Planning for visitor access: A case study of West Coast glacier country : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Planning at Lincoln University

Abstract

Since the 1800s, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers in Westland Tai Poutini National Park have drawn visitors to the West Coast region of New Zealand’s South Island. However, rapid glacial retreat over the past decade has created challenges in providing safe visitor access to these glaciers. This has had significant impacts for the local tourism industry, and challeneged the adaptive capacity of the Planning sector to respond to ongoing glacial changes within this dynamic environment. The planinng sector’s response to diminished visitor access has yet to be examined. Using a qualitative approach, this research investigated planning decisions made in relation to visitor access to the glaciers, as well as possibilities for future management of this unique natural environment through semi-structured interviews with planning stakeholders. Results revealed various statutory, non-statutory, and community-based responses to glacier retreat and diminished visitor access, and demonstrated that visitor access to the glaciers is affected by more than just glacier retreat.