Page 320 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Volcanic Landscapes of New Zealand 297

overflow from the Whangaehu River into the were amongst the most frequently injured or
Tongariro catchment (and from there into Lake killed as a result of their activities on the volcanoes
Taupo). This embankment is located just inside the (Bentley et al, 2007, pp4–5). This suggests the
national park boundary near the head of the need for improved safety messages and other
Whangaehu outwash fan and the primary aim of information for these visitors, preferably on
the bund is to increase public safety by reducing location or at accommodation sites. Also, the level
risks to people using State Highway 1 as well as to of claims for injuries during commercially
protect public safety in the Tongariro River. Its organized and run activities appears to be high in
secondary purpose is to protect the aquatic New Zealand, a situation that raises questions
environment of the Tongariro River and Lake about the risk management standards of operators
Taupo. Prior to this a volcano risk mitigation plan (Bentley et al, 2007, pp13–14).
was developed by Environment Waikato (Munro
and Parkin, 1999), the responsible regional council. Visitor safety recommendations
Protecting infrastructure and other assets Visitor safety is a priority for all who live and
against future lahars and eruptions is clearly a key work in the Tongariro National Park and other
to keeping communities and tourism resilient in adventure tourism locations (Bentley and Page,
the face of severe and ongoing hazards. However, a 2008). The following is a summary of the range of
fundamental question the ministry had to address information provided to assist visitors to the park:
was whether interference with the natural, cultural
and scientific values of a world heritage site should • While a key attraction of the Tongariro
proceed simply because there are risks to National Park is its wilderness and spectacular
communities and their visitors. The risk to life is beauty, visitors embarking on any trip without
low because of the warning and response system the assistance of experienced local guides must
plus the construction of a bund, but cannot be be prepared to carry adequate clothing, food,
absolutely removed. Nevertheless, carrying out water, camping and first aid equipment. Guided
engineering work at Crater Lake would also not be tours are essential for the inexperienced
without risk due to the high altitude alpine overnight visitor on the walking trails.
volcanic nature of the site. Such work would also • Visitors should always seek and heed advice
create precedents for further direct interference about weather, clothing and levels of fitness. In
with other volcanic risks in the national park as particular they should note that weather changes
well as more common natural hazards elsewhere. In can be rapid in alpine environments and
such a situation a more appropriate risk management clothing for all conditions should be carried
action is to use knowledge of the likely range of regardless of the season. Most importantly they
events in order to be prepared for such hazards and should also make sure that someone knows
where necessary place infrastructure such as roads, their plans and is advised on return.
rail and power lines at sites less likely to be at risk • Visitors are strongly advised to stay on the
or to design them in ways to make them safe. This marked tracks and to carry out all rubbish so
is a more sustainable course of action and in as to help maintain the pristine environment.
concert with warning and response systems for Toilet facilities are limited and visitors should
tourists and the host communities this will reduce note locations before setting out each day.
risks to a low level, even for the larger hazards that • Skifields are a special case because of alpine
the recent geological record suggests will no doubt conditions, the potential for avalanches and for
occur sometime in the future. eruptions and the advice given by lodges,
In addition to the physical dangers of instructors and security personnel must be
volcanism there are those that occur in adventure taken into account and/or adhered to.
tourism (slips, trips and falls; Bentley et al, 2007)
and these must also be mitigated. Recreationalists As a supplement to this is the volcanic risk
engaged in unguided, independent adventure mitigation plan by Environment Waikato (Munro
activities, notably skiing and mountaineering and Parkin, 1999) that has been written:

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