30 November 2001

New controls in National Parks for filming must not attempt to censor New Zealand's burgeoning film creative industry, says National's Nick Smith.

"This is political correctness gone mad. The rules for the film industry must be the same as others - take only pictures and leave only footprints - but the Department of Conservation should not get into editing what the film can be used for.

Dr Smith, who gave consent for The Lord Of The Rings filming on DOC land, was reacting to the new Aoraki-Mt Cook draft management plan which would allow only natural activities normally in the Park to be filmed. The film industry is concerned that this will set a precedent for all National Park plans.

"Hobbits don't normally appear in National Parks so The Lord Of The Rings would be banned. Industry estimates are that only 20 percent of current filming would meet the new criteria.

"DOC needs to broaden its horizons beyond National Geographic and focus on simply ensuring that film makers do no lasting damage to the National Park," said Dr Smith.

Ends

© Scoop Media