(Video first published in September 2016)This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission. The Department of Conservation is considering restricting the number of people who can enter popular national parks at peak times. In Tongariro National Park, the number of hikers on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing reached 122,200 last summer. Allan said DOC is in discussions with iwi about a possible trial to cap of numbers entering Tongariro National Park. She said she was confident the country's national parks are being looked after and maintained in an exceptional way by Te Papa Atawhai, DOC in conjunction with its various partners where that is appropriate.

Source: Stuff January 06, 2021 18:13 UTC