Pan, SteveRyan, Chris2009-01-302009-01-302007Pan, S. & Ryan, C. (2007). Mountain areas and visitor usage - motivations and determinants of satisfaction: The case of Pirongia Forest Park, New Zealand. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 15(3), 288-308.https://hdl.handle.net/10289/1941This paper reports on visitor motivations and satisfaction at Pirongia Forest Park, New Zealand. The study used a derivative of the Leisure Motivation Scale to assess motives, and a factor analysis confirmed five dimensions of ‘relaxation’, ‘social needs’, ‘a sense of belonging’, ‘mastery skills’, and ‘intellectual needs’. From the scales, five clusters were identified; ‘active social relaxers’, ‘enthusiastic visitors’, ‘nature isolates’, ‘relaxers’, and ‘reluctant visitors’. Using regression analysis, it appears that ‘pull’ factors are better predictors of overall satisfaction than motivational ‘push’ factors, but a key aspect is that among local residents who use the Park there is a high level of repeat usage. Management implications are explored.enforest parksmountainsprotected area managementprotected area managementrecreationNew ZealandJournal Article10.2167/jost662.0