Thank you for this. It aligns with what I have been saying here in Paihia in the beautiful Te Hiku o te Ika about 'what stories do we want people saying about our town?' I believe stories of how local businesses nurture and regenerate our ecosystems are the greatest drawcard of all.
I reckon you're on to something here David. It's certainly a much more holistic concept than HNW only or "open the floodgates". I think lots of people would enjoy being part of the conservation story while enjoying the very thing they are paying to conserve.
You are excelling at your job in conversation David, please keep it up.
p.s. While you were out of the office the NZ Twitterati decided that "patriot" is a foreign, practically alien, mockworthy concept and therefore deemed the term "unkiwi
Hi David, I live in Queenstown and there's a heap of discussion about this. Your views align with mine and i'd really like to share this with the Southern Lakes Community think tank and a group that's looking at the future of tourism in our area. But - it's behind a paywall. Can i please offer to pay for this column so i can share it for a good purpose?
This article resonated with me as an active member of NZs motor caravan association. There are members of that body who would see freedom camping banned, and whilst I understand their motivations, I cannot agree. NZ is famous overseas as an egalitarian country, welcoming all, regardless of wealth. It would be a deep shame to reframe that reputation post-pandemic as a playground for the rich.
Your idea of having those who need to use public hygiene facilities pay for them as an entry requirement might just be the solution. Councils, currently, are moving to withdraw these facilities as the cost of maintaining them is high, and this might be the incentive they need to renew them instead.
As for the idea of incorporating the high ideals of “predator-free NZ 2050” into our tourism; that I love, and it needs to be pushed under the noses of the mandarins of Wellington. It kills two birds (hopefully Myna, not Kiwi) with one little stone, and could be made very attractive and saintly.
Thanks for a stimulating (and ever-entertaining) read!
Very timely.
Thank you for this. It aligns with what I have been saying here in Paihia in the beautiful Te Hiku o te Ika about 'what stories do we want people saying about our town?' I believe stories of how local businesses nurture and regenerate our ecosystems are the greatest drawcard of all.
I reckon you're on to something here David. It's certainly a much more holistic concept than HNW only or "open the floodgates". I think lots of people would enjoy being part of the conservation story while enjoying the very thing they are paying to conserve.
Have you sent this to Stuart Nash????
You are excelling at your job in conversation David, please keep it up.
p.s. While you were out of the office the NZ Twitterati decided that "patriot" is a foreign, practically alien, mockworthy concept and therefore deemed the term "unkiwi
The idea of encouraging HNWIs to helicopter into some $2,000 a night resort on Mitre Peak to dine on roast takahe fills me with dread.
Hi David, I live in Queenstown and there's a heap of discussion about this. Your views align with mine and i'd really like to share this with the Southern Lakes Community think tank and a group that's looking at the future of tourism in our area. But - it's behind a paywall. Can i please offer to pay for this column so i can share it for a good purpose?
Hi Alexa, happy to help. I've switched the status for this column over to free. Please feel free to share.
That is very excellent. May it bring many more subscribers - will acknowledge.
Couldn't agree more. So want this to happen. Have been working on it from my own lowly position. But not with huge success so far sadly.
This article resonated with me as an active member of NZs motor caravan association. There are members of that body who would see freedom camping banned, and whilst I understand their motivations, I cannot agree. NZ is famous overseas as an egalitarian country, welcoming all, regardless of wealth. It would be a deep shame to reframe that reputation post-pandemic as a playground for the rich.
Your idea of having those who need to use public hygiene facilities pay for them as an entry requirement might just be the solution. Councils, currently, are moving to withdraw these facilities as the cost of maintaining them is high, and this might be the incentive they need to renew them instead.
As for the idea of incorporating the high ideals of “predator-free NZ 2050” into our tourism; that I love, and it needs to be pushed under the noses of the mandarins of Wellington. It kills two birds (hopefully Myna, not Kiwi) with one little stone, and could be made very attractive and saintly.
Thanks for a stimulating (and ever-entertaining) read!