NZ Conservation Department Blues

Posted 19th July 2019 to the Southland Times Newspaper Invercargill NZ

Just some observations on the Department of Conservation concessions debate in Fridays Paper. 
I think the real problem is that of mandate.

It started when the Department of Conservation was turned into the department of homeland environment security
and away from recreation after the Cave Creek disaster. Since then there has been no real govt organization focusing on the
fundamental reason for our national parks exist in the first place and that vacuum has been a bit of an open wound.

I guess because tourist visitor numbers are cyclical and Kiwis are so horrendously overworked they now have very little time for
recreation anymore, it makes sense in a way to ignore the problem and just run out the clock, a perfect strategy for a cash stripped
demoralised department one would think?

It is also sad that the people of Te Anau have been waiting over a decade on the clock for a thumbs up for Cycle Trails in their national park
and have now had to look to the Snowdon Forest for recreation opportunities.

I must say I some how doubt that the visionaries who founded our national parks did so to lock off all the best scenic places from the 99 percent but
that is what the effect is in 2019.

NZ Wetland Experience - ES

Posted 26th May 2019 to the Otago Daily Times Newspaper Dunedin NZ

It seems kind of sad that the guys at Environment Southland are upset that the Manapouri – Te Anau Cycle Trail went too close to a wetland area out side the town of Manapouri.

I seem to recall environmentalist Sir Alan Mark saying it would be a good thing for the public to have access to some wetlands as a good public relations gesture.
The Trails Trust could easily construct access to the nearby legendary Kepler Mire (Lord of the Rings Location) something Professor Mark once mooted for scientific reasons.

I doubt the Trails Trust would want to have anything to do with that now, one would think Environment Southland would desire such a public gestures but alas not.

Perhaps ES might at least consider some PR at the Save Manapouri Rock at the Manapouri end of the Cycle Trail as that would be a perfect have a water fountain to celebrate our Pure Fiordland Water.

If they are not keen on us celebrating our geographic features they ARE big on water.

Just FYI the guy who gave the first donation to get the Fiordland Trails Trust underway was also the guy who helped Gaylord Nelson get the first Earth Day Started...

Something the Minister of Conservation might consider in the upgrade of the National Park Plan.

Fiordland Heli-Hikes Ban 2019

Posted 19th  January 2019 to the Otago Daily Times Newspaper  Dunedin NZ

Your recent article on the banning of Heli Hiking on Manapouri’s Amazing Mount Titiroa is a bit concerning.
I love the federated Mountain Club but some how they found a loop hole in the structure of the Department of Conservation that allows them to kick other types of user out of the people’s estate who are not fit young things with lots of time to kill.

When we battle the Department over the right to cycle in National Parks they say clubs like the FMC put in the submission that no bikes should ever be allowed and it takes a political event to change such as a national park review.

Now the FMC also wish to limit tourists from seeing Mount Titiroa.
It may transpire that the FMC also stopped the Department from marking safe tracks up Mount Titiroa
Or upgrading huts which have either been destroyed, or in the case of North Borland, a glorified 2 man garden shed and even restricting local guiding, but that’s another story.

I think day users should have some rights in our parks even though they have not formed a voting block especially on a unique mountain that is only 8 mins flying from our airport that would otherwise take 3 days tramping and a load of logistics.

NZs Department of Conservation blues

Posted 26th of August 2018 to the Otago Daily Times newspaper Dunedin NZ

The tragic deaths on the Gertrude Saddle near Milford Sound in your recent publication are explainable from a historic perspective. 

Tragic deaths might well be exacerbated by Instagram inspired explorations of our national parks but one has to point out that the management of tourism points of interest in the DOC leaves something to be desired, clearly the desire to interact with our parks is stronger that the ability to stop it.
Also it is a unwritten rule in our park management that only strong rugged individuals get free reign in the conservation estate.

The fact that the tourism boom is not being dealt with competently is partly due to this culture in the department but also that creative people are not wanted or rewarded in said organisation.
I have cataloged and posted countless improvements that could be used to improved the Fiordland Experience over the years based on local & visitor conversations.

The lack of transparency is number one followed closely by restructuring and incentives for “hands on” tourism to complement that of the private sector.
  
Also stop punishing the management for every accident, it just makes them paranoid... We can’t make them wrap everyone in cotton wool if people desire to go outdoors. 

 

Fiordland NZ Trail makers and shakers

Posted 7th of June 2019 to the Advocate South Newspaper Te Anau NZ

It was a great milestone for Manapouri township to finally get a trail to the near by National Park on Jun 3rd in the for of the 6th Leg of the Lake2Lake trail. So today our trails trust has by needs and determination become a self funded construction organisation. 

Here is hoping the Department of Conservation will use our FTT to make more much needed trails in the area or upgrade old ones for both cycling and walking.

Who knows one distant day locals will be able to cycle to the hidden lakes at entrance of South Fiord. Or follow the shore to Eglinton River Mouth and beyond.

I guess its all up to our Minister of Conservation now to enhance the health of our community. We should all write and thank them in some form for their help...  Oh and to finish their part of the Lake2Lake.

Stewart Island Ideas Wanted

Posted 16th November 2017 to the Southland Express Newspaper Invercargill NZ

When Garry Tong asks what will help the community in Stewart Island in these uncertain times. I think he has touched on the big picture problem that is effecting all of mankind, that is what some call maggot economics!
Stewart Islands was a place to get away from the problems of the world but I fear the world has got it’s grasp on this last bit of godzone NZ .

If you want to make Stewart Island thrive in our system it has to develop and that means road expansion and infrastructure but making it a DOC National Park is the kiss of death to that kind of land exploitation.
All that’s left now is to make it a Living museum to the way we where and try and concentrate on that.
Or maybe a model self sufficient community if you really want to be bold.

 Let’s face it Southland nearly everything progressive in NZ is sucked into the singularity that is Auckland that’s not going to change any time soon.  


Published p 11 Nov 23 2017

New Great Walks Ideas for New Zealand

Posted 26th October 2017 to the Southland Times Newspaper Invercargill NZ

So the Department of Conservation is looking for some new “Great Walks” for it’s “brand” and are asking for suggestions.
As I have studied this very Idea for many years now I can point our some Southland places crying out for some attention
though not high in political importance are as worthy as any for shear ambience.. BTW a GRAND FIORDLAND track has been mooted before
linking the Park from North to South by joining existing trails and bridging gaps.

However if I had to pick,  these are some of the best for cycle / hiking:  Borland Lodge to Mt Titiroa, Hidden Lakes Te Anau to Hurricane Passage Manapouri,
Borland Lodge to West Arm Manapouri, Lake Hauroko to Lake Poteriteri or the Old Telegraph Track to Puysegur Point Lighthouse... all worthy places.

If D.O.C. really wanted to think out of the box they could get into running their own boats and open the old route between Crooked Arm Doubtful Sound
and Skinks Head Cove at Breaksea Sound for the mother of all kayak operations in the Dusky Sound area.

The Department may need to pay it’s workers performance bonuses and look after them better. If Southland is still in the running against Queenstown & Auckland. 

Published Sep 27th Page 8