NZ First backs Government review of camping grounds

New Zealand First is strongly supporting the Government's review of camping grounds and says it has previously warned about the impact of poorly-regulated foreign investment and "rampant immigration".

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

He has ordered the Department of Conservation to investigate the situation, and one possible remedy is to open up more publicly-owned land for camping.

NZ First MP Doug Woolerton said today he was confident the Cabinet would approve a plan to use more conservation land for camping.

"New Zealand First has long warned of the dire consequences of poorly-regulated foreign investment and rampant immigration that contribute to our exorbitant land and property prices, and sadly this is but one example of that," Mr Woolerton said.

"Private property owners can't be blamed for wanting to profit from their investments, but if it means ordinary Kiwis no longer have access to New Zealand's popular holiday areas, then action needs to be taken."

Mr Woolerton said rising land values in recent years had meant that many camping grounds in prime coastal areas had been sold to developers.

"It's pleasing to see that the Government is viewing this as a public good issue, and not one in which market forces decide the outcome."

When he announced the review, Mr Carter said it would assess the extent of the problem, whether the department's existing facilities were sufficient to compensate for the loss of private camping grounds, and the best way of doing something about it if they were not.

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

The review will be completed by April.

- NZPA