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== Legislation == The [[National Parks Act 1980 (New Zealand)|National Parks Act of 1980]] was established in order to codify the purpose, governance and selection of national parks. It begins by establishing the definition of a national park: {{quotation|It is hereby declared that the provisions of this Act shall have effect for the purpose of preserving in perpetuity as national parks, for their intrinsic worth and for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of the public, areas of New Zealand that contain scenery of such distinctive quality, ecological systems, or natural features so beautiful, unique, or scientifically important that their preservation is in the national interest.|[[National Parks Act 1980 (New Zealand)|National Parks Act 1980]], Part 1, section 4, subsection 1<ref>Retrieved from http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1980/0066/10.0/096be8ed802f3e20.pdf on 21 August 2010</ref>}} The National Parks Act goes on to state that the public will have freedom of entry and access to the parks, though this is subject to restrictions to ensure the preservation of native plants and animals and the welfare of the parks in general. Access to specially protected areas (550 km<sup>2</sup>) constituted under the act is by permit only. Under the Act, national parks are to be maintained in their natural state as far as possible to retain their value as soil, water and forest conservation areas. Native plants and animals are to be preserved and introduced plants and animals removed if their presence interferes with the natural wildlife. Development in wilderness areas established under the act is restricted to foot tracks and huts used for wild animal control or scientific research. ===Services available for public use=== The National Parks Act allows the Department of Conservation to provide hostels, huts, camping grounds, ski tows and similar facilities, parking areas, roading and tracks within the parks. In addition to these, the department also provides some accommodation, transport and other services at entry points to the parks, but these are also offered by other government agencies, voluntary organisations and private firms. More comprehensive services within the parks, such as guided walks and skiing tutorials, are privately provided with concessions from the department. === 2018 Supreme Court decision === In 2018, the Auckland iwi [[Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki]] won a case in the [[Supreme Court of New Zealand|Supreme Court]], allowing them to apply to the Department of Conservation for exclusive rights for concessions to run commercial operations on [[Motutapu Island|Motutapu]] and [[Rangitoto Island|Rangitoto]] islands. The court decision was based on giving effect to principles within the [[Treaty of Waitangi]] and recognition that although the islands are administered by the Department of Conservation, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki has traditional ownership (''mana whenua'').<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neilson |first=Michael |date=14 December 2018 |title=Auckland iwi wins court case over Rangitoto rights stoush |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-iwi-ngai-tai-wins-supreme-court-case-in-stoush-over-rangitoto-motutapu-commercial-rights/RUGF5MFNNOCIDUSETWN656FDM4/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |date=17 December 2018 |title=Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Supreme Court Decision |url=https://waateanews.com/2018/12/17/ngi-tai-ki-tmaki-supreme-court-decision/ |access-date=24 March 2024 |website=Waatea News |language=en-NZ}}</ref> This decision had implications for the Department of Conservation management plans for the conservation estate, including the National Parks, and led to a pause in the review of the management plans for [[Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park]] and [[Westland Tai Poutini National Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2019 |title=DOC delays review of national parks after talks with iwi |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/381726/doc-delays-review-of-national-parks-after-talks-with-iwi |access-date=24 March 2024 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Littlewood |first=Matthew |date=5 February 2019 |title=Supreme Court ruling pauses Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park management plan |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/110375758/supreme-court-ruling-pauses-aorakimt-cook-national-park-plan |access-date=24 March 2024 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]}}</ref>
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