Hobbs Marian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Hobbs Marian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:643;Page:12856] 
12.  
Hon MARIAN HOBBS (Labour—Wellington Central) 
 to the  
Minister of Conservation 
: What steps is the Government taking to ensure Kiwi families can better use the conservation estate? 
Hon STEVE CHADWICK (Minister of Conservation) 
: 
 This summer five new camping opportunities will be provided on conservation land. There will be new camping grounds at Takaka D’Urville Island Moturua Island and Kaweka Forest Park and 100 new campsites added at Port Jackson in the Coromandel Peninsula. This is the Government’s response to the demand for family-friendly inexpensive holiday options in the great outdoors and more sites will follow in response to demand. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Can the Minister tell the House why Labour closed 14 Department of Conservation camping grounds between 1999 and 2006 and changed tack only after National’s blue-green vision called for 25 new Department of Conservation camping grounds at which time Chris Carter said that that was actually not a bad idea; and is this policy not just another example of Labour “me too-ism” alongside Labour’s new policy on tax Labour’s policy on charitable donations Labour’s policy on an emissions trading system and Labour’s new policy on trades academies in schools? 
Hon STEVE CHADWICK 
: Issues on recreational access to the conservation estate are commonly shared values between most parties in this House. We will be ensuring that all our work areas are constantly reviewed to make sure we meet the highest priorities and that existing funds are used in the most effective way. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Why did her Government raise Department of Conservation fees for huts for Kiwi families in 2001 2002 2003 and 2007—in fact just a month or two ago—so that for a family of two adults and two children doing the Abel Tasman National Park the cost has gone up from $104 to $270 yet 3 months before the next election the Government has decided to reduce those same hut fees; or will she like the Prime Minister on tax be blaming officials for the contradictory policy? 
Hon STEVE CHADWICK 
: It is a good question because it fits in nicely with this Labour Government’s commitment to families—along with our extra week of annual leave and childhood obesity policy actually. We want more young families and children in particular accessing our conservation estate. Targeted fees are just one of those initiatives and the reduction in fees for under 18-year-olds is exactly along the lines of our expectations. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. My question asked why the Minister’s Government raised Department of Conservation fees in 2001 2002 2003 and 2007. The Minister told me that it was a good question but she did not answer it. I would like an answer as to why the Government raised those hut fees. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I listened very carefully. The Minister answered it very fully. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I seek leave to ask to ask the Minister of Conservation one more question. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: The Minister is seeking leave to ask a question. Is there any objection? Yes there is.