Minister orders review of camping grounds

More land could be opened up for camping after a review, ordered by the Government, has been completed.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter said today he was worried about the loss of family-friendly camping areas because of rapid development, particularly on the coast of the North Island.

He said the review, to be carried out by the Department of Conservation (DOC), would be completed by April.

"It will assess the true extent of the problem, whether DOC's existing camping facilities are sufficient to compensate for the loss of private camping grounds, and the best way of doing something about it if they are not," he said.

"The review will consider making more public land available for camping if necessary."

Mr Carter said camping was a vitally important recreation for families of modest means, and a traditional part of the New Zealand summer holiday.

"I have asked DOC to work with the private campground industry, recreation groups, local government and tourism interests.

"The aim is not to compete with private campgrounds but to work alongside the camping sector to ensure the iconic kiwi camping experience remains available for as many people as possible."

The review will look at:

* The extent to which there has been a change in the availability of family-friendly camping opportunities around the country;

* Trends in demand for camping, and the relationship to the variety of campground types currently available;

* Particular holiday areas where there is an acute shortage of camping opportunities;

* The scope in those areas to use existing public land administered by DOC for new or enlarged camping opportunities;

* Private sector interest in new campground initiatives;

* The scope for tendering concessions for camping opportunities on public land to the private sector; and

* The opportunities for partnerships between central and local government, community groups, trusts and the private sector in maintaining existing camping areas or providing new ones.

- NZPA