The Public Pulse of Conservation is a survey of Aotearoa New Zealand residents conducted by the Department of Conservation. The survey is administered on behalf of the department by Ipsos, and captures 1,000 responses every month. The results from each monthly survey ‘wave’ are normally published by the end of the month in which they are collected.

Ipsos collates a monthly topline report summarising the findings from the survey. The report for the May 2023 wave, surveying activity from the previous month - April 2023, is available below.

• Monthly Topline Report – May 2023 - Department of Conservation

Key findings for May 2023

• April visitation to Protected Natural Areas continued to increase following a significant decline in February activity which coincided with Cyclone Gabrielle. Visitation to Protected Natural Areas and Protected Heritage Places is stable with a year ago.
• The frequency of visits to Protected Natural Areas and Protected Heritage Places (average number of visits) also remained stable when compared to a year ago.
• Satisfaction with the overall experience at Protected Natural Areas remained stable this month and is slightly lower when compared to a year ago.
• Satisfaction with the overall experience at Protected Heritage Places decreased compared to last month and is also lower when compared to a year ago.
• NPS for both Protected Natural Areas and Protected Heritage Places remained lower than a year ago. Protected Natural Areas NPS is 29. Protected Heritage Places NPS is 11. A year ago these were 34 and 26, respectively.
• Compared to last month, fewer residents & visitors to Protected Natural Areas agreed that visitors had a positive effect on the area at 66%. Last month this was 71%, however this is stable compared to a year ago which was also 66%.