Rotorua Stakeholder Meeting 24 September 2003
Convention Centre, 1170 Fenton Street, Rotorua
2pm to 4pm
17 Attended (YWCA Walkers, NZ 4WD Association, Rotorua Tramping Club, Forest and Bird, Fish and Game, Rotorua Professional Trout Fishing Guides Association, Rotorua Anglers Association, Rotorua/Taupo Federated Farmers, Agriculture New Zealand)
Commentary
· The public was originally cynical about this, but the report is very commendable and positive.
· What is the difference between mandatory and discretionary powers?
· What are the access rights in Kaingaroa Forest?
· What is the width of each of the different reserves and strips, and are these widths fixed?
· This is about access with responsibilities.
· What does the bullet point mean, `reduction of "traditional" access opportunities'?
· Questions on accretion, the width of strips and the ability to access the DOC estate.
· Some of the easements across private land to DOC land are now subject to sale, so that if foreigners buy the land, the easements will disappear, as in the Fletcher Forests.
. Timber companies have standards to apply, and access is one.
. Brian Hayes: If not recorded against the title then they could disappear.
· Suggested review of Overseas Investment Commission and its criteria for the sale of land.
· Fish and Game and NZers hold onto the higher principle of fair access to public resources.
. There needs to be a time-scale made of where New Zealand is heading in terms of access.
. Will action involve decades, or serious action over a few years to target key mechanisms?
. Serious action will apply to 2-3 key mechanisms.
· Wasn't there a similar process to this in the 1990s, i.e. the Commission?
· Who has access to privately owned Maori land, such as Tongariro Park?
. Access for Maori is a way of generating income as the RMA is constraining development.
. Maori are willing to engage to discuss how access can be made available.
. Public understanding of the Maori view is needed.
. Does the riverbed belong to the Crown or Maori on Maori land?
. Access to undeveloped Maori land?
· Problems in this area include Mt Tarawera and the Kaimanawas, where access has been denied.
· People are not necessary against remuneration for access to central North Island rivers, rather the purchase of access made solely available to clients, such as Taupo charters.
. Access could be improved and legitimised.
. Some people have a policy of no access for New Zealanders.
· People are uncertain, they do not know where to go.
. Landowners are also uncertain.
A solution must be beneficial to all parties - · the issue needs to be kept moving.
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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