New Zealand Huts Department of Conservation (DoC) System —
Part A: Six Building blocks of the national hut system
(Note: this is part of the larger work New Zealand Huts: Notes towards a Country Study)
Introduction
This is the first in a series of posts (Parts A – E) providing an overview of how the NZ Department of Conservation (DoC) operates New Zealand’s collectively owned system of 962 huts. The series includes:
- Part A: Six Building Blocks of the DoC Hut System
- Part B: How Many and What Kinds? A Tally and Taxonomy
- Part C: Operational Costs and Revenues
- Part D: Notes on Ten Selected Operations
- Part E: Great Walks Huts
Part A looks at what I am calling ‘Six Building Blocks, i.e. six of the key DoC documents that laid the foundations for creating a cohesive national hut system for NZ, the world’s largest. DoC’s policies and operational methods are well documented online. The intent of this summary is to provide the reader a broad overview and links and pointers to more in-depth information.
First, a quick look at the NZ Department of Conservation as a whole.
Broad Overview of DoC
NZ Department of Conservation Logo
DoC is the NZ government agency which operates the largest hut system in the world. The agency was established under the Conservation Act 1987, which consolidated parts of several agencies, including the huts, tracks and other infrastructure for outdoor recreation, conservation and scientific work. Prior to 1987 the organization of NZ land management agencies was based on those in the U.S., i.e. separate agencies for various types of federal lands. The 1987 Conservation Act moved to consolidate many functions in one agency with a clear conservation mandate driving all land management policies and programs, and in the hope of better coordination among formerly distinct agencies with overlapping missions. See Historical Perspectives for historical context on the development of DoC.