Tararua Footprints Minimum Impact Code

Minimum Impact Code

The aim of the code is to minimise your impact both on the environment and on other visitors to the area.

• Plan your trip to minimise rubbish: avoid bottles and cans.
• Pack out what you pack in: carry out all rubbish. Take a last look before you leave an area. Will other people be unaware of your presence?
• Pick up rubbish. We all see the odd wrapper or other non-biodegradeable rubbish scrap. These things are often very lightweight, so why not pick up and pack out what you find?
• Keep to formed tracks where provided: avoid taking short-cuts alongside the track, or trampling the vegetation.
• Keep party sizes reasonable: large groups create degrading pressures on the environment, particularly at campsites.
• Minimise campsite construction:
  • carry your own tent poles or use dead wood for poles,
  • never cut vegetation for bedding,
  • respect the privacy of others when choosing a campsite; if possible, locate campsite away from tracks and huts.
•   Toilet wastes: dig a hole just within the top soil layer and well away from open water. After use, cover with soil and tramp earth in.
•   Streams, lakes and tarns are everyone’s water supply. Avoid polluting them with soap, washing water, or food scraps.
•   Use portable stoves rather than wood fires if possible. Dead wood is an important part of the natural cycle and is scarce in many places, particularly in sub-alpine areas. If you do use wood fires:
  • keep them small to conserve wood,
  • use only dead wood,
  • completely extinguish and bury ashes,
  • dismantle the fireplace after use, returning rocks to their natural places.
•   Carry out your activities without undue noise or disturbance to others.
•   Never blaze trees.
•   Respect our cultural heritage. Many places have a spiritual and historical significance. Treat these places with respect.

Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.

Here's the Department of Conservation page detailing good practice.

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Tararua Footprints