Department of Conservation New Zealand | New Zealand Travel Blog

Who or what is DOC?

When travelling through New Zealand and especially if you venture outdoors, you will inevitably see DOC signs and or meet DOC rangers - But who or what are they?

Well 'DOC' or the 'Department of Conservation' is the government agency charged with conserving New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage. They have a very cool vision and that is for New Zealand to be the greatest living space on Earth | Kāore he wāhi i tua atu i a Aotearoa, hei wahi noho i te ao.

This vision means ensuring that New Zealanders gain a wide range of benefits from healthy functioning ecosystems, recreation opportunities, and through living our history.

To do this, they organise their work around five outcomes:

the diversity of the natural heritage is maintained and restored
our history is protected and brought to life
more people participate in recreation
more people engage with conservation and value its benefits
conservation gains from more business partnerships.

Tourism and the Department of Conservation Concession

DOC Permit holders (like First Light Travel), can guide visitors legally into some of New Zealand’s most remote and beautiful locations operating under safety and conservation-focused framework. Each time someone is guided into these special areas, the concession holder pays DOC a fee. This fee helps for the upkeep of the tracks and contributes to the ongoing upkeep of our 'National Conservation Estate' - So, In other words, guarantee's you an awesome wilderness experience.

Our Concessions Include

Mt Cook and Arthur's Pass National Parks, Mount Aspiring National Park including the Routeburn and Milford Tracks and Rob Roy Glacier. Nelsons Lakes National Park including the Queen Charlotte, Mt Robert and Travers Valley Tracks. The Canterbury Conservation Area including the Hooker Valley, Red Tarns and Sealy Tarns, Upper Bealey and Devils Punchbowl Track and many more hidden gems.

What activities do concessions cover?

Concessions provide for a wide range of recreational activities such as: guiding - including walking, tramping, climbing, hunting, fishing, biking, kayaking and canoeing, ski fields, bungy jumping and caving, to name a few.

What are the benefits to conservation?

DOC's primary purpose is to look after New Zealand's natural and historic heritage, but we also want people to visit and enjoy these places. High quality concession operations offer significant benefits to conservation and recreation in New Zealand, including:

The natural environment is protected and the quality of the recreational experience is maintained
Concessionaires ensure their clients leave no trace of their visit
Many concessionaires are involved directly in conservation programmes
Guides offer a fun safe and interpretative visitor experience of the outdoors which helps visitors to enjoy, understand, love and protect conservation values
Concessions provide access, amenities and guides that complement DOC facilities
Many grazing concessions provide weed and fire control benefits
Extractive concessions provide raw materials for roading and contribute to economic development
Concession fees go towards the management of all natural and historic resources DOC manages
Concessions provide jobs and income for many local communities, and contribute to the national economy.

The concession system helps us ensure that the various concession activities are compatible with protecting the conservation resources. It also helps ensure that the services and facilities provided for visitors are appropriate, of a suitable standard, and that their activities do not impinge on other visitors.

Concessions contribute to the health and well being of individuals, as well as local communities, the economy, and New Zealand as a whole.

First Light Travels DOC Concessions save you money.

We get you into places others can't! The Department of Conservation (DOC) Concession Permit holders can guide visitors legally into some of New Zealand’s most remote and beautiful locations operating under a safety and conservation-focused framework. First Light Travel has more than 50 concessions that not only get your group into some unique locations but because we do not have to pay a premium to other concessionaires, we can dramatically keep the costs down for Privately Guided Tours of New Zealand.

First Light Travel's Hiking Tours