12. Hon MARIAN HOBBS (Labour—Wellington Central) Link to this
to the Minister of Conservation
What steps is the Government taking to ensure Kiwi families can better use the conservation estate?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK (Minister of Conservation) Link to this
This summer, five new camping opportunities will be provided on conservation land. There will be new camping grounds at Tākaka, D’Urville Island, Moturua Island, and Kaweka Forest Park, and 100 new campsites added at Port Jackson in the Coromandel Peninsula. This is the Government’s response to the demand for family-friendly, inexpensive holiday options in the great outdoors, and more sites will follow in response to demand.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Can the Minister tell the House why Labour closed 14 Department of Conservation camping grounds between 1999 and 2006 and changed tack only after National’s blue-green vision called for 25 new Department of Conservation camping grounds, at which time Chris Carter said that that was actually not a bad idea; and is this policy not just another example of Labour “me too-ism” alongside Labour’s new policy on tax, Labour’s policy on charitable donations, Labour’s policy on an emissions trading system, and Labour’s new policy on trades academies in schools?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
Issues on recreational access to the conservation estate are commonly shared values between most parties in this House. We will be ensuring that all our work areas are constantly reviewed to make sure we meet the highest priorities and that existing funds are used in the most effective way.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Why did her Government raise Department of Conservation fees for huts for Kiwi families in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2007—in fact just a month or two ago—so that for a family of two adults and two children doing the Abel Tasman National Park, the cost has gone up from $104 to $270, yet 3 months before the next election the Government has decided to reduce those same hut fees; or will she, like the Prime Minister on tax, be blaming officials for the contradictory policy?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
It is a good question, because it fits in nicely with this Labour Government’s commitment to families—along with our extra week of annual leave and childhood obesity policy, actually. We want more young families, and children in particular, accessing our conservation estate. Targeted fees are just one of those initiatives, and the reduction in fees for under 18-year-olds is exactly along the lines of our expectations.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. My question asked why the Minister’s Government raised Department of Conservation fees in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2007. The Minister told me that it was a good question, but she did not answer it. I would like an answer as to why the Government raised those hut fees.
Madam SPEAKER
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I seek leave to ask to ask the Minister of Conservation one more question.