Outdoor Walking Access Report to the Minister for Rural Affairs

Appendix F: Existing institutions

Department of Conservation (DOC)

DOC’s key functions as set out in the Conservation Act 1987 are, in summary to:

  • manage land and other natural and historic resources;
  • preserve as far as practicable all indigenous freshwater fisheries, and protect recreational fisheries and freshwater habitats;
  • advocate conservation of natural and historic resources;
  • promote the benefits of conservation (including Antarctica and internationally);
  • provide conservation information;
  • foster recreation and allow tourism, to the extent that use is not inconsistent with the conservation of any natural or historic resource.

DOC is responsible for the administration of the New Zealand Walkways Act 1990. Recommendations on the establishment of new walkways are made by Conservation Boards through the New Zealand Conservation Authority, which contributes to walkways policy. As 31 percent of New Zealand’s land area is administered by DOC, its role in providing for and promoting recreational access to that land is an important part of the context within which the Panel is considering its task.

Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)

DIA is responsible for the administration of the Local Government Act 1974, Part 21 of which contains the legislative provisions relating to roads. DIA is also responsible for policy advice on local government, one component of which is advice on the regulation of unformed legal roads.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)

LINZ holds authoritative information about land surveys and ownership, topographic maps and nautical charts. It makes sure that the rating valuation system is fair and consistent and oversees the buying and disposal of Crown land. LINZ administers unallocated Crown land, Crown-owned riverbeds and Crown pastoral leases. It is also responsible for the operation of the Overseas Investment Act 2005.

LINZ is the primary source of information about the ownership of land and legal survey records. Its roles in administering unallocated Crown land and dealing with overseas acquisitions of sensitive land can be important for access. Access for recreation is one of the matters dealt with by LINZ in the process of reviewing the tenure of land subject to Crown pastoral leases.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)

MAF provides policy advice to the Minister for Rural Affairs on walking access to land. It provided policy, research and support services to the Land Access Ministerial Reference Group and, more recently, to this Panel.

New Zealand Fish & Game Council

Fish & Game Councils are the statutory managers of sports fish and game. The New Zealand (national) Council (known as Fish & Game New Zealand) is responsible for developing, in consultation with regional Fish & Game Councils, national policies for the carrying out of its functions for sports fish and game, and the effective implementation of relevant general policies established under the Wildlife Act 1953 and the Conservation Act 1987. A specific function of Fish & Game Councils is to maintain and improve access to the sports fish and game resource.

Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust

The Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust is a statutory organisation. The general functions of the Trust are to encourage and promote, for the benefit and enjoyment of the present and future generations of the people of New Zealand, the provision, protection, preservation and enhancement of open space. It can do this either through the ownership of property or through the creation of covenants over private land. These covenants can provide for public access, but generally make access subject to the consent of the occupier. The Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust has been commended as a possible conceptual model for an access organisation. The success of the Trust demonstrates that landholders and the Government can work together to achieve a particular objective. The Trust has charitable trust status and attracts private funding and sponsorship.

Regional government

Regional government is primarily responsible for environmental management, including water, coastal, river and lake management including flood and drainage control, regional land management, regional transport (including public transport), and biosecurity (pest management). They have a significant role in providing for and managing access opportunities because of their responsibilities for regional parks and river margins.

Territorial authorities

Territorial authorities (district councils and city councils) are responsible for (amongst other things): local land use management (urban and rural planning); network utility services such as water, sewerage, stormwater and solid waste management; local roads; libraries; parks and reserves; and community development. Ownership of all public roads (excluding state highways) is vested in territorial authorities, and their role in the administration of unformed legal roads is important for access. In their community development role, they can also be involved in the promotion of recreational facilities and opportunities.