Record increase in Great Walk use
Hon Nick Smith
Minister of Conservation
14 July 2013
Media Statement
Record increase in Great Walk use
The number of people
doing New Zealand’s nine Great Walks has increased by a
record 7500 in the past year, Conservation Minister Dr Nick
Smith announced today.
“This record increase in
the number of people doing the Great Walks is great news for
conservation and tourism. It means more people are enjoying
our National Parks and increased jobs and economic activity
in regional New Zealand,” Dr Smith says.
The
growth from 79,366 in 2011/12 to 86,873 in 2012/13, or 9.5
per cent, contrasts with static numbers over the preceding
six years. The growth ranged from 19 per cent on the Kepler,
17 per cent on the Routeburn, 14 per cent on the Whanganui,
12 per cent on Lake Waikaremoana, nine per cent on the
Rakiura, eight per cent on the Heaphy, six per cent on the
Abel Tasman, to one per cent on the Milford. The Tongariro
Circuit numbers were static due in part to the disruption
from the significant volcanic activity.
“I
particularly want to encourage growth on Great Walks like
the Whanganui Journey, Lake Waikaremoana, and the Heaphy
that are significantly under- utilised in preference to
those like Milford and Abel Tasman that are at near to full
capacity.
“This weekend I’ve been in Karamea
doing the Heaphy Track with my family. This small community
is reaping real economic and job benefits from the
significant increase in the number of people using the
track.
“This record growth can be clearly
attributed to the Great Walk promotions with Air New Zealand
and the new partnership approach over the past year by the
Department of Conservation. The new website, inflight safety
video and profiling of the Great Walks in Air New
Zealand’s inflight magazine has been a huge success. It
shows what is possible when DOC partners up with
organisations with complementary expertise.
“DOC
is working with regional tourism organisations and other key
stakeholders to build on this success and intends launching
a new range of walking tracks later this
year.”
ENDS