Paparoa National Park.
Photo: 123RF / Patrik Stedrak
Keith Morfett resigned as chairman last December after ongoing objections to his role from the board's Ngāi Tahu members.
The court has upheld the view of Forest & Bird and Federated Mountain Clubs that DOC cannot provide for recreational flights in its park management plan because they are prohibited in its West Coast conservation management strategy (CMS).
"This ruling affirms Paparoa as a 'quiet' national park and it's one of the best things to happen for recreation and conservation on the Coast in 10 years," Morfett said.
DOC's management plan for Paparoa was rushed through in the wake of the Pike River mine disaster and ignored the CMS, which had a higher status, he said.