Joseph Mooney - MP for Southland

We all know our district is a leading tourist destination, and we all feel the impact of record numbers coming to the jewel in New Zealand’s tourism crown.
Recent Stats NZ figures show overseas visitor arrivals hit 3.51 million in the year to December 2025, a 6 per cent rise on 2024, and the biggest number since pre-Covid years.
That’s nearly 10,000 people a day, every day of the year, spending in our shops, businesses, hotels and attractions.
Whilst we enjoy benefits of increased activity, there are also responsibilities central and local government must address to ensure Queenstown Lakes remains a cohesive place for residents and visitors.
A big boost for certainty came with the recent announcement of long-term tourism concessions that will support jobs, strengthen our economy, and keep visitor access open at key southern destinations.
This includes a 38-year concession for The Remarkables Ski Area, a 25 year concession for Te Anau Caves and a 30-year guided walking concession on the Milford Track.
I have been strongly advocating for local concessions to be processed to bring certainty and confidence to these areas.
NZ Ski have invested heavily at the Remarkables. With a secure future they can continue hiring, training and investing in this world-class attraction.
Public access to surrounding areas will continue, with concessions including enforceable environmental and safety conditions. The Department of Conservation retains full regulatory oversight.
At the foot of the Remarkables a new housing development will help ease supply and demand pressures for families and workers with 2,800 new residential homes announced for Homestead Bay. This Fast Track application was approved by an independent panel following a robust process.
Whilst I welcome steps to ease pressure on housing, I share residents’ concerns regarding increasing demand on infrastructure, particularly roading and water.
I’m pleased the independent panel found the Homestead Bay development will minimise pressure on existing infrastructure, with the project’s infrastructure approach, including independent wastewater systems deemed adequate, and could in future integrate with the council’s wastewater network.
It’s also good NZTA had input to the Expert Panel. NZTA’s expectation is that RCL will fund the new SH6 intersection to Homestead Bay and upgrades to existing intersections at Jack Hanley Drive and Māori Jack Road once traffic volumes grow.
NZTA’s also preparing a Strategic Network Plan for Queenstown to identify a 30-year programme of interventions to address capacity issues caused by growth, including the SH6 corridor south of the Kawarau River. It’s scheduled to be completed mid-2026.
Transport is one of the most important infrastructure issues in Queenstown and something I have been and will continue to advocate for in Wellington.
Work is underway to address this both as part of the government’s overall work, and there’s also opportunity for transport to be incorporated as part of current Regional Deal negotiations, a process I have also strongly advocated for.
Another local Fast Track project I’m keeping an eye on is the application for a mass rapid transit cable car network connecting central Queenstown, Frankton, the airport and Ladies Mile. The project’s referral assessment is currently underway.
I’m very supportive of ropeway systems as a local transport option, given our limited geography for more roads, and even less room for more car parking. I think there’s a strong place for them in Queenstown.
I recently had the opportunity to experience another potential transport option - a new electric-powered hydrofoil vessel built by kiwi company Vessev - currently being trialled on Lakes Wānaka and Wakatipu as a possible option for passenger transport.
It cruises at 25 knots above the waves on its hydrofoil making for a smooth ride that feels similar to flying, is remarkably quiet, can be charged from any source, and is easy to maintain.
Queenstown Lakes District has big goals to be a leader in renewable energy use, which aligns with this government’s ambition to double renewable energy generation. It was great to experience this technology which contributes to those goals via leading edge New Zealand engineering.
Maybe we’ll be flying across Lake Wakatipu on the way to the airport in future!