Application for a concession by Real Journeys Limited

This concession is for the continuation of its use of the Te-Anau Caves for tourism activities (including associated buildings and infrastructure) within the Fiordland National Park.

This application is notified under section 17SC of the Conservation Act 1987. The Minister of Conservation has received an application:

Applicant

Applicant: Real Journeys Limited – trading as Realnz
Location of proposed activity: At the foot of the Murchison Mountains and near the shoreline of Lake Te Anau in Fiordland National Park
Concession applied for: Lease, licence and easement
Summary of proposal: 27-year term concession for the continued use of the Te Ana-au Glowworm Caves for tourism activities. This includes ownership, control, operation, repair, maintenance and management of services and associated facilities for year-round use of the site.

Application documents:

• Application form (PDF, 44,637K)
• Application attachment – Lease plan (PDF, 5,906K)
• Application attachment 2 – Site plans and photos (pages 1 – 38) (PDF, 20,140K)
• Application attachment 2 – Infrastructure plans and photos (pages 39-76) (PDF, 22,266K)
• Application attachment 3 – Safety report (PDF, 17,066K)

How to make a submission

Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing to the Director-General on the proposal.

Submissions closed Friday 13 December 2024.

Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, you need to state this in writing when making your submission.

What happens next

1. DOC will analyse and consider all submissions and comments on the application.
2. A hearing will be held if there have been requests to be heard by the Director-General. If you have expressed an interest in presenting your submission at a hearing, you will be contacted by DOC regarding this.
3. DOC will analyse and consider information raised at the hearing if a hearing occurred.
4. DOC will make a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation.
5. The Minister of Conservation will make a decision on the application.

Submissions and hearing

One submission in support of this application has been received from The Australasian Caves and Karst Management Association.

The submitter did not request to be heard, so a hearing is not required.

Decision

A decision is still pending on this application.

DOC comment regarding publicly notified applications

The Minister of Conservation has made no determination regarding the suitability of this proposed concession on public conservation land.  This public notification should not be interpreted as an intention on the part of the Minister of Conservation to grant the proposed concession.  

Contact

If you have a question about the application or the submission process you can contact Lisa Wheeler, Senior Permissions Advisor: DNSubmissions@doc.govt.nz