Tongariro huts come under national fee system

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 263, 15 November 1988, Page 7

Tongariro huts come under national fee system

The Department of Conservation is introducing a national hut fees system which will come into effect in the Tongariro National Park from December 1.

Waikato Region hut fee co-ordinator Mike Ambrose said the fee will be brought into effect here as in other DoC regions throughout the country. The Waikato region, which includes the

Tongariro National Park, will charge from $4 to $8 a night for 23 park huts from Coromandel through to Turangi. Part of a national policy now being discussed with outdoors clubs and associations,

the money raised from fees, will help maintain and improve huts in this region and pay for fuel supplies provided. It cost the department $1.4 million to maintain the service last year, and it is hoped the new fees will help cover that cost, Mr Ambrose said. "Its being promoted as fairer for everyone.

With its introduction we're going to be able to afford proper services and improvements for the huts," Mr Ambrose said. For example, there are presently some huts with no mattresses. They have been stolen or vandalised and, because the hut accomodation is free there are not funds to replace

them. The hut fee system will see revenue coming in to remedy that. It will be possible to use tickets in most department huts and they will be available from DoC offices, selected shops and 2 4 hour service stations. Children 11 and older, who are still attending school, will be charged half the adult rate. Those under 11 will stay free. A bulk 10 per cent discount will be available for those buying 15 or more and each ticket will be accompanied by a brochure explaining why the system was introduced. Brightly coloured and waterproof, each ticket will represent a $4 unit. The number o f tickets required will depend on the standard of hut used. For example, Mr Ambrose said, two tickets will be needed to stay in an $8 category hut, three tickets for a $12 hut. Trampers will put part of the ticket in a hut deposit box and display the other half on their pack overnight

and during the following day. DoC workers will police the system during their routine field work, and DoC expects by-laws to be in place by December 2 allowing it to penalise those caught staying without paying, Mr Ambrose said. Tramping clubs have also been invited to join the hut fee system.

Many club huts are open to the public although is is the clubs which keep them in order. The DoC system will credit them for tickets used in club huts, allowing members to improve facilities without financial burden. All eight huts within the Tongariro National Park will cost $8 per person per night in hut fees.