7,000 spots on the Milford Track, sold out within half an hour of bookings opening, with thousands queuing online to secure a spot.
DOC heritage and visitors director Cat Wilson said demand was intense from the moment bookings opened, with about 13,500 users already in line – higher than the roughly 12,000 users recorded last year.
“The Milford Track remains one of New Zealand’s most sought-after experiences, and we saw extraordinary demand again this morning,” Wilson said. “Despite the very high traffic volumes, the booking platform performed well, and people moved steadily through the queue.”
Wilson encouraged people to consider off-peak times, other Great Walks and other tracks and huts. “There are still fantastic experiences available outside the busiest summer months, and people should also continue checking the booking system as cancellations and changes do occur throughout the season,” she said. Read more from RNZ.
Opposition warns reforms open up conservation estate to sale
The Government is pushing on with conservation reforms it says cut red tape and enable fees for foreign tourists visiting New Zealand’s premium natural areas.
The opposition warns it opens up 60% of the conservation estate to sale, and changes how current Treaty settlements are interpreted. The Conservation Amendment Bill passed its first reading, supported by the coalition parties, and opposed by the opposition – 68 votes to 54.
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka – who called it the most significant reform to conservation law in 40 years – said it was about modernising the management of conservation land and supporting economic growth.
The bill enables international visitors to be charged a levy for access to some areas of conservation land. “Yes, we are going to charge foreigners to go on some tracks around the country,” Potaka told Parliament.
Labour’s conservation spokeswoman Priyanca Radhakrishnan warned it went far further than modernisation. “It’s a sneaky, egregious bill that goes so much further; it is the most significant rollback of conservation protections in a generation, and it puts commercialisation over conservation. And that minister should be ashamed.” Read more from NZ Herald.
Sir David Attenborough’s connections to New Zealand
Sir David Attenborough’s favourite bird is the New Zealand kākāpō. That’s how DOC’s Kākāpō Recovery Programme operations manager Deirdre Vercoe came into contact with the legendary British naturalist, who turned 100 last week.
“In 2016 we just had a kākāpō breeding season and it was really significant at the time,” Deirdre said. “Off the back of that, we wrote to Sir David to tell him the news and we also wanted to share with him the fact that our team had decided to name one of that year’s chicks in his honour.”
That led to an invite to Sir David’s home later that year. “There we are at his front door and I’m thinking, I’m having one of those moments like, ‘how did I get here?’ I’m suddenly feeling five or six years old in my lounge watching him on TV, very nervous. And he opened the door with a big booming ‘hello!’ and welcomed us in.”
Shona Pengelly remembers when the documentarian came to stay on Kapiti Island where she lived with her ranger husband back in 1997. Sir David was on the island to film the little spotted kiwi, the North Island saddleback, and the kākā, she says. Read more from RNZ.
Three dead after volcano erupts on Indonesian island
Three people hiking on Indonesia’s Mount Dukono have died after the volcano erupted on Friday morning.
Videos and pictures of the eruption show the volcano, located on Halmahera Island in North Maluku, spewing a column of ash stretching 10km into the sky.
The volcano has erupted more than 200 times since last March. Officials had previously issued warnings against climbing the mountain due to safety concerns.
The three victims were part of a group of 20 hiking on the mountain despite restrictions. The rest of the group was eventually located by rescuers and evacuated from the mountain. Besides the 20-member hiking group, eyewitness accounts indicate there were other hikers on the mountain.
Indonesian officials said they had issued warnings against climbing Mount Dukono, which were widely disseminated on social media and on banners at trail entrances, but some hikers ignored them.
“On social media, the public often sees videos of climbers or influencers who successfully ascend and return safely. Such content slowly creates a distorted risk perception,” officials said. Read more from the BBC.
$7.1 million funding for upgrades to Great Rides infrastructure
The Government is investing up to $7.1 million to upgrade six Great Rides cycle trails, strengthening regional tourism and safety, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka say.
“The Great Rides boost economic growth by creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and attracting new hospitality and accommodation services to set up nearby,” Louise Upston says.
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says the investment will strengthen the connection between people and New Zealand’s natural environment while supporting long-term conservation outcomes.
The six investments, covering infrastructure and remedial projects, are for:
The projects are co-funded through the NZ Cycle Trail Fund and DOC, to ensure the long-term success and resilience of the Great Rides network. Read more from the Beehive.
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