10. STEVE CHADWICK (Labour—Rotorua) Link to this
to the Minister of Conservation
What is the Government doing to encourage Kiwi families to enjoy the great outdoors?
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation) Link to this
Last Sunday, at the start of Conservation Week, I announced that it will be free for children and teenagers under 18 to stay in Department of Conservation huts and campsites on the eight Great Walks and the Whanganui Journey, fulfilling a key recommendation of the New Zealand Recreation Summit that I convened last September at Te Papa. For a family of four, this will bring the cost of a 3-day tramp on the Abel Tasman Coast Track down by a third, to around $180. The savings are even larger on the more expensive Great Walks like the Milford Track.
What benefits does the Minister think will result from access for Kiwi families to these Great Walks?
There are many benefits from greater recreational use of the conservation estate. We want to encourage young people to switch off the PlayStation and get active in the great outdoors, which will help to reduce the growing problem of childhood obesity and adult obesity. We want to provide affordable holiday homes for families to spend time together, especially now that workers will have an extra week of annual leave. We want to ensure that, as our country becomes more urbanised, young people continue to be able to experience our magnificent outdoors that helped to shape our national identity.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Can he confirm that this Government put up the hut and camp fees in 2001, in 2002, in 2003, in 2004, and in May 2007, so that in the example that he has just given, the cost for two adults and two children to do the Abel Tasman Coast Track was $126 in 1999, is $225 today, and will go up to $270 on 1 October this year, but, miraculously, 3 months before the election it will to drop to $180; is it not a symptom of electoral panic in the Government that it spends 8 years putting up the charges but 3 months prior to the election it drops them?
Madam SPEAKERThe member was given the courtesy of asking his question in silence. Now would the Minister please reply and would other members please enable the rest of us to hear.
I can confirm that it will now be free for children under the age of 18, because this Government is absolutely committed to getting as many New Zealanders out as possible to enjoy the conservation estate. We are taking active steps to ensure that New Zealanders can access recreation. This week is Conservation Week, and the theme of Conservation Week this year is “recreation”.
Metiria TureiIs it one of this Government’s initiatives for promoting the great outdoors to under 18-year-old Kiwis, for all the great reasons that he has talked of, to send them into conservation groups such as the Save Happy Valley Coalition as paid informants to spy on other under-18-year-olds as they and their great spotted brethren enjoy the great outdoors?
The only people whom Department of Conservation staff will be spying on are people who are doing naughty things like fishing in marine reserves, and so on.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I seek leave to table the report of 8 February 2001 in which the Government announced an increase in hut passes.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I seek leave to table the report of 30 September 2002 announcing an increase in all mountain hut fees.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I seek the leave of the House to table the report of 22 January 2003 announcing an increase in all Department of Conservation campsite fees.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I seek leave to table the report of 17 August 2004 announcing an increase in fees on all Great Walks.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I seek leave to table the report of 7 May 2007 announcing that all Department of Conservation fees on the Abel Tasman Coast Track would go up by 20 percent.