26 September 2005
Commissioner of Crown Lands
C/- DTZ New Zealand Ltd
Land Resources Division
P O Box 27, Alexandra
Fax (03) 448 9099
Email: alexandra@dtz.co.nz
This submission is made on behalf of the New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association Incorporated (NZDA). NZDA is the national body of recreational deerstalkers and other big game hunters. We have 57 branches and a number of hunting clubs throughout New Zealand. We have 7200 members, and have been actively advocating for deerstalking and hunting and running training courses, trips, conferences etc since 1937.
The 6970 ha Berwen Station pastoral lease near Omarama, backs onto the Hawkdun Range, to the west of Tara Hills, and crosses over into the East Manuherikia Valley. CA1, (3670 Ha) is recommended for return to public conservation land at the central and southern end of the lease. This is primarily land across the crest of the Hawkdun Range, and its western slopes, as well as part of the Ewe Range. Altitude rises to over 1800 metres. Much of the land is Class 7 or 8, unsuitable even for grazing. There are two public foot easements, but no motorised access to CA1, which is unacceptable from a hunting viewpoint.
In the only assessment of outdoor recreational characteristics and value for Otago, Bruce Mason, in "Outdoor Recreation in Otago - A Conservation Plan" Vol 1 (1988, Federated Mountain Clubs) assessed the Hawkduns as having natural environment and open space character. (Map, Page 36). The Hawkdun Range and its northern (Ewe Range) and southern extension (Ida Range) is a distinctive Otago block mountain formation.
Mason states the area is valuable for winter ski touring and mountaineering courses (Pages 38-39). A red deer herd and pigs provide recreational hunting opportunities.
We have not had the opportunity to inspect the property on the ground, so cannot comment on the easements in detail. With this qualification we support the proposal subject to our desire to see vehicular access provided via DOC for recreational hunters (See 4 below).
This surrender is of interest to hunters, and we strongly support this change to public land for its recreational hunting value, and its other recreational values. As these recreational hunting resources are publicly owned, it is better that they be on public land, where they are available to the public, rather than on privately occupied land. The block would also be a very desirable addition to the proposed Hawkdun Conservation Park.
Public easement a-b (from the western side south, then across and up near the northern boundary of CA1 to the top of the Ewe Range) is for non motorised traffic only and c-d-e (from the SW corner, along the southern boundary, and up a valley to CA1) is for foot traffic only.
Having a process whereby hunters can take vehicles (4WD or Quads) in to make it easier to take out game animals for the table, would greatly assist deerstalkers to hunt in the area, and help keep deer and pig numbers in control once the land becomes public. Carrying carcasses by foot for these sorts of distances is difficult.
Allowing this would greatly improve recreational hunting pressure on the public CA1 block, so aiding the sustainable management of this block. Sustainable management is a goal of the Crown Pastoral Lands Act (CPLA). So this step would assist achieving this goal.
Without a public right for recreational vehicle hunter access from DOC, the lessee remains the owner of the access, ie has the right to refuse permission, and to charge whatever he likes for vehicular access. He controls a substantial part of the hunting pressure, and hunting on the land is not really public.
This sort of "charging for hunting access" for fisheries and gamebirds is forbidden under Section 23 of the Wildlife Act and Section 26ZN of the Conservation Act, because those resources (game fish and game birds) are Crown owned resources. So are big game animals. Consequently, to really make the big game hunting on the CA1 Block public, we insist that an arrangement with DOC to allow vehicular access for recreational hunting is essential.
It could for instance be said to be part of DOC's management of the block ie a management purpose. We urge that LINZ check with DOC that this is, or can be the case. It would be ironic if DOC could employ commercial hunters to kill big game, and allow them to use the road for "management purposes" while not allowing recreational hunters for the same purpose.
For instance LINZ and DOC could agree that a hunting permit for CA1 and beyond, would include motorised access to the end of these easements ie assisting DOC with big game management.
Can this be agreed? ie that DOC has the discretion, rather than the land owner. We agree a reasonable road maintenance fee, similar to what DOC pays, may be part of the deal.
Please contact me if you require further information.
Thanking you
Yours truly
Dr Hugh Barr
NZDA National Advocate
cc Department of Conservation, Dunedin
© 2011 New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association