DOC and Dulux partnership to repaint huts and lodges
Corey Rosser spoke to Department of Conservation Ranger Bruce Postill at the Fieldays about the partnership between DOC and Dulux that will see almost 1,000 huts and lodges repainted.
Repainting sheds all over New Zealand is the main theme of this year’s Department of Conservation exhibition at Fieldays.
DOC and Dulux New Zealand announced the $1.5 million, three year partnership in February.
It will see the 973 recreation huts and lodges, which support more than 14,000 km of track, repainted to
help preserve them from the harsh elements.
DOC Ranger Bruce Postill said the Fieldays exhibition offered a great chance to reach a wide audience
and further educate people on the hut campaign.
“We have got this fantastic current partnership deal which is really amazing.
“It’s been fantastic, a lot of trampers and hunters are really keen to come along and paint a hut because
they use them.”
DOC have been attending the Fieldays for 26 years, hosting various different events and exhibitions.
This year there was an emphasis on having lots of staff members on hand to mix and mingle with visitors.
“We get more people through at Fieldays over the three days than we sometimes do in a whole year at
visitor centres,” Postill said.
Another significant part of the DOC exhibition was information on water quality preservation and
cleaner farming in the future.
“Freshwater fish and the issues associated with the degraded river systems we have in the Waikato are a
concern,” Postill said.
Waiariki agriculture tutor Wayne Tomks, who had brought along 18 students from Tokoroa, said he was
impressed with the DOC showpiece.
“It’s a really good setup here, conservation is really important,” Tomks said.
“Obviously dirty dairying doesn’t go down too well. With regards to irrigation and not putting crappy
water in local streams and creeks, we do teach that and it’s crucial.”
DOC will be at Fieldays for the remainder of the event, at site number 53 on F Street.
