West Coast
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West Coast Tai Poutini Conservancy Office
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Phone:
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+64 3 756 9100
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Fax:
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+64 3 756 9188
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Email:
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westcoast@doc.govt.nz
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Address:
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10 Sewell Street
Hokitika 7810
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Postal Address:
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Private Bag 701
Hokitika 7842
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The West Coast Tai Poutini Conservancy manages more than 1.9 million hectares of land which is about a quarter of New Zealand's protected public conservation land. Within its 600 km long boundary are two kiwi sanctuaries, two national parks and parts of three others, two Wilderness Areas and a World Heritage Area. The West Coast has a remarkable collection of natural features which includes rainforests, glaciers, wetlands and an ocean habitat that is home to the world's stronghold population of Hector's dolphin.
For management purposes, the conservancy is divided into five areas, each with its own office and staff. Supporting field centres are located at Karamea, Reefton and Haast. The conservancy headquarters is in Hokitika.
Concessions
A range of carefully planned commercial activities are authorised by the department to take place on public conservation land on the West Coast. This includes 120 concessions to provide visitor services, such as: cave tours, glacier guiding, rafting and jet boat tours. An additional 500 concessions are approved for other activities like: telecommunication sites, mining and grazing.
Economics
With a budget of $18.5 million the conservancy works extensively to protect endangered wildlife and plants from introduced pests like stoats and possums. The conservancy also provides facilities for visitors to use such as huts, tracks, bridges and toilets.
It is now recognised that this conservation effort stimulates $221 million a year within the local economy. About 15% of the West Coast workforce is in employment on conservation land.
Staff
The conservancy employs about 170 permanent staff. Contractors are also employed as well as temporary and seasonal staff.
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