A tourism company has been fined $12,000 for illegally guiding on public conservation land, including in Mount Aspiring National Park.
The Department of Conservation said it prosecuted Active Planet 2015 for commercial guiding without authorisation at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, Pancake Rocks in Paparoa National Park, and at Blue Pools in Mount Aspiring National Park.
The company, which specialised in tours for international students, pleaded guilty to the charges last year and was fined $4,000 on each charge by Judge Kevin Phillips sitting at Pukekohe District Court on March 3.
Doc National Compliance Manager Marta Lang Silveira said its rangers and compliance officers had spoken with the company on a number of occasions prior to charges being laid.
It was guiding commercially in a wide range of conservation areas, none of which it held a concession for.