Kiwi Party Wants Outdoor Recreation Recognised
The Kiwi Party
Press Release

Aug 5, 2008

Outdoor recreation from tramping to hunting, trout and sea fishing to mountaineering, camping and outdoors pursuits needs greater emphasis with an obligation for government agencies to recognise the outdoors says Larry Baldock, Kiwi Party  leader.

Mr Baldock cited the Department of Conservation as shunning outdoor recreation when providing for and encouraging outdoor recreation is an obligation under its governing act he said.

"This should be part of the answer for New Zealand's obesity problem which exists through all ages but particularly teenagers. You don't readily breed Olmpic champions out of over-weight and inactive young people,": he said.

On the Department of Conservation he favoured renaming it the Department of Conservation and Recreation. There were conflicts within the department between "eco-fundamental"  attitudes and recreational hunting and trout fishing. The conflict arose because some DOC managers believe deer and trout for example, are introduced species and should not be encouraged and even eradicated.

"That sort of thinking is archaic and not facing the reality that it's the 21st century."

Mr Baldock said DOC had fallen down badly in removing huts and even bridges, often essential infrastructure for tramping, hunters and those fishing wilderness trout rivers.

"Instead of wasting money dumping 1080 all over the place the Department could be maintaining and improving facilities that would open access for more 'good keen blokes' to attack our pests through traditional hunting and trapping. This would encourage more of our young people to engage in recreational hunting and fishing to the betterment of their health and the health of the environment, said Mr Baldock.

Ends

© Scoop Media