TOURISM POTENTIAL OF THE TARANAKI

ROUND-THE-MOUNTAIN TRACK

Taranaki has yet to capitalise on the tourism potential of its international landmark, Mt Egmont/Taranaki.

International conservationist, David Bellamy, has described it as "...probably New Zealands best known mountain....in the neatest national park in the world." (Moas Ark, the Voyage of New Zealand 1990). The New Zealand Tourism Board is wishing to promote overseas a vision of New Zealand as the "last place like this left on earth", a description that clearly fits Egmont National Park [Appendix 1] and visitor surveys reveal that "backpackers" (who tend to want to tramp, bushwalk, climb etc) spend more money than other visitors to New Zealand because they stay longer [Appendix 2].

Local residents, and national and international visitors alike enjoy the challenge of reaching the summit of this almost perfect volcano. Yet it appears that relatively few visitors take the opportunity to enjoy the mountains other attractions, which include lush rainforest, pristine rivers, and superb rock for climbing.

As a tramper who has enjoyed most of the major walks in both islands of New Zealand, I wish to promote a major upgrade of the Round the Mountain (RTM) Track on Mt Egmont/Taranaki to the standard of a "Great Walk of New Zealand."

Overseas visitors do not walk around the mountain in significant numbers, compared to the tens of thousands that tramp the "Great Walks" of the South Island, or in Tongariro National Park. Do they even know it exists? Even at information centres within Taranaki, information about the RTM Track costs money, and is hidden and sketchy.

Despite the appeal of the mountain and a circular track, visitors to Taranaki appear to be discouraged by:

• a lack of information
• isolation
• poor access
• the lower quality of the track relative to the standard of the popular Great Walks of the South Island and Tongariro.

A network of huts on the RTM Track already provides a reasonable standard of accommodation. I acknowledge, however, that a significant upgrade and promotion of the RTM Track could put pressure on those huts. Any study of this proposal should address the issue of accommodation, including possible demand for increased bed numbers, the adequacy of existing cooking and heating facilities, and possibly the introduction of a booking system.

Such a study could follow, or be linked to, the current investigation by the joint Department of Conservation and Taranaki Regional Council working party into an upgrade of the two visitor centres on the mountain as a millennium project.

I consider a RTM upgrade proposal superior to other recent suggested tourist attractions like museums, offshore oil platforms, and other high cost schemes that are unlikely to attract the tens of thousands of visitors to the province that a Great Walk could, and is in keeping with the NZ Tourism Board concept of "the last place like this on earth".

Likely spin-offs from improvements to, and promotion of, the RTM Track include a higher national and international profile for Taranaki, and improved private services to attract Free Independent Travellers. They bring tourist dollars to New Zealand, are looking for adventure while they are here, and invigorate the economies of the areas they visit.

Tourism and promotion efforts in Taranaki currently appear fragmented. Promoting the RTM circuit, as well as producing written track guides, could be co-ordinated by Tourism Taranaki. Publications on the upgraded circuit could be distributed to national and international information centres, and photographs and articles could be sent to tramping journals and travel publications.

The stimulation of downstream tourism employment in the provision of services that supply accommodation, food, retail goods, transport, and perhaps even guides, is likely to follow a major upgrade of the RTM Track.

If this proposal proceeds, tourism organisations, local businesses, alpine and tramping clubs, the Taranaki Regional Council, the three district councils, the Department of Conservation, and Work and Income NZ (WINZ), may all need to become involved.

Organisations that could benefit from such a project are likely to include:

• the mountain lodges
• backpackers, outdoor and tour organisations
• minibus and taxi services
• tramping and alpine clubs
• helicopter and other transport businesses
• engineering firms.

As well as becoming involved in a study of my proposal, some of those organisations might offer their services at competitive rates as part of a community effort, as a potential new business venture, or for publicity purposes. Sponsorship may be another option.

Each district council in the province is likely to receive some benefit from an upgrade of the RTM track, because each district has one major, and many minor, access points to it. Perhaps the councils could contribute the bulk of the financial and engineering backing.

I understand that track, hut and site work by DOC is apparently prioritised according to National Site Ranking, with the site score based on:

• current visitor numbers;
• expected increase in visitor numbers;
• importance for recreational and educational experiences;
• potential for increasing peoples appreciation of New Zealands heritage.

The Egmont/Taranaki RTM Track appears to languish in a "Catch 22" situation of poor condition resulting in fewer visitors, that in turn prevents the maintenance which could attract more visitors! Lack of funds and staff, and maybe fears of further Cave Creek type events make it even less likely DOC will carry out a major upgrade. Witness the recent difficulties over the Manganui Gorge!

The recent introduction of "work for the dole" and other benefit schemes means that WINZ and other agencies will be looking for new avenues of community work. Some years ago the Governments PEP Work Schemes provided a workforce that improved tracks on the mountain, despite the cost of supervision and transport of workers and materials. Personal communication with local WINZ management confirms their interest.

DOC may support an upgrade of the track if the bulk of the finance, labour, engineering and supervision is provided by other organisations.

This proposal could become central to the current interest in attracting tourists to Taranaki. I have circulated it widely [Appendix 3], and welcome reaction (public or private), further distribution, and most importantly, I hope supporters of this concept promote it within their interest groups.

Dr Keith T Blayney

PO Box 447

Hawera 4800

e-mail: K.Blayney@bitworks.co.nz