Summer nature programmes began in New Zealand at Arthur's Pass National Park in 1963. Since then, almost all parks and reserve complexes run a form of summer programme, which are diverse in scope and length. Personal experience working on summer programmes in the Catlins and Mt Aspiring National Park (Glenorchy) suggests the programmes vary considerably in success. This is also indicated by many summer programme reports in the Lands and Survey Head Office in Wellington. Arthur's Pass summer programme has also varied considerably in success - if that is measured in terms of numbers of participants. Table 1 indicates how total numbers have fluctuated from year to year, from a minimum of 502 in the 1967-68 summer to a maximum of 3258 in the 1977-78 summer. The average numbers of people have also varied for particular activities.