- Firearms
- Bicycles, vehicles and animals
- Land management
- Fisheries management
- Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998
- Ad medium filum aquae rights
- Charging issues
- Overseas Investment Commission
- Foreshore and seabed
Additional Matters
Some participants raise additional matters that are features of a wider access debate.
Firearms
- Some participants query the usefulness of new arrangements for access for hunters if they are unable to carry a gun, especially when crossing private land to get to public land. Several landowner participants indicate that they would grant access to someone known to them carrying a firearm. Most landowner participants say that firearms and gundogs are of concern and they would not feel comfortable with them on their property, especially if the public has an increased opportunity for access.
Bicycles, vehicles and animals
- Many recreationalists are concerned that the terms of reference include walking access only. Participants feel that the whole issue of access should be addressed at once, including vehicle, horse and bicycle access, the ability to camp and the right to bring dogs onto rural property. Some participants feel that vehicle access in some areas is necessary to carry equipment such as kayaks. Most landowner participants on this topic indicate that vehicle and horse access has to remain by negotiation only.
Land management
- Participants asked questions relating to responsibility for maintaining the accessway through land management. Landowner participants feel that where extra work such as fencing and bridges are involved, local authorities or landusers should be responsible. Participants note that this could be part of the role of an access agency. Participants state that land management should also include sustainable resource use and protection of conservation areas.
Fisheries management
- Most participants consider that Fish and Game would be the most appropriate body to ensure sustained sport fisheries management.
Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998
- The Crown Pastoral Land Act is covered in the section Concerns in Access.
Ad medium filum aquae rights
- Ad medium filum aquae rights are covered in the section Access to and Along Water Margins.
Charging issues
- Some recreational participants state that they would accept a small fee for the maintenance of an accessway or for the provision of additional facilities such as a hut, toilets or rubbish bins. Most of these participants would not, however, support charging simply for foot access.
- Landowner participants refer to the ability of DOC to charge for access onto public land while receiving funding to manage public land for recreational and access purposes and consider that they may themselves be justified in making a profit from access, as farming is a commercial operation.
Overseas Investment Commission
- Several participants refer to the Overseas Investment Commission (OIC) and its criteria for the sale of land. These participants, both landowners and recreationalists, are concerned about the amount of land now under foreign ownership in New Zealand. In addition, participants feel that new landowners are not being adequately informed of social conventions and rural access arrangements. Some participants state that the OIC is a key part of the exclusive capture of public resources. It is suggested that before the purchase of land by an overseas buyer, a marginal strip or other accessway should be laid off in perpetuity.
Foreshore and seabed
- The interrelation between the foreshore and seabed issue and walking access was occasionally raised by participants. Although this interrelation was not pursued, those who raise it are concerned about access to the foreshore.
Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
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