Press release by Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation is updating accommodation prices for huts, lodges, some campsites, the West Coast’s Paparoa Track, and off-season rates for some Great Walk huts. The new prices will be applied for the 2023/24 booking year, from 1 July 2023.
Cat Wilson, DOC’s Director of Heritage and Visitors, says some recreation facility prices haven’t changed in 15 years and don’t reflect present day costs.
“DOC is operating under increased budget pressures from rising construction and maintenance costs, reduced revenue due to the impacts of COVID-19, and extreme weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle.
“Visitor charges contribute to recovering the costs of providing DOC’s recreation accommodation, and balances the cost burden between users and taxpayers,” she says. “The fees collected help support investment into recreation facilities to maintain, repair and improve experiences at huts, and campsites, lodges, cottages, and cabins.”
Standard hut fees will increase from $5 to $10 and serviced hut fees will move from $15 to $25. This is the first adjustment to hut category fees since 2008.
There will also be price changes for the Paparoa Track this year due to its popularity. Paparoa’s Hut prices will increase to a level similar to other popular Great Walks.
Different fees for international visitors will also be applied to the Paparoa Track during the summer period, which will be at a rate of 1.5 x the domestic hut fees.
“DOC provides a wide range of experiences to help people connect with the most scenic places in New Zealand. There are choices for all budgets including many free options.
“Short walks, day hikes, multi-day walks, overnight stays, Great Walks – paddling, hiking, biking – the variety of landscapes in such a small country is phenomenal.”
Background information
Most Great Walks bookings open for 2023/24 between 20 April and 16 May and non-Great Walk hut, campsite and sole occupancy bookings open in early May.Cyclone Gabrielle has disrupted facilities in locations such as Hawke’s Bay and Coromandel. The extent of damage and costs are still being assessed, and some places are closed until further notice. People need to check the DOC website for alerts before they go.
I saw this in the local newspaper. I am disappointed. I have never agreed in principle with hut fees for taxpaying New Zealanders. Hence I like the inference in the title of the article re “taxpaying public”!
Outdoor Kiwis have paid taxes some of us for many years. I see the inefficiencies and misuse of public money at times in DOC and simply ask “Why?”
What a parade of euphemisms i. e. “adjustments since 2008″etc.
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A more useful press release would be: to update us on “the DOC Working Group”, progress on preparing the paper work to hand over, the entire Conservation Estate to elite wealthy iwi moedi tribes & what would they expect price “adjustments” to be ,once the complete control is owned by moedis???
The increase in some Department of Conservation (DOC) hut fees is of concern. Will Kiwis will be “priced out” of their own public lands and public huts? It is all wrong, public servants hitting Kiwis when cost of living is soaring.
But then anytime, it is wrong. Kiwis have paid via their taxes.
Surely DOC needs an overhaul and its priorities and culture redefined?
I wonder what the majority of the people think of this and why they have not been invited to express their opinions?
PRICE IS WHAT WE PAY. VALUE IS WHAT WE RECEIVE FOR WHAT WE PAY.
Of course the mamagement of the DOC, who think they are running a business instead of serving the people will want to increase the revenue that they derive from operating a monoploy.
The idea of “user pays” for services provided by the government has some validity but it’s not as though we have not already paid through taxation for the money our government enterprises receive.
Should we be required to pay again if and when to use some of the facilities we have already paid for?
It would be interesting to open DOC’s books and make the details of their income and expenditures available to the public who pay for everything the government does.
Are we receiving proper value for what we pay without our informed consent?
I wonder how much of of our money that that is spent by the bureucrats of DOC and other government “enterprises” is spent on providing and maintaining facilities we can use and enjoy? It might be less than we think.
These government enterprises are NOT REAL BUSINESSES that survive or fail by providing goods or services to willing buyers.
They are supported by public funds and always spend as much or more than their budgets so that they can ask for more next time.
Bureacrats and civil servants do not have to provide value for what they cost and so they DO NOT.