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While New Zealand tourism operators are managing natural hazard risks within their businesses, Tourism Industry Aotearoa advise that some practices could be improved without operators being burdened by significant costs.

TIA is keen to see stronger leadership and more proactive involvement from WorkSafe, particularly to create more guidance documentation in consultation with the adventure and outdoor sector. There are some other sensible improvements that can be made, but broad changes are not required.

In its submission to the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s recent consultation paper on proposed changes to the Adventure Activities Regulatory Regime, TIA says some of the options put out for consideration do not adequately reflect the complexities of adventure activities undertaken in areas of natural hazards.

The review followed the 2019 Whakaari/White Island tragedy and was targeted at the management of natural hazard risks in adventure and outdoor activities. TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts was Chair of the Expert Reference Group formed by MBIE to inform the review.

The targeted review found that while the adventure activities regulatory regime was performing reasonably well, there were several areas that could be improved, including the management of natural hazards, the role of the regulator and the audit process.

Roberts advises “TIA broadly agrees with this finding, and there are some good suggestions in the document, but we have raised concerns that some of options put forward would be unworkable. For instance, we disagree with making natural hazard management the responsibility of landowners, as this could result in many areas being closed to adventure operators – and also the New Zealand public.”    

TIA is not in favour of the creation of a risk classification system and is opposed to any changes to the current audit regime that will result in increased costs to operators.  

Roberts adds “some of these proposals would create a significant chilling effect on the outdoor sector. Costs would increase and it is likely some very good operators would be forced out of business. Let’s make the sensible improvements, while also protecting the viability of businesses already hard-hit by the pandemic”.

To read TIA’s full submission, click here.

Image: TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts

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