EDITORIAL: Helping hand for campers

Paul Taggart
It is a worthy sentiment - camping is a part of the New Zealand way of life, therefore something must be done about the increasing number of campsites - including those in Hawke's Bay - being converted into high-price sub-divisions.
The free market dictates that such developments must be allowed to continue, within the bounds of planning regulations; therefore the dwindling stock available to the nation's campers must be augmented by new sites.
A Department of Conservation review is looking at areas where camping grounds are being sold to see whether it has land that could be of some use, if there is a demand for more camping.
The camping ground at Blue Bay, Opoutama - which closed in January last year and is now a subdivision - is an example of why the department is having the review.
The two major parties are in agreement with the idea, with National Party leader Don Brash last year having proposed 25 new camping grounds be established on DOC land.
Conservation minister Chris Carter said he had become increasingly concerned about the loss of family-friendly camping areas, particularly on the coast of the North Island.
The review will assess the extent of the problem, whether DOC's existing camping facilities are sufficient to compensate for the loss of private camping grounds and the best way of doing something about it if they are not.
The idea is not new, however, with Wairoa District Council chief executive Peter Freeman having invited the previous Minister for Conservation to look at running a camping ground in the Mahia area where the council has reserve land. However, the government did nothing about it.
The review will report back to Mr Carter in April and will explore opportunities for partnerships between central and local government, community groups, trusts and the private sector.
The idea is worthy and may be a winner for Kiwis who want a low-cost summer holiday on the coast.
However, the fact that it is being driven by Government is a concern. Hawke's Bay Airport is a joint partnership between central Government, which has the controlling stake, and Napier and Hastings councils. It has resulted in a poorly run operation that has fallen behind airports driven by private-sector operators.
While running a campsite may be a lot simpler than running an airport, it pays never to under-estimate the incompetence of government departments. Think shambolic school exams, hospital waiting lists and out-of-control perks for MPs.
If suitable sites are found, the smartest move would be to turn them over to private-sector operators to run and keep the meddling hand of the State completely out of the picture, apart from its role as benign landlord.