14 Oct 2022

Mountaineers upset by Department of Conservation huts closure

From Morning Report, 8:27 am on 14 October 2022

Mountaineers and conservationists are upset over the sudden removal of DOC huts in Te Uruwera.

Forty-four huts are being removed as directed by Tūhoe, who in say in their annual report they want the run-down huts on their land decomissioned.

The Federated Mountain Clubs say they respect the intentions of the iwi to restore their ancestral land, but are appalled that DOC hasn't consulted with recreational groups.

The group's vice president Allan Brent spoke to Guyon Espiner.