A tourism operator says the Department of Conservation (DoC) has put the public at risk by suspending their operations.
Gannet Beach Adventures has been ordered to stop taking people to Cape Kidnappers/Te Kauwae-a-Māui, despite being allowed to take visitors on shortened tours in December 2019.
Managing director Colin Lindsay says it is a scary situation.
"Any of those passengers, we cancel their booking and they potentially could just put on their backpack and walk out there," he told Newshub.
"The report clearly states that the walkers are at a far higher risk than passengers on Gannet Beach adventures tours."
The tours were suspended for a year after two tourists were injured when a giant slip occurred on one of the cliffs in January 2019.
Because of the slip, DoC has closed part of a track closest to the largest gannet colony.
DoC said it closed the track as visitor safety is a top priority.
"The QRA (quantitative risk analysis) is being independently reviewed to ensure that we have a full understanding of the level of risk so that we can manage it effectively. Only at that point will we be comfortable to make a decision about reopening the reserve," DoC said in a statement in late December.
"Sixty-eight years and literally we are at the mercy of the Department of Conservation," Linday told TVNZ.
"It's been very tough financially to get to this point and we are heavily reliant on operating again."
According to DoC's website, Cape Kidnappers/Te Kauwae-a-Māui Gannet Reserve is home to two gannet colonies managed by DoC.
Since Wednesday, January 15, the Cape Kidnappers Walking Track has been closed for public safety due to major rock falls.
