The Public Pulse of Conservation is a survey of Aotearoa New Zealand residents conducted by the Department of Conservation. The survey is administered on behalf of the department by Ipsos, and captures 1,000 responses every month. The results from each monthly survey ‘wave’ are normally published by the end of the month in which they are collected.

Ipsos collates a monthly topline report summarising the findings from the survey. The report for the January 2023 wave, surveying activity from the previous month - December 2022, is available below.

• Monthly Topline Report – January 2023 - Department of Conservation

Key findings for January 2023

• Visits to Protected Natural Areas have increased in the last month. This is as expected with the warmer weather and holiday period. Compared to a year ago, visitation levels remain similar with no significant change.
• There has been a significant increase in the number of people recalling Great Walks, safety in the outdoors and outdoor recreation in general when it comes to the top aspects of the Department of Conservation that people have seen/heard/read in the last 4 weeks.
• Overall, visitor satisfaction of the standard of maintenance/presentation of Protected Natural Areas has decreased this month. Visitors have rated the condition of trails and paths lower in the past month so this could play a role in this trend.
• Protected Heritage Places’ (PHP) NPS has increased following a significant decrease last month. Despite the shift however, the number of Detractors remains similar to last month. Focus could be placed on improving overall maintenance including facilities and signage to reduce detractor experiences and raise PHP NPS to a higher overall level. Such factors were rated significantly high in November and this coincided with a significantly high PHP NPS.
• Protected Natural Areas NPS has seen a reduction in the number of Detractors and hence the score has increased compared to last month. This sits at a level seen a year ago.
• Fewer people agree that their ‘special’ Protected Natural Area suffers from visitor created damage. This is the lowest sentiment for visitor-created damage has been since July 2022.

The Sustainable Tourism Explorer will soon be updated with measures from the Public Pulse of Conservation survey, and a data release page will be developed to surface key data for you to interact and download for your own insights.