This page created 8 February 2001 / revised 12 June 2002

Government Implementation of Election Policies

The New Zealand Government is a coalition of the Labour and Alliance Parties, with the support of the Greens on matters of confidence and supply.

On Weds 14 Oct 1999, in her speech on Labour's Green Policy Launch, Helen Clark (now Prime Minister) had these noble words to say about the back-country hut/track system:

"There is enormous significance in the Leader of the Labour Party launching these policies. Labour is signalling that this green agenda is not a marginal set of policies, but, rather, it's central to our vision for building a new New Zealand in the 21st century."

Recreation

One of the great pleasures of being a New Zealander has been the access we have had to our back-country and alpine areas.

The former Lands and Survey Department and the Forest Service maintained a large network of huts and tracks, and they were supplemented by the huts of alpine and tramping clubs.

But, perhaps because of funding constraints on DOC, the huts and tracks in areas which are not of central interest to tourists seem to be a very low priority.

Many people have expressed concern to me about the extent to which much loved huts and tracks are falling into disrepair - and are unlikely to be replaced.

As one who personally has a great love of the New Zealand back country and alpine areas, I intend to make sure that an urgent review is conducted of the state of the hut and track infrastructure with a view to restoring it to a state which gives safe access to those areas.

Labour will (highlights of detailed policy):

• increase free public access to our waterways and coastline by developing a strategy for the extension of the Queen's Chain;
• review the condition of back country huts and tracks with a view to restoring them to a state that will ensure safe access to the back country;
• ensure that New Zealand's natural recreational resources are not captured for exclusive commercial use but remain freely available for reasonable public enjoyment;

Source: http://www.labour.org.nz/mediacentre1/speeches/991014.html

Labour's detailed 1999 Election Policy had this to say:

Outdoor recreation and ecotourism

New Zealand's unique natural heritage offers a wide range of exciting recreational opportunities from the mountains to the sea. Our mountains, forests, wetlands, lakes, rivers and coastal waters must be accessible to New Zealanders of all ages and lifestyles. Access to waterways and wilderness areas gives us a unique advantage as both New Zealanders and tourists seek new and different forms of recreation.

Labour will:

• develop a strategy for the extension of the Queen's Chain to ensure New Zealanders have improved access to our waterways and coastline; PANZ assessment June 2002: DONE NOTHING.
• undertake an urgent review of the condition of back country huts and tracks with a view to restoring them to a state that will ensure safe access to the back country; PANZ assessment June 2002: CONDUCTED REVIEW & DELIVERED MILLIONS MORE $ FOR HUTS ETC.
• ensure that free public access is maintained to Crown lands where it does not impede the functions of the administrative organisation; PANZ assessment June 2002: NO DISCERNIBLE ACTION.
• increase free public access to our waterways and coastline by improving the effectiveness of the esplanade provisions of the Resource Management Act; PANZ assessment June 2002: DONE NOTHING.
• ensure that New Zealand's natural recreational resources are not captured for exclusive commercial use but remain freely available for reasonable public enjoyment; PANZ assessment June 2002: NO DISCERNIBLE ACTION.
• protect public sports fishing and game bird hunting, and if necessary amend the provisions of the Conservation and Wildlife Acts relating to the sale of fishing and hunting rights to close any loophole that permits the sale of access rights for these activities; PANZ assessment June 2002: DONE NOTHING.
• increase promotion of outdoor recreation; PANZ assessment June 2002: NO DISCERNIBLE ACTION.
• ensure that DOC's visitor policy is consistent with DOC's paramount focus on conservation "to foster the use of natural and historic resources for recreation, and to allow their use for tourism"; PANZ assessment June 2002: DONE NOTHING.

The Alliance only had a sports policy, with no relevance to outdoor recreation.

In response to PANZ's election questionnaire, Labour replied-

That "fostering" of recreation by DoC should have a greater priority?

Labour: Yes.

PANZ Assessment June 2002: Have partly honoured, with substantial new funding for back country huts and tracks. But no directives to DOC to stop promoting tourism at the expense of recreation.

That it should be a priority for the next Government to investigate the means of completing the Queen's Chain around the shores of all major lakes, the seacoast, and along major rivers?

Labour: Yes.

PANZ Assessment June 2002: Done nothing.

That public access and recreation should be restored as the primary functions of marginal strips and esplanade reserves?

Labour: Yes.

PANZ Assessment June 2002: Done nothing.

That restrictions to public access introduced in 1993 via the 10th Schedule of the Resource Management Act should be repealed?

Labour will improve the esplanade provisions of the RMA to improve public access to our waterways and coastline. The 10th Schedule may be part of this review.

PANZ Assessment June 2002: Done nothing.

Sources:

http://www.labour.org.nz/infocentre1/policies/conservation.html

PANZ's page on Labour Policies

Party responses to PANZ Questionnaire