The Minister of Conservation has now released decisions on the reclassification of stewardship land across the Western South Island, following a major public consultation process that began in 2022.
NZDA will continue to monitor how these decisions are implemented and remain actively involved in future stewardship land discussions.
What was this process about?
In 2022, DOC publicly notified 576 proposals to reclassify large areas of stewardship land on the West Coast. These proposals were developed by a National Panel and Ngāi Tahu Mana Whenua Panel.
Reclassification matters because different land statuses come with very different implications for public access and recreation. Some classifications, particularly National Parks, scientific reserves, and nature reserves, impose significantly tighter restrictions on activities such as hunting.
NZDA made a detailed submission on behalf of hunters, recreational users, and the wider outdoor community.
The Minister’s decision
On 11 December 2025, the Minister of Conservation announced final decisions on all 576 proposals. These were simple yes or no decisions on whether each proposed reclassification would proceed. Where a proposal does not proceed, the land remains stewardship land.
Importantly for hunters, there has been no large-scale shift toward National Park status across the West Coast. National Parks are the most restrictive classification for recreational users, so avoiding widespread expansion was a key concern for NZDA.
Supporting material underpinning the Minister’s decisions will be released in early 2026.
NZDA’s position and advocacy
In our 2022 submission, NZDA was clear and consistent:
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Public land should not be given a more restrictive classification unless there is a strong and demonstrable reason
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National Park status should be used sparingly and only where land clearly meets the legal threshold
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Recreation, conservation, and scenic reserves often provide better outcomes, balancing protection with continued public access
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Hunting, tramping, and fishing are legitimate recreational uses with deep cultural, social, and economic value
NZDA also raised serious concerns about the accessibility of the consultation process, conflicts of interest, and the lack of clear, user-friendly information provided to the public.
The final outcome reflects many of these concerns. While not every decision will suit every interest, the overall direction avoids the worst-case scenario for hunters and preserves recreational access across large areas of the West Coast.
Why this matters to hunters
For hunters, land classification is not an abstract policy issue. It directly affects:
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Where you can go
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What activities are permitted
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How easily access can be removed in the future
Restrictive classifications can permanently lock hunters out of areas that have been used responsibly for generations. Avoiding unnecessary escalation to National Park or reserve status helps ensure continued access while still protecting conservation values.
This outcome reinforces the importance of engaging early, submitting well argued positions, and staying involved in policy processes that affect public land. Join NZDA to support our work.
Join and Support NZDA
Find and join a branch to get involved with promoting and protecting hunting in New Zealand! Search here.
https://www.deerstalkers.org.nz/join-and-support-us/branch-finder/