The Milford Opportunities Project was established in 2017 to create an ambitious and innovative masterplan for Milford Sound Piopiotahi, the Milford corridor and the region surrounding it.
The plan will make recommendations that will ensure: Milford Sound Piopiotahi maintains its status as a key New Zealand visitor icon and provides a world-class visitor experience that is accessible, upholds the World Heritage status, national park and conservation values and adds value to Southland and New Zealand Inc.
The masterplan will be focused on what needs to be done to offer a unique and authentic experience.
As part of this, engagement with stakeholders and the public is essential and we want feedback and thoughts from every point of view.
The masterplan could recommend significant changes to the area, however, it will not be a statutory document and the final decision on any changes rest with Government.
The Milford Opportunities project will be delivered through a three-stage process.
Stage 1 (now completed)
To establish context, vision and objectives and was completed in September 2018. Key to this stage was the development of the project’s working vision "Piopiotahi - New Zealand as it was, forever", and the pillars of;
- Mana Whenua values woven through
- A moving experience
- Tourism funds conservation and community
- Effective visitor management
- Resilient to change and risk
- Conservation
- Harness innovation and technology
Stage 2
To define and choose options to be included in the masterplan, and ensure these options/recommendations are backed up by data and research.
Stage two will be completed when the masterplan is made public in mid 2021.
There will be public and stakeholder engagement during 2020 as we work out what are the best solutions based on that feedback.
More on how you can be involved can be found here.
Stage 3
Stage three will be the adoption and implementation of the masterplan by Government.