Iwi owing DOC $2m in campground revenue welcomes external review

A North Island iwi estimated to owe the Department of Conversation (DOC) nearly $2m in campground revenue says it welcomes an external review.

RNZ revealed last week that DOC had launched an external investigation following concerns regarding relationships with iwi and processes such as procurement and debt management.

Documents released under the Official Information Act in April, obtained by RNZ, revealed that since 2021 Ngāti Kuri Trust Board has been awarded $4.6 million in funding, grants and service contracts.

From December 2018 the Board has retained revenue from Spirits Bay and Tapotupotu campgrounds. Then in 2021, they began retaining revenue from Rarawa as well.

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DOC estimates it is owed $1.8m in “campsite revenue”.

“It is important to emphasise that Ngāti Kuri do not agree that the debt is owing. The extent of the debt and arrangement are subject to ongoing negotiation and discussion, which will form part of our internal review.”

Ngāti Kuri Trust Board invoiced $350,000 in campground management fees for the 2025 financial year which DOC has not paid. A further invoice was issued by the Board for the first two quarters of the 2026 financial year - worth nearly $200,000, which DOC has also not paid.

RNZ approached the Board for comment last week.

On Friday, a Ngāti Kuri Trust Board spokesperson said the Board “welcomes the Department of Conservation’s external review”.

“In the spirit of partnership, the Trust Board is committed to continuing to work with DOC and others, including assisting with the review.

“We are optimistic going into this about what can be achieved here and ultimately focused on ensuring Ngāti Kuri can continue to exercise its kaitiakitanga responsibility and ensure Treaty settlement commitments are upheld.”

The Board will not be making any further public comment while the review is underway, the spokesperson said.

In an earlier statement to RNZ DOC’s Deputy Director-General Public Affairs Sia Aston said DOC had completed an internal review which confirmed some of the concerns were valid “and we need to understand more about them.”

“We’ve agreed some immediate steps to lift our game on, including ensuring compliance with DOC’s established policies and procedures.

“We have also launched an external investigation to help us understand the full picture.”

Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka said in a statement to RNZ he was aware of the concerns that had been raised, and DOC had briefed him on the matter which was “operational and ultimately the responsibility of the Director-General”.

“I have confidence the Director-General is both taking the matter seriously and taking appropriate steps to get to the bottom of the issues so they can be fixed.

“I support DOC making sure the systems are in place to deliver their obligations under the Te Hiku settlements and ultimately be an honourable treaty partner.”

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