Tauranga Public Meeting 22 October 2003
Bureta Park Motor Inn
5pm to 7pm
75 Attended
Commentary
· Tourist operator and fishing lodge owner: Concerned about the fishing being depleted.
- In England, the club protects the water, this works well, the club members are responsible.
- In New Zealand there is trout poaching and netting by some individuals.
- How can we protect our rivers?
- Feel that in 20 years we will be forced to adopt the English situation here.
· Fisherman from England: Reason for coming to New Zealand was to get away from the English situation - do not let it happen here.
· The heart of the issue is anti-social behaviour.
- How do you legislate to protect landowners? [Quotes the Berryman case].
- I think that what you are doing is wonderful but you need to protect the owners.
· Landowner: Has the Group defined a river?
- How should land adjacent to waterways in covenant in private title [i.e. not Crown land], most likely for conservation/preservation reasons, be treated under the proposal?
- We need to have a code of conduct.
· Caretaker of Wildlife Management Reserve: You must put in a strategy plan.
- Please remember the historical element e.g., we have historically had access to hunt birds, this must be allowed to continue.
· What you are proposing is not blanket legislation along every situation?
· Shooter: Does the policy have to be addressed later?
- Access methods are irrelevant.
- We just want access.
- People who abuse access are not for us to worry about - we should not be the ones penalised.
- People become afraid of us along with others.
· We have developed access through private land via walkway development.
- Concerns were raised about lambing and shooting pigs and walkers going near stockyards.
- These situations were discussed on site with the private landowner and an agreeable position was reached.
- This is the only fair way that you can get their co-operation.
· Coastal farmer: Have problems with the public currently.
- Worried that granting access will only increase these problems.
- Your committee should be cognitive that owners want to retain some form of control.
- Stock can be dangerous.
- Forget about signs.
- Police are of no use.
- It is the mentality that young people have that is the problem.
· A meeting at 5pm is not a good time for dairy farmers.
- Traditionally farmers have allowed people onto their land if they ask - 98% of the time.
- If you have no ownership on land, who takes responsibility?
- Has a book with 101 tramps in it, will never do all of them in my lifetime - why do we need more?
· Te Puke dairy farmer: Has people getting to the Queen's Chain to do "planting".
- Also has Pa's on property but it is difficult to make a dairy farm a sensible place for access.
· Fisherman: Access should be controlled, especially in new areas.
- There are plenty of clubs to join that give you a mandate to be there.
- In response to the previous comment, 10 of the 101 walks are too expensive to go to.
· The Walkways Commission was successful before it was hijacked, after it was absorbed into DOC it did not get the same management or co-operation of landowners.
- If it is considered appropriate to provide access through private property, then you need to offer rates relief and compensation.
· Horticulturist: Grows avocados and other summer fruits.
- If you provide access, how do we protect from theft?
- Who will provide for fences and police?
- It is all very well to retain title... when we bought the property, we understood it was with riparian rights and now you will take that away?
- Fishers do not worry me, but other recreational users and young people do.
· This is our backyard.
- We will never allow access to fishers or people with guns.
· Landowner owns 2km of coastline.
- If public access were opened up, they would like to see that it may be shut off for particular seasons e.g., lambing.
· Angler: Most New Zealanders do not want to lose the ability to walk up streams and rivers.
- The issue must be dealt with now.
- Understands landowners' concerns, and protection does need to be put into place.
· Farmer: Disagrees that rivers belong to everybody.
- Landowners should not have to give up ownership for the national good.
- In the Western Bay of Plenty, one third is DOC land.
- How much land do you need?
- Most places are within 45 minutes drive.
- Strongly disagree that all areas `as of right' can be opened up to the public.
· Property owners do not need to worry in most cases.
- Remember that as during some time in history, people must have had access to put the fish in the rivers - and should do so again to fish them.
· MP/Landowner: The word missing in tonight's discussion is `principle'... of property rights.
- The days of leading the backdoor open are gone.
- No longer do people have the trust and respect for each other they once used to.
- What I have not heard tonight is the work compensation.
- Could regional councils, district councils or central government pay for the management of opening up access?
- The Government will ensure that legislation will pass that is far more rigid than the Group's moderate report.
· Disagree with the previous speaker's talk about taking our rights.
- Our rights were taken away by the repealing of certain acts.
- We only want to get some of this back.
· Fisher: Concerned about private capture.
- Access is being eroded by guides entering into agreements with private landowners and excluding people.
- It would go against the ethics of the speaker to do the same.
- Would like to see recommendations from the Group that close this loophole.
- The OIC is a key part of this.
· Fish & Game: The Reference Group needs to be congratulated.
- Thought that this was political only, but been impressed with the meetings and integrity of the speakers.
- The alternative we face may be far worse in a decade if we do not take action now.
· There is a fundamental difference to overseas.
- We do not own the [freshwater] fish.
- How is the issue of Maori land to be considered, especially where iwi want a financial return?
- How can this be dealt with in a positive way in the future?
· Like the idea of a right to access.
- However, we need to consider both the rights and responsibilities, for landowners and users.
· We live in a fearful society, but do not let that fear stop you from going outdoors.
- We need to have specific areas to access, and need to be able to enforce a code of conduct.
- The public and landowners are `caretakers' - you need their `eyes and ears'.
· The biggest problem that NZ faces is its politicians and laws.
- We should be entitled within reason to fish and hunt.
- We are only caretakers of the land.
- We do not want our grandchildren to say when all this is over - what did you do?
· Fisher: If I want to go through forestry, a permit is required.
- This could be more widely applicable, so that a person is identifiable.
· Landowner: OSH governs our lives.
- Unless OSH changes its attitude we will not allow access.
· We do not want live in a one party system - there must be agreement and public support to make decisions.
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
Contact this person
