Kerikeri Basin top DoC site in Northland

Cape Reinga is one of the most popular Department of Conservation sites in New Zealand, a new survey shows. Photo / File

Cape Reinga, Kerikeri Basin and Waipoua Forest are three of Northland's most popular Department of Conservation (DoC) sites, according to a survey.

Almost 200 Northlanders completed a Nielsen survey prepared for DoC about their attitudes towards, understanding of, and participation in conservation activities.

Kerikeri Basin and Stone Store was the area those surveyed were most likely to have visited. The survey showed 42 per cent of respondents had visited the area in the 12 months prior to the 2014 survey. The next most popular site was Waipoua Forest, followed by Cape Reinga.

Cape Reinga and Kerikeri Basin with the Stone Store were also both in the top five most visited historic sites nationwide.

Susan Guyatt of the Whangarei Tramping Club said areas the club visited included Pukenui, Mount Manaia and Bream Bay. It helped DoC with trapping and bird watching at Puketi. The club also spent time on private land as well as DoC land.

Ms Guyatt said Northland's forests and beaches made its tramping unique. There were also fewer people tramping in Northland than elsewhere.

The Nielsen survey showed nationally, nearly three quarters of New Zealanders said they had visited at least one DoC recreation area in the past 12 months, up on 71 per cent in 2013. The main activity carried out during their most recent visit was sightseeing or taking a short walk, according to the survey.

Ms Guyatt said she hadn't noticed an increase in visitors on DoC tracks she visited in the region, though international visitors often got in touch with the tramping club and went out on tramps with them.

The Nielsen survey showed satisfaction with the parks and places administered by DoC was high with 80 per cent rating their experience four or five, with five being very satisfied. New Zealanders considered the top two personal benefits of conservation were protecting animals and plants and protecting the natural environment for their children.

Nearly three quarters of New Zealanders had a favourable view of the Department of Conservation, down on 79 per cent in 2013. Of those who had an unfavourable opinion, the key reason related to animal or pest control, particularly regarding the use of 1080 poison, according to the survey.

Ms Guyatt believed DoC now had its act together when it came to clearing tracks.