The Department of Labour has released three reports as part of a review of the New Zealand adventure tourism industry, showing auditing and consistency from regulators needs improvement.
The review was initiated last year by Prime Minister John Key following the drowning of English tourist Emily Jordan on the Kawarau River near Queenstown in 2008.
Some 142 adventure operators and sector experts responded to a questionnaire sent out by the department.
It says the majority of responses show there is a strong health and safety culture in the industry.
However, it cites overlaps and inconsistencies by regulatory bodies as a major area where the industry can be improved and suggests the auditing process needs an overhaul.
Nineteen people died on land-based adventure activities in New Zealand between July 2004 and June 2009, with another six deaths on the water and four in aviation.