Press Release. 4/10/2016
NZ Outdoors Party

Campfire Kiwi Leading Outdoorsman Cops DOC Vendetta

     The Department of Conservation is bringing a prosecution against the leader of the newly formed  NZ Outdoors Party for sitting beside a  campfire in the mountains of the central North Island.
     Alan Simmons co-leader of the New Zealand Outdoor Party is of the opinion that DOC’s motive is based on his history over years, of publicly questioning policies of the bureaucracy
     “It shows the petty nature and complete lack of understanding of the outdoors that has pervaded within the Department in recent years and its disregard the public as taxpayers are fundamentally the employers of the department,” he said. “I didn’t even light the campfire. It’s ludicrous."
     Even although DoC were aware he did not light the campfire they seemed intent on taking the veteran outdoorsman to court. Alan Simmons has over 50 years of hunting and fishing in New Zealand and was the author of a book on sika deer hunting.
      Alan Simmons said a likely motive for DOC’s court charge probably lay in his opposition to the Hawkes Bay DoC Wild animal Control Plan which was scathingly criticised by the associate Minister and ordered to be renegotiated. Mr Simmons who at that time was president of the Associate Minister of Conservation's political party, United Future, had taken a group of hunters representing clubs of the North island to see the Minister.
     Mr Simmons said he as spokesman for the Outdoors Party also confronted a DOC plan for a Taupo carp farm and on national TV and radio, criticised the Minister of Conservation Maggie Barry  which led to  a back down by DOC and the Minister.
     Hunters, fisherman and outdoors people had always been able to have a campfire for cooking and warmth in the bush since time began and for DoC to now ban this by unrealistically making the mountains of NZ a restricted fire season 365 days of the year went against the whole ethos of being a New Zealander. His only involvement was to walk up to a campfire and sit beside it. If DOC's prosecution succeeded it would make New Zealanders a criminal, whether as a family camping by a river or a fisherman or hunter keeping warm or cooking.
     "The Department of Conservation have lost their way when it comes to managing public lands,” he said.  “They’ve forgotten they’re public servants."
     Alan Simmons who operated the popular New Zealand outdoors forum “fishnhunt”, said reaction from the forum's 7,600 members had been strong over the DOC proposed prosecution..
     “Judging by the forum the vast majority are furious and a fighting fund had been offered as well as considerable legal advice to challenge DOC’s action.".
     Alan Simmons is to appear in the Napier Court tomorrow to face this charge.

Alan Simmons. Co Leader. NZ Outdoors Party.

Contact: Alan Simmons 07 387 7576  or 0274 980 304
www.outdoorsparty.co.nz

Federated Mountain Clubs have shown an interest: https://www.facebook.com/FMCNZ/photos/a.527922487253195.20962315.134573576588090...

That's good, because they have more clout than hunters. FnH gets a mention in that thread too, for a bit of circular referencing!

What has happened in this case ,Alan ? have they decided to proceed to court ?

yeah what happened..? when & what time is the crucifixion...?

don't think its bad news

The case is up for case review 16th Dec.... so lying low until then. But I suspect they will be withdrawing the charge as they now have finally investigated it and found I was not even there when it was lit as I told them in the first place and that all I did was sit by the fire.... Ill expand more if it is withdrawn so waiting until then as I dont want to preempt anything... Basically they had their blinkers on and went after me but it just seems they got it wrong and humble pie is not docs style..!
It still does not allay the fears of hunters etc that you cant have a campfire in the bush now... and I will address that when this is over!

There is not..doc are now trying to put their spin on it .... The facts are very clear and I would have loved to have my day in court to test this..but they have chosen not to let that happen..
It still does not clarify the situation regarding people having campfires. They are now all illegal unless you have a permit ....365 days of the year.

Hey Alan
There might be a snippet here you can use
Chris Cahill has been caught out lying to the media again - this time its Radio NZ's rural program.

Chris Cahill states - " We need to examine why semi-automatics are needed in a hunting environment "

Remember - he's talking about duck hunters and small game shooters shotguns and Ruger 1022's.

He then goes on to state - and this is when the lying starts:

" bear in mind it's very easy to turn these weapons into full automatics and get them into the hands of criminals "

and continues with this little gem:

" I've sat around a fire talking to hunters and duck shooters and they don't use semi-automatic weapons because they don't need to. "

Please tag a mate with a semi auto shotgun or 22 rimfire who may not be aware of what this police mouthpiece intends for hunters.

Click on the link below to hear the full interview.

http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/…/rur-mnr-20170420-0622-mornin…