Bid to double size of national park

An environmental group will launch an ambitious project on Sunday in a bid to nearly double the size of the Wellington National Park.

The Imagine Greater Wellington National Park group wants the park expanded to cover 30,000ha of land, claiming the area is becoming too small for the increase in visitors.

Made up of tour operators, businesses, farmers, conservationists and residents, the group says it will focus its campaign on the next State Election.

The project will include the launch of an online campaign, posters, forest tours, workshops and a petition to be presented to the State Government.