Waikaremoana excluded from Great Walks price hikes

The price increases for the country’s Great Walks announced last month do not include Lake Waikaremoana.

Department of Conservation director of heritage and visitors Cat Wilson said DoC had become aware that some information released last week was incorrect in relation to the Great Walk at Lake Waikaremoana.

“The  Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is excluded from the price increases announced last week in our media release on March 19.

“The media release and website have been updated to reflect this. There will be no price increase for visitors using facilities on the Lake Waikaremoana Track.

“Price increases for visitors using facilities on the Lake Waikaremoana Track are yet to be considered by Tūhoe and Te Urewera Board.”

DoC acknowledges that increased costs and the extreme weather events of recent years have had a significant impact on

Te Urewera.

DoC faces similar challenges across public conservation land in New Zealand, with impacted tracks, huts and facilities.

DoC said it was committed to working under the guidance of Te Urewera Board, and alongside Te Uru Taumatua, to find workable fiscal and operative solutions to help mitigate or resolve these impacts on Te Urewera.

The department remains focused on supporting Te Urewera in a way that aligns with the spirit of Te Kawa o Te Urewera.

In regards to the High Court decision on the hut burning in Te Urewera, Ms Wilson said the department was awaiting the release of the final judgment on relief as part of the litigation surrounding the decommissioning of huts in Te Urewera.

“DoC understands this judgement will be released shortly. Once DOC has received this judgement, it will consider options for appeal alongside Te Uru Taumatua.”

With regard to the status of the lease of the Lake Waikaremoana lakebed, she said the department was reviewing the entire lease arrangement relating to the Lake Waikaremoana lakebed.