COMMENTS - ANANUI (OR METRO) CAVE MANAGEMENT

Some conclusions and comments by individuals following the on-site conference workshop.

Ernst Holland
The access track should be developed as a walking track with interpretation of such things as the fluvial deposits. River crossing with accessories (bridge). Track to cave from river should be developed using appropriate methods. The cave has too many pathways and damage has occurred from tubes and irresponsible activities, some being historical. Rafting should be allowed to continue by use of the shortest route, all other activities stopped until cave is cleaned and restoration work done. There should be a management plan on the cave with tourism potential in mind.

Rauleigh Webb
Track marking should be carried out in the cave immediately! This should restrict visitors to single tracks with tape and/or reflective markers. Once marked, the scenic and rafting tours should continue. The concessionaire and DOC should coordinate the systematic cleanup of the cave. The walking track to the river should have logs placed on it in the short term and possibly boardwalks in the longterm. A stairway should be constructed to the Triclops Entrance.

Note: A decision on the long term use of the cave should be made as soon as possible to allow the concessionaire to plan for the future. A Management Plan for the cave is vital BUT the track marking should be undertaken yesterday!!

Andrew Spate
Cave is suffering - e.g. entrance, tube marks, multiple tracking. There are things of importance there! Walk should be made part of tour and interpreted. I am sure that the tour could be extended to provide a better balance between length of cave tours and travel selling via drop-in on the road turn off may well pull people in busy periods better than leaflets, adverts etc. People will often "blow" a half day rather than plan it.

DOC needs to make a decision soon (or earlier) about whether it goes "tourist cave" or "adventure cave". Incremental management is difficult to retreat from!

Brian Clark
Metro Cave has unlimited potential for both adventure caving and declared "show" caving. Decisions need to be made now about where visitor access to this cave will be at in 20 years and implement appropriate development in planned stages. Concessionaire is making the usual mistakes of trying to be all things to all people by copying the product of another resource.

This will result in overseas visitors having to decide whether to see Waitomo or Metro - yet proper product development, market positioning and promotion will make it compulsory for the visitor to see both!

If his problem is a 4 hour turn around time being a barrier then his product needs to be better - don't try to increase cash flow by higher numbers - increase the product to an all day experience and change appropriately to maximise cash input by the number of visitors.

If adventure cave - don't make access any easier except for some increase in safety of river crossing - construct environmental protection track along existing route - interpret natural history seen along track - protect slope from damage - new route or steps.

If it is to be a show cave - decide now which entrance and route to the cave will be used in 20 years time and do not let adventure caving stuff if up!

Kevin Kiernan
Context of Operations: Decisions on tourist operations should not be constrained by attempts to pander to undesirable tourist itinerary patterns, more specifically, trying to cope for tourists who want to charge from Nelson to the glaciers on the same day will breed trouble. Catering to these sorts of pressures is what has destroyed the Lower Gordon River from the wakes generated by high speed boats. In addition, effects to slow tourist progress and encourage an overnight stop would have distinct benefits on this part of the West Coast.

Road/rail access: This proposal would fit the quickie tourist expectations but degrade the experience of visit. I would support track upgrading, bridging the river and installation of steps to the entrance instead BUT the gate situation must be resolved before any of this.

Decide first: It is absolutely critical that a decision be made as to adventure cave or tourist cave. If the latter be the choice then adventure tourism through the main part of the cave should be halted immediately.

Underground rafting: The impact of carrying the tubes needs to be assessed; I would support continuation if excessive damage is not being caused.

Track marking: critical if adventure tourism is intended for either the main cave or underground rafting section; urgent.

COMMENTS - HONEYCOMB HILL CAVE MANAGEMENT

Timber not a good material either ecologically or aesthetically. Suggestions: stainless steel, plastics, electric fence posts, galvanised steel, industrial plastic mesh, limestone slabs. Remove timber as soon as possible/replace timber frequently. Long term research required in respect to use of plastics.

Avoid placing bones in tidy order. Remove tags. Long term strategy for protection of bone deposits. Prepare interpretation in respect to bone deposits.

Boardwalks and general management excellent.

Editor: Offending timber is being removed from damp locations where fungi is a problem with the exception of one location where experiments using looped copper wire will be monitored. According to Chris Pugsley this will inhibit/kill fungal growth without creating environmental problems. Long-term problem is to be addressed in the pending revision of the management plan.