Luxon Govt to Unlock One-Third of NZ Land for Growth, Jobs, and Tourism Boost

In a bold move aimed at revitalising New Zealand's economic engine, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka have unveiled sweeping reforms to open up nearly one-third of the country’s land—currently under the control of the Department of Conservation (DOC)—to economic development. The announcement was made at the National Party’s annual conference in Christchurch and sets the stage for what the government describes as “unleashing opportunity” across tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.

Overhauling the Broken Concession Regime

At the heart of the government’s plan is a complete overhaul of New Zealand’s concession regime, which currently governs how businesses can operate on conservation land. Prime Minister Luxon described the existing system as “totally broken,” citing delays of years in obtaining or renewing concessions for activities as varied as grazing sheep, building cellphone towers, operating ski fields, or running guided walks.

Luxon illustrated the absurdity of the current system by highlighting that E-bike tourism is being stymied because the bikes are classified as vehicles under outdated regulations. Similarly, tourism on the Routeburn Track is being held back due to inconsistencies in regulations where the trail crosses different administrative boundaries.

“Every week, we hear of innovative Kiwi businesses stuck in a bureaucratic limbo because our rules haven’t caught up with common sense,” Luxon said. “We’re here to say yes to more jobs, more growth, and higher wages.”

Reforming the Conservation Act

To address these issues, the government plans to amend the Conservation Act. The goal is to enable a wave of new and revised concessions in areas deemed suitable for development while preserving ecologically sensitive locations.

Activities to be prioritised include:

• Tourism operations, such as guided walks, eco-lodges, and adventure sports

• Agriculture, particularly grazing and pastoral activities on DOC-managed grasslands

• Infrastructure projects, including communications towers and renewable energy facilities

“Many New Zealanders are already doing amazing things on the conservation estate. This reform simply brings fairness, speed, and clarity to a system that has hindered innovation for too long,” Luxon noted.

Foreign Visitors to Pay for Access to Iconic Sites

To support the maintenance of these treasured natural areas, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced a new charge for foreign visitors accessing New Zealand’s most popular and heavily trafficked natural sites. Four iconic locations—Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Milford Track, and Aoraki/Mount Cook—are the initial focus.

Entry fees for non-residents will range from $20 to $40 per person, with revenue directly reinvested into maintaining and improving those areas.

“Tourism is vital to our economy. But it’s only fair that foreign visitors, who often represent 80% of traffic to these sites, contribute a bit more to their upkeep,” Potaka said. “This measure could generate up to $62 million annually, all of which will go back into conservation efforts.”

No Charges for New Zealanders

In an effort to preserve equitable access, the government has promised that New Zealand citizens and permanent residents will not be charged to access DOC land.

“This is our collective inheritance,” said Luxon. “Kiwis should not have to pay to explore their own backyard.”

Balancing Development with Protection

While the announcement was met with enthusiasm from business and tourism stakeholders, conservation groups are expected to scrutinise the details of how development and environmental preservation will be balanced. The government emphasised that environmentally sensitive areas will remain protected and any development would occur only where appropriate.

The DOC will receive additional support and resources to administer both the revised concession system and visitor charging framework.

A Vision for National Prosperity

Framing the initiative as essential for economic revival, the Prime Minister concluded with a call to ambition: “If we’re serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs, and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can’t afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way.”

As the legislation is prepared for parliamentary consideration, the proposal signals a defining shift in how New Zealand balances environmental stewardship with economic opportunity.

Tags: New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, Tama Potaka, Department of Conservation, tourism, infrastructure, economic development, concession reform, conservation policy, foreign visitor fees