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.

Existing structures on public conservation lands and waters include some that are private. Under the Conservation General Policy 2005, the use of private accommodation and related facilities – including encampments – solely for private purposes, is to be phased out, except where specifically provided for in legislation.

Find out what concession you will need and how to apply for one below.

Pre-application meeting

Applying for a concession for the first time can be a little tricky. To ensure your application goes smoothly we offer a free pre-application meeting.

We’ll help you to:

  • Understand the concession you will need to apply for.
  • Navigate our statutory planning documents, so you can consider whether the activity you wish to undertake is consistent with them.
  • Understand DOC’s responsibility to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, which requires consultation with Treaty Partners on most applications. If you wish, DOC can help you contact the local iwi, hapū, and whānau to assess whether your proposed activity will have any cultural effects. Often this consultation can enhance the activity you are considering.

Type of concession

Depending on what you want to do and when and how you want to do it, you will either need a one-off concession or a longer term concession.

One-off concession – to build a temporary structure or use a private or commercial facility or structure for a period of no longer than three months.

As well as complying with all relevant legislation and conservation plans or strategies your planned activity must:

  • have only minor environmental effects that can easily be managed
  • have clearly defined limits (ie number of landings)
  • not involve permanent structures
  • not take place in the same location more than once in any three year period.

Longer term concession – to build or use a private or commercial facility or structure for a period of longer than three months.

Your DOC advisor will advise you what concession you will need in your pre-application meeting.

Apply for your concession

Follow the relevant process below for your application.

One-off activity

Identify the name and status of the public conservation land you wish to use by checking DOC maps.

If your application is approved we will send you a contract which you must sign and return before proceeding with your activity.

Longer term activity

Identify the name and status of the public conservation land you wish to use by checking DOC maps.

Find out more

Find out more about the process and how to prepare your application.

Permissions application process

Preparing a permission application

Timeframe

One-off applications are generally processed in shorter timeframes, dependent on whether iwi consultation is required.

Complex applications could take a number of months to be processed.

Your application may need to be notified to the public. If your application is notified, your processing fee will include the cost of public notification and hearings required and you application processing time will be impacted.

How long it takes to process an application

Fees

One-off concession

We will invoice you once we have processed your application. Your fee is likely to be $130 plus GST ($146.50 including GST).

Longer-term concession

We will invoice you once we have processed your application. The processing fee for a standard application is likely to be $2,065 plus GST ($2,374.75 including GST). If your application is assessed as complex, covers multiple regions, or includes more than 20 individual locations, this fee is likely to be higher. We will send you an estimate of costs once we have received your application.

The processing fee is likely to be between $3,500 and $5,500 plus GST if you application needs to be notified to the public, either because you want exclusive use of conservation land or because there are likely to be significant environmental effects of the activity. 

If you are operating a longer term activity you will also be required to pay ongoing concession fees and activity fees.

Environmental Impact Assessment

As part of your application you will need to complete a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Contact us

For more information or assistance with your concession contact the nearest of these DOC offices.