A territorial authority in Northland is looking at putting in place stringent guidelines for outdoor activities to ensure strict compliance with health and safety procedures.
It follows the decision by a group of French daredevils to undertake highlining at Whangarei Falls two weeks ago without seeking approval from the Whangarei District Council.
The group walked - and sometimes slipped off - a tightrope while prepping for a documentary on highlining to be shot for three months from December at locations throughout the country. Whangarei Falls could be one of the locations.
Mechanical engineer and one of the highliners Louis Schwartz claimed he was told by a friend familiar with highlining rules he did not need to seek permission from the council before undertaking the activity.
The council admitted it did not have a formal policy on dealing with such activities.
However, parks technical officer Spencer Jellyman said if someone asked permission to do an activity on a reserve, the council had a responsibility to make sure it was done safely.