Government has committed $4.2 million from the International Visitor and Conservation Tourism Levy to a new backcountry hut fund, formalising it through a memorandum of understanding.

Minister of Conservation Hon Tama Potaka says the Department of Conservation manages more than 20,000km of track and about 1000 huts, many maintained through partnerships with groups such as the Back Country Trust.

He says Hopeless Hut in Nelson Lakes and Alma Hut in Westland are among those needing upgrades.

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