The debate over the removal of 44 DOC huts from Te Urewera has reached Parliament, with Conservation Minister Poto Williams grilled about her department’s support for the plan.

The proposal has attracted fierce public opposition since being revealed in October. A petition to stop the hut  removals has attracted more than 10,000 signatures.

But several huts have now been dismantled with the remainder set to be gone by December.

In Parliament Williams was asked by Act MP Nicole McKee why DOC was supporting Tūhoe iwi authority Te Uru Taumatua in removing the huts.

Williams said many of the huts required significant maintenance and did not meet health and safety standards.

She understood Te Uru Taumatua would replace some of the huts with fit-for-purpose facilities in two to three years.

Te Uru Taumatua could remove   DOC-owned huts under provisions of the Te Urewera Act, Williams said.

The Act, which passed into law in 2014 as part of Tūhoe’s treaty settlement, sees Te Urewera governed by a board of Tūhoe and Crown representatives.

Federated Mountain Clubs president Robin McNeill said FMC planned to meet with Tūhoe last month to discuss the iwi’s plans for Te Urewera.

Te Uru Taumatua chairperson Tāmati Kruger told Newshub the area was being redesigned.

“We are not copying what DOC has done over the last 60 years. This is no longer a national park.”

Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk huts, apart from Whanganui Hut, remain open.