Exploring the management of tourism impacts on the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands

Abstract

Situated to the south of New Zealand in the Southern Ocean are the New Zealand SubAntarctic Islands comprising the Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes, Snares and Bounty Islands. These island groups are among the most remote and hostile within New Zealand's waters, yet they harbour some of the country's most unique biodiversity and contain some of the world's least modified landforms; a condition recognised in 1998 with the designation of World Heritage Area status. It is not surprising therefore that the islands have long appealed to visitors wishing to explore and understand the islands' rich natural and cultural environments. The first commercial cruise operations to the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands were undertaken in the late 1960s, but at that time cruises to the islands were only sporadic. It took another decade for cruises to become a more regular activity in this region. Typically, farepaying tourists arrive by sea in small to medium sized expedition-style cruise vessels, although in recent years, the number of small vessels such as yachts and sail boats has increased. However, there is only piecemeal data on visitor numbers (especially since the mid-1990s) and there is limited evidence regarding the range of possible impacts visitors may have, including direct and indirect impact on wildlife, soils, and vegetation. In this.presentation we draw on a range of secondary sources (from the Department of Conservation, tour operators and other published works) to provide an overview of visitation to the islands, an assessment of tourist impacts and an outline of future options for managing tourism on the Sub-Antarctic Islands. While visitor numbers are small compared to other polar tourism destinations, improved understanding of visitation to the Sub-Antarctic Islands will help ensure that protection of conservation values remain paramount, and that appropriate policy frameworks and conservation management strategies are in place to permit responsible tourism to these remote polar islands.