BOPCO-28657 BOP Visitor Monitoring Plan 2004-2009

Bay of Plenty
Conservancy
Visitor Monitoring
Plan
2004-2009
1
2
Bay of Plenty
Conservancy
Visitor Monitoring
Plan
2004-2009
Approved by David Hunt

Technical Support Manager
Prepared by James Chilton

Technical Support (Recreation)
August 2004
3
4
Contents
Executive Summary
1
1.0 Introduction
3
2.0 Goals and Objectives

4
Part One: Context and Monitoring

Methods
3.0 Plan Context

6
3.1 Strategic Context – National
6
3.2 Strategic Context – Conservancy
9
3.3 Visitor Numbers
10
4.0 Monitoring History

12
4.1 Conservancy
12
4.2 Numeric Data Collection
12
4.3 Physical Impact Monitoring
15
4.4 Social Impact Monitoring
15
4.5 Private Sector Monitoring
16
5.0 Conservancy Monitoring

Issues 17
5.1 Data Collection Issues
17
5.2 High Use Sites 17
5.3 Known Physical Impacts
18
5.4 Known Social Impacts
19
5.5 Numeric Data Knowledge Gaps
19
5
5.6 Physical Impact Data Knowledge
Gaps 20
5.7 Social Impact Data Knowledge
Gaps 20
5.8 Further Research Needs
21
6.0 Visitor Monitoring Methods

22
22
24
24
6.4 Economic Value, Impact and
Benefit Studies
25
6.5 Indicators
26
Part Two: Operational Work

Programme
7.0 Visitor Monitoring

Management 30
7.1 Monitoring Roles
30
7.2 Adaptive Management 32
8.0 Area Monitoring Outline

33
33
34
34
8.4 Prioritisation
35
8.5 Additional Research
35
9.0 Monitoring Sites

37
9.1 Numeric Data Collection Sites
37
9.2 Physical Impact Monitoring Sites
42
6
9.3 Social Impact Monitoring Sites
44
9.4 Concessionaire Data
45
10.0 Data Analysis

46
10.1 Data Analysis Method
46
10.2 Data Analysis Process
46
10.3 Database Content
46
10.4 Outputs 47
11.0 Implementation Strategy

48
11.1 Timing 48
11.2 Budget
48
12.0 Monitoring System Review

50
Appendices
A1 Maintenance of Resources
51
A1.1 Conservation
A1.2 Recreational
A1.3 Cultural
A2 Visitor Strategy
53
A2.1 Visitor impacts on
natural/historic values
A2.2 Visitor impact research
A2.3 Goals and Guiding: Principles
for protecting natural and
historic values
A2.4 Managing the protection of
intrinsic natural and historic
values
A3 Establishing a Site’s Baseline

State 58
A4 Potential Research Topics

59
7
References and Resources
60
Document Reference: BOPCO-28657
8
Executive Summary
This plan outlines conservancy level
strategic direction for visitor monitoring in
the Bay of Plenty. It was prepared in
conjunction with area offices and focuses on
the implementation of a visitor monitoring
programme.
The plan is in two parts. Part one

establishes the goals and objectives, and
examines monitoring context; history and
issues within the conservancy. Part one also
reviews conservancy monitoring knowledge gaps
and discusses monitoring methods including
numeric data collection, physical impact and
social impact monitoring.
Part two discusses monitoring roles. These

include area monitoring priorities; site
specific numeric data collection, physical
and social impact monitoring locations. It
also discusses how data, once collected, is
to be analysed. The conservancy will use an
Access database that has been trialled and is
in use in Southland Conservancy.
For this plan to be effective, implementation

and goal achievement are essential. This is
discussed in part two including the required
operating and capital funding and the means
of plan review.
1
The following diagram (Diagram 1) shows where
the Recreation Strategy, and the plans that
lead on from it, including the Visitor
Monitoring Plan, fit into the policy
framework of the Department of Conservation.
Conservation
Act 1987 Formatted: Font: 10 pt
Statement of Intent
2004 - 2007 Formatted: Font: 10 pt
New Zealand
National National Biodiversity
Consultation Historic Strategy 2000
Bay of Plenty Formatted: Font: 9 pt
with Strategy Conservation Formatted: Font: 10 pt
Communities
Management Strategy National
Strategy 2003 Formatted: Font: 9 pt
1997 - 2007 Visitor
Strategy Formatted: Font: 9 pt
Formatted: Font: 9 pt
BOP BOP BOP BOP

Conservation Community Recreation Biodiversity
with Relations Strategy and Strategy Formatted: Font: 10 pt, Not Italic
Communities Strategy Historic
Strategy Strategy Formatted: Font: 9 pt
 Recreation
Development
Plans
BOP BOP  Recreation
Environmental Interpretation Finance and
Education Strategy Capability Plan
Strategy  Visitor
Monitoring Plan Formatted: Bullets and Numbering
Diagram 1: Integration of Recreation Strategy into existing
policy framework Formatted: Font: 10 pt, Bold
2
1.0 Introduction
There has been no strategic direction
established for visitor monitoring in the Bay
of Plenty Conservancy (the conservancy). The
three area offices have carried out some
numeric data collection and impact monitoring
to the best of their abilities. However this
data has not been used for any specific
management purposes.
Information about visitor numbers and impacts

enables the conservancy to make rational,
efficient, fair and consistent decisions when
allocating resources for recreation
management. Information on visitor use trends
is essential for planning and management to
remain responsive, objective and dynamic,
rather than static processes.
Strategic planning of visitor monitoring at a

conservancy level enables a continuity of
monitoring direction when managers and
planners are reassigned or change jobs. This
is essential, as in many cases impacts,
trends and the results of management actions
may not be apparent for many years.
Data collection will assist management with

specific issues, such as the impact of
visitors on the physical environment.
A standard approach to visitor monitoring is

presented. Only by consistently using the
same methodology can trends be interpreted
with confidence. Standardisation within the
conservancy is of the utmost importance.
This visitor monitoring system is designed to

ensure that data collection, analysis and
use, are simple and relevant for all staff
involved in the process.
This plan provides clear strategic direction.

It will enable the three Area offices to
monitor with confidence and, using the
conservancy visitor monitoring database, to
accurately record and analyse this data.
Future management decisions, based on
monitoring can then be taken with confidence.
3
2.0 Goals and
Objectives
2.1 Goals
 To ensure that the intrinsic natural,
cultural and historic values of areas managed
by the department, in the Bay of Plenty, are
not compromised by the impacts of visitor
behaviour and visitor related facilities and
services.
 To provide accurate information to management

so that appropriate management actions are
taken to sustain the intrinsic values of
conservation resources for present and future
generations.
2.2 Objectives
 To determine the levels of monitoring
required between 2004 and 2009 to identify
and correct any adverse change resulting from
visitor use and effects on key sites.
 To identify the relationship between

management actions and intervention,
monitoring activities and research and
investigation.
 To identify and prioritise key recreational

sites which require routine numeric data
collection for the purposes of this plan.
 To identify and prioritise sites requiring

social and physical impact monitoring for the
purposes of this plan.
 To identify long term visitor patterns and

change over time in those patterns.
 To fulfil the conservancies strategic

obligations under the Statement of Intent,
Visitor Strategy, Conservation Management
Strategy and Bay of Plenty Recreation
Strategy with regard to visitor impacts on
natural and historic sites.
4
Part One: Context and
Monitoring Methods
5
3.0 Plan Context
3.1 Strategic Context –
National level
3.1.1 Conservation Act 1987
The Conservation Act describes a function of
the department as being:
‘to the extent that the use of any natural

or historic resource for recreation or
tourism is not inconsistent with its
conservation, to foster the use of natural
and historic resources for recreation, and
The aim of this plan is ensure that visitor

numbers and activities are monitored and
managed in such a way that they are not
inconsistent with resource conservation.
3.1.2 Statement of Intent 2004-2007

The development of an effective visitor
monitoring programme for the conservancy will
progress the conservancies work with regards
to the current Statement of Intent (SOI).
The SOI states that the departmental vision

is where:
‘New Zealand’s natural and historic

heritage is protected; people enjoy it and
are involved with the department in its
conservation'.
The department aims to achieve this vision
through the twin Outcomes of Protection and
Appreciation. The visitor monitoring
programme for the conservancy contributes and
relates to both outcomes.
The first outcome, Protection, is defined as

w
h ‘New Zealand’s natural and historic
e heritage entrusted to the Department of
r Conservation is protected and restored’.
e
6
There are several ‘Intermediate Outcomes’
that contribute to the Protection Outcome,
several of these relate to reducing the loss
of natural heritage, restoring and protecting
threatened species and minimising bio-
security risks. The remaining Intermediate
Outcomes relate to the need to protect
historic heritage on conservation land in
general; and the need to protect a
representative range of historic sites in
particular.
This plan outlines the historic sites that

will be monitored. Physical impact monitoring
in all areas will also include data on the
conservancy’s historic assets. This will
contribute both to the conservancy’s historic
heritage inventory and to this SOI
departmental outcome.
The second outcome, Appreciation, is defined

a
s ‘people have opportunities to appreciate
and benefit from their natural and historic
w heritage and are involved and connected
h with conservation’.
e
re:
There are several Intermediate outcomes that

contribute to the Appreciation Outcome that
this plan relates to generally or
specifically. These are:
 A range of quality recreation

opportunities are provided and promoted
in Areas managed by the department, so
that all New Zealanders have the
opportunity to derive benefits from these
Areas.
 People and concession impacts on
natural and historic heritage are
minimised.
 People make significant contributions
7
This plan directly relates to the first two
Intermediate Outcomes. The SOI refers to
specific Outcome Indicators for each
intermediate Outcome and the Key Outputs that
will achieve these Outcomes.
For the first Intermediate Outcome the

indicator is defined as:
‘Change, over time, of satisfaction with the
range of recreation opportunities provided’.
To achieve this Outcome the department will:

‘Provide a range of facilities and services,
information, and monitor satisfaction with
the range of recreational facilities
provided’.
For the second, the indicator is defined as:

‘Change in the proportion of sites where
visitor and concession activity has
significant adverse effects on natural or
historic heritage’.
To achieve this Outcome the department will:

‘Mitigate any significant adverse effects of
people and concessions on natural, cultural
and historic heritage and monitor the effects
of people and concessions at selected visitor
sites’.
The monitoring of visitor numbers through

numeric data collection; physical impact
monitoring and social impact monitoring, such
as visitor satisfaction and demographic
surveys, will enable the conservancy to
produce data relevant to these Outcomes,
Indicators and Key Outputs.
In addition visitor surveys, in conjunction

with the objectives of the recreation
development plans, will enable data to be
collected regarding the engagement of the
community in conservation. This will
contribute to the Outcomes relating to
community involvement in, and commitment to,
conservation.
3.1.3 Visitor Strategy

The Department of Conservation’s Visitor
Strategy (1996) established the future vision
8
and direction for recreation development. It
is an internal document that is intended to
guide staff in their work. The Visitor
Strategy (and this plan) defines visitors as:
‘people visiting areas managed by the
department. They include people using visitor
centres and clients of concessionaires, New
Zealand and international visitors.’ P2
Visitor Strategy Goals

This plan relates to three of the Visitor
Strategy Goals. Specifically
 Goal 1 Protection ‘To ensure that the
intrinsic natural and historic values of
areas managed by the Department are not
compromised by the impacts of visitor
activities and related facilities and
services’.
The plan will achieve this through the

monitoring of visitor activities and their
physical impacts on the natural and historic
heritage.
 Goal 2 Fostering Visits ‘To manage a range of

recreational opportunities that provide
contact with New Zealand’s natural and
historic heritage; and provide a range of
recreational and educational facilities and
services that are consistent with the
protection of the intrinsic natural and
historic values of Department-managed areas’.
The Visitor Strategy states that:

‘To assist the department in providing
recreational (and educational )
opportunities, appropriate visitor facilities
and an efficient, helpful and friendly
service to visitors, the department needs to
know more about visitors. In particular, it
needs to find out more about what they want
to do or know, where they go, and in what
numbers. Furthermore, improved management
depends upon knowing how satisfied visitors
are with recreational opportunities, access
arrangements, and facilities and services the
department manages on their behalf’. P21
The plan will achieve this through numeric

data collection, and social impact
monitoring, including visitor satisfaction
9
surveys and continued visitor centre
monitoring.
 Goal 4 Informing and Educating Visitors. ‘To

share knowledge about our natural and
historic heritage with visitors, to satisfy
their requirement for information, deepen
their understanding of this heritage and
develop an awareness of the need for its
conservation’.
The plan will achieve this through continued

visitor centre monitoring and in conjunction
with the National Visitor Centre Strategy and
conservancy strategies for Recreation,
Interpretation and Education.
Visitor Strategy Detail

The Visitor Strategy considers in detail the
issue of visitor impacts, both the
consequences and the steps necessary to
mitigate impacts on the intrinsic natural
historical values of the conservation estate.
These issues are discussed further in
Appendix Two.
Visitor Groups
Visitors to conservation lands, whether
through a concessionaire or self-guided, can
be categorised into a number of ‘types’ of
visitor seeking a particular experience. The
National Visitor Strategy identifies seven
distinct visitor groups.
These are:
 Short Stop Travellers (SST)
 Day Visitors (DV)
 Over-Nighters (ON)
 Back Country Comfort Seeker (BCC)
 Back Country Adventurer (BCA)
 Remoteness Seeker (RS)
 Thrill Seekers (TS)
These visitor groups will be referred to

again during the selection of sites for
monitoring in Section 9.
3.1.4 Visitor Monitoring Project

The department is currently undertaking a
visitor counter project (wgnro-20945). This
will entail the roll out of two Data
10
Compatible Step Counters per Area during
2004. These counters will be placed on the
same section of track with the proposed
(tally) counters and act as calibration
devices. Current counters may be replaced by
these counters in the future as the
technology develops.
3.2 Strategic Context -

Conservancy Level
3.2.1 Conservation Management Strategy
(CMS)
The current CMS discusses issues in relation
to visitor monitoring, these are considered
in detail in 5.1. The CMS states that:
‘The Department needs information on the

number and location of natural and historic
resources under its guardianship, trends in
visitor numbers and demands for facilities,
as well as information on volunteers and
other public awareness work’ p161
The CMS goes on to say that:

‘The limited information on visitor numbers,
expectations, impacts and trends leads to
problems in catering for demand’ p162
and that the conservancy will:

‘Undertake sufficient, systematic monitoring
to effectively manage; historic resources’
and ‘visitors and visitor impacts’p162
The CMS also states that it will:

‘encourage community study and monitoring
programmes that meet Conservancy objectives’
p162
3.2.2 BOP Recreation Strategy

The seven plans that make up the conservancy
Recreation Strategy (see Appendix 5) must be
seen as interrelated rather than stand alone
documents. Each aids and contributes to the
other and in conjunction they implement the
goals of the Recreation Strategy.
It is through visitor monitoring that the

conservancy can determine whether the
objectives of the recreation development
11
plans are being achieved. An example is that
if increased visitor use is leading to
detrimental physical impacts, whether these
impacts are consequently being mitigated.
Another being whether visitor satisfaction
and conservation awareness levels are being
raised.
3.2.3 EBOP Lakes Recreation Strategy

Environment Bay of Plenty (EBOP) is
developing a Recreation Strategy for the
lakes Area of the Bay of Plenty. It is the
conservancy’s intention to work closely with
EBOP. This will enable joint objectives to be
formulated and increase data pooling.
3.3 Visitor Numbers

Tourism New Zealand analyse monthly
international and domestic visitor figures,
this information is available to the public
on their website at www.tourisminfo.govt.nz
Other information on tourism patterns is

available at www.stats.govt.nz (Statistics
New Zealand’s website) and
www.tourism.govt.nz (the Ministry of
Tourism’s website).
Information from these reports will be used

by the conservancy in the annual assessment
of visitor trends. The conservancy Recreation
Strategy contains a brief analysis of future
visitor trends for the region. (See Appendix
5).
12
4.0 Monitoring History
4.1 Conservancy
All past research on visitor trends in the

conservancy is held by the Recreation Planner
at the Bay of Plenty Conservancy office.

4.2.1 Rotorua Lakes Area
Track counter and campground data has been

stored on an Excel database (ROTAO-995).
Track counter information has been collected
monthly and campground data on each service
run. The data has been collected since 1998.
The data has not been used for any strategic

purpose. Sites have been monitored using
counter pads. One site (Okere Falls) was
monitored with a data compatible step counter
for four months until the counter became
inoperable.
However the lack of infrastructural support

meant that the counter has not been repaired
5 months later. This data gap has meant that
the data that was collected was of less use
than it could have been.
Track monitoring sites Asset Site

Number Number
Okere Falls 96523 400082
Tarawera Falls 96444 400088
Eastern Okaitaina 96441 400091
Walkway
Western Okaitaina 96437 400101
Walkway
Rainbow Mountain 99040 400258
Tarawera Outlet 10015 400093
4.2.2 Tauranga Area

Track counter and data has been stored in
paper format as part of the Area Managers
Monthly Operating Report (MOR). Track counter
information has been collected monthly. The
13
data has been collected since the early
1990’s.
The data has only been used for informal

discussion between the Area Manager and the
Conservator regarding visitor trends in the
Kaimai. Sites have been monitored with
mechanical tally counters which are
considered reliable, accurate and easy to
use. Spare counters are kept and counters
have been calibrated with a laser counter and
found to be accurate.
Track monitoring sites Asset Site

Number Number
Lindemans Road 96453 400127
Tuahu 96407 400136
Ngamuwahine 96395 400152
Waitawheta 96438 400206
Wairongomai 96448 400189
Wairere Falls 96403 400143
Dickeys Flat – Dean 96430 400111
Junction
Crown 99005 400214
Dubbo 97784 400205
Rapurapu 96396 400151
Orokawa Bay 96435 400104
Otanewainuhu 96416 400181
Hut Books
Waitawheta 32233 400114

Daly’s Clearing 32323 400112
Hurunui 32833 400194
Te Rereatukahia 32227 400133
Kauritatahi 32403 400192
Mangamuka 32410 400193
Te Aroha 32545 400117
Mangakino 32280 400111
Motutapere 32336 400137
4.2.3 Rangitaiki Area

Track counter and Hut ticket data have been
stored on an Excel database. Track counter
14
information was collected monthly until 2002
and at random periods since on service runs.
The data has been collected since 1998.
The data has not been used for any strategic

purpose. Sites have been monitored using
counter pads. Only two counters are now
giving reliable information.
Track Monitoring Asset Number Site

Sites Number
Whangatawhia 96627 400029

(Skips) to Okahu
Road
Plateau to Mid 96675 400020
Whirinaki Track
Oruiwaka Ecological 96684 400010
Area
Waiatiu Falls 96622 400039
Waterfall (Lower 96681 400013
Whirianki)
Nga Tapu Wae O Toi 96642 400051
w/way Fairbrother
Loop Section
Tuwhare Pa 96617 400050
Hut Book and Hut Ticket Collection Sites

Central Whirinaki 32521 400013
Mangamate 32700 400017
Upper Whirinaki 32769 400015
Upper Te Hoe 32568 400022
Central Te Hoe 32570 400024
Mangakahika 32677 400025
Rogers (Te Wairoa) 32668 400028
Whangatawhia 32214 400029
(Skips)
Moerangi 32674 400027
Upper Matakuhia 34249 400033
Lower Matakuhia 34250 400036
Intentions Book Sites (Intentions books are

located at all Forest Park access points)
15
Plateau to Mid 96675 400020
Whirinaki Track
Okahu Roadend 96627 400029
Oruiwaka Ecological 96684 400010
Area Track
Matakuhia 96626 400033
Road Counter Sites
River Road end 98475 400009

(recently destroyed)
Okahu Road end 98476 400032
16
4.3 Physical Impact
Monitoring
Photo impact surveys at Twin Streams and a
study completed regarding visitor impacts on
geothermal vegetation (see Ward et al, 2000).
This study concluded that although geothermal
vegetation is highly susceptible to
trampling; and that the effects of trampling
can extend 30 cm into the surrounding
vegetation on either side of the track, track
management at Waimangu and Wai-o-tapu appears
to be adequate to prevent more than minimal
damage to the surrounding vegetation.
Recommendations included:
 Improving education of visitors; by improving
visitors learning about the vegetation,
impacts of inappropriate behaviour and other
components of the geothermal environment
through better interpretation.
 Site management to enable visitors to take
photographs without trampling.
The study further concluded that these sites

can be used as examples of protecting the
environment while allowing access. Results
from this study should be considered and
applied to other sites. These results are not
just applicable to other geothermal sites;
but also for other sites where improved
interpretation and education of visitors can
reduce impacts by increasing their knowledge
of the consequences of their actions.
4.3.2 Tauranga Area

There has been no formal monitoring of
physical visitor impacts in Tauranga.

There has been photographic monitoring of
track damage after mountain biking events.
These photos have been kept on file at the
area office. Visitors to Moutohara Island are
checked to ensure pests are not introduced
from the mainland.
17
Visitor perception survey: in relation to
aircraft noise at Wai-o-tapu (uncompleted).
Community surveys: Geographically defined
surveys regarding recreational
use/opportunities and perceived future
development. Intention is to assimilate
recreation aspirations identified by the
community as part of the survey. Also
investigate opportunities to pursue specific
ideas of these communities such as track
proposals forwarded through the Mamaku
community survey.
4.4.2 Tauranga Area

There has been no formal monitoring of social
visitor impacts in Tauranga.

There has been no formal monitoring of social
visitor impacts in Rangitaiki.
4.5 Private Sector

Monitoring
There has been little monitoring of visitors
by concessionaires in the Bay of Plenty.
There has been some monitoring of visitor
satisfaction levels in the past in several
places in the region. However most of these
studies are dated. Copies are held in the
conservancy library.
18
5.0 Conservancy
Monitoring Issues
5.1 Data Collection Issues
Problems with counter accuracy, gear failure,
vandalism, data accuracy (double counting
etc), lack of use for data and equipment
integrity (e.g. counter pads reaching end of
life, lack of national consistency, problems
of public interest and consequent vandalism
with (new) data-compatible step counters due
to public observing Rangers connecting the
data logger to them.
Numeric data collection would be easier if

the counters were reliable and easy to use
and had adequate infrastructure support.
Spare counters would overcome the issue of
lost data when counters have to be repaired.
5.1.2 Tauranga Area

Tauranga Area has had problems with the
counter pads. They have been vandalised, are
inaccurate and breakdown. The delay in the
roll out of the data-compatible step counters
and the lack of strategic direction in
relation to visitor monitoring from Head
Office has resulted in data gaps. Tauranga
staff consider numeric data collection would
be easier with remote site data transfer,
negating the need for Rangers to visit the
site. This would significantly cut the cost
of collecting data.

Rangitaiki Area has also had problems with
the counter pads, finding them inaccurate,
expensive, and prone to vandalism and
breakdown. Road counters have been
vandalised. Numeric data collection would be
easier with reliable and accurate counting
equipment.
19
5.2 High Use Sites
Site (Visitor
Group)
Okere Falls (SST)
Wai-o-tapu Mud pool (SST)
Tarawera Falls (SST)
East Okaitaina Walkway (DV)
Rainbow Mtn – Viewing Platform (SST)
Campgrounds (Seasonal high use, particularly
Tarawera Outlet Campsite)
Amenity areas/road ends (particularly
Okaitaina Roadend)
5.2.2 Tauranga Area

Kaimai-Mamaku FP
Wairongomai Tracks (DV)
Wairere Falls Tracks (BCA)
Crown Track (DV)
Ngamuwahine Picnic Area (DV)
Waitawheta – Franklin Road (DV)
Dickeys Flat Campground (BCA)
Orokawa Bay (DV)

Whakatane
Fairbrother Loop track (DV)
Tauwhare Pa (SST)
Whirinaki FP
River Road (DV)
Waiatu (DV)
Arahaki Lagoon (DV)
Sanctuary (DV)
Plateau (BCC)
5.3 Known Physical Impacts

Vandalism, track surface and vegetation
damage due to poor design, no design and high
use at Okere Falls and Wai-o-Tapu mud-pools
(free entry). In the historic context there
are future aspirations to monitor physical
impacts in relation to the power station
remnant at Okere Falls.
20
5.3.2 Tauranga Area
Little track impact except for sites where
water management is a problem. Environmental
damage (stripped bush for fire wood and holes
being dug) and vandalism at Daly’s clearing.
Some mountain bike impacts such as the Crown
Track. There are some problems with
vandalism. However the level of impact is
reduced as sites are upgraded. The higher the
quality of facility provision the lower the
level of vandalism indicating the there is
greater respect for sites that are up-kept.
In the historic context impacts include

natural erosion of historic features,
including tramlines through vegetation
encroachment, visitor related erosion through
foot traffic; and loss of artefacts such as
visitors collecting mining artefacts.

Litter, wet and boggy patches lead to walking
track width being expanded by people walking
around affected site. Some impact from
horses.
Historic site impacts include erosion of
fortified earthworks due to visitor impact,
vandalism, litter, weeds and natural erosion.
5.4 Known Social Impacts

Very little from observation e.g.
overcrowding however little comparative
research has been undertaken (see 4.4).
5.4.2 Tauranga Area

Main impacts are a result of a conflict
between recreational users. For example dog
walkers and trampers at Day Visitor sites.
This problem can be mitigated with the
enforcement of by-laws such as spot fines.
This is an issue at Crown Track, Orokawa Bay,
Wairongomai and Wairere Falls.
Another conflict is that some tramping clubs,

such as the Waikato Tramping Club, do not
want to see the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park
opened up to a wider range of recreational
users. At the same time there are a number of
older recreational users, also trampers, who
21
want to access the Waitawheta Valley but are
unable to due to the number of river
crossings along the track – an access issue.

Possible social issues are the lack of
security of vehicles at road-ends, and
associated transportation problems.
5.5 Numeric Data Knowledge

Gaps
Numeric data collection at Okere Falls is a
problem due to the entrance being three
metres wide. An adequate counting system
needs to be sourced.
There are also gaps in numeric data
collection at other sites due to counters
taking five months to be repaired. Spare
counters need to be held to enable rapid
replacement in the event of equipment
failure.
5.5.2 Tauranga Area

Types of data needed are forest park entry
figures and general trend information. It
would also be useful to determine visitor
origin in terms of whether they are local,
national or international and specifically
whether they are from Tauranga, Auckland or
Hamilton. It would be useful to find some
method of determining visitor direction, i.e.
which way they are walking on a track.
At present it is not possible to determine

whether huts are reaching capacity, it would
be useful to find this out. A warden in the
new Waitawheta hut at high use times will
enable figures to be collected at this
location.
It would be useful to have access to the

local council’s data to enable comparison,
particularly at road ends such as Te Aroha.

The two forms of data needed in Rangitaiki
are numeric trends of visitors to the Areas
tracks and the total number of visitors to
the forest park.
22
5.6 Physical Impact
Knowledge Gaps
Fragile sites need to be monitored as little
is known about local recreational impacts.
These sites include Rainbow Mountain, Wai-o-
tapu mud-pool and Twin Streams. Ideally this
would take place via an annual digital photo
baseline comparison study and other physical
measurements (e.g. regeneration of certain
plant species).
5.6.2 Tauranga Area

There are not many sites that have physical
impact problems. It is limited to those
tracks that have erosion problems associated
with track water management. For example Mt
Te Aroha to the old Waitawheta Hut Track.
One type of data that needs improving is
ensuring historic sites have baseline
studies. Completed on physical impacts from
which comparisons can be made.

There are some physical impact knowledge gaps
in Rangitaiki that relate specifically to
historical sites but also have implications
for other sites. These are damage by
vegetation (root structures etc) and damage
by campers (fires etc).
5.7 Social Impact Knowledge

Gaps
Visitors may be happy with the current level
of visitation. Therefore now is a good time
to carry out a survey to establish a baseline
state from which to establish future
satisfaction monitoring. Due to projected
growth in tourism, overcrowding at sites will
become an issue in the future. Visitor
surveys need to be carried out at campgrounds
and tracks to determine the predominant
visitor group. Facilities can then be
maintained at a suitable standard for this
group.
23
5.7.2 Tauranga Area
It would be useful to carry out a survey to
determine visitor demographics by site. An
example would be the percentage of elderly
trampers using Waitawheta track and the year
on year trend in visitor demographics. This
would enable more informed management
decisions to be taken with regards to river
bridging. It is likely and future studies may
enable this to be shown, that the social
demographic of track users in this location
will change over time. This may be due to the
new Waitawheta Hut and an upgraded link
through to Wairongomai creating a historic
heritage trail.

Useful studies would examine visitor
satisfaction, demographics, visitor activity,
predominant user group and whether visitors
are on their own or with groups.
5.8 Further Research Needs

5.8.1 Economic Impact Studies
An objective of the conservancy Recreation
Strategy (See Appendix 5) is to increase the
level of indirect economic benefit accruing
to local communities from visitors to the
protected sites of the Bay of Plenty. The
means of doing this is to both increase the
linkages between visitors and the local
community and to work with economic
development and community organisations to
decrease leakage from the local economy.
To enable this objective to be met a baseline

study of local economic impact needs to be
carried out. Comparison studies can then be
undertaken to monitor change. It is likely
that this research will be done by a
contracted agency or students. This method is
considered further in section 6.4.
24
Methods
Visitor Monitoring can be divided into three
separate elements; numeric data collection,
physical impact (impacts on the physical
environment) and social impact (impacts on
human social conditions at sites) monitoring.
This section talks briefly about each of
these and about how they can be applied in
the Bay of Plenty.

(NDC)
In the past NDC has occurred at a number of
sites without any real strategic approach as
to why visitor numbers were being recorded
and what use the information would be put to.
The national approach to NDC is to pick sites
that are representative of the user groups
(as specified in the National Visitor
Strategy) within a Conservancy and to record
and follow trends in use. This approach has
been taken in this Visitor Monitoring Plan.
The principle objective of NDC is to provide

information regarding trends of visitor use
over time. This information becomes more
meaningful when used in conjunction, and
analysed with information about the visitor
and their visit.
Management is better informed and able to

make decisions about priority setting and
resource allocations. Visitor monitoring will
provide staff with information for good
strategic and operational planning. It is
therefore important to gather visitor
information about sites where visitor
information can assist with management
decisions.
Forms of NDC that will be used in the Bay of

Plenty are: track counters, hut books,
campsite data, visitor centre door counters
and road traffic counters. The majority of
data will come from track counters.
25
Hut Wardens provide useful information on the
number of total bed nights by season and by
hut. In some cases this has been gathered
over a number of years. Collection of this
data should continue as part of the overall
visitor NDC.
Track Counters
There has recently been a change signalled

from the department’s Research, Development
and Information (RD&I) Unit. Collection of
information from sources other than the new
data compatible step counter is now
acceptable. It is proposed the foundation of
the conservancy’s visitor numeric data
collection shall rely on the use of simple
tally counters, built into a small boardwalk
system. These shall be installed at strategic
locations (see Section 9.1, and read at
regular intervals, e.g. the first week of
each month.
These counters are cheap, reliable and

accurate. Alternative counters such as the
data compatible step counter and counter pads
are expensive, complicated to use and
currently unreliable, particularly in the
sulphurous and wet conditions of the Bay of
Plenty.
However national standards will be adhered to

and as and when data-compatible step counters
become widely used and reliable then the
tally-counters will be replaced with the
latest design of counters.
Testing and Calibration
In order for data to be meaningful, counters

need to be calibrated. A calibrated track
counter will accurately record the number of
times it is triggered.
A test takes place to ensure that the track

counter is working correctly. This is carried
out by setting the track counter in place and
taking its current reading or alternatively
resetting the track counter at zero. The
track counter is then activated a number of
times (20-30). The reading is then checked to
see what percentage of crossings has
26
triggered the track counter. Depending on
location the counter will need to be tested
for the different users expected at the site.
As an example for an induction loop it will
need to be checked if it measures bicycles,
cars, buses, campervans, motorbikes etc.
Once tested, the counter needs to be

calibrated. This exercise will record:
 the number of vehicles and type

 the number of passengers in each vehicle
 the amount of non vehicular traffic
 traffic not related to recreational visits
(e.g. staff, contractors)
If, during the course of the year, there is a

different use period identified and the
number of passengers in each vehicle type is
likely to be different, additional
observations should be undertaken. Weekend
use may be different to mid-week use
therefore observations should take place on
both.
Calibration converts the counter reading to

give a weighted number of people crossing the
counter. For example, observation show the
average number of people in a vehicle is 3.5
persons, the counter shows 50 vehicles were
recorded, therefore the total number of
visitors equals 3.5 X 50 = 175 visitors.
27
6.2 Physical Impact
Monitoring
Staff must assess sites on a case-by-case
basis, as it is possible that management
intervention can circumvent the need to
establish a long term monitoring programme.
Means of assessment will be determined by
areas in conjunction with the conservancy’s
Technical Support Team and advice from the
forthcoming RD&I Visitor Monitoring Toolkit.
Sites can be artificially ‘hardened’ to

mitigate or reduce physical impacts at places
where visitor use is judged to have adverse
effects and appropriate visitor information,
i.e. care codes, can influence visitor
behaviour. Through effective impact
monitoring sites can be prioritised for work
and adverse impacts managed accordingly.
New visitor sites provide an opportunity to

gather baseline data and establish monitoring
programmes. These enable management to
intervene at an early stage should impact
trends become unacceptable. For this reason
monitoring of new sites will be a priority
for monitoring physical impacts.
Wherever possible, it is highly recommended

that base information is collected before a
site starts to deteriorate. Ideally in most
sites, fieldwork should be conducted mid to
late season when visitor use is most likely
to have had an impact as sites are being used
extensively. Site assessment should be
undertaken at the same time of year.
Assessing the site a few weeks either side of
the original date is acceptable. This is
necessary to avoid factors such as
Physiological changes in vegetation growth
and differences in site use during the year.
Many studies have been carried out relating

to the physical impacts of tourism on
protected areas (Ward et al; Booth and
Cullen; McQueen). Some link physical/social
impacts and visitor numbers; or correlate
erosion with level of use (McQueen 1991). The
results of these and future studies will be
considered during the preparation of physical
28
impact monitoring programmes in the
Conservancy. Of note is the Geothermal
Impacts Study (Ward et al, 2000) in Rotorua,
which carried out research at peak season
enabling a worst case scenario to be formed.
The goals of the conservancy biodiversity

monitoring team will also be considered
during programme preparation.

Social impact monitoring assesses visitor
perceptions, expectations and levels of
satisfaction. It is generally applicable to
sites that have intense use and where social
interaction is high. Conflict can occur
between individuals, between individuals and
groups and between and within groups.
Visitors can be affected by overcrowding of a
site, loss of solitude, noise and changes to
facilities leading to a reduction in the
quality of the recreational experience.
Some social issues can be resolved through

management intervention rather than
monitoring. An example could be providing
visitors with information about likely hut
usage in peak holiday periods, so they have
the information to choose where and when they
will visit.
Another perceived impact occurring is

associated with the disturbance of natural
quiet and perceptions of crowding at sites
being managed for their natural values and
experiences. This research is largely
proactive, driven by what the Department
thinks visitors should (or should not)
experience and is seldom a response to
prevailing adverse social conditions.
Practically all social impact research is

associated with perceptions of overcrowding
of high-use huts and tracks.
Some social impact monitoring will need to be

repeated to monitor and compare effects and
change over time. The overseas norm for
repeating the process is ten years although
29
individual sites may need repeated assessment
more frequently.
Staff must assess high use sites routinely,

case-by-case. The best outcome of routine
assessment is that appropriate management
action and interventions will circumvent the
development of adverse social impact.
6.4 Economic Value, Impact

and Benefit Studies
Economic studies are unlikely to be carried
out by Department staff due to the
considerable time needed for date collection
and analysis. This type of study will be
contracted out to an outside agency or it
could be a graduate level student research
project. However the concept of economic
study needs an overview to allow for future
inclusion in the monitoring process.
Economic Value of a protected area is the sum

of the use values and the non-use values. Use
values are associated with both direct use of
the area (market value) such as recreation,
education and research; and indirect use of
the area (non-market value) such as
ecological function, wildlife habitat,
climate influence and watershed protection.
Non-use values can be thought of as option,
bequest or existence value.
When visitors (tourists) come to protected

areas they become more aware of its existence
and may be more willing to donate money,
argue for both its continued existence and
protection for future generations. They are
thus recognising both the use and non-use
values of the protected area.
Economic Impact assessment measures the value
and impact of financial transactions by
groups related to the protected area.
Economic impact assessment can be measured at
a local, regional or national level. Economic
impacts exist regardless of the source of the
funding. An example of economic benefit is
when the Department buys supplies locally or
contracts out work.
Economic Benefit is the value that a

protected area brings to the local, regional
30
or national economy. When the wealth of an
area under study, be that New Zealand, the
Bay of Plenty or an area or town within the
Bay of Plenty increases, this is the economic
benefit. Although benefits can also be
perceived as non-market values, they are most
often assessed in financial terms.
When the conservancy spends money (from the

government) in one area of the Bay of Plenty
there may be an economic benefit to the local
economy as the funds have come from outside
the region and are an increase in wealth.
This is a local benefit but not a national
benefit as this is just a redistribution of
resources around the country. If the
protected area can attract foreign investment
or funding then this represents a local and
national benefit.
This can also be considered in terms of

visitors. Foreign visitors to a protected
area are spending foreign capital. This
represents both an impact and a benefit to
the local and national economy. A local
visitor, although equally welcome represents
a redistribution of capital, i.e. an impact
but not an economic benefit.
Studies of local economic benefit would

consider the number of local (domestic) and
foreign (international) visitors to a
protected area, how much they are spending
(and on what), how long they are staying and
where they are staying. There are also issues
of leakage to consider. i.e. whether the
recipient of the spending is going to remove
the majority of the money from the local
economy (e.g. a hotel chain) or retain it
within the local economy (a locally owned
motel).
6.5 Indicators
Indicators are used to measure physical and
social impacts. The selection of indicators
is a key stage in planning a monitoring
project. The success or failure of the
project depends on the selection of correct
indicators. To ensure correct indicators are
chosen they must be determined in conjunction
with specialists, who as well as being
31
experienced, have access to research that can
help inform the choice.
Indicators must be selected according to the

problem, aiming at the best compromise
between a clear, early answer to the initial
question and taking account of costs and
feasibility. Indicators have desirable
characteristics such as being specific and
being measurable. Indicators can also be
qualitative. For example, social indicators
are analysed in regard to quality, but then
they are generally assigned numbers to
establish rankings such as xx number of
people thought this or xx percentage of the
group thought that.
Key Indicator Characteristics
 Measurable Indicators should be

quantitative i.e. able to be measured.
 Reliable Indicators should be capable of

being measured precisely and accurately
(repeatable measures by different people).
Reliable indicators allow ongoing measurement
of real change, rather than a change in the
way something is measured.
 Cost-effective Indicators should be

capable of being measured cost effectively by
field personnel using simple equipment and
techniques.
 Significant Indicators must relate to

significant conditions or features. A good
indicator should be capable of detecting
changes that could become serious problems if
left. Examples include changes that persist
for a long time, disrupt ecosystem
functioning or reduce the quality of
recreational experience.
 Relevant The types of change that would

be detected through monitoring of indicators
should be confined to changes that result
from human activities. This characteristic
may not apply to places where the objectives
stress minimal human impact only.
 Sensitive Indicators should focus on
sensitive components that provide an early
warning system, alerting managers to
32
deteriorating conditions while there is still
time to correct things.
 Efficient Indicators are most

efficient if they reflect the condition of
more than themselves, because this reduces
the number of parameters that must be
monitored.
 Responsive The types and causes of change

that are detected through the monitoring of
indicators should be responsive to management
control.
Selection of Correct Indicators
A comparison between desired characteristics

of indicators and indicators themselves show
three types of problems have been evident.
These are a failure to:
 Define indicators in specific and

quantitative terms. For instance it may not
be possible to categorically assert fish and
wildlife conditions as they are variable, but
it is essential to be as definitive and clear
as possible.
 Select correct indicators because of lack of

understanding about which are the most
significant e.g. in monitoring water quality
a number of indicators are available such as
temperature, coliform presence or turbidity
but the problem can be in determining the
most significant indicator.
 Select correct indicators due to the lack of

established and reliable monitoring methods,
particularly in social impact monitoring.
33
Part Two: Operational
Work Programme
34
Management
7.1 Monitoring Roles
Although department staff will have the most

involvement with the visitor monitoring
programme and collect the majority of the
data, other groups may be involved. These
include students, volunteers, conservation
organisations and contracted research
agencies. The success of a visitor monitoring
programme will also depend on the support of
senior mangers, as well as dedicated staff
that are accurate and consistent at recording
information.
The key to the programme is that it produces

standardised and robust information. There is
little point in establishing a sophisticated
system that fails 50% of the time and does
not provide the data required to make useful
management decisions. Data collection,
recording and analysis should be kept simple.
Consistency with the programme sustained over
a period of time will provide the data
required to show trends and allow useful
management decisions.
Rangers, Programme Managers, Recreation

Planners and key conservancy staff such as
Community Awareness and Concessions Officers
are integral to the success of the visitor
monitoring programme.
7.1.1 Rangers responsible for collecting

the information from the field will need to
have:
 Good communication with their Programme
Manager.
 Support and co-operation from the Programme
Manager for the implementation of the
monitoring programme and also the running,
maintenance and provision of feedback on
results.
 No bias in influencing information.
 Support the rationale behind visitor
monitoring.
35
7.1.2 Programme Managers responsible for
the implementation of the visitor monitoring
programme in their Area will need to have:
 Good communication skills with Ranger staff
and Conservancy Recreation Planner.
 Support the rational behind visitor
monitoring.
 Provide support and co-operation to Ranger
staff for both the implementation of the
monitoring programme but also running,
maintenance and provision of feedback on
results.
7.1.3 Recreation Planners responsible for

the implementation and coordination of the
visitor monitoring programme in the
Conservancy will need to have:
 Good communication skills with Area Programme
Managers and Senior Management.
monitoring.
 Provide support and co-operation to the
Programme Manager.
 Ensure Access programme knowledge is up to
date.
7.1.4 Key Conservancy Staff responsible

for providing advice on monitoring and
information needs and liaising with
concessionaires.
 Good communication skills with community
organisations and concessionaires.
monitoring.
 Provide support and co-operation to the
Recreation Planner.
Position Role Tasks

Ranger Gather During the
visitor first week of each
monitoring month gather
numeric visitor monitoring
data and numeric data
maintain Maintain
equipment. counters by
spraying monthly
36
with rust
inhibitors and
insect spray
Undertake
calibration of
counters
Enter data
Programme Ensure the Allocate
Manager effective sufficient staff
operation resources for the
of the effective running
visitor of the visitor
monitoring monitoring work
within plan
their
respective
Area
Recreation Provide Co-ordinate
Planner advice on visitor monitoring
visitor throughout the
monitoring conservancy
Database
administration
Produce Annual
Visitor Trends
Report.
Review Visitor
Monitoring Plan.
Key Provide Assess
Conservancy advice on monitoring needs
Staff visitor for visitor
monitoring information and
concessions and
advise Recreation
Planner.
7.1.4 Students
Students will be encouraged to get involved
with research topics. There may be future
opportunities for funding of research
projects relevant to the conservancy. A list
of potential research topics is provided in
Appendix 4.
7.1.5 Volunteers
It is envisaged that the role of volunteers
for will be developed in data collection. An
example may be where volunteers are assigned
37
a counter and asked to collect data on a
monthly basis.
7.1.6 Contracted Agencies

Future involvement of national and
international agencies involved with
protected area research will be encouraged.
Examples are Earthwatch, and Raleigh
International.
Some work may be contracted to consultants

where the scope of the research is beyond the
skill or time constraints of department
staff. Examples are demographic/visitor
satisfaction surveys and economic benefit
studies.
7.2 Adaptive Management

Staff should take an adaptive approach to
monitoring their work. This means they must
be open-minded and prepared to shift focus or
change direction if the conclusion of a
review of the programme shows this to be
necessary.
For example, a monitoring programme would be

established with agreed indicators. A
timeline would be established that nominated
key milestones where the programme would be
evaluated. Staff would analyse results at
the agreed dates and if necessary modify
indicators or even change course.
If analysis showed that indicators being used

to measure impacts were incorrect then it is
important to stop, adapt and start again.
Putting work on hold can be frustrating, but
there would still be information gains from
the work done to date.
38
8.0 Area Monitoring
Outline
The aim of numeric data collection in the
Rotorua Lakes Area is to monitor:
 Tracks in all Short Stop Traveller (SST) and

Day Visitor (DV) sites. These are deemed the
busiest and those from which management would
benefit from numeric trend data.
 All amenity sites and campgrounds are to be
monitored for the same reason.
 A sample of Back Country Adventurer (BCA)
sites will be monitored.
 Data will also be collected from
concessionaires operating in this Area.
 Data needs to be collected to determine the
volume of users of the Tarawera Outlet boat-
ramp.
8.1.2 Tauranga Area

The aim of numeric data collection in
Tauranga Area is to:
 Determine the volume and trend of visitors to
the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park.
 Determine which sites/tracks are receiving
high or low use.
 Aid management, in conjunction with other
forms of monitoring such as Physical Impact
studies, in deciding how to both attract
visitors to low use sites and mitigate
potential impacts at sites with rising use
and actual impacts at sites with high use.
Once high use sites have been determined,

then physical and social impact monitoring,
including visitor satisfaction studies, can
be concentrated on these sites.

The aim of numeric data collection in
Rangitaiki Area is to:
 Determine the total volume and trends of
visitors to the Whirinaki Forest Park.
39
 Determine which sites/tracks are receiving
high or low use.
 To examine issues of capacity in huts along
the ‘Whirinaki Circuit’.
8.2 Physical Impact

Monitoring
 The main sites in the Rotorua Lakes Area that
require physical monitoring are Twin Streams,
Hot pools and Wai-o-tapu mud-pool. These are
fragile geothermal sites that need a baseline
state established and periodic (annual) photo
monitoring. Results from the Lincoln
University Study (Ward et al, 2000) should be
considered in relation to any study carried
out. In addition the conclusions of this
study can be applied to other geothermal
sites suffering from visitor impacts such as
trampling.
 Future physical impact monitoring required at
the Okere Falls Power Station remnant.
 Physical impact monitoring at other sites is
not seen as a priority due to the nature and
location of these assets.
8.2.2 Tauranga Area

 EIA for tracks for which an upgrade is
proposed such as the Cashmores Clearing
Tracks.
 Waitawheta Valley tramline – combine NDC with
a study of visitor satisfaction and physical
impacts.
 Vandalism at Wairongomai
 Environmental impacts at Daly’s Clearing
 Road end vandalism
 All historic sites should have a baseline
survey, key historic sites that are
considered to be at risk, such as Wairongomai
and Waitawheta, will be monitored.

 Photographic monitoring will continue to be
collected before and after mountain biking
events to determine environmental impact.
 Some historic sites will be monitored where
these sites are at risk.
40
 Visitors to Moutohara Island will continue to
be checked to ensure pests are not introduced
onto the island.

 Predominant user surveys at campgrounds to
establish what is needed at what location.
 Concessionaire surveys to establish visitor
satisfaction.
8.3.2 Tauranga Area

 A demographic survey to determine both the
predominant user group and the age ratio of
trampers. This is necessary to establish
whether users are being catered for.
 A facility user’s survey to determine what
visitors to Dickeys Flat Campsite require.
 Any concessionaire data in relation to
visitor profiles or satisfaction.
 Survey of visitor intentions at Wharawhara Rd
 Survey of track linkages used and required,
East-West and North-South through the Park.

 Demographic Strata survey, hut book analysis,
activity survey, short term contract rotated
between Areas.
8.4 Prioritisation
Numeric data collection through track
counters, road counters and visitor centre
door counters will be collected and entered
into the database monthly.
It is likely that the ideal timing for

physical impact monitoring will be during
autumn time to allow impacts from the
recreational season to become apparent. Data
should be collected annually.
The ideal timing for social impact monitoring

will be during the summer months to allow the
largest sample possible. Data should be
collected annually in the short term.
No one form of data collection is of a higher

priority than another. The issue is one of
41
timing and requests on staff resources. All
three, numeric physical and social, are a
priority.

Social impact surveys will ideally take place
every 2-3 years. This is dependent on
budgetary constraints.
8.4.2 Tauranga Area

Existing sites first and then others.

The first priority is to get counters on the
ground. Following that the priority sites for
monitoring are the WEMZ sites and Fairbrother
loop walk.
8.5 Additional Research

Data from the conservancy visitor monitoring
will be available both on the department
website and in hard copy format. Secondary
research will be welcomed from outside
agencies providing this secondary research is
also made available to the department.
Research that concessionaires carry out into

their visitors will be collected by the
department and held as part of a library of
visitor data.
Research programmes will be welcomed and

encouraged. Research can provide new
knowledge, insight and procedures for visitor
management. Research can frequently reveal
trends and patterns that are valuable for
planning and management.
Potential researchers, for example students,

will be encouraged and supported with an
inventory of potential research topics
(including title, description of topic,
contact name, possible research sites and
information on funding). There may, in some
cases, be opportunities for practical help
with research. (See Appendix 4).
42
9.0 Monitoring Sites
Sites (Existing and New)
Short Walk (SST Visitor Asse Site Counter

sites) Counters Categor t # # ID
y
Rotomahana SST 9644 40009 RLAO/T1

Isthmus track 0 4
Tarawera Falls SST 9644 40008 RLAO/T2
Walk 4 8
Okere Falls SST 9652 40008 RLAO/T3
Walk 3 2
Rainbow SST 9904 40025 RLAO/T4
Mountain - 0 8
Steaming Cliffs
walk (Carpark
to viewpoint)
Walking Track (DV sites) Counters
Te Auheke track DV 9642 40010 RLAO/T5

8 0
Eastern DV 9644 40009 RLAO/T6
Okaitaina 1 1
Walkway
Tarawera Falls DV 9644 40008 RLAO/T7
to Lake 3 9
Tarawera track
Tarawhai DV 9663 40007 RLAO/T8
(Nature 6 8
Interpretation)
Track
Ngahopua Track DV 9663 40007 RLAO/T9
7 5
Hinehopu DV 9663 40007 RLAO/T1
(Hongi’s) Track 8 3 0
Kaharoa Track DV 9903 40025 RLAO/T1
5 7 1
Tramping Track (BCC sites)

Counters
Mangorewa Track BCC 96410 400083 RLAO/T12

Northern BCC 96442 400093 RLAO/T13
43
Tarawera track
W.Okataina BCC 96641 400091 RLAO/T14
W/Way – Educ
Centre to
Ngapuka Bay
Rainbow Mtn – BCC 96645 400065 RLAO/T15
Summit to
Steaming Cliffs
viewpoint jcn
track
Mokaihaha track BCC 96646 400063 RLAO/T16
W.Okataina BCC 96652 400068 RLAO/T17
w/way – Educ
Centre to
Whakapoungakau
Trig
Amenity Sites and Campgrounds

Counter form would be pad systems and laser
vehicle counters where appropriate, also random
sampling undertaken by individuals to gain snap
shots during peak times. For campgrounds, the
visitor survey sheets completed by wardens
would suffice.
Punaromia/Orcha 10035 400066 RLAO/C1
rd Picnic Area 7
Okataina 10035 400092 RLAO/C2
Roadend Amenity 4
Area
Lake Tarawera 10001 400093 RLAO/C3
Outlet Campsite 5
Hot Water Beach 10001 400095 RLAO/C4
Campsite, Lake 3
Tarawera
Rerewhakaaitu 10001 400096 RLAO/C5
campsite (Ash 6
Pit Road)
Rerewhakaaitu 10001 400097 RLAO/C6
campsite (Brett 7
Road)
Humphreys Bay 10035 400103 RLAO/C7
Picnic Area 2
Car Parks and Traffic Counters

Heat sensitive laser counters would form the
basis for this type of numeric data collection.
Adapt to new technologies as they become
available.
Okere Falls Car 100356 400081 RLAO/R1

Park
Hamurana 34614 400259 RLAO/R2
44
Springs Car
Park
9.1.2 Tauranga Area
KMFP Entry Point Track Counters

Karangahake DV 96433 400108 TAO/T1
Gorge
Dickeys Flat BCA 96430 400111 TAO/T2
Franklin Road Road TAO/T3
Counter
Waitawheta DV 97785 400206 TAO/T4
Track (Franklin
Rd to Bluff Stm
Jcn)
Lindemans Rd DV 96453 400127 TAO/T5
Woodlands Road Road TAO/R1
Counter
Woodlands Rd BCA 96463 400116 TAO/T6
(Waitengaue Stm
Track)
Tui Mine to Te BCA 96419 400158 TAO/T7
Aroha Track
Te Aroha Track BCA 96461 400118 TAO/T8
Wairongomai – DV 96448 400189 TAO/T9
Piako Tramway –
Low-level Drive
Track
Wairongomai – BCA 96424 400162 TAO/T10
Kauri Grove
Track
Wairakau Rd Non DoC Land TAO/T11
(Waipapu
Stream)
Wairere Track BCA 96403 400141 TAO/T12
(Wairere Falls
to Clay Road)
Wharawhara Link DV 97786 400208 TAO/T13
Track
Tuahu Track DV 96407 400136 TAO/T14
(East/Tuahu
Kauri Track)
Mt Eliza Mine – BCA 96421 400166 TAO/T15
Thompsons Track
Uplands Rd DV 96520 400202 TAO/R2
Counter
Aongotete to DV 96520 400167 TAO/T16
Uplands Rd
Track
Swimming Hole DV 96409 400168 TAO/T17
Track,
45
Aongotete
Te Tuhi Track DV 96391 400145 TAO/T18
Whakamarama Rd DV 98444 400213 TAO/T19
Counter
Ngamuwahine Rd DV 96395 400152 TAO/T20
Picnic Area
Kaimai Road – BCA 97787 400209 TAO/T21
Hendersons
Tramline (Nth
Branch Track)
Kaimai Road – DV 96397 400148 TAO/T22
Hendersons
Tramline (Wstn
Branch Track)
Kaimai Summit BCA 97790 400150 TAO/T23
Loop Track
Rapurapu Kauri BCA 96396 400151 TAO/T24
Track
Youth Lodge to DV 96412 400185 TAO/T25
Te Rereioturu
Falls Track
Te Rereioturu DV 96473 400187 TAO/T26
Falls Track,
Ngatuhoa
Woods Mill to BCA 97789 400211 TAO/T27
Waiomou Stm Tk
Track Counters – Other
Waitawheta DV 99005 400214 TAO/T28

Pipeline Walk
(Crown stope to
Dickeys Flat)
Dubbo 96 Track DV 97784 400205 TAO/T29
Daly’s Clearing BCA 96455 400112 TAO/T30
Track
Waitawheta BCA 96438 400114 TAO/T31
Track (Bluff
Stm Jcn to
Waitawheta Hut)
Bluff Stream BCA 96436 400113 TAO/T32
Kauri Grove
(Waitawheta)
Track
Orokawa Bay DV 96435 400104 TAO/T33
Track
Orokawa-Homunga DV 96434 400106 TAO/T34
Bay
Track/Access
Track
Kaituna Wetland DV 97780 400204 TAO/T35
46
Track
Otawa Reserve Non DoC Land TAO/T36
(Girl Guides
Lodge)
Trig BCA 96414 400183 TAO/T37
Track/Otawa SR
Otanewainuku DV 96416 400181 TAO/T38
Forest
Hidden Gorge Non DoC Land TAO/T39
(Omanawa Falls)
Hut Books
Daly’s Clearing Hut 32323 40011 TAO/HB1

2
Waitawheta Hut 32233 40011 TAO/HB2
4
Te Rereatukahia Hut 32227 40013 TAO/HB3
3
Hurunui Hut 32833 40019 TAO/HB4
4
Whirinaki FP Entry Point Track Counters
Plateau to Mid BCC 96675 400020 RAO/T1

Whirinaki
Pukahunui Track BCA 99021 400325 RAO/T2
(Rd to Upper
Whirinaki Track
Jcn)
Whangatawhia BCC 96627 400029 RAO/T3
(Skips) to
Okahu Road
Oruiwaka DV 96684 400010 RAO/T4
Ecological Area
(River Rd Track
entrance
Whirinaki Forest Park Day walks
Sanctuary Loop DV 96685 400008 RAO/T5

Walk
Old Fort Rd DV 96686 400006 RAO/T6
Loop Track (H
tree Track)
Waiatu Falls DV 96622 400039 RAO/T7
Track
Arahaki Lagoon DV 96683 400011 RAO/T8
Track
47
Taupiri Lookout DV 96619 400047 RAO/T9
Walk
Whirinaki DV 96621 400044 RAO/T10
Recreation Camp
to Whirinaki
River Track
Whirinaki DV 96620 400045 RAO/T11
Recreation Camp
Lookout and
Wiremu Merito
Reserve Track
Tauwhare Pa SST 96617 400050 RAO/T12
Historic
Site/Walk
Whakatane
Nga Tapu Wae O DV 96642 400051 RAO/T13

Toi W/way –
Fairbrother
Loop Section
Toi W/way –
Burma Rd to top
of Fairbrother
Loop
Toi W/way
Melville
Section
Matata SR Track DV 96647 400057 RAO/T16
Rangitaiki BCA 96687 400001 RAO/T17
River Walk
Waipunga Forest Park
Matakuhia Track BCA 96626 400033 RAO/T18

Opureke Track BCA 96624 400037 RAO/T19
Road Counters
Plateau Roadend 98457 400042 RAO/R1

Okahu Roadend 98476 400032 RAO/R2
River Road 98475 400009 RAO/R3
Pukahunui 192838 400325 RAO/R4
Roadend
Matakuhia Road 192839 400033 RAO/R5
end
Hut Books
48
Mid Okahu Hut 32286 400031 RAO/HB1
Central 32521 400013 RAO/HB2
Whirinaki
Mangamate 32700 400017 RAO/HB3
Upper Whirinaki 32769 400015 RAO/HB4
Upper Te Hoe 32568 400022 RAO/HB5
Central Te Hoe 32570 400024 RAO/HB6
Mangakahika 32677 400025 RAO/HB7
Rogers (Te 32668 400028 RAO/HB8
Wairoa)
Whangatawhia 32214 400029 RAO/HB9
(Skips)
Moerangi 32674 400027 RAO/HB10
Upper Matakuhia 34249 400033 RAO/HB11
Lower Matakuhia 34250 400036 RAO/HB12
Intention Books
Plateau to Mid 96675 400020 RAO/IB1

Whirinaki Track
Okahu Roadend 96627 400029 RAO/IB2
Oruiwaka 96684 400010 RAO/IB3
Ecological Area
Track
Matakuhia 96626 400033 RAO/IB4
Rangitaiki Visitor Centre

Visitor Centre door counter data has been
collected daily for over 15 years. This
provides excellent trend information and will
continue to be collected.
9.2 Physical Impact

Monitoring Sites
Photo Baseline Asset Site

Monitoring Date/Fre # #
Sites quency
Twin Streams
Dec NA 40006 RLAO/P1
– Wai-o-tapu
04/Annua 4
l
Mud pool – Dec 10036 40006 RLAO/P2
Wai-o-tapu 04/Annua 0 4
l
Tarawera Dec 96444 40008 RLAO/P3
Falls Walk 04/Annua 8
l
49
Te Koutu Pa Dec NA 40026 RLAO/P4
Site 04/Annua 1
l
Okere Falls Dec 96523 40008 RLAO/P5
Walk 04/Annua 2
l
Punaromia/Or Dec 10035 40006 RLAO/P6
chard Picnic 04/Annua 7 6
Area l
Hot Water Dec 10001 40009 RLAO/P7
Beach 04/Annua 3 5
l
Rerewhakaait Dec NA NA RLAO/P8
u – Freedom 04/Annua
camping l
zone. This
consists of
the lake
edge
vicinity
between the
council
campground
and Brett Rd
campground.
Hamurana Dec 40025 RLAO/P9
04/Annua 9
l
Wairoa – Dec NA NA RLAO/P10
Lake 04/Annua
Tarawera l
Rainbow Dec 99040 40006 RLAO/P11
Mountain – 04/Annua 5
Steaming l
Cliffs
viewpoint
Puketapu Dec NA 40007 RLAO/P12

Point at 04/Annua 7
Whangaikorea l
Power Dec 50034 40008 RLAO/P13
station 04/Annua 2
remnant at l
Okere Falls
9.2.2 Tauranga Area
Survey Baseline Asset Site

Location Date/Fre # #
quency
Cashmores Dec 96447 40012 TAO/P1
50
Clearing 04/Annua 96449 3
(EIA for l 96456 40013
tracks for 1
which an 40012
upgrade is 4
proposed)
Waitawheta Dec 96438 40011 TAO/P2
Valley 04/Annua 4
Tramline l
(Combine NDC
with a study
of physical
impacts,
including
historic)
Wairongomai Dec 96459 40012 TAO/P3
(Vandalism 04/Annua 1
study and l
historic
physical
impacts
study)
Daly’s Dec 96455 40011 TAO/P4
Clearing 04/Annua 2
(Environment l
al impact
study)
Photo Baseline Asset Site

Monitoring Date/Fre # #
Sites quency
Plateau Rd Dec 96675 40002 RAO/P1
to Mid 04/Biann 0
Whirinaki ual
Track
Photographic
monitoring
will
continue to
be collected
after
mountain
biking
events to
determine
environmenta
l impact.
51
Historic Baseline Asset Site
Sites Date/Fre # #
quency
Rogers Hut Dec 32668 40002 RAO/P2
04/Annua 8
l
Tokitoki Dec N/A 40006 RAO/P3
Historic 04/Annua 1
Reserve l
Tauwhare Pa Dec N/A 40005 RAO/P4
Historic 04/Annua 0
Site l
Ohope Scenic Dec N/A 40004 RAO/P5
Reserve 04/Annua 8
l
Fort Galatea Dec 33114 40032 RAO/P6
Historic 04/Annua 6
Reserve l
Helicopter Investigate the introduction of

landings in landing permits for Whirinaki FP
WFP and monitor visitor numbers -
need data for number of flights
coming into Whirinaki from
helicopter operations.

Sites
Campsite User Survey Asset Site #

Survey location Date #
Punaromia/Orchard Dec 04 100357 400066 RLAO/S1
Picnic Area –Jan
05
Okataina Road end Dec 04 100354 400092 RLAO/S2
–Jan
05
Lake Tarawera Dec 04 100015 400093 RLAO/S3
Outlet Campsite –Jan
05
Hot Water Beach Dec 04 100013 400095 RLAO/S4
Campsite, Lake –Jan
Tarawera 05
Rerewhakaaitu Dec 04 100016 400096 RLAO/S5
campsite (Ash Pit –Jan
Road) 05
Rerewhakaaitu Dec 04 100017 400097 RLAO/S6
campsite (Brett –Jan
Road) 05
52
Humphreys Bay Dec 04 100352 400103 RLAO/S7
Picnic Area –Jan
05
9.3.2 Tauranga Area

A demographic survey will be carried out to
determine both the predominant user group and
the age ratio of trampers. This is necessary
to determine whether users are being catered
for.
Survey Survey Asset Site #

Location Date #
Waitawheta Dec 04 96438 400114 TAO/S1
Track User –Jan 05
Survey
Dickeys Flat Dec 04 100018 400153 TAO/S2
Campsite User –Jan 05
Survey
Wharawhara Rd Dec 04 97786 400213 TAO/S3
Intentions –Jan 05
Survey
Wairere Falls Dec 04- 96402 400153 TAO/S4
Jan 05

Forms of social impact monitoring will
include demographic surveys, visitor
satisfaction surveys, hut book analysis,
activity survey. Monitoring will be carried
out via short term contracts rotated between
Areas.
Survey Survey Asset Site #

Location Date #
Oruiwaka Dec 04 96684 400010 RAO/S1
Ecological –Jan 05
Area
Waiatu Falls Dec 04 96622 400039 RAO/S2
–Jan 05
Arahaki Lagoon Dec 04 96683 400011 RAO/S3
–Jan 05
Nga Tapu Wae O Dec 04 96625 400052 RAO/S4
Toi W/way –Jan 05
Melville
Section
Nga Tapu Wae O Dec 04 96644 400053 RAO/S5
Toi W/way - –Jan 05
Burma Rd to
top of
Fairbrother
53
Loop
9.4 Concessionaire Data
All future concessions include the

requirement that annual activity returns are
made to the department. Existing
concessionaires will need to file activity
returns from when they renew their agreement.
This information will be used to monitor
visitor use of concessionaires.
54
10.0 Data Analysis
10.1 Data Analysis Method
The visitor monitoring data will be stored on

an Access system that will be based on that
used by Southland Conservancy. It will have a
standard template for recording counter
readings at the end of every month; hut book
information and campsite data.
10.2 Data Analysis Process
 Data collected by Rangers

 Data entered by Rangers into Access Visitor
Information Database (AVID)
 When data has been entered, hard copies of
data entry sheet to be forwarded to
Recreation Planner for filing.
 AVID data interpreted by Recreation Planner
and used to examine visitor numbers and
trends. It will also be used to produce an
annual Visitor Trends Report and for use in
management plans.
10.3 Database Content
The AVID database will hold the following

information:
 Visitor monitoring sites

Site Name, site function, site group, parent
group, area, VAMS site/asset; status, grid
reference; site counter factor, factor
explanation
 Counter data (track, road, visitor centre)

Monthly counter reading, monthly calibration
readings/tests, monthly counter comment
 Counter location and use

Counter type, serial number, location,
counter status, purchase date, install date
and remove date and comments
 Hut books and hut tickets collected
55
Arrival date, no of nights stayed, no of
people, names of people, home town, date due
out, intended route, main activity, comments.
Number of tickets removed from ticket boxes
in between two dates.
56
10.4 Outputs
 Production of Bay of Plenty Visitor Trends

annual report
 Visitor Trends will contain estimates (based
on the visitor monitoring programme) of the
number of day visits, overnight visits and
bed nights for:
 Whirinaki and Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Parks
 Key locations and activities
 Management plans, business plans and future

Conservation Management Strategies must
include visitor monitoring information.
 Information from the visitor monitoring

programme and the Visitor Trends report will
be publicly available on the Bay of Plenty
page of the DOC website www.doc.govt.nz
 The User Manual for the database can be found

at bopco-30941.
57
11.0 Implementation Strategy
11.1 Timing
Short Term Goals Winter 04
Visitor Monitoring Plan
Aug 04
AVID database operational
Sep 04
Monitoring team trained in use of AVID
Sep 04
Visitor Monitoring Plan on website
Sep 04
Medium Term Goals Spring 04-Summer

05
All primary track counters built and
installed Oct 04
First data entered into database
Oct 04
All road counters and secondary counters
installed
Nov 04
Visitor Satisfaction Surveys Dec/04-
Jan/05
Physical monitoring baseline study
Nov-Dec/04
Long Term Goals 2005

First annual BOP Visitor Trends report
Sep/05
First review of Visitor Monitoring Plan
Sep/05
Economic impact baseline study
05/06
11.2 Budget
 Capex (equipment)
Track Counters (17) $2.500
Road Counters (2) $tba
 Opex (hours)
Can’t estimate yet
11.2.2 Tauranga Area

Track Counters (15) $6.000
58
 Opex (hours)
2 days per month/24 days per year, 192 hours,
approx 5K$
10k$ for survey

Track counters (39) $3000
 Opex (hours)
3 days per month = 36 days per year = 288
hours, approx 6K$
11.2.4 Conservancy Budget

 Capex
None
 Opex
8 hours per month for reports 96
80 hours for review 80
176 = 3.5K$ p.a.
11.2.4 Total Budget

Capex: During 2004 the Conservancy will
require $11.500 of unbudgeted capex to set up
the visitor monitoring system. In future
years this figure will drop significantly to
around $3.000 a year for equipment repair and
replacement. Capital projects will be set up
for each Area to cover the costs associated
with counter production.
Opex Each Area will require around

$6.000 of opex per annum and the Conservancy
around $3.500 per annum. This is a total of
$21.500 unbudgeted opex during the 2004/05
financial year. Establishing an effective
visitor monitoring system, including baseline
studies, is an urgent necessity given the
imminent increase in the recreation funding.
Visitor satisfaction monitoring during 2004/5
will be financed from Conservancy salary
budgets, this will be reviewed for 2005/6.
From 2005/6 $10.000 will be set aside p.a for
visitor surveys from Conservancy Operating,
prior to Area allocation.
Table 1 Conservancy Visitor Monitoring Budget 2004-2009
Area RLAO TAO RAO Conservancy

Total (inc
59
Year RP)
Cape Opex Cape Opex Cape Opex Cape Opex
x x x x
2004 2.5 6 5 6 3 6 11.5 18
/05
2005 1 6 1 6 1 6 3 21.5
/06
2006 1 6 1 6 1 6 3 21.5
/07
2007 1 6 1 6 1 6 3 21.5
/08
2008 1 6 1 6 1 6 3 21.5
/09
60
12.0 Monitoring System
Review
Review the system annually. The process does
not need to be reviewed from the start.
Consider:
 Is the system doing what it is designed to
do?
 Are people using the information?
 Do staff members (both Area and conservancy)
need different information from that which
they needed before?
Some small improvements may be identified,

which should be implemented.
The information on the master file of the

AVID system should be relevant even 10 years
after it was collected. Recreation Planners
must arrange and update a filing system
(computer and manual).
An issue with visitor monitoring programmes

is that the system is never documented and
when system coordinators change the knowledge
is lost. Historic visitor monitoring
information should be catalogued and archived
in both computer and hardcopy formats.
61
Appendix 1: Maintenance of
Resources
The Conservation Act, Part II Section 6 (e)
requires the department “to the extent that
the use of any natural or historic resource
for recreation or tourism is not inconsistent
with its conservation, to foster the use of
natural and historic resources for recreation
and to allow their use for tourism”. Section
2 of the Act defines protection, in relation
to a resource, as meaning its ‘maintenance,
as far as practicable, in its current state
but includes (a) its restoration to some
former state and (b) its augmentation,
enhancement or expansion’. As well, Section
2 defines ‘preservation, in relation to a
resource, as meaning ‘the maintenance, so far
as it practicable, of its intrinsic values’.
Conservation value is directly related to our

understanding of the significance of objects,
species, associations and opportunities.
Social value is a perspective that
encompasses expectations, perceptions and
values and incorporates the human response to
rarity, uniqueness and distinctiveness of
things natural, cultural and historic.
Intervention and monitoring are two actions

that managers can take when adverse effects
have been noticed or when potential impacts
have been identified. Best practice is to
take action before problems occur. At sites
where visitor opportunities already exist
change will have occurred to a greater or
lesser degree. How much change is acceptable
is a key question to be asked when managing
visitor sites.
Staff must always remember:

 That maintaining a site in sound condition is
a primary goal of site management
 That carrying capacity (the numbers of

visitors to a site) must be maintained at an
appropriate level to sustain the balance
between protection and use.
62
1.1 Conservation Resources
The department’s Science and Research staff
broadly classifies conservation resources
into four categories: species, ecosystems,
physical features, historic and cultural
structures and sites, each of which contain a
range of values. Values can be difficult to
quantify but resources can be ascribed
quantitative rankings that assist staff to
determine priorities for management action
eg. threatened plant rankings.
1.1.1 Species
 Species comprise bird-life, invertebrates,
terrestrial and marine mammals, plants and
fresh and marine aquatic life.
The department has produced a New Zealand

Threatened Species Classification System
(Molloy, Bell, Clout et al, 2002) and a New
Zealand Threat Classification System List
(Hitchmough, 2002) that lists species and
subspecies according to their threat of
extinction.
1.1.2 Ecosystems
Ecosystems comprise representative examples,
unique associations and the key habitats that
exist between vegetation, wildlife and
physical environments. It is essential to
understand these relationships when designing
a monitoring project to ensure all relevant
aspects of a site are considered.
1.1.3 Physical Features

Physical features comprise representative
geological attributes, unique formations and
landscapes and associated components such as
cultural sites. The immediate and
surrounding physical features and values of a
site must be built into the monitoring
project. This is particularly important for
caves, wetlands, dune systems and other
fragile places where physical values can be
affected rapidly.
63
1.1.4 Historic/Cultural Structures and
Sites
Historical and cultural sites comprise key
places and/or structures and important
associated social activities such as
traditional food gathering or fishing. Values
pertain to European and Mäori settlements and
associations and as a result, contain a range
of different perspectives that must be
considered.
1.2 Recreational Resources

A basic element of visitor recreational
experience is to interact with the natural
environment and the department encourages
recreational use by establishing
opportunities for recreation and appreciation
within natural and historical/cultural
settings.
People arrive at sites with a range of

different expectations, perceptions and
values. Assessing social values is a complex
and difficult task as social values are
entirely personal, gained from diverse
individual backgrounds. An individual’s view
of resources and their intrinsic values
differs from person to person so while the
Department can raise awareness and
appreciation of conservation by providing
opportunities and facilities it has limited
influence over individual perceptions.
1.3 Cultural Resources

Cultural resources specific to Mäori are
present in most visitor-related work the
Conservancy undertakes. Monitoring projects
must determine whether cultural elements are
present at the site. Staff must take account
of this when planning their projects.
Appendix 2 Visitor Strategy

2.1 Visitor Impacts on
Natural and Historic Values
Visitors are attracted to department managed
locations by the relatively unspoilt,
64
unpolluted and uncrowded environment,
impressive natural scenery and accessible
outdoor recreation opportunities. Visitors,
however, can have a variety of detrimental
impacts on the intrinsic natural and historic
values of these places. Impacts include:
 Vegetation Clearance, trampling or

destruction
 Tracks becoming muddy or widened
 Soil erosion and /or soil compaction
 Wildlife disturbance or habitat destruction
 Changes in wildlife behaviour
 Water pollution and pollution of waterways
 Toilet waste and rubbish
 Noise and visual pollution
 Firewood collection, campfires and the
associated increased fire risk
 Increased risk of introducing unwanted
species such as weeds
 Increased litter, vandalism and souveniring
at historic sites
 Disturbance to wahi tapu and archaeological
sites
In 1995, the New Zealand Conservation Boards

identified over 60 sites where visitor
activities were having a detrimental impact
on departmental land. In particular, it was
found that:
 Track deterioration and erosion is common.

 Vegetation close to some campsites is being
cleared for firewood.
 Water supply contamination by human waste is
a problem at some huts, campsites and
roadside areas.
 Wildlife, particularly at nesting sites,
being disturbed by off-road vehicles, jet
skis, horses, dogs and guided tours.
 The detrimental impacts of visitors are
greatest in fragile landscapes such as sand
dunes and sub alpine areas (and geothermal
areas).
The risk of detrimental visitor impacts

occurring is increasing with increase in
visitor numbers (mainly international
visitors), commercial activity and an
expanding range of visitor activities.
65
Nevertheless, compared with the widespread
devastation caused by introduced animal
pests, the current environmental impact of
visitors is still relatively localised and
modest in scale.
2.2 Visitor Impact Research

Research on visitor impacts has focused on
what impacts have occurred in the past. It
has examined the relationship between the
numbers, activities and behaviour of visitors
and the environmental impacts they produce.
Attempts have been made to identify the
sensitivity of different landscapes to
visitor impacts and the thresholds at which
these impacts begin to occur. However there
are still considerable gaps in our knowledge.
A 1995 Lincoln University review of visitor
impact research in New Zealand concluded
that:
 Research into visitor impacts is limited in

terms of the areas studied, the type of
impact studied and their length of study.
 Very little continuous monitoring is being
done
 The relationships between baseline
conditions, type and level of use, the type
and degree of impact, and management
objectives/responses have not been
investigated.
 Most research has focused on terrestrial
impacts, with very little done on the impacts
on wildlife or environmental quality
 Individual studies have focused on only one
or two variables and do not provide a
comprehensive study of visitor impacts at a
particular site
 The studies reviewed do not provide
sufficient information to demonstrate the
relationship between sites with similar
characteristics
 Only a limited number of research methods
have been used in New Zealand
The relationship between the numbers,

activities and behaviour of visitors and the
environmental impacts they produce needs to
be better understood and more research is
clearly need in this area.
66
2.3 Goals and Guiding
Principles for
Protecting Intrinsic Natural and
Historic Values.
The department’s over riding protection goal
is:
To ensure that the intrinsic natural and

historic values of areas managed by the
department are not compromised by the impacts
of visitor activities, and related facilities
and services.
In other words, the protection of intrinsic

natural and historic values is the
department’s primary concern. In managing
visitors and related facilities and services,
the objective is to avoid, reduce or minimise
the impacts on intrinsic natural and
historical values.
To achieve this goal the department’s

management actions will be guided by the
following principles:
 Some sites and ecosystems (e.g., those
strictly protected as nature reserves and
some scientific reserves) are so important
because of their natural and/or historic
values that visitor access will be controlled
or even denied.
 In all other areas managed by the department,
the protection of intrinsic natural and/or
historic values will take precedence over
visitor activities and the provision of
visitor services and facilities. Iwi will be
consulted to ensure that the Mäori cultural
values are protected.
 Most areas will be kept in their natural
state with little or no facilities
development, to protect intrinsic natural and
historic values and give visitors the
opportunity to experience nature on nature’s
terms.
 The qualities of solitude, peace and natural
quiet will be safeguarded as far as possible,
in all areas managed by the department.
 Protection of intrinsic natural and historic
values may involve setting limits on visitor
numbers, facilities, services and commercial
67
activities. Where the impacts of increasing
visitor numbers to a site are unknown the
department will adopt a precautionary
approach until such time as it is clearly
demonstrated that increasing numbers will
cause no significant problems.
 Visitor activities, facilities and services
that are in keeping with and promote
understanding of intrinsic natural and
historic values, will be preferred.
 Visitors will be encouraged to minimise their
impacts on intrinsic natural, historic and
cultural values.
 Visitor facilities and services will be
designed, located and managed to avoid,
reduce or minimise impacts on intrinsic
natural and historic values.
2.4 Managing the Protection

of Intrinsic Natural and
Historic Values
Identification of Conservation Values
The Conservation Management Strategy (CMS)
for each Conservancy attempts to broadly
assess the intrinsic natural and historic
values of areas managed by the department in
that region. In particular the CMS identifies
the significance, fragility and tolerance of:
 Plants and animals

 The air, water and soil
 Landscape and landforms
 Geological feature
 Systems of interacting living organisms and
their environment (ecosystems)
 Historic places
..located within a particular region.
Assessing Potential Visitor Impacts

Once the intrinsic natural and historic
values of key sites are fully understood, the
next step is to assess the impacts that
visitor facilities, services and increasing
numbers may have on these values. The answer
to this question will determine what a
suitable management regime is. As noted
above, there are considerable gaps in our
knowledge about visitor impacts and the
relationship between visitors and intrinsic
68
natural/historic values. For this reason a
precautionary approach will be taken when
determining a suitable management regime.
Deciding a Suitable Management Regime for

Visitors
Based on the assessment of intrinsic natural
and historic values and the potential visitor
impacts, a suitable management regime for
visitors can then be determined. The first
issue to be addressed is whether the effects
of the proposed visitor activities,
facilities or services are likely to be
inconsistent with the conservation of a
particular site. If the effects are deemed to
be inconsistent with conservation, the
activity will not be allowed, but there may
be a case for locating such facilities and
services outside areas managed by the
department.
If it is considered appropriate for visitors

to use and enjoy a particular site, then the
next step is to:
 Decided what is an appropriate number of
visitors and set limits where necessary to
avoid or reduce impacts on intrinsic natural
and historic values
 Decide what are appropriate visitor
facilities and services and the appropriate
management practices and standards for these
so that the impacts on intrinsic natural and
historic values are avoided or reduced.
 Promote good conservation practices for
managing visitor facilities such as energy
efficiency, recycling and waste reduction.
 Encourage appropriate visitor behaviour, for
example, through promotion of the
environmental and water care codes.
The same impact evaluation steps apply where

a site already has visitors.
 Monitoring Visitor Impacts

Once a management regime for visitors has
been decided and put in place, the impacts of
visitor activities, facilities and services
on the intrinsic natural and historic values
will need to be monitored. The monitoring
system will concentrate on developing an
early warning system, which will indicate
69
that steps need to be taken to prevent
further impacts occurring.
 Taking Remedial Action to Prevent

Unacceptable Visitor Impacts
It is important for managers and field staff
to be aware of changes over time. This will
enable them to identify locations where rapid
change is occurring and to initiate
appropriate intervention measures or
establish ongoing monitoring projects.
If unacceptable change has occurred or

continues to occur at a site, field staff and
their managers must either take action to
avoid further adverse impacts, remedy the
impact, or mitigate the severity of the
impact through one or more of the following
actions.
 Reduce the use of the site/area by visitors

This can be achieved in a number of ways
e.g., by restricting visitor numbers,
imposing a limit on the length of stay,
discouraging potential visitors or improving
access, facilities and promotion on
alternative areas.
 Modify visitor activities/behaviour

Large groups, visitors with pets and groups
not practising low impact behaviour can cause
problems. Unacceptable use and/or visitor
behaviour may be able to be modified so fewer
problems occur eg. limit numbers to certain
sites and erect signs to specify locations
where animals are not permitted.
 Modify the timing of visitor activities

The fragility of some environments varies
with the time of the year. Some sites are
more popular at certain times of the year or
week with visitors, so impacts can be more
severe. In some places visitor use may be
able to be shifted to times when it is least
likely to cause impact to either the
environment or other visitors eg. bird
breeding sites closed during the breeding
season.
 Move the activity/facility/service somewhere

else better able to cope
70
Visitor use can be shifted to more durable
sites, dispersed locally to reduce impacts or
concentrated on a few sites so that wider
impacts on the area are reduced.
 Increase the resistance of the site

Sites can be hardened from visitor impact
through the construction of barriers and
boardwalks that separate the visitor from the
resource they are impacting upon.
Each site should be assessed on a case-by-

case basis. Making changes to what is
causing the impact (visitor numbers,
activities, and behaviour) will usually take
precedence over increasing the resistance or
capacity of the site or area.
It is the responsibility of staff at all

levels to be observant of any impact or
adverse changes to any type of resource, to
take immediate action where necessary and to
advise the appropriate person. This
information must be presented in writing.
(in a memo, at a Monthly Operating Report
(MOR) or in the minutes of a staff meeting).
Once reported it is the responsibility of the
accountable person to activate a management
response.
Appendix 3 Establishing a Site’s

Baseline State
For management and monitoring purposes it is
important to differentiate two types of
information - baseline state and baseline
information - because the terms sound so
similar. The baseline state is required to
establish monitoring at a specific site.
Baseline information is broader and more
comprehensive, covering the wider system and
its processes and within which is the
specific site that is to be monitored.
The gathering of information (establishing

the baseline state) for monitoring programmes
will probably have limitations that need to
be acknowledged and built into the
information base. Monitoring work will help
the collection of information so that over
71
time knowledge of the site will grow to give
bigger and bigger pictures. Eventually this
should represent a broad understanding of an
area as well as of specific sites (natural,
historic, cultural), their interactions and
associated physical processes, which enables
key values to be defined and located.
Baseline State: The baseline state is the

most practical state upon which to start site
monitoring. It informs the design of the
work and helps select the correct indicators.
The baseline state information should include
the following:
 The parameters or boundaries of the site to
be monitored
 The current condition of the site
 The management objectives of the site
 The conservation resources and their values,
that require protection
 Information about visitor use, visitor
behaviour, type and timing of use.
Suggested indicators that will be used for

monitoring.
(Refer to the Standard Operating Procedures -
Establishing the Baseline State).
The site must be retained in its current
state until sufficient information is
gathered to prove whether or not the site
management regime needs to be changed. This
may mean that controls on visitor use should
be implemented until sufficient results are
available for managers to determine future
numbers.
The key indicators must be sensitive to

change and alert managers of the need to act
quickly to avoid remedy or mitigate the
severity of visitor impacts. Evaluation will
prove whether or not the key indicators
initially chosen were the correct ones upon
which to base the monitoring, and enable
managers to change them if necessary
Limiting Factors
Four factors limit information gathering and
introduce difficulties in identifying human
impacts.
 Often no baseline data is available for
comparison to natural conditions.
72
 It can be difficult to disentangle the roles
of man and nature.
 There are space and time differences between
cause and effect.
 In the light of ecosystem interactions it can
be difficult to isolate different components.
Some impacts take the form of naturally
occurring processes that have been
accelerated by human interference. (Wall and
Wright, 1977). At other times human
disturbance becomes insignificant when
compared to natural fluctuations and
disturbances (Schreyer, 1976) eg. Land-slides
in the Fox and Franz Josef glacier valleys.
Appendix 4 Potential
Research Topics
This list of research topics will be
continually updated. At present potential
areas for research include socio-cultural
demographic changes in visitors to the
Wairongomai and Waitawheta sites within the
Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park. For further
information contact the conservancy
Recreation Planner on 0064 7349 7411
73
References and Resources
Department of Conservation, (1992), Visitor
Monitoring Manual
Department of Conservation, (1996), National

Visitor Strategy
Department of Conservation, (1998), Southland

Conservancy: Photo-Monitoring Guide
Department of Conservation, (1998), West

Coast Conservancy: Visitor Monitoring Plan
Department of Conservation, (2003),

Tongariro/Taupo Conservancy: Visitor
Monitoring Plan
Department of Conservation (2004), Bay of

Plenty Conservancy: Recreation Strategy 2004-
2009 (Bopco-28817)
Department of Conservation, (2004),

(Statement of Intent) 2004-2007
IUCN, (1998), Economic Values of Protected

Areas: Guidelines for Protected Area Managers
IUCN, (2002), Sustainable Tourism in

Protected Areas: Guidelines for Planning and
Management
Ward J., Burns B., Johnson V., Simmons D.G.,

Fairweather J.R., 2000, Interactions between
Tourists and the natural Environment: Impacts
of Tourist Trampling on Geothermal Vegetation
and Tourist Experiences at Geothermal Sites
in Rotorua, Tourism, Recreation Research and
Education Centre, Lincoln University,
Christchurch.
Butcher, G., Fairweather.J.R., Simmons D.G.,

The Economic Impact of Tourism in Rotorua,
Tourism, Recreation Research and Education
Centre, Lincoln University, Christchurch.
Johnson V., Ward J., Hughey K., 2000, Issues

and Indicators of Acceptable Change: a study
of visitors and stakeholders concerns about
three natural attractions in the Paparoa
area, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand,
74
Tourism, Recreation Research and Education
Centre, Lincoln University, Christchurch.
Crawford K., Phillips J., Ward J., Hughey K.,

2001, Biophysical Impacts of Tourism: An
Annotated Bibliography, Tourism, Recreation
Research and Education Centre, Lincoln
University, Christchurch.
Urlich S., Ward J., Hughey K., 2001,
Environmental Indicators of Tourism Impacts
on Three Natural Assets on the West Coast,
Aotearoa, New Zealand, Tourism, Recreation
Research and Education Centre, Lincoln
University, Christchurch.
Ward J. and Beanland R., 1996, Biophysical

Impacts of Tourism. Information Paper Number
56, Centre for Resource Management, Lincoln
Environmental, Centre for Resource
Management, Lincoln University.
Booth K.L. and Cullen R. 1995, Recreation

Impacts in Devlin P. J., Corbett R.A. and
Peebles C.J. Outdoor Recreation In New
Zealand Vol. 1: A Review and Synthesis of the
Research Literature.
McQueen, D. 1991, Environmental Impact of

Recreational Use on DOC Estate: (1)
Guidelines on track location, management and
repair. Prepared for DoC by PSIR Land
Resources, Wellington
McQueen D., Williams P. and Lilley G. 1991,

Environmental Impacts of Recreational Use on
DoC Estate: (2) Effects of Camping Prepared
for DoC by PSIR Land Resources, Wellington
75

BOPCO-28657 BOP Visitor Monitoring Plan 2004-2009

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

BOPCO-28657 BOP Visitor Monitoring Plan 2004-2009

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bay of Plenty

Approved by David Hunt

Prepared by James Chilton

2.0 Goals and Objectives

Part One: Context and Monitoring

3.0 Plan Context

4.0 Monitoring History

5.0 Conservancy Monitoring

6.0 Visitor Monitoring Methods

Part Two: Operational Work

7.0 Visitor Monitoring

8.0 Area Monitoring Outline

9.0 Monitoring Sites

10.0 Data Analysis

11.0 Implementation Strategy

12.0 Monitoring System Review

A3 Establishing a Site’s Baseline

A4 Potential Research Topics

Document Reference: BOPCO-28657

The plan is in two parts. Part one

Part two discusses monitoring roles. These

For this plan to be effective, implementation

BOP BOP BOP BOP

Information about visitor numbers and impacts

Strategic planning of visitor monitoring at a

Data collection will assist management with

A standard approach to visitor monitoring is

This visitor monitoring system is designed to

This plan provides clear strategic direction.

 To provide accurate information to management

 To identify the relationship between

 To identify and prioritise key recreational

 To identify and prioritise sites requiring

 To identify long term visitor patterns and

 To fulfil the conservancies strategic

‘to the extent that the use of any natural

The aim of this plan is ensure that visitor

3.1.2 Statement of Intent 2004-2007

The SOI states that the departmental vision

‘New Zealand’s natural and historic

The first outcome, Protection, is defined as

This plan outlines the historic sites that

The second outcome, Appreciation, is defined

There are several Intermediate outcomes that

 A range of quality recreation

For the first Intermediate Outcome the

To achieve this Outcome the department will:

For the second, the indicator is defined as:

To achieve this Outcome the department will:

The monitoring of visitor numbers through

In addition visitor surveys, in conjunction

3.1.3 Visitor Strategy

Visitor Strategy Goals

The plan will achieve this through the

 Goal 2 Fostering Visits ‘To manage a range of

The Visitor Strategy states that:

The plan will achieve this through numeric

 Goal 4 Informing and Educating Visitors. ‘To

The plan will achieve this through continued

Visitor Strategy Detail

These visitor groups will be referred to

3.1.4 Visitor Monitoring Project

3.2 Strategic Context -