A compulsory registration scheme for adventure tourism operators in New Zealand is to be developed following a review of the adventure tourism industry.
The review was initiated following concerns over the number of recent tourist deaths from accidents in the sector.
All operators will now be required to register their activity and carry out safety audits.
Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says the review found some gaps in safety management which allowed some businesses to operate at a lower than acceptable standard.
Ms Wilkinson says introducing a registration scheme will mean those who take part in adventure tourism activities can be assured that any associated risks are being managed.
The new scheme will ensure all operators must have a robust safety management plan which is independently checked, she says.
The minister says the Labour Department is doing further work, including looking at whether instructors and guides should be required to hold qualifications and work only within the scope of those qualifications.
Ms Wilkinson expects officials to report back to her by the end of November.
Changes a good start, says victim's father
The father of a British tourist killed while riverboarding in New Zealand says changes to the adventure tourism industry are a good start.
Emily Jordon, 21, drowned on Queenstown's Kawarau River in April 2008.
Chris Jordon told Checkpoint on Tuesday the problem up until now is that operations have been able to start up with no checks or inspections.
"In our own particular case, they were operating completely off their own bat - with no safety checks, no proper equipment, no training, no rescue equipment or training in place - which I was just appalled at."
An adventure tourism operator believes the Government has struck the right balance with proposed new rules.
Michelle Trapski, general manager of A J Hackett Bungy, says mandatory registration and auditing will ensure a level playing field and remove ambiguity.
However, Ms Trapski says it will not stifle New Zealand's innovative approach to adventure activity.
