Access to Public Land
Access to public land is covered in more detail elsewhere in the document.
Access onto Private Land
'As of Right' Access
There are two main views that participants represent regarding access onto private land. The first is the perception that the report implies that there will be `as of right', or `right to roam' access across private land resulting in a loss of property rights. The second view is that recreationalists intend access onto private land to remain by negotiation only and respect private property rights.
Landowners state that the present system of negotiated access works well and should remain. Landowners appreciate knowing the identity of people on their property and are concerned that any requirement to give a reason for denying access would encourage an argument.
Landowner participants consider that the right to roam would result in an uncontrollable number of people on farmland and some are unconvinced that access as of right has been rejected as an option by the report. Some participants state that the public may not be able to adhere to marked routes, creating a de facto right to roam. In most cases landowner participants see similarities between the property rights of rural and urban landowners.
Most recreational participants do not consider that as of right access is necessary for enjoyment of the natural environment. These participants state that responsibilities come with permission to access private land and recreational organisations adhere to codes of conduct to ensure that permission continues to be granted. Both landowners and landusers acknowledge that it is mainly individuals that do not ask for permission who cause problems.
The Current Situation
The current situation is covered in the section Social Conventions.
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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