Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka made some announcements yesterday about using levy funding to support conservation and tourism across the country.
The levy was increased from $35 to $100 in October last year and Mr Potaka made announcements yesterday across various tourism sectors.
Some of the money would come south to get on top of pest plants in Stewart Island/Rakiura, to expand Tohu Whenua experiences in Southland and improve facilities and the visitor experience at Milford Sound.
The funding covers work over the next three years.
Southland and Manawatū-Whanganui were the two areas targeted with a $4.5million investment to develop Tohu Whenua experience at places with unique cultural heritage will help create jobs and boost incomes in rural economies.
Mr Potaka said sites which received Tohu Whenua status previously had had increases of up to 150% in visitation in their first year in the programme.
Tohu Whenua is a partnership between Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the Department of Conservation (Doc), with support from Te Puni Kōkiri, Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture & Heritage and MBIE.
Tohu Whenua includes 39 sites. Many of these are in public conservation areas. Launched in 2016, the programme is successfully operating in four regions.
Mr Potaka said $10m over the next three years would ensure popular mountains, parks and islands would remain beautiful for years to come.
"Locations include Abel Tasman, Mt Cook, Tongariro, Stewart Island, Mackenzie Basin, Molesworth and Te Paki and North Cape near Cape Reinga.
An extra $3m would go to the national wilding conifer control programme, led by Biosecurity New Zealand, for important control work in the Molesworth and Mackenzie Basin areas.
A further $7.45m will go towards managing other significant weeds.
"When it comes to tackling invasive weeds, taking early action is essential. IVL funding will also go towards the development and rollout of an innovative, smart software tool to detect weeds when they first invade."
There will be $13.6m over three years to improve visitor planning and management at the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Milford Sound and Somes Island on Wellington’s doorstep.
"This investment ensures the conservation areas and facilities that attract tourists to our regions continues to deliver on its promise of stunning nature."
There would also be $3.9m over two years to improve service and management of some of New Zealand’s popular Great Walks and Doc campsites.
