New Zealand’s Tourism Minister Paula Bennett recently announced a new $102m Tourism Infrastructure Fund, launched alongside $76m in new funding for the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Speaking from this year’s TRENZ conference she said that the fund is aimed at providing important tourism infrastructure such as toilets, car parks, freedom camping facilities, sewerage and water systems over the next four years.

“Tourism is hugely important to New Zealand. It creates jobs and brings in billions of dollars to the economy. That’s why it’s important that we keep investing so we continue to attract high-value tourists and give them an amazing visitor experience,” Mrs Bennett said.

“The fund is about helping communities respond to demand and addressing capacity constraints. It will also facilitate future growth in some of our newer tourism regions as well as the main tourist hubs.”

Funding earmarked for the Department of Conservation will go towards the expansion of the Great Walks network, with the development of two new Great Walks locations as well as day and shorter walks.

There is also $3.4m allocated to upgrading the Pouakai Crossing, a major day walk in Taranaki (ranked number two in Lonely Planet’s top 10 regions earlier this year).