Opinion
KEY POINTS:
- Will budget cuts threaten NZ's conservation land?
Increasing the price of using national parks has been ruled out by the Department of Conservation as a way of making money.
The department has announced a proposal to cut 118 management and administration roles and 22 operational roles to meet budget targets. Final redundancy numbers would be known by the end of July.
DoC director-general Al Morrison said the restructure would save the department $6.6 million a year.
Gerry McSweeney, an eco-tourism expert and owner of Wilderness Lodges at Arthur's Pass and Lake Maeraki, said revenue could be raised if people were charged "significantly more" for DoC activities.
