Fair allocation process for commercial activities in Abel Tasman and Kaiteriteri

Background

All land and water-based commercial activity on public conservation land requires a concession issued by DOC. The management plans for the Abel Tasman National Park, Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve (gazetted as Abel Tasman Scenic Reserve) and Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve specify limits on the amount of commercial activity at each of these locations. Limiting concession activity aims to protect conservation values and recreation experiences.

Existing concessions for the following types of activity within the Abel Tasman National Park/Abel Tasman Scenic Reserve and Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve are due to expire on 30 April 2027:

• Water-based activities including guided kayaking, guided waka trips, water taxi, charter boats, cruise ship activity and floating accommodation in the Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve/Abel Tasman Scenic Reserve.
• Land-based guided walking on the Abel Tasman Coast Track and associated facility use in the Abel Tasman National Park.
• Water-based activities including guided kayaking, water taxi, charter boats, SUP, and waka ama in the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve.

DOC wants to consider the future of these concession types within these places in a fair and consistent manner, by way of an allocation process.

Allocation process

DOC, along with the iwi of Te Tauihu / Te Tau Ihu, will design an allocation process to grant new concessions. To do this, we need to understand the views of current and prospective concessionaires, as well as other interested people and organisations. We will do this through a targeted consultation process.

Relevant legislation

DOC is required to consider concessions in accordance with legislation and relevant statutory documents. These include:

• Section 4 of the Conservation Act, to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
• National Parks Act 1980
• General Policy for National Parks 2005
• Part 3B of the Conservation Act
• Abel Tasman National Park Management Plan
• Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve Management Plan
• Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve and Kaka Point Historic Reserve Management Plan

Timeline

Updated: 5 September 2025

The timeline below is tentative. In July, it was revised in light of the severe weather events impacting the Nelson/Tasman region and communities. It shows you how DOC will develop the allocation process and how you will be able to have your say during the process:

• September 2024: section 17ZG(2)(a) notice issued to restrict new applications for commercial activities at these locations until the new process is developed. Complete. 
• May 2025: DOC will release an expression of interest on 1 May 2025. The expression of interest will run for three weeks. It aims to help DOC understand the nature and number of parties that may be interested in holding a concession. This expression of interest is not part of the formal allocation process that will be run later in the year. Rather, it will help to inform the development of the allocation process. Complete. 
• September/October 2025: release of a targeted consultation document. The consultation document will outline the proposed allocation process. It will seek feedback from current and prospective concessionaires as well as other interested people and organisations. It is anticipated that the consultation document will include information about the cost of a concession.
• October 2025: analyse feedback on the proposed process, make any necessary changes, and finalise the allocation process to be used.
• November 2025: Formal allocation process begins for concessions that will come into effect from 1 May 2027. We recognise that this date is close to the peak season for commercial activity that takes place at Abel Tasman and Kaiteriteri. Subject to feedback received through the consultation process, the formal allocation process may be delayed to 2026.

Summary of proposed allocation process

DOC is consulting with iwi, current and prospective operators who responded to an Expression of Interest and other identified partners and interested parties on a proposed allocation process, seeking their feedback by 3 October. Read the summary of the proposed process (PDF, 138K)

Read the consultation document (PDF, 493K)

Expression of interest

The expression of interest closed at 5 pm on Friday 23 May 2025. 

Legal information

Official Information Act

The interested party acknowledges and accepts that the Minister and DOC may be required to release information submitted through the expression of interest process in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982.

No contract

This expression of interest and any submissions made do not constitute a contract with the Minister and does not give any rights or cause of action against the Minister.

No obligation

The Minister has no obligation whatsoever to compensate or indemnify any respondent for any expenses or loss that they may incur in the preparation of their expression of interest. There is no guarantee that the expression of interest will result in any subsequent process run, and/or any concession granted.

The Minister is not bound to complete the expression of interest.

Conservation Act 1987

Pursuant to s17R(2)(a) no new applications will be accepted for the activities described in the ‘background’ section while the s17ZG(2)(a) process that applies to these activities is taking place.

Fees

There is no fee to submit an expression of interest.

Fees will be charged for processing applications received under the allocation process that is run later this year.  Details of the anticipated processing fee will be included in the information provided for the allocation process in due course.

Concessions granted as a result of the allocation process will be subject to ongoing fees.  These may include an annual management fee, activity fees, and fees to monitor the effects of the activity and compliance with authorised terms and conditions.

Activity fees may be fixed at the market value, having regard to:

1. any circumstances relating to the nature of the activity; and
2. the effects of the activity on the purposes of the area affected; and
3. any contractual conditions, covenants, or other encumbrances placed upon intrinsic resources, natural resources, or historic resources by the concession.

Rent, fees, and royalties for a concession will be reviewed at intervals not exceeding 3 years.

Details of ongoing concession fees will be included in the information provided for the allocation process in due course, but an outline of what you may expect to pay to undertake some activities on conservation land can be found at Concession fees.

Contact

If you have a question regarding this process, email abeltasmanallocationprocess@doc.govt.nz