We all get caught short but some are leaving outside toilets on public land in an "appalling state".
In a statement, the Department of Conservation has revealed how much toilet paper was ordered by regional offices around New Zealand for the 2024-25 period. Collectively it was a whopping 15.5 million metres across the country.
That is roughly 15,500km of paper which would stretch the length of New Zealand nearly 10 times.
The figures reveal across Doc’s operational regions the most toilet paper was ordered by the Southern South Island which includes Fiordland and the Great Walks (3,103,037m), followed closely by the Northern South Island which includes the Abel Tasman Great Walks and Tōtaranui campground (3,069,369m) and in third place, Hauraki Waikato Taranaki (which includes the Coromandel) 2,727,160m.
Doc ranger Daryl Sweeney looks after Doc sites in Canterbury including the toilets at the hugely popular and culturally significant Kura Tāwhiti/Castle Hill on the highway to Arthurs Pass and the West Coast.
"What we do outdoors makes all the difference for New Zealand’s unique nature. This includes toileting responsibly. How and where we go is key to ensuring we do no harm to our great outdoors.
"Visitors are encouraged to go to the toilet before they start their trip and plan stops at toilets along the way. Those heading further into the back-country need to know what to do when there’s no toilet — you can find this advice on Doc’s website."
It was not just about using the facilities provided, Mr Sweeney said.
"It’s shocking how much toilet paper is used. Sometimes it’s piled up beside the toilet in a mountain. The state some of the toilets are left in is also appalling to be honest," he said.
"You wouldn’t do this at home so why would you do it in public toilets. Everyone has a role to respect the natural environment and not leave rubbish in and around these places."
With the opening of bookings for all the Great Walks last month, and winter starting, Doc said it was a timely reminder for people to look after public facilities at Doc sites, to read the signs and not leave rubbish around for others to pick up.
Mr Sweeney said everyone had a part to play in looking after nature and said it would be a huge bonus for him if the toilets were left in a better state.
"I’m answering other people’s calls of nature, but it’s about time people answered their own, and respected the amazing places they are visiting. I feel like if people had to do my job for a day, they’d understand. My message is use the toilets provided, use less toilet paper, put it in the toilet or the bin and leave the toilet in a tidy state. It’s simple." — APL
