New walking access consultation panel formed

5 August 2005

A new panel to lead consultation on improving access along waterways has been formed.

The panel, to be chaired by South Canterbury farmer John Acland, will undertake consultation to reach general agreement on what measures could be implemented to improve access to the publicly-owned resources of water and fish.

Associate Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton says the Government is still committed to certain, free, practical, and enduring public access along public water and public land of significance. But he says to be enduring, it needs a broad public consensus in support.

"For this reason, there will be no imposition of a five-metre walkway. The Government is not pre-judging the work of the panel," the Minister says.

The panel will seek to clearly establish concerns of interest groups and the extent to which agreement can be reached on measures such as: clarifying existing public access rights along water margins; establishing the location of gaps in the Queens Chain and how these might be remedied; the establishment of a code of conduct; and protecting the security of landholders.

The eight member panel comprises:

• John Acland, who chaired the original ministerial reference group on access;
• John Aspinall, a Wanaka farmer who was previously the Federated Farmers' spokesman on access;
• Bryce Johnson, the chief executive of Fish and Game;
• Claire Mulcock, who was also on the original ministerial reference group;
• Maggie Bayfield, the chief executive of Rural Women;
• Professor Tom Brooking, History professor from Otago University;
• Parekawhia McLean, a Wellington consultant; and
• John Forbes, currently mayor of Opotiki District Council.

Mr Sutton says the panelists have been appointed for their knowledge, experience and personal abilities, not as representatives of any particular groups.

The panel is expected to hold its first meeting later this month.