1) Introduction. 2a) A brief history of New Zealand tourism

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1 1) Introduction This report will examine the use of two of New Zealand s national parks Tongariro National Park (TNP) and Fiordland National Park (FNP) to argue that New Zealand s tourism industry is currently sustainable. On the contrary there are examples of unsustainable tourism within these two national parks, such as overcrowding and freedom camping issues, and some regulations may need to be put in place to combat these problems. However, overall it seems that tourists do show respect towards the natural environment when it comes obeying the rules. The tourism industry adds greatly to the New Zealand economy in terms of foreign exchange and employment. Also, various laws passed through parliament and national park management plans are contributing towards the maintenance and preservation of our national parks for future benefit. 2a) A brief history of New Zealand tourism New Zealand has been historically blessed with regards to tourism. Around 85 million years ago, New Zealand began to separate from the ancient continent Gondwanaland. This geographical isolation allowed the flora and fauna of New Zealand to evolve significantly in the absence of predators. The legacies of this can be seen in the present day with New Zealand s variety of indigenous species. Plate tectonics have also played an important role in New Zealand s evolving landscape. New Zealand is situated between the Indo-Australian Plate and the Pacific Plate and the movement of these two plates over millions of years have contributed to the formation and modification of iconic mountains and lakes in areas such as the Taupo Volcanic Zone and the Southern Alps. In the nineteenth century, a major feature that brought tourists to New Zealand was the Pink and White Terraces. Located on the shores of Lake Rotomahana near Rotorua, they were considered the eighth natural wonder of the world and were formed from silica-rich waters that were heated from geothermal activity (Ryan and Kohli 2006). The people in the nearby village of Te Wairoa benefited greatly from this tourist attraction due to the establishment of hotels and the employment of local Maori as touring guides. In 1886 a volcanic eruption buried the village of Te Wairoa killing about 150 people. The Pink and White Terraces were surrounded by a large crater and eventually filled with water to create the present day Lake Rotomahana (Harper et al. 2002). Sightseeing is still alive and well in present day New Zealand. TNP is New Zealand s oldest national park and was established in 1887 when a Maori chief gifted the mountains of Ruapehu, Ngaruahoe and Tongariro to the Crown. In doing so, Tongariro became the first national park in the world initiated as a gift from an indigenous people. Natural World Heritage Status was granted to the park in 1990 and it is recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as one of the world s greatest natural and cultural sites. Fiordland is New Zealand s largest national park and is located in the southwest corner of the South Island. Created in 1952, it 1

2 contrasts with Tongariro National Park in that it is largely a wilderness area with limited entry points and its lakes were formed from glacial activity. 2b) The present importance of tourism to the New Zealand economy The Ministry of Economic Development s (MED) website states that tourism is one of New Zealand s single largest export earning industries. The Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) provides statistics regarding tourism and its contribution to the New Zealand economy. Figure 1 shows that total employment in tourism has increased over the past ten years and direct tourism contributes to 4.8 percent of total employment. Figure 2 shows that tourism expenditure contributed to 8.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011, having previously been as high as 9.9 percent in 2001 and Total tourism expenditure in 2011 was nearly 23 billion dollars, almost double the expenditure in From international tourism expenditure has competed with dairy products for the country s largest export earner, even being ranked number one in 2008 and 2010 (see Figure 3). In 2011 international tourism accounted for 16.8 percent of total New Zealand exports. The Dominion Post (February 2012) reported that in 2011 visitor numbers to New Zealand were at 2.6 million, up three percent from This increase was partly due to the 2011 Rugby World Cup. In December 2011 Australian and Asian visitors increased 6.7 percent and 14.7 percent respectively. Even though not all visitors to New Zealand are tourists, the 2011 TSA reports that the holiday/vacation category continues to remain the highest reason for purpose of visit. So in summary, the tourism industry plays a major role in contributing to the wealth of the New Zealand economy. Therefore it is vital that this industry be sustained so that it can continue to provide sources of income. The establishment and preservation of national parks is one of many ways this can be done. Figure 1. New Zealand employment in the tourism industry from P= provisional; R= revised (Tourism Satellite Account 2011). 2

3 Figure 2. Summary of tourism expenditure components in New Zealand from P= provisional; R= revised (Tourism Satellite Account 2011). Figure 3. International tourism expenditure compared with selected primary exports from P= provisional; R= revised (Tourism Satellite Account 2011). 3a) Case Study: Sustainability in Tongariro National Park- The Tongariro Crossing The Tongariro Crossing is 19.4 kilometres long and has been described as one of the best one day walks in the world (Blaschke and Whitney 2007). Taking between 8-9 hours, the walk takes its users between Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngaruahoe and past overwhelming settings such as the Red Crater and Emerald Lakes (Figures 4 and 5). The popularity of the crossing has increased substantially over the last 15 years and has put the issue of sustainability into question. Overcrowding is a major concern for people who use the crossing. This is more evident at popular resting places such as near the Red Crater and at Ketetahi Hut (Figure 6). A report entitled Use Limits on the Tongariro Crossing provides valuable statistics from surveyed walkers (Blaschke and 3

4 Whitney 2007). One question asked was: Did you see more or fewer people on the track today than you expected? Just over half of respondents said they saw more people than expected, with a further 30 percent saying they saw about the same. Even though three quarters of respondents said that the number of people they saw did not reduce their enjoyment of the walk, overcrowding has put a lot of pressure on existing tracks. Figure 7 shows damage to artificial track, probably due to natural erosion and human use. From my personal experience on the track, in some instances people leave the track in order to overtake other users. This can lead to erosion and damage to offtrack vegetation. This was particularly evident along the sides of staircases. The track from the Red Crater to the Tongariro Summit can be described as very narrow and uneven. Personally, this forced me to spend some time looking at where I was stepping in order to avoid large rocks, as opposed to admiring the view. The same can be said of the scree slope leading from Red Crater down towards the Emerald Lakes (Figure 8). It is characterised by loose volcanic soils and rocks, meaning that its profile has been altered over many years as people move the material downhill. Blaschke and Whitney (2007) argue that this process is inevitable and that it is unrealistic to build paths on this terrain because of its slope and cultural significance. Although there are signposts telling people not to leave any rubbish in the national park, it can be seen in some places (Figure 9). However it is unclear whether this rubbish was left on purpose or accidentally fell out of a person s pocket or bag. There are toilet stations along the crossing and all human waste is removed by helicopter. However a paradox is created as helicopters provide noise pollution in an environment which prides itself on natural sound and solitude. Having said all this, I believe that the Tongariro Crossing is sustainable. As touched on above no human waste is left in the park, which makes sense because it helps to maintain the natural and cultural value of the land. It would be very disrespectful to local iwi if human waste was disposed of in the park. The main track bypasses the Ketetahi Springs which are privately owned by a Maori Trust (Blaschke and Whitney 2007) and walkers are made aware of this through signs. The amount of rubbish left on the crossing is scarce and therefore most tourists do obey the frequent signs regarding the rules. There are signs telling people what water is unsafe to drink and the Ketetahi Hut contains a safe water drinking facility that is recognized by a sign. Constant improvement and investment is undertaken by DOC on paths. Over the past few years the Devil s Staircase part of the track has been upgraded with boarded tracks and staircases to make it more convenient for walkers. In order to combat natural erosion rock mesh has been added to keep the paths safe and free from danger (Figure 10). Pre-bookings are not required and everyone has free access to it. Blaschke and Whitney (2007) state that the walk attracts around 60,000 people per year and it is believed that over the three weeks of the 2011/2012 Christmas period 11,000 people participated in the crossing (Willis 2012). Plenty of information is provided on the internet and in brochures giving recommendations on, for example, what to bring and what times to start. 4

5 Figure 4. Red Crater (left) and Figure 5. Emerald Lakes (right) are two of the standout attractions along the Tongariro Crossing. Figure 6. Crowding can occur at the Ketetahi Hut as visitors stop for a rest, fill their water bottles and use the toilets. Figure 7. Two sites of track damage along the Tongariro Crossing 5

6 Figure 8. Scree slope leading down to the Emerald Lakes (thetongarirocrossing.co.nz) Figure 9. Two examples of rubbish seen on the Tongariro Crossing: Tissues and a cigarette bud. Figure 10. Rock mesh has been added in parts of the Tongariro Crossing to improve walker safety. 6

7 3b) Case Study: Sustainability in Fiordland National Park (FNP) FNP is described by DOC as a vast, remote wilderness area one of the [greatest] of the southern Hemisphere (Destination Fiordland 2011/2012). It has over 500 kilometres of walking track including the Great Walks of the Kepler, Routeburn and Milford Tracks. The Milford Track is about 53 kilometres long and takes four days to complete. It has a booking system which helps to reduce crowding problems, but anyone from the public can book. FNP has been globally acknowledged by UNESCO when it was made a World Heritage Area in 1986 and extended in It was described as having outstanding examples of the earth s evolutionary history (Destination Fiordland 2011/2012). The lush forests and heavy rainfall contribute to a unique marine environment of rare coral and sponge species. It contains many rare and endemic species only found in Fiordland such as the Black Mountain Ringlet butterfly, Fiordland Crested penguin and the Takahe bird an extremely rare flightless bird who s numbers are carefully monitored by DOC. FNP is largely a wilderness area, meaning that large parts of the park contain no tracks or signs. The concept of selfreliance is critical in these areas (Michael Crozier 2012). In other words DOC expects people in these areas to make their own decisions with regards to respecting the environment. A major problem in FNP is inconsiderate freedom camping, which can be defined as camping away from sites recognised as camping grounds (Tourism Industry Association 2012). People are advised to stay in designated places such as holiday parks and DOC camping grounds, but unfortunately this is not always the case. Freedom camping has financial costs. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) (2011) has stated that local authorities and DOC are faced with ongoing costs for routine patrols, clean-up and maintenance of sites of free campsites. The main issues relating to freedom camping include the incorrect disposal of human waste, toilet paper and litter. Even though most visitors in the park obey the rules regarding human waste disposal, there are limited toilet or rubbish bin facilities where people decide to camp freely. As a result some people leave their waste behind in the park. Other visitors in FNP consider this as offensive and creating a health risk. Human faeces can contaminate water supplies and soils because they contain harmful micro-organisms. The problem is worse in cold climate areas because the matter takes longer to decompose. Diseases such as giardia can survive in cold waters and have various effects on humans, including stomach cramps and dehydration (DOC 2012). This issue contributes to degrading New Zealand s image as a clean green tourist destination. 4a) Policies and regulations regarding sustainable tourism Both the TNP and FNP are administered by DOC, which was established under the Conservation Act The main purpose of this Act is to promote the conservation of New Zealand s natural and 7

8 cultural heritage. Conservation is defined as: the preservation and protection of natural and historic resources for the purpose of maintaining their intrinsic values, providing for their appreciation and recreational enjoyment by the public, and safeguarding the options of future generations (p. 11). This can be applied to sustainable tourism in national parks, in that a balance between protection of the environment and recreational enjoyment is found. The National Parks Act 1980 is also vital in supporting the tourism industry and New Zealand s heritage. Section 4 states that the parks are to be maintained in their natural state with the public having the right of entry. Section 5 notes that indigenous plants and animal are to be preserved and that no one, without the minister s consent, can take any indigenous plant or animal out of a national park. Part 7 describes the various offences and penalties for those offences. Section 14 focuses on wilderness areas where the concept of solitude is emphasized. No machinery, vehicles, motor vessels, animals shall be allowed to be taken into or used in the area and no roads or tracks shall be constructed. Section 50 notes that only the minister has the authority to approve the establishment of camping grounds, huts, hostels, and other buildings or facilities in any park, providing it is consistent with the park s management plan. The Freedom Camping Act was introduced in August 2011 in order to prevent camping on public land. The Fiordland, West Coast and Marlborough regions were among the most concerning areas. It allows local authorities to work effectively with DOC to issue infringement notices and fines. The law applies to areas within certain distance of a: motor vehicle accessible area, sea/harbour, or Great Walks track (NZ Herald 2011). The New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015 was initiated in November Its vision is: In 2015, tourism is valued as the leading contributor to a sustainable New Zealand economy. It lists some challenges including the impact of climate change on travel, recruiting skilled staff, and becoming more environmentally sustainable. It has ambitious but achievable goals such as: a prosperous tourism sector that attracts ongoing investment, a sector that shows leadership in protecting the environment, and a mutual relationship between the sector and communities. The ultimate goal is for New Zealand to deliver a world class tourist experience based on its natural and cultural environment and a 100% pure New Zealand campaign (MED). 4b) Brief outline of the national park management plans of TNP and FNP The National Parks Act requires each national park to have a management plan. The TNP Management Plan ( ) covers a range of issues, from the park s historical and cultural significance as a gift from Maori, to the management of recreational value. Part states that volcanic soils are prone to erosion and that natural erosion should not be interfered with. However the safety of visitors must be considered and the removal of debris is allowed if it is perceived as dangerous. As touched upon earlier, visitors enjoy the experience of solitude and natural noise. Part 8

9 covers waste and noise issues and notes that low flying aircraft and heavy machinery, whether seen or heard, diminish the visitor experience. Natural quiet is seen as a core element of this experience. Aircraft may only land under certain circumstances such as waste removal and scenic flights. Issues regarding tracks are explained in Part For any development of a track to be approved, clear evidence of departmental and public support is needed (p. 143). Policy one under this section reminds us that a balance between environmental preservation and visitor safety and enjoyment should be found before work is undertaken. Any sign placement requires approval from the minister and should be installed to inform visitors of the rules and risks within the park. It is important not to have a cluttering of signs. The plan stresses the importance of managing visitor numbers and states that if numbers increase, limits will need to be set to protect the environment and visitor experience. DOC is constantly monitoring visitor numbers and the social and environmental impacts of these numbers. The FNP Management Plan ( ) has a desire to: provide for a range of recreation opportunities without compromising the [park s] natural and historical values (p. 114). Freedom camping is only permitted in accordance with the plan s bylaws and is generally accepted as a recreational activity. However it is forbidden in certain places, for example, within 200 metres of a formed road or 500 metres of the Kepler, Routeburn and Milford Tracks. It is stated in Part 5.8 that more restrictions will be put in place if freedom camping numbers increase in the future, which seems likely. The major issue throughout the plan is the increase in visitor numbers. State highway 94 is the only major land route into FNP and overall use is increasing in terms of peak daily vehicle count. The demand for water access is rising which is having a negative effect on wilderness areas. An increase in boat sightseeing has put pressure on lakes and has raised concerns of weed contamination (p. 104). Significant overcrowding has been identified on the Great Walks, especially the Kepler Track, which has experienced increasing noise effects and track damage. A booking system is used in order to spread the use of tracks evenly and avoid crowding at huts. The Milford Track has the goal of delivering a quality multi-overnight walking experience where walkers will walk in the same direction (p. 145). This is in contrast to the Tongariro Crossing where visitors can walk in either direction. Part 5.16 notes that visitor monitoring is undertaken on a regular basis to help DOC with decision making on issues such as resource allocation. 5) Conclusions and recommendations One way that sustainability can be improved is by increasing the awareness of the historical and cultural value that TNP and FNP have to Maori. Maori legends explain that Mt. Tongariro was once 9

10 a warrior and that the fiords in FNP were carved into shape by a Maori god. It is important that visitors are aware of these stories so that they can understand why these areas are treasured so much. Familiarity with the Maori concepts of kaitiakitanga (the guardianship and protection of resources for future generations) and manaakitanga (hospitality) will also help gain respect from visitors. Tourists need to understand the environmental consequences of improper behaviour. Camping.org.nz contains a one page eco-wise travel guide which I believe should be made available at all DOC visitor centres and visible in all national park huts if possible (Figure 11). Everyone who enters a wilderness area or overnight walk track should be made knowledgeable of poo pots, which can be bought from DOC visitor centres (Figure 12). They are made from recyclable plastic and people can safely dispose of them when they reach the nearest hut or dumping station. The simple burial of human waste, even when done away from waterways, is not very environmentally friendly especially in alpine areas where it takes a long time to decompose. In order to combat crowding on the Tongariro Crossing, a booking system could be established or a fee charged before people do the walk. However this could be met with controversy and would be hard to implement. Questions will be asked like what the limit should be or how much should people be charged? Personally I would not introduce this because the Tongariro Crossing deserves to be enjoyed by all the public. Essentially, we should be encouraging people to visit our national parks, not restricting them. On a finishing note, tourism in both TNP and FNP is sustainable. DOC is doing a great job in maintaining paths and monitoring various issues across both TNP and FNP, and has done so since it was established in It is a shame that a small minority of people do not comply with rules such as correct waste disposal but there are laws that help to prevent this and most tourists obey and respect the environment they are surrounded by. Tourism is one of the biggest contributors to the New Zealand economy as it provides many jobs and is a large foreign exchange earner. New Zealand s unique natural environment of flora, fauna and landscapes cannot be seen anywhere else in the world and millions of people recognize this every year with their participation in countless tourist activities, and will continue to do so through future generations. 10

11 Figure 11. Small, simple brochures like this eco-wise travel guide should be widely available for all visitors entering national parks (Camping.org.nz) Figure 12. Poo pots are a more eco-friendly way of disposing of human waste than simple burial methods (doc.govt.nz) 11

12 Bibliography Blaschke, P. and Whitney, P. (August 2007) Establishing Integrative Use Limits on the Tongariro Crossing, Tongariro National Park. Conservation Act (1987). Retrieved from latest/viewpdf.aspx Department of Conservation (DOC) (2012) Disposing of human waste where no toilets are provided. Retireved from Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) (2011) Regulatory Impact Statement: Freedom Camping Bill. Retrieved from Destination Fiordland (2011/2012) Official Visitor Guide: Te Anau, Manapouri, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound. Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre. Eagles, J. (NZ Herald) (July 12, 2011) Tightening rules for campers a fine plan. Retrieved from Fiordland National Park Management Plan (2007). Retrieved from /about-doc/role/policies-and-plans/national-park-management-plans/tongariro-national-park/tongariro-nationalpark-management-plan.pdf Freedom Camping Act (2011) Retrieved from viewpdf.aspx?search=ts_act_freedom_resel&p=1 Harper, L., Mudd, T. and Whitfield, P. (2002) Rough Guide to New Zealand. Rough Guides, London. Harris, C. (Dominion Post) (February 4, 2012) Tourist numbers up 3pc. Michael Crozier (Victoria University of Wellington) (February 9, 2012). Discussion. Ministry of Economic Development (MED) (2012) Tourism. Retrieved from National Parks Act (1980) Retrieved from viewpdf.aspx?search=ts_act_national+parks_resel&p=1 New Zealand Tourism Strategy (2015). Retrieved from Ryan, C. and Kohli, R. (2006) The Buried village, New Zealand An example of dark tourism? Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp Tongariro National Park Management Plan (2006). Retrieved from about-doc/role/policies-and-plans/national-park-management-plans/tongariro-national-park/tongariro-nationalpark-management-plan.pdf Tourism Industry Association (TIA) (2012) Camping Our Way Retrieved from Tourism Satellite Account (2011). Retrieved from Willis, R. (Victoria University of Wellington) (February 2, 2012) Killing the goose that lay the golden egg: geographies of Tourism. GEOG313 Geographies of New Zealand. Lecture. 12

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