Operators give thumbs up to adventure rules

Rotorua adventure tourism operators are pleased to hear new industry regulation will come into force on October 1 next year.
Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson announced yesterday that the regulations resulting from the Adventure Tourism Review would see operators having to register and undergo an external safety audit from October 1.
"These regulations will fill safety gaps identified in the review and help keep New Zealanders and overseas tourists safe, while ensuring operators can remain viable and innovative. They will ensure the industry is regulated appropriately and that injury prevention remains the top priority," Ms Wilkinson said.
Registration and accreditation of safety auditors will be carried out by an organisation to be appointed by the Department of Labour.
By the end of the three-year transition period, all adventure tourism businesses must be registered and operating under a current safety certificate. It will be an offence to provide activities involving "significant hazards and some level of instruction or leadership" without a safety audit certificate - excluding organisations that do not charge fees, such as schools, voluntary clubs and groups.
"I expect operators will respond quickly to get registered and obtain their certificate, as they already maintain strong safety measures and will want to promote this fact."
Local activity operators have applauded the move, saying it will create more confidence within the industry and for customers looking to experience an adventure in the safest possible environment.
John Berry from Kaitiaki Adventures said it would be good for the industry as a whole.
"We are really happy ... It should not pose any problems for us - the industry has been working towards guidelines for some time."
River Rats Rafting and Kayaking's Justin Hutton said the rafting side of the industry was already well regulated under the Maritime New Zealand. "For us it will be pretty much business as usual. For kayaking, there may be some changes, but there are already guidelines there so it should not be anything major."
He said the audit and registration process should not be too difficult provided companies had safe operating practices and the regulations were largely about rubberstamping what most sectors were already doing to provide assurance to those outside the industry and those looking to participate in adventure tourism.
The new processes are expected to be of most value to new activities to ensure sufficient safety procedures are in place from the outset.
Industry groups will also work to strengthen safety practices within their industry and to develop guidance material, led by the Tourism Industry Association and Outdoors New Zealand. This includes developing an industry-led entity to strengthen the safety management framework, a generic practice guide and additional activity-specific guidance and improving information collection.
The Government will foot the $1.2 million bill to set up the safety scheme across the next five years.
For operators, registration costs will be built into the initial audit fee of $1300 to $2500, depending on the activity. Later audits are expected to cost less.