Jet boater hits back at DOC accusations

The Department of Conservation does not approve of "obnoxious" behaviour in its huts, such as this one, the Lake Alabaster Hut, in Fiordland. Photo / DOC

A jet-boater his hit back at Department of Conservation's accusations his group hunted while drunk while in a Fiordland hut.

This comes after Doc slammed the group of "obnoxious" jet-boaters for their antics in the hut, which was said to include hunting while drunk and being rude to others in the hut.

The bad behaviour prompted the Department of Conservation (Doc) to warn it would be taking a "hard line" on antisocial behaviour.

But one of the group accused of the behaviour said although they were noisy, they were not responsible for everything Doc claims.

Doc investigated the incident at Lake Alabaster Hut on the Hollyford Track after a tramper laid a formal complaint against the group of jet-boaters over an incident which happened about a month ago.

The group, who had been flown by helicopter to the 26-bed hut, had brought with them a large amount of alcohol.

It was alleged the group were unnecessarily noisy, rude to other hut occupants and "more concerningly" went hunting at night while drunk.

Doc Te Anau operations manager Greg Lind said such "obnoxious behaviour" would not be tolerated.

"We have investigated the incident and, though no criminal acts have been uncovered, there was clear disregard shown by the party for other hut users."

But one of the group, whom the Otago Daily Times has agreed not to name, said while there were "some truths" to the story, not all was true.

He said the alcohol was "what you would take away with you at Christmas time", about six or seven 24-packs, and a bottle of spirits taken in for a week.

The group did use their jet-boats at night as they were whitebaiting 28km away.

On suggestions they hunted while drunk, the man said instead the group picked up other hunters up from the head of the lake.

The accusation was "just a load of ... [rubbish]".

He also said one of the people who complained had drunk with the group and eaten their venison and whitebait.

"For them to turn round and say it's the jet-boaters who caused all of this seems a bit strange."

Mr Lind said it was not the first time jet-boaters had been accused of obnoxious behaviour and there had been similar reports at the Wairaurahiri Hut in southern Fiordland.

"It appears, based on this and other incidents, some jet-boaters simply do not understand reasonable behaviour in the back-country."

He had spoken to the group leader.

Jet Boating New Zealand vice-president and national safety officer Steve Kirner said it supported Doc's stance.

"Jet Boating New Zealand does not condone this kind of behaviour and if any such instance involved its members we would fully co-operate with Doc or other authorities."