Concession fees
Introduction
Learn about the fees you might be charged during the life of your concession.Your fees depend on the type of concession you have.
What's on this page
Activity fees
If you are undertaking any activity on conservation land, an annual activity fee will be applied. The sections below outline what you may expect to pay to undertake some of the activities that DOC authorises on conservation land.
During a pre-application discussion, you can enquire about how much your fees are likely to be. DOC will determine the actual amount once you have submitted your application.
The fees for commercial flights taking off or landing on public conservation land are below. These fees are charged per person.
Note: Hovering over the land equates to a landing
Where loads are being delivered without passengers, the fee will be a single drop-off or pick-up fee multiplied by the maximum seating capacity of the aircraft used.
|
Service |
Fees (plus GST) |
|---|---|
|
Single drop-off or pick-up |
$22 per person |
|
Single glacier landing |
$28 per person |
|
Shuttle service |
$33 per person within a 2-week period |
|
Multiple sites |
$40 per person per day |
|
Multiple sites, including glacier |
$46 per person per day |
|
Heli-skiing |
$50 per person per day |
Non-commercial operators
If you use a private aircraft for personal recreational use, the activity fees are waived, and the management fees are discounted by 50%.
Activity fees for accommodation are charged using one of the following methodologies:
- A percentage of revenue generated from the site.
- A metre squared rate reflective of the size of the site.
- A percentage of the land value of the site.
All private accommodation requires a minimum fee of $2,000 per annum.
To place beehives on public conservation land, there is a base rental fee of $30.00 plus GST per hive per annum.
Hives with Manuka honey production attract a $75.00 plus GST per hive fee per annum.
Activity fees for buildings and structures on public conservation land are typically charged using one of the following methodologies:
- A percentage of revenue generated from the site
- A metre squared rate reflective of the size of the site
- A percentage of the land value of the site
Rates will vary depending on market factors and the proportion of activity on public conservation land.
Easement activity fees can be calculated at different rates depending on the number of beneficiaries, the type and number of rights being granted, and the nature of the easement. Depending on the scale of the activity, a valuation may be required.
For example, an easement application is received for water pipelines servicing 10 beneficiaries/lots of land. Two beneficiaries are classified as minor-commercial, two are commercial, and six are non-commercial, totalling a fee of $7,730.00 plus GST.
The information below guides the minimum base fee for each easement granted to a single beneficiary. An environmental premium will be applied to the fee calculated. View the premiums at Land type definitions.
Non-commercial easements
|
Non-commercial easement fees |
Fees (plus GST) |
|---|---|
|
Right of way – Foot and cycle access |
$400 |
|
Right of way – Livestock bridge |
$400 |
|
Right of way – Vehicle access |
$530 |
|
Right to convey water – Supply |
$400 |
|
Right to convey water – Discharge |
$400 |
|
Right to conver electricity - Underground and overhead cables |
$335 |
|
Right to conver telecommunications |
$400 |
Minor commercial easements
Minor commercial easements are generally small but support a commercial activity.
|
Minor commercial easements fees |
Fees (plus GST) |
|---|---|
|
Right of way – Foot and cycle access |
$1,000 |
|
Right of way – Livestock bridge |
$1,000 |
|
Right of way – Vehicle Access |
$1,330 |
|
Right to convey water – Supply |
$1,000 |
|
Right to convey water – Discharge |
$1,000 |
|
Right to conver electricity - Underground and overhead cables |
$665 |
|
Right to conver telecommunications |
$665 |
Commercial easements
Commercial easements support larger-scale commercial activity. A valuation is likely required to determine the market value for significant commercial easements. If a valuation is not required, the fees below may apply.
|
Commercial easement fees |
Fees (plus GST) |
|---|---|
|
Right of way – Foot and cycle access |
$1,665 |
|
Right of way – Livestock bridge |
$1,665 |
|
Right of way – Vehicle access |
$1,995 |
|
Right to convey water – Supply |
$1,665 |
|
Right to convey water – Discharge |
$1,665 |
|
Right to conver electricity - Underground and overhead cables |
$1,665 |
|
Right to conver telecommunications – Single activity |
$1,330 |
|
Right to conver telecommunications – Part of a network |
$1,995 plus $3.00 per metre of cabling |
Note: All rates above reflect the per annum charge for easements and are adjusted annually to account for consumer price index (CPI, or inflation) increases.
Daily location fees are calculated for filming and photography on public conservation land. This fee is calculated by multiplying the per-person charge by the number of persons in the film crew (including actors and talent) and then adding the standard daily fee.
|
Type of filming |
Standard daily fee (plus GST) |
Per person per day fee (plus GST) |
|---|---|---|
|
Commercials |
$500 |
$25.00 |
|
Feature films |
$500 |
$25.00 |
|
Television dramas |
$500 |
$25.00 |
|
Documentaries |
$300 |
$25.00 |
|
Sports events (commercial) |
$300.00 plus GST |
$25.00 |
|
Filming schools and students |
$100.00 plus GST |
Nil |
|
Conservation/recreation promotion |
$100.00 plus GST |
$25.00 |
|
Television news/current affairs |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Still photography (commercial) |
$500.00 plus GST |
$25.00 |
For further information on filming and photography on public conservation land, visit Filming.
A percentage of land value is the standard method DOC uses for pricing grazing activity fees. The standard calculation uses a rate of 6% of land value.
On occasions where the standard method is not appropriate, the following techniques may also be used to ensure that the activity fee is set at a market rate:
- Stock unit equivalent pricing
- Carrying capacity of the land
- Land use capability
An environmental premium will apply to the fee calculated using the methods above. View the Land type definitions.
An independent valuation may be required to determine the concession fee if the annual rental is likely to exceed $8,500 per annum.
For cropping and similar activities where the land is not directly being grazed, a comparable approach to the methods used to set grazing fees may be taken.
Gravel extraction fees
Extraction fees are comprised of two components:
- A $1,995.00 plus GST access fee for the right to access public conservation land to carry out extraction.
- A fee per cubic metre of gravel extracted. These prices vary based on the location of extraction.
|
Type |
Location |
Price per cubic metre (plus GST) |
|---|---|---|
|
'Normal' rock/gravel extraction |
West Coast of the South Island |
$1.00 per m3 |
|
'Normal' rock/gravel extraction |
All other locations |
$2.00 per m3 |
|
Landscaping and decorative rock (i.e. schist) |
All Locations |
$6.50 per m3 |
Gravel processing
If the site includes the operation of a gravel processing facility to crush and grade gravel, a fee based on a percentage of the land value for the site will likely apply. The standard calculation uses a rate of 6% of land value. In some instances, a m2 rate may be used.
Gravel storage/stockpiling fees
The fee for storing gravel on public conservation land depends on the area of land required:
|
Land area |
Fee (plus GST) |
|---|---|
|
1 to 1,000 m2 |
$0.65 per m2 |
|
1,001 to 4,000 m2 |
$0.55 per m2 |
|
4,001 to 6,000 m2 |
$0.50 per m2 |
|
6,000 to 10,000 m2 |
$0.47 per m2 |
|
10,000 m2 plus |
$0.44 per m2 |
Guiding includes but is not limited to:
- Guided walks
- Events
- Guided vehicle trips
Guiding fees may be charged at a per-person rate or a percentage of gross revenue. The scale of your operation will determine the type of fee that you will pay.
Standard per-person fees
The standard per-person fees are set out in the table below.
These fees are currently being updated, with a phase-in period to allow concessionaires to adapt as needed. More information on these changes is available in our newsletter update
|
Length of guiding activity |
2024 |
2025 |
GST |
|---|---|---|---|
|
One hour or less |
$1.50 |
$2.00 |
plus GST |
|
More than 1 hour but no more than 4 hours |
$6.25 |
$7.50 |
plus GST |
|
More than 4 hours but no more than a calendar day |
$12.50 |
$15.00 |
plus GST |
Children between 5–17 years old are charged 50% of the above fees if the operator reduces the ticket price for children. Children under five are free.
These fee periods will apply for the first ‘activity return’ period starting during that year. If your activity return is based on a year ending 31 March, the 2024 fees will apply from 1 April 2024 onwards.
Per-person guiding fees are based on how much time guiding is undertaken on public conservation land during a calendar day (the 24 hours from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm).
Example: A guide brings a group of walkers onto public conservation land at 4 pm on Saturday and off the land at 10 am on Sunday. The $10.00 plus GST rate (for a trip more than 4 hours) would be charged twice per person – once for the Saturday and once for the Sunday.
Tongariro Crossing*
Special fees apply to guiding services for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing:
- Activity fee: $16.00 plus GST per person guided.
- Community service/contribution fee: $3.00 plus GST per person guided.
Percentage of revenue
A percentage of revenue fee will apply for large operators, where a per person fee is likely greater than $10,000 plus GST per annum, or for operators with a high daily ticket price ($350/day GST included or more).
This standard rate is generally 7.5% of gross revenue, but this can vary depending on market factors and the proportion of activity on public conservation land.
The fees for popular cycle tracks are listed below. These fees are all charged per person. For trails not listed below, the standard guiding fees apply.
|
Track Name |
Fee (plus GST) |
|---|---|
|
Great Lake Trail |
$10.00 |
|
Timber Trail |
$10.00 |
|
West Coast Wilderness Trail |
$5.00 |
|
Queenstown trails, Jacks Point and Lake Hayes |
$1.00 |
|
Mountains to Sea |
$10.00 |
|
Motu Trail (full trail) |
$10 .00 |
|
Motu Trail (less than 4 hours) |
$5.00 |
|
Rimutaka Cycle Trail |
$10.00 |
|
Te Ara Ahi |
$1.00 |
|
Queen Charlotte Track |
$10.00 |
|
St James Cycle Track |
$10.00 |
Children between 5–17 years old are charged 50% of the above fees if the operator reduces the ticket price for children. Children under five are free.
Aerial assisted trophy hunting fees
Three types of fees apply to aerial-assisted trophy hunting expeditions:
- Daily guiding fee for each calendar of the trip
- Daily helicopter use fee
- Trophy fee for each wild animal killed and recovered on the trip
|
Aircraft and guiding fees |
|
|---|---|
|
Helicopter activity |
$100.00 per guided client per day |
|
Daily hunter/Companion guiding fee |
$5.00 per client guided up to 4 hours per day |
|
$10.00 per client guided over 4 hours per day |
|
|
Trophy fees (plus GST) |
|
|
Tahr (Male only) |
$150.00 per animal killed and recovered |
|
Chamois (male and female) |
$100.00 per animal killed and recovered |
|
Wallaby |
$1.00 per animal killed and recovered |
|
Goat |
$1.00 per animal killed and recovered |
|
Pig |
$1.00 plus GST per animal killed and recovered |
|
Deer |
$1.00 plus GST per animal killed and recovered |
Note: A client is any person taking the trip, whether hunting or spectating.
Land-based hunting fees
There are two types of activity fees for land-based guided hunting expeditions:
- Daily guiding fee for each client guided on each day of the trip
- Trophy fee for each wild animal killed and recovered on the trip
|
Guided hunting fees - Land-based (plus GST) |
|
|---|---|
|
Daily hunter guiding fee |
$20.00 per guided client per day |
|
Daily companion guiding fee |
$10.00 per person per day accompanying any guided client or guide |
|
Trophy fees - Land-based (plus GST) |
|
|
Tahr (male only) |
$150.00 per animal killed and recovered |
|
Chamois (male and female) |
$100.00 per animal killed and recovered |
|
Wallaby |
$1.00 per animal killed and recovered |
|
Goat |
$1.00 per animal killed and recovered |
|
Pig |
$1.00 per animal killed and recovered |
|
Deer |
$1.00 per animal killed and recovered |
Standard guiding fees apply when an activity occurs on waterways classified as public conservation land. See Guiding and events section above.
Parking fees
An annual activity fee of $1,050.00 plus GST per annum per ID card issued. Each vehicle operating on public conservation land is required to display a valid ID card.
Operators who sign up for the Bus and Coach Association’s national agreement receive a discounted rate on their annual activity fee.
Transport service fees
Transportation activity fees apply to shuttle or car relocation services. Shuttle services are provided when a company transports a client to and from a trail end. Car relocation services relocate private cars from one trail end to another.
|
Shuttle service |
Per person fee (plus GST) |
|---|---|
|
Per person to one road end |
$2.50 |
|
Per person to/from both road ends |
$3.50 |
|
Relocation service fees |
Per vehicle fee (plus GST |
|---|---|
|
Per vehicle, per relocation |
$7.00 |
Tongariro Crossing*
Special fees apply to transportation services for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing:
|
Shuttle service |
Per person fee (plus GST) |
|---|---|
|
Per person to one or both road ends |
$4.10 |
|
Community service/contribution fee |
Per person fee (plus GST) |
|---|---|
|
Per person to one or both road ends |
$3.00 |
These charges are consistently applied for all persons transported, regardless of whether an operator is transporting a person to one or both road ends.
Activity fees for retail and tourism attractions on public conservation land are typically charged using one of the following methodologies if revenue is:
- known, the fee is 7% of gross annual revenue plus GST
- not known, the fee is 6% of the property value plus GST
Both rates may vary depending on market factors and the proportion of activity on public conservation land.
Telecommunication activity fees can be calculated at different rates, depending on the size and type of the facility installed and what services DOC provides.
There are two standard rental rates:
- Rental Rate 1 (the lessee provided normal access and power easements)
- Rental Rate 2 (DOC provided access and power).
These rental rates apply to the facility options in the table below.
|
Facility size |
Rental rate 1 (plus GST) |
Rental rate 2 (plus GST) |
|---|---|---|
|
Small 1 |
$3,270 |
$3,760 |
|
Small 2 |
$6,545 |
$7,520 |
|
Medium 1 |
$11,450 |
$13,165 |
|
Medium 2 |
$14,175 |
$16,300 |
|
Large 1 |
$19,625 |
$22,570 |
|
Large 2 |
$27,255 |
$31,345 |
The definition of each facility size can be found on Telecommunication facility categories.
An environmental premium will apply to the fee calculated using the table above. View the premiums at Land type definitions.
For assistance in assessing the size of your facility and the rental rate that will apply, contact your local DOC office.
Note: All rates above reflect the per annum charge for telecommunications facility fees and are adjusted annually to account for consumer price index (CPI, or inflation) increases.
Activity involving various watercraft can be calculated in different ways, depending on the type of activity occurring.
Embarking and disembarking on public conservation lands
Activity fees for loading and unloading passengers onto vessels may be charged at a per-person rate or a percentage of gross revenue. The scale of your operation will determine the type of fee that you will pay.
Option 1: Per-person Fee
For small operators where the per-person activity fee total is (likely to be) less than $10,000 per annum:
- $1.25 per person plus GST per put-in or take-out where the point of entry or exit is on Public Conservation Land.
Option 2: Percentage of gross revenue fee
A percentage of revenue fee should be applied for larger operators where the per-person activity fee total is (likely) greater than $10,000 per annum.
- This standard rate for applied is generally 7.5% of gross revenue
This rate can vary depending on market factors and the proportion of activity on public conservation land.
Activity fees - land type definitions
Where an activity fee requires the addition of an environmental premium, the table below should be used to determine the appropriate environmental premium rate to apply.
|
Status of land |
Premium |
|---|---|
|
National Park, Nature Reserve, Ecological Area, National Reserve, Wilderness Area or Wilderness Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary or Sanctuary Area |
40% |
|
Conservation (Forest) Park, Scientific Reserve, Historic Reserve, Wildlife Management Reserve, Scenic Reserve, Wildlife Refuge |
25% |
|
Recreational Reserve, Government and Local Purpose Reserves, Other Reserves, Stewardship Area, Water Course Area, Marginal Strip |
10% |
|
Open Pasture Under Grazing in Category III land status and unprotected, or non-reserve land held for administration purposes |
No premium |
Application processing fees
If you are applying to undertake an activity on conservation land, you will pay a processing fee.
This fee can vary depending on the complexity of the application and whether it needs to be notified. For all applications, we will provide an estimate of the likely cost when your application is received.
Activities with significant environmental effects may require public notification. If your proposed activity must be notified to the public, your fee will include the cost of public notification and hearings.
Costs may be higher than the minimum rates depending on:
- whether the application needs to be advertised in a local newspaper or the 4 daily
- newspapers published in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin
- the number of submissions received
- if hearings are required
- if further staff time needs to be covered.
View previous consultations where DOC has sought public feedback.
| Minimum rates for processing an application | Fees (plus GST) |
|---|---|
| Conforming tracks applications | $400 for up to 10 tracks $515 for 11–20 tracks $630 for 21–30 tracks |
| Simple non-notified applications | $2,065 |
| Complex non-notified applications | $2,565 |
| Notified applications | $3,425 |
| Mining authorisation - Minimum impact activity (Crown Minerals Act | $500-$850 |
| Mining authorisation - Access Arrangements – Low impact | $2,150 |
| Mining authorisation - Access Arrangements – Medium impact | $3,000-$30,000 |
| Mining authorisation - Access Arrangements – High impact | $50,000-$100,000 |
Note: Access arrangements include prospecting, exploration, and mining.
Other authorisations
The rates for processing other authorisations depend on processing time and charge-out rate. These include the following authorisations:
- Wildlife authorities
- Research and collection permits
- Milford Sound One-off Landing Permits
DOC staff’s time is charged at a minimum hourly rate of $130.00 plus GST.
Management fees
If you are doing long-term activities on conservation land, you will need to pay an annual management fee to cover DOC's time spent managing your concession. The kind of activity you do on conservation land will affect how much management DOC needs to provide, and this will be reflected in the management fee you are charged.
Standard management fees range from $250 - $500 plus GST per annum and are made up of the components outlined below. Where a concession requires additional management the management fee will be adjusted to reflect this.
|
Rates type |
Rates (plus GST) |
|---|---|
|
Base rate This rate covers general enquiries and invoicing costs and is applied to all concessions. |
$150 per annum
|
|
Rent review processing rate This rate applies to all concessions and covers the time spent undertaking the scheduled fee reviews. |
$100 per annum
|
|
Activity return processing rate This rate applies to all concessions that require an annual activity return. The standard fee varies based on the complexity of the activity return. |
$150-$200 per annum
|
|
Rates recovery processing rate This rate applies to any concession that triggers the requirement for local rates under Section 9 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002. These are typically for concessions with occupied buildings such as baches, but it also applies to grazing. |
$100 per annum
|
Monitoring fee
DOC performs monitoring of permissions granted. Monitoring includes both the effects of the activity on the land and compliance with the conditions of your permission. The extent and frequency of monitoring depend on your specific concession.
Monitoring fees are charged based on the actual time spent undertaking the monitoring, and the fee will reflect the associated costs, including staff time and mileage.
DOC staff’s time is charged at a minimum hourly rate of $130.00 plus GST. Mileage charges are as follows:
|
Vehicle type |
Tier 1 rate less than 14,000km (plus GST) |
Tier 2 rate more than 14,000km (plus GST) |
|---|---|---|
|
Petrol or diesel |
$0.79 per km |
$0.27 per km |
|
Petrol hybrid |
$0.79 per km |
$0.16 per km |
|
Electric |
$0.79 per km |
$0.09 per km |
In some circumstances, a fixed annual rate may be charged, and you will be advised of this during the application process.
Other processing fees
Making changes to your permission
During the term of your permission, you may need to change what you do or alter some of the conditions of your activity. You may sell your business or change company name or shareholding. The minimum processing fees for some of the common processes undertaken during a permission term are outlined below.
|
Type of process |
Fee (plus GST) |
|---|---|
|
Administrative variations |
$275 |
|
Assignments |
$500 |
|
Surrenders |
$230 |
|
Variations |
$2,065 |
For more information on these processes and others, see Concession changes, expiry and review.
One-off concession applications
A one-off concession is defined as:
- being for a period of no longer than three months
- having only minor environmental effects,
- having clearly defined limits,
- does not involve permanent structures
- will not take place in the same location more than once in three years.
The minimum processing fee for a one-off application is $130.00 plus GST.
Where a one-off application requires additional processing due to the complexity of the application or if it covers multiple locations, this cost will increase.
Note: Activity, management and monitoring fees apply to one-off applications based on what’s relevant to the activity applied for.
Need help?
For questions about your fees, visit our Permit contacts page and get in touch with your nearest office.
