NZDA is the only national body of recreational deerstalkers and other big game hunters. We have 57 branches and, as well, a number of hunting clubs throughout New Zealand. We have 7200 members, and have been actively advocating for deerstalking and recreational hunting, and running training courses, trips, conferences etc since 1937. NZDA also maintains ethical standards for hunting and for animal welfare for its members to abide by.
With the Government pressuring all lease holders to take part in Tenure Reviews, we have seen an increase in activity in this area. At times we have had to be satisfied with submitting a "form letter" type response, as there was little first hand knowledge of the areas being discussed, or the notice to us was short. There is one area we are pushing hard, and that is the area of access.
NZDA has pointed out to DoC and LINZ that if they are willing to maintain road access for "maintenance activities" then why on earth can't they maintain them for hunting access. This was in response to DoC complaining of "difficulties" in letting hunters traverse land with firearms and dogs.
It is an obvious answer that they (DoC) have acknowledged as an ideal fix. The question remains, when are they going to action it. It is becoming very obvious to us that hunting in not a favoured activity with DoC, particularly DoC HQ.
The association has also raised concerns that the result of these reviews is putting some very valuable land, valuable in monetary terms and in terms of access across the new private estate, at risk of being sold to the highest (Foreign) bidder. Examples include exchanging lake foreshore for mountainous country, that is, the lake property is currently Crown owned and is intended to exchange for privately owned high country blocks in the same lease. This has been acknowledged also, again with no obvious change. It is imperative that we, as National Executive get as much information as we possibly can about impending reviews. We can now get an alert via internet, but what we need is any local knowledge about these as we can. this is where an active membership can be of help. We can advertise the review, but we need you to give us any pertinent information.
NZDA supports the Proposal, because of the significant amount of land being repurchased, the landscape and scenic qualities of the land being repurchased, and its ability to support big game hunting (deer, possibly wild pigs) should WARO operations be prohibited, as they usually are on open uplands in South West Otago.
NZDA strongly supports the Proposal, because of the significant amount of land being repurchased, the landscape and scenic qualities of the land being repurchased, and its ability to support big game hunting (deer, possibly wild pigs) should WARO operations be prohibited, as they usually are on open uplands in Central Otago.
NZDA supports the Proposal, but would greatly appreciate public walking and cycling access from Mackenzie Pass, as this is far more direct than the proposed public access through the front of the lease a-b, c-d.
NZDA supports the Proposal, and is especially appreciative of the land in CA1 surrendered along SH8, and the large area of mountainland to over 1900 metres at the south of the Two Thumb Range.
NZDA supports the Preliminary Proposal. It has been fully researched, and looks to the future. Allowing public vehicle access 6 months of the year, subject to conditions is a sensible approach that NZDA applauds. Unlike many PPs, the public access provisions are sensible and fair.
NZDA’s only concern is that the public have no rights to contest change or disputation of public access, and the agreements are solely between DOC and the freehold owners, with no involvement rights for the public, should disputes occur, or should DOC and the owner agree to vary the access easement. These are generic faults of the Crown Pastoral Lands Act, and its paternalistic approach, rather than this PP.
NZDA supports this preliminary proposal. But requests that recommendations 1, 2 and 3 above, concerning rectifying the present inadequate provisions for public access, be implemented as well, to adequately provide for “the securing of public access to and enjoyment of reviewable land” as required by S 24 (c ) (i).
NZDA is interested in public access to public land and resources for recreational hunting of big game species especially deer, tahr, chamois and wild pigs. Without adequate public access for hunters, the potential of recreational hunting to assist in managing deer and wild pig numbers is significantly reduced.
Recreational hunters take the majority of the natural increase in deer and wild pig numbers each year. NZDA’s members also often hunt small game eg rabbits, possums, etc. Consequently, access to Public Conservation Lands (PCL) that allows carriage of disarmed safe recreational firearm, and/or dog(s) is essential.
Walkways specifically exclude recreational hunters. None of the 200 or so walkways in NZ allows either carriage of disarmed recreational firearms or accompaniment by a dog or dogs. Recreational big game and small game hunting is a legitimate recreational activity with a 150 year history in New Zealand. In 1988, the last time recreational hunters in New Zealand were adequately surveyed; there were just under 100,000 recreational hunters. Details of this Survey and the numbers recreational hunters are given in Section 4 of this submission, below.
Most people accessing the outdoors, including recreational hunters, use vehicles, usually cars and 4WD vehicles or trail bikes. These are not provided for in this Bill. NZDA considers the narrowness of this Bill to primarily catering only for walking access for walkers without a dog or recreational firearms, is short-sighted.
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 52 branches and a number of hunting clubs throughout New Zealand. We have 7200 members, and have been actively advocating for deerstalking and hunting, especially on public lands. We have been running training courses, trips, conferences etc since 1937.
Under the Crown Pastoral Lands Act any Pastoral Occupation Licence (POL) has no right of renewal. This licence expired in 2003. It has been renewed on a year by year basis to 31 December 2007. As un-leased Crown land this POL is dealt with under Part 3 of the Crown Pastoral Lands Act. It is high remote land with very high landscape, remote recreational and botanic values, some 4WD accessibility, and a significant recreational hunting interest for pigs, Red deer, and Chuckar. It is of low grazing value and is considered fragile, having never been considered as a pastoral lease since the 1948 Land Act was introduced. DOC recommends it as an addition to the Hawkdun-Oteake Conservation Park.
National president Trevor Dyke said the wording of the access clause of the code of ethics said "a member of the New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association will be expected to not hunt or carry a firearm on property without the proper approval of the owner, occupier or controlling authority and shall strictly observe any conditions imposed."
"We expect members to respect landowner's property rights. We reject the idea of a right-to-roam and have always adopted this attitude," he said.
NZ Deerstalkers' Association (NZDA) is very interested in places and access types where access with a firearm or bow and a dog is allowed eg public roads, marginal strips, public conservation land with a Department of Conservation (DOC) hunting permit. All users of the outdoors can and should be catered for. They all have rights of access which should be recognised and protected. NZDA wants to see everyone's public access rights, not just people on foot, recognised in the recommendations from this lengthy exercise.
NZDA strongly supports this Preliminary Proposal, as a valuable addition to the proposed Hawkdun Conservation Park, as the gateway to the Upper Manuherikia Valley, and to Falls Dam. Additionally we seek joining foot or preferably vehicle access from the south, from the top of Fiddlers Flat Road. And legalising the alignment of parts of Home Hills Run Road.
It is very apparent that a Public Access Commission is essential, with funding is needed. Government agencies need to be held to account for their responsibilities. And working together for better access and addressing public access issues is badly needed. However, in spite of this being in the Terms of Reference, the Access Commission is only mentioned in passing via a narrow question from the Panel. Consequently if the exercise is to go anywhere, the recreational public must turn out to promote other more effective options, and broaden the discussion.
NZDA strongly supports this Preliminary Proposal, apart from the need to enlarge CA2 from 40 to 212 Ha. NZDA also wants DOC to legalise the whole of the Mt Buster road (some parts of it are off the legal alignment), so that it is available to the public to drive over.
The Labour government was returned at the election. As a consequence, the Acland Walking Access Consultation Panel now has a role to play. Labour's Access initiative would have vanished for ever if they had lost the election.
NZDA supports the surrenders proposed. But we are concerned at the lack of any public access easements to the surrendered lands. The purpose of the PP with regard to public access appears to be to make it very difficult for the public to access the surrendered land.
NZDA supports the surrender of CA1, an area with hunting potential, and backing onto public land with hunting value. We also support surrender of CA2 and CA3. However, no practicable public access under the Crown pastoral Lands Act is provided in this Preliminary Proposal, either across the proposed freeholded land to CA1, or across the freehold land or proposed freehold land, to either the upper Tasman, and via this to the north end of CA1, or up the Jollie, to proposed surrendered and public land.
NZDA is concerned at the scattered nature (dotted postage stamps) of the land surrendered for public use in this preliminary proposal. It causes two major problems - lengthy and indirect access ie inadequate public access has been provided. Second, much expensive new fencing is required.
NZDA is very concerned at the inadequacy of this preliminary proposal. We have major concerns about the proposed intention to set up New Zealand's biggest private Tahr Safari Park (3,477 Ha) on proposed surrendered land going to conservation, on the eastern slopes of the Sinclair Range. Public hunters will be excluded, unless they pay, from going onto this proposed public land. This proposed 30 year exclusive hunting and tourism concession appears ultra vires the Crown Pastoral Lands Act (CPLA). We are astounded that the Minister of Conservation has agreed to this travesty.
Pisgah Downs (4,280 Ha) southwest of Duntroon, stretches to the top of the Kakanui Range, and is also accessible from the Ranfurly side of the Kakanuis. It is also accessible off the Danseys Pass road. 1,694 Ha (CA1) of high altitude land is proposed for surrender, including Mt Pisgah, 1,643 metres, highest point in the Kakanuis. The land is of low land capability class.
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.
The 4172 ha Castle Dent pastoral lease near Lawrence backs onto the Lammerlaw Range, west of Lake Mahinerangi, and Dunedin. The Lammerlaw range has recently had its land that is public conservation land made the Te Papanui Conservation Park. It is proposed to surrender 2113 Ha of tussockland tops adjacent to the Park. This would make an important addition to the Park.
130 Ha along the margin of Bowlers Creek is to be made scenic reserve. A public access easement is also provided, as are access easements for DOC.
Summary of Proposal:
a) 12 ha (CA3) directly south of Lake Emily as lake protecting area.
b) 2842 Ha (CA1 (Clent Hills) and CA2 (Stour Faces)) to be restored to full Crown control as conservation land.
c) 2,893 Ha to be freeholded.
d) public easements i) from near the bridge on the Ashburton Gorge Road, up a steep spur to CA1 (k-l); ii) in the SEW corner, alongside the Stour River to CA2 (a-b-c-d) and iii) along the NE side of the property beside the west Branch, Stour River (g-h) to Lake Emily.
The 2602 ha Compensation Run is located between the Leatham and Branch Rivers, 70 kms south-west of Blenheim.
It is proposed that 2565 ha be retained in full Crown ownership as conservation area. This consists of steep and mountainous county abutting more extensive public lands. Large areas have been previously cleared and most has been ungrazed for many years. Regenerating shrubland and beech forest predominates.
The balance of 40 ha at the Leatham-Branch confluence is proposed for freeholding subject to a public access easement up the floor of the Branch valley along an existing vehicle track. This is for all forms of passage including motor vehicles.
We are aware that the following runs are undergoing tenure review:
Mt Dasher - N Otago
Pisgah Downs - N Otago
Carrick - C Otago
Shag Valley - E Otago
Balmoral - N Otago
Herrons - C Otago
Cluden - Lindis
Morven Hills - Lindis area
Walter Peak - Eyre Mountains
and that there is some recreational hunting interest in all of them. (We trust that wild animals continue to remain subject to the provisions of s.23 of the Wildlife Act (1953) which ensures Crown ownership of them unless or until they are lawfully killed.)
The NZDA supports all legislation that will enhance and improve access to conservation lands for the enjoyment and the physical well being of not only of its members, but to the whole general public of New Zealand. Legislation must be enacted urgently as there is an increasing rate of our land becoming alienated by foreign purchase and being closed off.
The New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association Inc understands that the task assigned to the Acland Access Committee was to explore the many aspects of access to the country side, to identify problems associated with the laws governing access and to propose solutions to the problems that discourage or prevent reasonable access by the public to the highly valued aesthetic and recreational assets of New Zealand's lands, forests and waters.
NZDA instructs its members to ask permission, respect private property and conduct hunting, in ethical ways. The NZDA Code of Ethics embraces these points. However there are cases where public "paper" roads and "Queens Chain" do exist. Particularly where these provide access to public lands they should be publicly indicated. NZDA submits that paper public roads, Queens Chain right of ways should be defined and posted.
© 2011 New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association