Commercial recreation in the pastoral high country : clarification of the issues

Abstract

Commercial recreation operations provide facilities and services to paying clients. Development of these activities on pastoral leasehold lands in the South Island high country is shaped by the context of surrounding land uses and administrative arrangements. Three aspects of this context are the reformed land administration, existing pastoral use rights and the characteristics of the tourism industry. These aspects and past experience with commercial recreation policies are studied, in order to clarify key issues which need to be addressed for the future administration of commercial recreation.

Diverse issues are integrated within a framework which highlights decision-making steps and key inputs for planning and policy. The study confirms the need to consider commercial recreation as more than an isolated form of development. Broad decisions about the implementation of existing land use policies, the approach to planning and resource allocation, and policy change are needed to guide future administration of commercial recreation.