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Moonlight Tops Hut on the new Paparoa track Photo: DoC
The Department of Conservation has dozens of high risk structures overdue for maintenance and overall has a backlog of maintenance on its huts and tracks network worth over $300 million.
The startling figures are contained in documents released originally to Newsroom under the Official Information Act, and date from early to mid 2022.
The documents also reveal 99 high priority safety critical work orders on other assets - such as tracks, bridges and huts - have been deferred; DOC is 70,000 hours behind on scheduled maintenance and an immediate cash injection is required to get on top of the backlog.
DOC says it has a large and ageing visitor asset base and it is methodically working through its asset management programme, but some tough decisions need to be made on what to replace and maintain.
Kathryn speaks with Peter Wilson, former President of Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand, and former Department of Conservation statutory planner.