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Apply for a permission

Introduction

There are different types of permission to apply for depending on your activity, type of organisation and purpose.

There are different types of permission to apply for, depending on the type of activity you want to undertake. Contact the permissions team if you are unsure if you need a permission, or have any further questions.

For Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail compliance with Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Orders in Council, see transport Orders in Council. 

Access/easements

Access/easements

To obtain access across public conservation land for your business or private property you must have a concession from DOC. This is known as an easement and includes activities such as conveying electricity, telecommunications, water and gas or right of way for vehicles or stock.

Aerially-assisted trophy hunting (AATH)

Aerially-assisted trophy hunting (AATH)

To use a helicopter to carry out aerially assisted trophy hunting, either commercially or for personal gain, you must have a concession from DOC.

Aircraft activities

Aircraft activities

Aircraft activities on or over public conservation lands and waters must have a concession or authorisation from DOC. This includes both commercial operations and private recreational activities.

Animal pest control operations

Animal pest control operations

To lay pesticides or traps on public conservation land you must have permission from DOC.

Beekeeping on public conservation land

Beekeeping on public conservation land

If you’d like to put beehives on public conservation land, follow these application guidelines.

Running your business or activity

Running your business or activity

If you want to use public conservation land to run a business or activity you must get permission from DOC in the form of a concession.

Drone use on conservation land

Drone use on conservation land

Learn about operating drones on public conservation land and how to apply for DOC for a drone concession (permit).

Filming

Filming

To film anything for commercial purposes on public conservation land you must have a concession from DOC. This includes activities such as making a documentary, movie or advertisement.

Fish passage authorisations

Fish passage authorisations

Apply for an exemption from the requirement to maintain a culvert or ford to allow fish passage, to construct a dam or diversion structure or modify an existing fish facility.

Grazing

Grazing

To graze any animal on public conservation land you must have a concession from DOC.

Guided walking (conforming)

Guided walking (conforming)

There are a number of tracks across New Zealand that are available for guided walking if certain conditions are followed. These are called ‘conforming’ tracks.

Interacting with freshwater species

Interacting with freshwater species

Apply for an authorisation to move, possess or farm freshwater species.

Interacting with marine mammals

Interacting with marine mammals

Apply for a permit if you want to undertake commercial activities involving marine mammals, or you want to take, hold, import or export marine mammals.

Interacting with wildlife

Interacting with wildlife

Apply for a permit to hold, catch, handle or release wildlife.

Land-based guided activities

Land-based guided activities

To provide land-based guided activities such as walking, hiking, tramping, climbing, hunting, fishing, biking or motorised vehicles on public conservation land you must have a concession from DOC.

Marine reserve research

Marine reserve research

Apply for a permit to monitor species or conduct research within a marine reserve.

Mining

Mining

Apply for an access arrangement to prospect, explore or mine on public conservation land.

National wild animal recovery operations

National wild animal recovery operations

You need a WARO concession for deer, pig, goat and chamois carcass recovery and the live capture of deer, pig and goat.

Other activities

Other activities

Information for when the activity you would like to conduct on public conservation land does not fall into any of the other categories in this section.

Private or commercial structures

Private or commercial structures

To build or use a private or commercial facility or structure on public conservation land you must have a concession from DOC. This includes building an information centre, erecting a weather station or constructing or leasing a private or commercial campground.

Research and collection

Research and collection

Apply for a permit to collect samples or undertake research on plants, soils, rocks, invertebrates, fresh water fish species or historic materials that are on public conservation land.

Sporting events

Sporting events

To hold a sporting event such as a 4WD club trip, off-road running race or multi-sport event on public conservation land you must have a concession from DOC.

Tenanting or using existing structure

Tenanting or using existing structure

To apply for a tenancy or use any existing structure or facility on public conservation land you must have a concession from DOC. This includes the permanent use of a historic building for a business or community group.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

CITES is a United Nations Convention that monitors and controls international travel of items containing protected animals and plants. It ensures that long-term survival of species is not threatened.

Transport Orders in Council

Transport Orders in Council

Information for Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail on Applications and Notices of Work under the 2023 Orders in Council.

Watercraft activities

Watercraft activities

To provide watercraft activities such as kayaking, boat landings or use of DOC wharves you must have a concession from DOC.