Tourism Minister John Key says having to pay to use an internationally renowned walking track "certainly isn't ideal", but it is better than the track being closed altogether.
Mr Key, responsible for tourism alongside his duties as Prime Minister, said through a spokeswoman that he felt most tourists would not be deterred by a charge imposed to travel Marlborough's picturesque Queen Charlotte Track. But some walkers have warned people will be put off.
Just over 14km of the 71km track crosses private land, with the remainder being on Department of Conservation (DoC) land.
Should trampers pay to use tracks featuring privately-owned land? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:
Should trampers pay to use tracks featuring privately-owned land?
Photo / Wairarapa Times-Age
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