Thread: DOC hut book use

Originally Posted by BobGibson

I know of many people who dont fill in the Hut book primarily because they didn't PAY!!!!!
Most of the backcountry huts we use are only $5 per night or $85 per annum for all backcountry huts.
This attitude I find very disappointing and as already pointed out is counter productive if we want to continue to enjoy these facilities.

I somewhat agree except I have already paid thru my not insignificant taxes, whatever you think. User pays for tourists and locals should be able to use for free.
If the govt chooses not to pass on enough of my money to DOC its not my fault!!

Originally Posted by mikee

I somewhat agree except I have already paid thru my not insignificant taxes, whatever you think. User pays for tourists and locals should be able to use for free.
If the govt chooses not to pass on enough of my money to DOC its not my fault!!

@BobGibson I think you're dead right there. People that dont pay dont sign, even if you didnt pay DOC is not going to send the hounds of hell to chase up $20 in lost hut fee's esp if they only have John or no name in hut book. I have always signed the book and put repairs or suggestions in there, after-all if you dont its not going to be repaired or remedied.
@mikee I ,to a point, agree. DOC dont get enough from Govt and what they get is prioritised, on where they spend it is another debate but thats where agree. we could spend hours as armchair critics breaking down how "we" think DOC best spend their (our) money but thats not going to stop DOC from closing "unused - low use" huts.
Paying for something we all see as ours is, lets face it its a kiwi thing, is repugnant to us. However the argument is flawed as this would mean for me to hop on the Tranz Scenic should cost nothing. Taxes paid for rail installation, upkeep and maintenance as too the wagons and loco's. Its staffed by a SOE so bugger it i'm not paying. I dont think that it would wash quite frankly. So no i dont agree that we shouldn't contribute by not paying meager hut fee's, but that just my opinion, I'll continue to pay.

Originally Posted by mikee

I somewhat agree except I have already paid thru my not insignificant taxes, whatever you think. User pays for tourists and locals should be able to use for free.
If the govt chooses not to pass on enough of my money to DOC its not my fault!!

I used to think the same, but when I thought through my conservative dogma I came to realise that thinking that my taxes paid for all of the social services that I used was just plain folly.

Everyone who is an earner needs to pay their dues, plus something else.

I don't stay in huts but when dropping by for a visit I usually write where I am hunting and when I expect to be gone - partly for SAR purposes but also as a courtesy to other bush users and hunters who may come through at the same time - not much effort and it is an easy system to use