Is DOC putting tourists before our wildlife? Protection of people visiting a national park would always trump biodiversity protection, Wright said. Annual visitor numbers at the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (TAC), and at Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park show how demand for recreational opportunities on the DOC estate has soared. An extra $76m over four years was included in the 2017 Budget to manage increased visitor numbers. Tourism growth, particularly the rise in non-self-contained freedom campers, meant some sites initially open to campers had to be reconsidered because of the increased pressure, DOC said.

Source: Stuff January 02, 2018 15:56 UTC