DOC accused of driving film-makers overseas

The New Zealand film industry has accused the Department of Conservation of turning Mount Aspiring National Park into an "elitist playground" and forcing film production overseas.

At the hearing on a park draft management plan yesterday, Film Otago Southland executive manager Kevin Jennings said the department would unfairly restrict access for film crews.

"The apparent misguided agenda of restricting access ... is prevalent through the plan," he said.

The plan prioritises access by some groups, such as trampers, over others, Mr Jennings said.

Being caught out by inflexible rules was already leading to tensions with overseas film outfits, which would be made worse by a more restrictive regime, he said.

Mr Jennings also said members of the hearing panel had a conflict of interest, being involved in drafting the plan and presiding over the public opposition to it.

DOC staff had tried to dissuade him from challenging the hearing, which he felt was flawed and predetermined, he said.

"Achieving meaningful change to this draft plan is well nigh impossible."

His comments were supported by Film New Zealand representatives who also challenged the objectivity of the hearing panel. Panel members Chas Tanner and Garry Nixon, who are Otago Conservation Board members, said their objectivity was not compromised.

The draft management plan does allow for film crew landings at high-use sites but culls several less-used sites.

But Mr Jennings argued New Zealand's attraction with overseas productions was the range of spectacular scenery sites, even if some sites were not used for years.

Access to the park has been the big bone of contention during the hearings, with recreational users arguing for less commercial access.

But several helicopter companies have said new restrictions on landing sites in the park were not necessary and unfair.

Meanwhile, Milford Dart also made a submission on the plan yesterday, asking DOC not to forget its plan for a 10km tunnel that would link Milford Sound with Glenorchy.

Speaking to The Southland Times yesterday , managing director Tom Elworthy said the submission was made to ensure the plan did not exclude the possibility of the tunnel. Milford Dart wants to run the bus-only tunnel as a commercial venture.

The company submitted to DOC for a concession in 2005 is still awaiting approval.

- © Fairfax NZ News