Ruth DYSON
Spokesperson for Conservation

9 August 2011
MEDIA STATEMENT

National fails outdoor recreation assessment

National’s drive for profits over sustainable planning in the outdoor recreation and conservation sectors has been exposed by the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of NZ (CORANZ), says Labour’s spokesperson for Conservation Ruth Dyson.

The apolitical group, which assesses government performance in the outdoor recreation-conservation area annually, has rated the Government’s performance as ‘poor’, raising concerns about profit-driven, ideological decision-making at the expense of the long-term future of public commons.

“National actively markets New Zealand as the world’s untouched playground. But behind closed doors its policies are directed towards commercialisation, often at the expense of outdoor recreation, environmental and conservation values,” Ruth Dyson says.

“National flies New Zealand’s clean, green flag sky high while simultaneously proposing mining in national parks, flogging off our public water rights to private interests and curtailing public access to outdoor recreation.

“CORANZ has revealed National’s hypocrisy runs deep.

“Labour will call a spade a spade on issues of conservation. We will not mine national parks. We will not flog off our valuable assets and we will not place private, profiteering interests above the people of New Zealand.

“National should front up and explain this poor rating to New Zealanders before their policy, or lack thereof, does further damage,” Ruth Dyson said.

ENDS

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