Harwoods Hole is the country's deepest natural vertical shaft, but the track to the site has been closed by DOC due to safety risk. Photo: NelsonTasman.nz via LDR
Neill Molloy has descended Harwoods Hole about 50 times over the last decade and says he is perplexed by the Department of Conservation's decision to close the track to the sinkhole.
"It is a really spectacular cave system."
The lifelong recreational climber has taken "literally hundreds" of people - from teens to septuagenarians - into the country's deepest natural vertical shaft.
Molloy said people were "ecstatic" after going through the caves.
"[It's] the single best adventure… they've ever had," he said.
"Even just the walk in and out are spectacular; it's a beautiful subalpine beech forest. Even just at the top of the hole, you can't even see the bottom from the top… but it's definitely got a presence to it."
Neil Molly has descended into Harwoods Hole dozens of times and said he was perplexed by the track closure. Photo: Neil Molly via LDR
Harwoods Hole lies in the Tasman District, within the Abel Tasman National Park, but the Department of Conservation closed the track to the site last month, citing safety risks.
Up to 4000 people use the track a year.
"In the 10 years that I've been going there… I haven't heard of anyone from the general public being injured or falling down the hole," Molloy said.
"So, it just perplexes me as to why you would change anything."
Nick Smith, mayor of neighbouring Nelson, agreed and took to social media to describe the closure as an "overreaction" that eroded the region's image as a centre for outdoor adventure.
"The safety issues… can be readily managed by appropriate signage and fencing," he said.
"Nature's most spectacular places often have dangers, and the answer is to sensibly manage these risks."
Smith wrote to DOC and the Minister of Conservation asking for the decision to be reconsidered and suggested that the International Visitor Levy funds a track upgrade.
The Department of Conservation has closed the track to Harwoods Hole, meaning that it will no longer be maintained, but the public can still walk it at their own risk. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
Tasman Mayor Tim King was less concerned, noting that those trying to get the "money shot" at Harwoods Hole were endangering themselves.
"Having a well-maintained track leading you to a point where there is a massive risk - I can understand the decision."
Getting the "money shot" at Harwoods Hole has been deemed too dangerous by DOC, which has closed the track to the sinkhole. Photo: Supplied / NelsonTasman.nz and @barekiwi
He noted that the closure simply meant that DOC will no longer maintain the track and people can still enter the area, as with other parts of the national park.
"You want to go and go hunting, fishing, or, in this case, look at a spectacular hole in the ground? You just need to do that knowing the risks."
King acknowledged that the decision was disappointing for many, but added that Tasman remained fortunate to have three "phenomenal" national parks in the district.
"I would certainly like to think the Department of Conservation will continue to invest in those areas where many thousands of people go."
DOC Golden Bay operation manager Ross Trotter said the track was closed following a regular review of the track's safety plan.
"The area around Harwoods Hole has unstable rock and significant fall hazards where slipping could be fatal."
He said it was not possible to look into the hole from the top and that "unrealistic" promotion of the destination encourages visitors to dangerously seek a better view.
Other options, such as increased signage, were considered instead of closing the track.
"But the reality is we could not safely provide the experience others were promoting online," Trotter said.
"We appreciate that some people feel strongly about this place, but our first responsibility is ensuring visitors understand and can safely manage the risks involved."
Building and maintaining a safe viewing platform would come at "significant" cost for DOC, which has other competing priorities, he said.
Trotter added that visitor options in the area have "never been better", with new via ferrata (climbing route) and mountain bike tracks at the top of the Tākaka Hill, and the two "spectacular" Hawkes and Tākaka Hill lookout walks.
But for Molloy, he did not expect the track closure will stop him from guiding people.
"If we have to bush-bash a little bit because the track's overgrown, I don't think that's going to worry anyone."
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
