Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Negotiations on access to the Hāwea Conservation Park

FMC Invites Matt Lauer to further negotiations on access to the Hāwea Conservation Park


Federated Mountain Clubs, as representative of New Zealand’s outdoor community, is calling upon American media personality Matt Lauer to restart negotiations with the community regarding his purchase of the Hunter Valley Station.

Federated Mountain Clubs welcomes Mr Lauer and his family to New Zealand. They have made a wise choice; however, we also invite them to recognise and participate in the highcountry tradition of hospitality, appropriate provision of public access and care for the land as represented by people such as the Aspinall family of the Matukituki and more recently Mutt Lange of Mahu Whenua. Overseas investment in land, particularly sensitive land such as lakefront, is a privilege in regard to which much care must be taken to maintain community support.

Federated Mountain Clubs, which is a voluntary organisation, participated in good faith in consultation with Mr Lauer’s agents regarding what appropriate public access provisions would be regarding this sale. Federated Mountains Clubs wants Mr Lauer to know that the New Zealand outdoors community is not happy with the public access provisions approved by the Overseas Investment Office. Only two out of nine recommendations put forward by the respected government agency, the Walking Access Commission, have been adopted.

Federated Mountain Clubs bottom line is a walkway easement, managed by the Department of Conservation, along the existing formed road through Hunter Valley Station to the public conservation land at the head of Lake Hāwea and beyond. This easement will provide for all forms of public access as appropriate. Federated Mountain Clubs invites Mr Lauer to reignite negotiations with the Walking Access Commission regarding this easement.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Federated Mountain Clubs campaigned for and achieved the creation of the 105,000 hectare Hāwea Conservation Park, and believes that the amazing outdoor recreation opportunities at its heart, the magnificent Hunter River valley – whether tramping, hunting or fishing – should be accessible for all.

Federated Mountain Clubs also observes that enduring access up the western shore of Lake Hāwea will guarantee public access to one of New Zealand’s greatest adventure mountain bike rides (the loop of Lake Hāwea), adding demonstrable value to Wanaka tourism as well as local recreational opportunities.

Federated Mountain Clubs again wishes Mr Lauer all the best, we share his love of the outdoors. We regret that the Overseas Investment Office has served him so poorly, with a decision which if not resolved promptly could cause considerable public controversy in an election year.
ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.