The weekend past was interesting in that the Department of Conservation held a large summit, Mountains to the Sea, aimed at recreational users of New Zealand's great outdoors. There was also a release of the results of an inquiry into our disappearing camp grounds.

During the course of the summit, concern was expressed that many young people are turning away from the outdoors. For many families, camping at some treasured beach, lake or river side is the first introduction their children have to outdoor recreation, says Outdoor Recreation NZ Urban Issues spokesperson, Beth Stone. We beleive a creative way needs to be found, to encourage camp ground owners to remain in this business. At present, overheads such as rates, compliance etc are so high that costs become prohibitive, so owners choose to recoup their losses by selling.

The willing buyers are often foreign. Preventing such sales will merely punish the camp owners, not assist them to keep their camps open.

Outdoor Recreation NZ calls for action, before it is too late.

ENDS

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