Extracts relevant to the environmental impact of tourism in New Zealand from
the document “New Zealand’s Maritime Domain: Environment Scan”
The following paragraphs were extracted from a Ministry for the Environment internal
document because they were deemed relevant to the environmental impact of tourism in
New Zealand. The original document is a working document, for internal purposes only and
does not represent Government Policy. All extracts are direct quotes.
Extracts from original document:
From Section
Introduction:
“This paper assesses the key opportunities and major threats within New Zealand’s
maritime domain, looking out over the next decade. New Zealand, with one of the
largest exclusive economic zones, has maritime interests across a vast area of the
globe. Over the next decade these maritime interests will face significant threats and
opportunities.”
From Section
What this means for New Zealand
• “New Zealand is highly likely to see continued growth in the maritime economy
through tourism, fishing, petroleum and minerals, scientific research, and marine
energy developments. This growth is likely to place pressure on the maritime
environment and our international reputation.”
• It is likely vessels will carry potentially more hazardous materials, transport unwanted
organisms, and other invasive exotic species; necessitating more complex
environmental emergency management plans and responses.
• It is highly likely New Zealand will experience increased vessel traffic and larger
vessels carrying more cargo and passengers; necessitating deeper regional ports,
specialised infrastructure, and adaptive monitoring and inspection procedures.
• Given the maritime domain’s significant contribution, there will be flow on impacts for
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our capability, reputation, and legislative/regulatory frameworks.”
From Section
Maritime Economy – New Zealand’s cruise market
“In the last two decades, the cruise market has developed into a substantial
component of the tourism sector. It is highly likely there will be continued growth of
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the New Zealand market, with increased frequency of larger cruise ships and smaller
boutique vessels. Due to the increasing alignment of the Australian and New
Zealand markets with cruise operations in Southeast Asia, it is highly likely that more
ships will become available for local deployment after they finish their northern
summer itineraries in Asia, while others are highly likely to pursue cruises exploring
the sub-Antarctic islands and the Ross Sea region.”
“The New Zealand cruise industry contributed approximately $310.3 million in value
added expenditure during the 2012/13 cruise season. Passenger numbers have
grown by almost 40,000 in each of the last two years. In the 2014/15 season 32
cruise ships are expected to visit New Zealand.”
From Section
Maritime Economy – Environmental impacts of the Maritime Economy
“New Zealand is highly likely to see continued growth in the maritime economy with
areas like tourism, fishing, petroleum and minerals, scientific research, and marine
energy competing for the same space. It is likely vessels entering our EEZ will carry
potentially more hazardous materials, transport unwanted organisms and invasive
exotic species which will necessitate more complex environmental emergency
management plans and responses. We judge it is likely there will be a major
maritime incident within this period, be it a significant oil spill, distressed cargo or a
potential environmental disaster.
From Section
Maritime Safety – Search and Rescue
“New Zealand’s search and rescue responsibility is large and includes waters that
are especially demanding. New Zealand also has responsibility for navigation and
weather warnings in the Southwest Pacific. With recreational boating activity
increasing, and cruise vessels visiting more challenging regions in the southern
oceans, it is highly likely that managing maritime incidents will become more complex
and demanding.”
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