About us
About the Commission
The New Zealand Walking Access Commission will provide leadership on walking access issues and develop a national strategy. It will also undertake mapping of walking access, provide information to the public, develop a code of responsible conduct, assist with dispute resolution and negotiate new walking access.
Members of the Board of the Commission were appointed in October 2008. Appointments were initially made for a relatively short term, to 28 February 2009, reflecting the conventions that apply during a preelection period. Members were reappointed in April 2009 for terms ranging from one to three years.
Collectively, members have significant experience in farming, forestry, public service, land management, law, Maori interests, public consultation, local government, recreational access, and dispute resolution.
For more information about the functions of the Commission please consult the Walking Access Act 2008.
About the Board
Chairperson
John Acland
Board members
Brian Stephenson
Peter Brown
Dr Kay Booth
John Aspinall
Maggie Bayfield
John Forbes
Barbara Stuart
Chairperson
John Acland is a retired high country farmer from South Canterbury with an understanding of and long-term involvement with the rural community. He has wide experience as a chairperson for a number of companies and community trusts. He was Chair of the Land Access Ministerial Reference Group, the Walking Access Consultation Panel, and the Walking Access Advisory Board, and is currently Chair of the Historic Places Trust.
Board members
Brian Stephenson is a barrister from Auckland with extensive experience in employment law and dispute resolution. He is immediate past President of Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand and has knowledge and experience of outdoor recreation organisations. He was a member of the Walking Access Advisory Board and was appointed to the New Zealand Conservation Authority in July 2008. He also has experience in human resources management, project management and working with the media.
Peter Brown is a consultant and company director from the Gisborne area. He has a background in community enterprise development, particularly in the East Cape and Te Urewera regions. He has qualifications in law, business and environmental management. He is a Maori Ahuwhenua Land Trustee and a shareholder in numerous other Maori Land Incorporations and Trusts. One of these blocks provides free access to the East Cape lighthouse. Peter is a Member of the Waitangi Tribunal and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. He enjoys bush hikes, fishing and diving. His tribal affiliations are to the Turanganui a Kiwa Iwi, Ngati Porou, Te Arawa and Tuwharetoa.
Kay Booth has over 20 years experience in parks and recreation research and planning. She has a recreation and tourism consultancy and works on a wide range of planning issues for both public and private sector clients. She was a senior lecturer in Parks, Recreation and Tourism at Lincoln University and has held executive positions on several New Zealand conservation and recreation non-governmental organisations. She was appointed to the New Zealand Conservation Authority in 2005 and the New Zealand Geographic Board in 2007.
John Aspinall has particular knowledge of environmental and resource management issues. He has had extensive experience in managing recreational access across his high country run which hosts thousands of people each year. He is a tramper, hunter, and fisherman and is involved in search and rescue. He is a former Federated Farmers national board member and was a member of the Walking Access Consultation Panel and the Walking Access Advisory Board.
Maggie Bayfield is a former Chair of the QEII National Trust and Executive Officer of Rural Women New Zealand. Maggie is a keen tramper and a forest owner, and is a member of the East Taranaki Environment Trust. She was a member of the New Zealand Conservation Authority and a member of the Walking Access Consultation Panel.
John Forbes As Mayor of Opotiki District since 2001 and committee chairman of a rural council for 18 years, he has had significant experience in governance processes, public consultation and representing rural communities. He also has a good understanding of the agricultural, horticultural, forestry and rural sectors. He is a member of the Local Government New Zealand National Council and Chair of the Rural Sector Group of Local Government New Zealand. He was a member of the Walking Access Consultation Panel and Walking Access Advisory Board.
Barbara Stuart brings to the Board 24 years of personal experience managing a public walkway through private land, and has three covenanted areas of coastal bush totalling 200 hectares on her family farm. She also owns and operates a holiday park. She has strong networks with community, non-government organisations, councils and the science community. She has 10 years experience in engaging and supporting private landowners in sustainable land management as a regional coordinator for the New Zealand Landcare Trust. She is a JP and a member of the Horoirangi Marine Reserve Management Board and the Tasman Environment Trust.