DOC reacts to Outdoor Recreation NZ comment about Recreation Summit meeting

"A swift response to my comments about the Mountains to the Sea Recreation Summit, came from Mr Herb Christophers, the Department of Conservation’s External Relations manager," said Outdoor Recreation NZ access spokesman, Peter Vahry.

"Mr Christophers wrote 'Considering that nearly half of the more than $ 280 million Department of Conservation budget is spent on outdoor recreation and that the Department of Conservation already has a Recreation Division your press release is way wide of the mark'.

"This is a surprise to most in outdoor recreation and is certainly not referenced on the Department website nor did Mr Christophers identify who is responsible for the Department’s recreation division.

"Outdoor Recreation NZ believes that DOC has consistently confused recreation and tourism. This is highlighted by a document titled 'The 7 Great Myths influencing DOC’s Recreation Management (thinking)' prepared for the recent Recreation Summit by Mr Rob Brown, a member of the West Coast Conservation Board and an eminent advocate for recreation.

"That document can be found at www.ornz.org.nz" said Mr. Vahry.

ENDS

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