Director’s message
While some of you take a well-earned break and others are busier than ever over the festive season, thanks to everyone who has contributed, supported, given time to and questioned the Milford Opportunities team as we work on feasibility testing and identifying viable options based on the recommendations of the Milford Opportunities Masterplan.
From the opening of the project hub in January through to today, we’re now seeing the results of the research, your input, advice, and experience coming through.
The next 26 weeks will be testing these options and results with groups, community and industry experts. This drives the business case, where the Milford Opportunities Board presents options to the Ministerial Group on what is possible as well as what is beneficial for Milford Sound Piopiotahi, Te Anau, Southland, and wider New Zealand. All this is due to be complete by 30 June 2024.
The Te Anau project hub will be open for drop-ins over summer as we do this work, with time in the early evening every Thursday. For those out of Te Anau, the website is a great place to look for the information coming through. We work hard to publish what we hear, and also key reports. We’ve seen this helps trigger new ideas and thoughts from community, industry, and recreationalists. People visit Fiordland for many reasons, and we feel it is important every group is included.
We’ve heard the things you love about Fiordland and Milford Sound Piopiotahi. We’ve also heard many of you talk about the things you like and things you dislike both in the masterplan and more generally. We heard from the Deerstalkers that access is a major concern to them. We’ve heard this from the community, climbers and recreational groups more widely. While we talk a great deal about international visitors to this place, our focus is very much on outcomes that work for New Zealand and New Zealanders.
We always appreciate people telling us what’s going well, what might work better for you – please keep the feedback coming!
As we head into 2024, I hope you enjoy the next few weeks however you’re planning to spend the festive season, whether you’re at work or are having a break.
