New Zealand’s most photographed Church needs industry help!
Visitor numbers to the Church of the Good Shepherd have reached 300,000 per annum and there are issues with security, safety, pollution (rubbish & defecation) of the church area and environs. It is so busy they cannot even grow grass in the grassed areas due to the numbers of visitors. Add to this the ever increasing numbers of freedom campers’ over- nighting in the vicinity and it’s not hard to see that the church is under threat.
Spokesperson for the Church, Phil Brownie estimates there are currently 250,000 daytime visitors per annum and 40-50,000 visitors in the evenings mainly for night time photography. Of the 300,000 visitors 30% are tour coach, 30% campervans and 40% rental cars. The Church does have a policy of no photography inside the church which it has had to implement due to the level of crowding and congestion in the small church as every visitor endeavors to get the perfect photo.
Many of the church members would like visitors to regard the Church of the Good Shepherd as a “Living Church, an operating Parish and a place of worship” – not just a tourist attraction and that it should be treated as a place of reverence by all who visit.
Each week they receive numerous requests for weddings or wedding photos to be held at the church and this puts enormous strain on the resources of the parish as well as reducing the hours the church is open for visitors. While it is currently a source of income at 3 per week, during weddings they have to employ additional guides because of the number of people trying to get into the church. Photo sessions are spoiled by visitors keen to get photos of the wedding party and at times abuse the privacy and rights of the wedding party. Potentially this source of income is under threat because of the number of visitors.
CEO of the Tourism Export Council Lesley Immink said that when Phil approached TEC for help, she was saddened to hear that this wonderful icon was not being properly appreciated for its beauty and spiritual significance. Lesley says “while this is not necessarily an example of when tourism goes bad, it is certainly an opportunity to assist the community in making it a more sustainable and memorable experience for the locals and international visitors alike.”
The Church has a fulltime minister who along with 5 guides and a number of volunteers assist in the day to day running matters such as guiding , security, ground maintenance, cleaning etc but they need more help. They have talked with the Mackenzie District Council and have some ideas for the protection of the Church, the environs and future developments, some of which could include:
- Extend and beautify the carpark with new plantings leading up to Church area so more is grassed with appropriate walkways
- Signage about the history and significance of the Church and available in multiple languages
- Employ a nighttime manager and fulltime gardener to maintain the environment
- A possible ‘open space covenant’ and Retreat Centre.
- Creating visitor destination toilets on the west side of the footbridge
- Charging for entry onto the grounds and church
In the short term, what can the industry do to help?
- Promote on itineraries more information about respecting the Church and to remind visitors that it is a living Church, similar to a temple or religious shrine
- Provide to drivers/guides a fact sheet about the Church and include in rental vehicles
- Have information about the Church and donations included on travel apps
- Encourage more donations from their clients or from companies who know the the Church is on group or self-drive itineraries
- Form a sustainable tourism work group to assist Church and community representatives
If you would like to donate or contribute to the Church of the Good Shepherd, contact Phil Brownie pgbrownie@gmail.com or 027 274 1650