Tourism Industry Aotearoa Calls Conservation Reform a Key Step Toward Sustainable Visitor Growth

(IN SHORT) Tourism Industry Aotearoa has welcomed the New Zealand Government’s proposed Conservation Amendment Bill, calling it the most significant reform of conservation legislation in around 40 years. TIA Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram said the tourism sector has long pushed for modernisation of the current conservation framework, particularly around concession systems governing tourism activities on conservation land. The organisation believes the reforms could improve how tourism and conservation work together while supporting sustainable visitor experiences and environmental protection. TIA plans to participate actively in the select committee process as the legislation moves forward.

(PRESS RELEASE) WELLINGTON, New Zealand, 2026-May-7 — /Travel PR News/ — Tourism Industry Aotearoa has welcomed the New Zealand Government’s introduction of a new Conservation Amendment Bill, describing the legislation as a landmark reform that could significantly modernise the relationship between tourism and conservation management across the country.

The proposed legislation has been described as the most substantial overhaul of conservation laws in New Zealand in approximately four decades and is intended to modernise outdated regulatory frameworks governing conservation land management and visitor access.

Rebecca Ingram said the tourism sector has long advocated for reform of the current system, arguing that existing legislation and concession processes are no longer suited to the evolving needs of the industry or conservation management.

According to Ingram, the changes represent an opportunity to improve how tourism and conservation objectives work together while creating a more effective and efficient framework for operators, visitors and environmental stakeholders.

She noted that many international and domestic visitors are drawn to New Zealand’s natural landscapes and conservation areas managed by the Department of Conservation, making the relationship between tourism and environmental stewardship increasingly important for the country’s visitor economy.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa also emphasised that tourism can play an important role in supporting conservation outcomes and helping protect natural environments through sustainable visitor management and investment in conservation initiatives.

The organisation highlighted the need for a modern and fit-for-purpose concession system as part of the legislative reform process. Concessions are used to authorise commercial tourism activities on public conservation land and have long been a point of concern for tourism operators due to administrative complexity and regulatory uncertainty.

TIA said the proposed changes align with priorities outlined in the industry’s Tourism 2050 blueprint, which was launched in 2023 and called for stronger integration between tourism growth, environmental protection and long-term sustainability planning.

The association also referenced two submissions it made to the Department of Conservation during 2025 concerning the modernisation of conservation land management policies and potential charging frameworks for visitor access, both of which relate to the current legislative reforms.

Ingram said the organisation intends to remain actively involved throughout the legislative process and will participate in select committee discussions on behalf of tourism industry members as the bill progresses through Parliament.

The proposed reforms come amid broader discussions in New Zealand about balancing environmental protection, visitor access, sustainable tourism growth and infrastructure management as international tourism continues recovering and evolving.

For more information, please contact TIA Communications Manager James Craw – james.craw@tia.org.nz or (021) 224 8056.

SOURCE: TOURISM INDUSTRY AOTEAROA