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

Abstract

This report presents results from visitor surveys and stakeholder interviews at three natural attractions in the Paparoa National Park. The sites were the Pancake Rocks (Dolomite Point), the Fox River caves, and the Westland Black Petrel colony. Questions in the surveys and interviews were based on the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) framework to identify potential indicators of change at the site, and were developed from previous studies using this system. The surveys gathered information on visitors' experience of the Pancake Rocks and Fox River caves, and people's sensitivity to impacts encountered at the sites. This was done using self-administered questionnaires on-site immediately after the visit. Stakeholders were interviewed about their issues and concerns for all three sites, and were asked to provide a list of potential indicators of acceptable change.