn to our landscapes and natural places, many of which are managed by the Department of Conservation, and we believe tourism has a profound ability to advance conservation in New Zealand. Enabling a fit for purpose concession system is also a priority through this process.”

TIA made a pair of submissions to the Department of Conservation last year; on Modernising Conservation Land Management and Exploring Charging for Access and on a Draft National Conservation Policy Statement, both of which relate to today’s announcements.

“We look forward to the introduction of this Bill and following its progress. We will be active participants in the select committee process on behalf of our members,” says Ms Ingram.

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