DOC's backtrack on concession fees 'a kick in the guts' for Fiordland businesses

Monday, 15 November 2021

The Department of Conservation will start charging fees to businesses operating in national parks again.

The Department of Conservation’s decision to restart charging concession fees for tourism companies operating in national parks is ‘’another kick in the guts” for Fiordland businesses, a community leader says.

The Government has waived the fees for nearly two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic but the department announced last week the fee waiver would end on December 31.

Conservation Minister Kiri Allan said the Government would work with struggling businesses to ease the financial strain, either through flexible payment options or deferred payments.

Fiordland Business Association chairman Nathan Benfell said businesses in Fiordland had been struggling for nearly two years, and the Government’s decision to start charging fees again was ‘’a low blow”.

* Tourism operators say price rises were coming if DOC fees had returned in June

Fiordland Business Association chair Nathan Benfell said DOC’s decision to start charging concession fees again was ‘’a low blow’’.

* Mackenzie tourism operators say they need government help to survive

* Tourism operators want DOC's $25 million concession fee waiver extended

“Is it smart business? I don’t think it is. It just seems to be pain after pain, and this is just another thing that puts pressure on people’s mental health and wellbeing.’’

Southland MP Joseph Mooney said the tourism industry was ‘’on its knees’’.

DOC staff met with some business leaders in Te Anau last week, and they had committed to working together locally, but more direction was needed at a national level, he said.

“We have weathered the storm here for two years and what we really need is the Government to say, ‘yes, we’re charging fees again, but we’re opening the borders again from January 1’. It is not just Fiordland businesses, I think all businesses need some clarity and direction so they can plan for the future.’’

Conservation Minister Kiri Allan said the Government would work with struggling businesses to ease the financial strain of paying DOC concession fees. (File photo)

RealNZ chief executive Stephen England-Hall said: “The concession fee waiver was a real help – not only for us but for our Kiwi guests who benefited from the lower prices that the fee waiver made possible.

“As a large concessionaire, it would be great to see concession fees waived until the international borders open. But we also understand that DOC has a job to do – and as we have a vision to be a conservation business enabled by tourism, we know our concession fees play an important role in that.’’

Southland MP Joseph Mooney, who is also National’s associate tourism spokesperson, said the decision to start charging the fees again should be reversed.

“One thousand tourism operators around New Zealand will be charged these fees when they can least afford it,’’ Mooney said.

“It makes no sense to remove this lifeline, which has supported tourism livelihoods and jobs at a time when many businesses are struggling to survive. Tourism is on its knees. Charging businesses operating at a fraction of their normal income will push even more businesses towards closure.’’

Allen said concession fees were critical revenue for the department delivering on its key biodiversity, visitor and heritage programmes.

“We acknowledge that times remain tough, and that there will be some tourism operators who are struggling to cope with the impacts of Covid-19 and the downturn in international tourism.

“We will continue to be flexible and provide payment options, such as deferred payment plans, for businesses who are struggling to pay their fees on time. We are encouraging concessionaires to contact DOC if they are unable to pay their invoices on time.’’

Allan said the waiver initially covered the period from March 2020 to June 2021 and was implemented to help struggling tourism businesses amid closed borders. It was extended for a further six months to provide some certainty for tourism operators.

“When the Government first waived the fees at the beginning of the pandemic, it was done at speed to quickly provide support to tourism businesses at an uncertain time. But it was not a targeted approach and since then the Government has put more resources into the businesses and tourism operators which need it most,’’ she said.

That includes $1.219 billion into the Jobs for Nature programme which creates jobs for tourism workers displaced by the downturn in the sector, and targeted support through the $400 million Tourism Recovery Package, and $200 million Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan.