Alpine deaths exacerbated by Instagram?

THE tragic deaths on the Gertrude Saddle near Milford Sound are explainable from a historic perspective.

Tragic deaths might well be exacerbated by Instagraminspired explorations of our national parks but one has to point out that the management of tourism points of interest by Doc leaves something to be desired. Clearly the desire to interact with our parks is stronger that the ability to stop it.

Also, it is a unwritten rule in our park management that only strong, rugged individuals get free rein in the conservation estate.

The fact that the tourism boom is not being dealt with competently is partly due to this culture in the department but also that creative people are not wanted or rewarded in said organisation.

I have catalogued and posted countless improvements that could be used to improve the Fiordland experience over the years based on local and visitor conversations.

The lack of transparency is number one, followed closely by restructuring and incentives for ‘‘hands on’’ tourism to complement the private sector.

Also, stop punishing the management for every accident. It just makes them paranoid.

We can’t make them wrap everyone in cotton wool if people want to go outdoors. Aaron Nicholson

Manapouri

Put your lights on!

I’VE reluctantly come to the conclusion that there must be some immutable law of nature that comes into play on the days when Dunedin’s hill suburbs are heavily shrouded in cloud — of which there have been a few of late.

This law seemingly compels those with the most difficult cars to see (silver, grey, black — you know who you are) to refuse to turn on their lights, rendering their vehicles virtually impossible to see.

C’mon Dunedin drivers, shine a little light out there! Max Reid Mornington