Milford Sound masterplan
Protecting the character of one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes and recognising its strong Ngāi Tahu associations is at the heart of the Milford Sound Piopiotahi masterplan.
Developed by Boffa Miskell and Stantec, under the lead of the Milford Opportunities Group, the plan suggests phasing out the use of fixed-wing aircraft and banning cruise ships in the inner sound as ways of limiting damage caused by tourism activities.
It also proposes overseas visitors pay to enter the Unesco World Heritage site
Milford Sound. Image credit: Amy Workman on Unsplash.
Government confirmed support for the plan, through creation of a dedicated Establishment Board and project team to assess its recommendations and proceed through to the implementation stages.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Nash said, “Tourism at Milford Sound Piopiotahi cannot return to its pre-COVID state. Significant pressure from the 870,000 visitors in 2019 undermines cultural and environmental values and infrastructure. As a tourist experience, it was crowded, rushed, noisy and unsafe.
“The project is an excellent test case for a self-funded, sustainable tourism system paid for by visitors, with costs and negative impacts priced into the tourist experience rather than shouldered by New Zealand ratepayers and taxpayers.”
Recommendations include a combined visitor centre and park and ride base at Te Anau and another in Milford Sound Piopiotahi, along with new hotel and staff accommodation; creating more visitor opportunities near Te Anau; improved walking and some cycle tracks on the corridor; and better walking and viewing opportunities at the sound.
Four years in the making, the masterplan also provides a direction for long-term sustainable development of the wider Murihiku / Southland region, by including broader considerations – such as transportation networks, zero-carbon initiatives, and greater inclusion of mana whenua aspirations.
Boffa Miskell and Stantec, along with a group of specialist consultants, worked with the Milford Opportunities Group to engage with mana whenua; stakeholders, including regional business operators, recreational users, conservation groups, and the local community; and collaborate with local and central government.
In support of the plan’s vision: “Piopiotahi – New Zealand as it was, Forever” - the desired outcomes have been met:
Mana whenua values woven throughout
A moving experience
Tourism funds conservation and community
Effective visitor management
Resilient to change and risk
Conservation
Harness innovation and technology
Boffa Miskell’s Tim Church says, “The masterplan leads the way, in terms of best-practice visitor destination management. Rather than just cherry-picking projects, the Milford Opportunities masterplan takes a very holistic, systems-based approach – broadening the destinations and activities on offer; integrating a diverse range of workstream advice; and addressing the tough issues up front.
“It’s about setting the stage for long-term economic success for Te Anau and the wider region, by protecting and enhancing the essence or wairua of the place that visitors are increasingly seeking out. It’s a win-win situation for the community and the environment”
Representatives from Ngāi Tahu will be on the new Establishment Board, acknowledging the iwi’s role as mana whenua and the group will be chaired by Dr Keith Turner, the chair of the Milford Opportunities Project.