Always Be Naturing

Application for a concession by Real Journeys Limited

Introduction

An application by Real Journeys Limited for a lease and licence in Fiordland National Park. Submissions closed 13 June 2025.

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

Application details

Applicant: Real Journeys Limited
Location of Proposed Activity: Lake Manapouri, West Arm, Wilmot Pass and Deep Cove, Fiordland National Park
Concession applied for: Lease and licence
Summary of proposal: DOC has received an application from Real Journeys Limited to continue their operations at Lake Manapouri, West Arm, Wilmot Pass and Deep Cove, Fiordland National Park. The term applied for is 30 years.

The majority of the activity is currently authorised; however several new activities have been included for consideration, including land-based filming, drone flights for the purpose of filming and the installation of a 4 m telecommunications pole.

Application documents:

The application includes several elements, including the following activities:

Tenanting

  • Lease of the Department of Conservation owned West Arm, multi bay vehicle shed, workshop and fenced yard. Also located in the yard is a porta com building which is utilised as staff room and office.

Private facilities

  • Real Journeys West Arm Mooring, including repairs and maintenance.
  • The land-based components of Real Journeys Deep Cove floating wharf, including repairs and maintenance plus trimming vegetation to retain access.
  • The installation of an approximately 4 m high pole too provide for a Wi-Fi access point, security camera and solar panel if required.

Watercraft

  • Various watercraft activities in Fiordland National Park including passenger trips, sightseeing cruises, maintenance transport, freight transfer, slippage and maintenance of vessels, and photography, using various vessels.

Filming, including drone use

  • Filming of promotional videos and photographs for marketing purposes, potentially using drones or helicopters, and also highlighting their conservation initiatives.

Passenger transfer/guiding

  • Activities at Wilmot Pass Road/Deep Cove and West Arm areas.
  • Transfer of passengers and their gear between West Arm and Deep Cove Taipaririki wharves, with photo stops along the way.

Concession applied for: Lease-licence

  • Application form 1a – Applicant information
  • Application form 3a – Tenanting
  • Application form 3b – Private structures
  • Application form 4b – Watercraft activities
  • Application form 5a – Filming
  • Application form 7a – Other
  • Application form - Land based guiding
  • Application form – Done use
  • Appendix A – Lake Manapōuri vessel details
  • Appendix B – Coastal permits
  • Appendix C – Wake reports
  • Appendix D – Noise reports
  • Appendix E – Effluent spill contingency plan
  • Appendix F – Bunkering procedure
  • Appendix G – Oil spill contingency
  • Appendix H – West Arm survey plans

How to make a submission

Submissions closed on 13 June 2025. 

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, state this in writing when making your submission.

What happens next

After submissions close:

  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.

Hearing details

If a hearing is required, it is likely to occur in late June 2025.

Decision

This application was approved. 

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 Olivia Graham, Senior Permissions Advisor.

Email: DNSubmissions@doc.govt.nz