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Policy Positions — Industry Issues

Positive Relationship with Nature

6 March 2025

Tourism must have a positive relationship with nature – our lands, waters, air, habitats, and species. Nature is firmly at the heart of our tourism offering, both for international visitors and for Kiwis exploring their own country. Equally, connecting people with our natural heritage is central to successful conservation outcomes. 

TIA supports actions and settings for the industry that serve to protect and restore the natural capital of Aotearoa New Zealand. This is fundamental to the essence of our country as a visitor destination where tourism can and must be an agent for good. 

Action 6 in Tourism 2050 is Champion Predator Free and Biodiversity

This recognises that tourism is uniquely placed to make a major contribution to our national efforts to restore our environment. Nature is such an important part of our tourism offering and with many tourism businesses already working to protect and restore the places in which they operate, this Action requires a whole-of-industry effort. All tourism businesses can play their part in the ways that suit them best. 

Aligning with Aotearoa New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 Goal provides a wide range of initiatives that tourism can engage with, as an industry and as individual operators. 

TIA’s TSC Commitment 10, Restoring Nature, is about contributing to protecting and enhancing Aotearoa New Zealand's environment, including water, biodiversity, landscapes and clean air. TIA’s Annual Declaration for the TSC found that 68.7% of TSC members are supporting pest reduction on their own land or supporting other organisations to do this. 

TIA also advocates for actions that position tourism as an agent for good for nature, including when engaging with key conservation initiatives including Department of Conservation (DOC) processes such as examining the future visitor networks, and management of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the Milford Opportunities Project, and others. 

Thanks to our Strategic Partners

Westpac

Thanks to our Strategic Partners

Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust