Altogether, more than one-third of New Zealand’s precious landscapes are protected in reserves, regional and national parks. National parks protect some of the most special.

There are 14 national parks and they feature 12,000 kilometres of walking tracks and 1,000 huts for overnight stays. Trails range from 15-minute scenic walks to demanding multi-day hikes, ice or mountain climbs – you would need to don a pair of hiking boots to explore some of the most pristine corners of New Zealand. The North Island’s Tongariro National Park, for example, is a World Heritage Area of natural and cultural significance, while in the South Island the four national parks in Westland, Aoraki Mount Cook, Fiordland and Mount Aspiring form another World Heritage Site. The numerous regional parks are administered by regional councils and many of them are right at the cities’ doorsteps, providing easy access to great outdoor adventures ranging from wildlife walks and mountain bike tracks to cultural tours.

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Reassure your clients that they don’t have to be extremely fit to explore New Zealand’s wild places – although hiking is popular, for a more relaxed approach, a helicopter can whisk visitors deep into a national park for a champagne lunch!
Be aware that facilities are limited in most of the country’s national parks. If travelling independently, your clients should bring food and drink with them. Guided walks are a good option requiring less planning.
In most cases, permits are not required for day visits, but bookings are necessary for multi-day walks and overnight stays.

For comprehensive information about New Zealand’s national park network, talk to the Department of Conservation.

Great Walks

One of the best ways to discover New Zealand’s stunning landscapes is by hiking. The best-known trails are the Great Walks. Administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC), these multi-day hiking tracks showcase some of the most magnificent scenery and they are maintained to a high standard. Many require bookings. From the lakeside rainforest paradise of the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk in the North Island to the sandy coves of the Abel Tasman Coast Track at the tip of the South Island, right down to tranquil Rakiura Track on New Zealand’s third largest island, Stewart Island, there are nine Great Walks each boasting their own unique highlights.