Don’t privatise the high country

Conservation and recreation groups are calling on the government to halt plans to privatise New Zealand’s high country.

Forest & Bird, the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations, Federated Mountain Clubs, Public Access NZ and the NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers fear the Government will sell Crown-owned land in the South Island high country into private ownership.

Recent comments by Minister of Agriculture David Carter that Crown-owned land currently held in pastoral leases would be sold into freehold ownership, with only covenants to protect some areas, have fuelled fears that the Government intends wide-scale privatization of the high country.

Adding to those fears are comments by Associate Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson that 30% of New Zealand’s land already in the conservation estate was “enough” and that the government could not afford to purchase properties to create new high country parks.

Forest & Bird General Manager Mike Britton says the process of tenure review, and purchases through the Nature Heritage Fund, have in recent times contributed to significant protection of the high country. The creation of high country parks has protected vulnerable ecosystems and native species, and has guaranteed public access.

“We have made good progress in protecting our iconic high country landscapes and wildlife, but we risk losing those gains if the government goes ahead with its plans to put the high country into private ownership.”

Mike Britton says covenants have value in protecting small areas of vulnerable habitats on private land, but are not suitable for use on public land where public access and recreation must also be protected.

Secretary of Outdoor Recreation Associations Hugh Barr says covenants do not provide public access or allow public involvement in management of the land, not do they encourage development of facilities such as huts and tracks.

“New Zealand’s draconian trespass laws prohibit public access to private land even when covenants are in place,” he says.

The unspoilt wilderness of the high country is a major drawcard for international tourists, bringing in millions of dollars in tourism revenue. Selling it into private ownership would threaten its natural character through inappropriate development and inadequate protection, reducing its tourism value.

Under proposals being discussed as part of a review of government policy, mountain peaks could be privatized, even sub-divided and sold into foreign ownership.

The conservation and recreation groups said it was vital that the high country was protected for the enjoyment of future generations, not sold off.
“New Zealand’s high country is one of its most special and iconic natural assets, and should remain in public ownership for the enjoyment of all and protection of its unique plants and animals – it shouldn’t be sold off.”

ENDS

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