User Concerns
Access proponents mainly accept that there are genuine reasons for restricting access at certain times. However, they are concerned that access may be denied on unreasonable grounds or may be restricted to paying landusers, often where permission was previously granted.
User concerns that have been raised include:
- Poor access to information: Participants state that it is difficult to find information about legal roads, public rights of access and landowner contact details. Cadastral maps are difficult to find and are indicative only. Many maps are out of date. Poor signage is another problem. Any or all of these points may result in mixed messages on the availability of access for both landowners and users, especially when people would like access to another district.
- Obstructions: Participants mention areas where legal roads have been obstructed by landowners through locked gates, fences and other obstacles. Gorse and other weeds prevent access to land, including Department of Conservation (DOC) land. Such obstructions can be a psychological barrier to pursuing access opportunities.
- Closure of land: Participants state that legal roads or marginal strips may be closed without adequate warning or reason by local authorities. It is noted that landusers consider that local authorities can be reluctant to resolve difficulties when access points are closed.
- Loss of tradition: Some participants state that traditions of fishing, tramping and other forms of recreation are under threat due to access being denied, sometimes without valid explanation.
- Exclusive capture of resources: Participants frequently raise the point that although freshwater, fish and wildlife do not attach to land title, the sale of hunting and fishing rights has increased by landowner use of Trespass Act provisions to restrict access and obtain exclusive capture of these public resources. Fishing guides who are prepared to pay may have exclusive guiding rights to a section of a river. Exclusivity provides financial benefits, due in part to growing overseas tourism. Participants add that people now have an incentive to buy land for commercial recreation values.
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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