Don't create canvas towns, says Labour

DoC campgrounds such as Waikawau near Coromandel are basic but in superb locations. Photo / Supplied

Handing Department of Conservation campgrounds to private companies to run will turn them into "canvas subdivisions" and push prices up so more people go freedom camping, says Labour's tourism spokesman Kelvin Davis.

The Herald on Sunday yesterday reported that the Holiday Parks Association was talking to DoC about private management of campsites on DoC land.

The department said there were no leases planned but it was a possibility in the future and had been discussed for some time.

Mr Davis said private companies hungry for profit would push up the prices at those campgrounds, which are charging $8 to $15 a night.

"If camping grounds become too expensive, we'll either see more freedom camping and incidents of rubbish and human waste being dumped or Kiwis just won't go camping."

He said if private operators made the campsites "too flash" in a bid to attract higher-paying campers, camping would lose its essential "rough and readiness".

"It would defeat the purpose if we escaped the suburbs just to camp in a canvas subdivision."

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson was not available for comment yesterday.

In 2006 a DoC review of camping requested by Labour's then Conservation Minister Chris Carter proposed establishing new campgrounds on DoC land and leasing them to private operators.

It was among suggestions for compensating for the closure of several private camping grounds when land values were high, especially in the Greater Auckland region and the Coromandel.