Recreational Hunters Welcome Health and Safety Law Reform Announcement to Enable Recreation
For Immediate Release
1 April 2025
The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) welcomes the announcement today by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden to reform the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA). This significant change announcement clarifies landowner responsibilities and limits their liability for outdoor recreation and volunteering, and signals a win for hunters, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts across New Zealand.
NZDA Chief Executive Officer Gwyn Thurlow praised the reform, stating, “The recreational sector has pushed for this fix since HSWA started stifling access. For too long, vague rules and landowner fears have shut gates—today restores common sense.”
“NZDA hopes once the law is changed, it will open or re-open areas closed to recreation and volunteering. NZDA sees this as a return to practical, common-sense law-making that supports positive outcomes for all New Zealanders. For too long, overly cautious health and safety settings have stifled access to recreational land and dampened the spirit of adventure that defines our nation. Today’s announcement lifts that burden and restores balance.”
“Landowners shouldn’t cop flak for natural hazards or hunting risks. This reform puts responsibility back on us—where it belongs—and frees up farmers, forestry blocks, and land managers to say yes to access. That’s the Kiwi way.”
Thurlow highlighted the tireless efforts of outdoor interest groups, including the NZDA, in achieving this outcome.
“This reform is the result of advocacy from a range of passionate organisations, like the NZDA, Federated Mountain Clubs, Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust, and other groups, who have worked hard to champion the interests of the outdoor sector. We’ve stood up for hunters, shooters, fishers, trampers, and others who rely on access to both public and private land to enjoy New Zealand’s bush and backcountry playground. Today, we see the fruits of that collective effort.”
The changes also mark a return to the fundamentals of self-responsibility, a principle NZDA Board Member and Access Committee Chair Richard Wells says is vital to the New Zealand outdoor experience.
“Hunting, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits come with inherent risks—that’s part of what makes them rewarding. This reform rightly places responsibility on those undertaking the activities, rather than unfairly burdening landowners who generously allow access. It’s a step back to the Kiwi way of enjoying nature on our own terms.”
The NZDA looks forward to seeing these changes implemented across farms, forests, national parks, and council reserves, ensuring hunters and outdoor enthusiasts can continue to pursue their passions without unnecessary red tape.
“We thank Minister van Velden and the ACT-National Coalition for listening to the voices of everyday New Zealanders who hunt and use the outdoors. This is a victory for practicality, hunter access, personal responsibility, and will facilitate access to our rural and wild spaces,” Mr Wells concluded.
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Read the Minister's Announcement:
Brooke van Velden - Freeing the great outdoors from health and safety scope creep
1 April 2025
Freeing the great outdoors from health and safety scope creep
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is announcing further changes to health and safety, as part of the ACT-National Coalition commitment to reform health and safety law and regulations.
“This reform refocuses the work health and safety system by getting rid of over compliance, making sure there’s less paperwork and giving businesses, employers and workers clarity on their health and safety responsibilities. We want all New Zealanders to return home safely after every working day,” says Ms van Velden.
“For many Kiwis, outdoor recreational activities are a way of life that has been enjoyed for generations. Unfortunately, New Zealand’s work health and safety settings have reduced the appetite to allow these activities, inadvertently creating a culture of fear amongst landowners who are now worried about their legal liability if someone gets hurt,” says Ms van Velden.
“Many landowners, managers, councils, farmers and iwi allow access to their land for recreational use out of sheer goodwill. I do not think it is reasonable or proportionate for landowners, managers and iwi to be prosecuted by WorkSafe if someone was to be hurt or injured during the course of a recreational activity just because they are responsible for the land.
“Today I am announcing a change to the Health and Safety at Work Act that clarifies the law for landowners and will free up private and public land for recreational use.
“Landowners will not be responsible if someone is injured on their land while doing recreational activities. Health and safety responsibilities will lie squarely on the organisation running the activities,” says Ms van Velden.
“For example, a farmer might worry they are responsible for the risks of a horse trekking business on their land. I am making it clear in the law that in this case the health and safety duties sit with the horse trekking business. The farmer would only need to consider the risks from their work where that work is happening in the immediate vicinity of the horse trekking. They are not responsible for risks of the recreational activity itself.
“We all know that recreational activities aren’t without some risk, and sometimes it’s the risk that makes it fun. I want Kiwis to be able to hunt, fish, hike, climb, mountain bike, kayak and so much more without being caught up in health and safety red tape,” says Ms van Velden.
The change will apply to both public and private land, from farms and forestry to school grounds, local council land and regional and national parks.
This change will not impact private property rights, and it will still be up to the landowner to grant access to their land if they wish.
Notes to Editors:
- Managers of land mostly refers to Department of Conservation who doesn’t own land but manages it. Councils also manage land e.g. reserves
- The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety will announce further changes over the course of this week that were agreed as part of the first tranche of changes.
- These legislative changes are expected to be introduced before the end of the year and passed in early 2026.
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