MEDIA RELEASE

Mandatory review of the Walking Access Act 2008 underway

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has begun a review of the Walking Access Act 2008.

MPI will be assessing the Act and whether it still provides the access needed to New Zealand’s outdoors - land, bush, mountains, rivers, coasts and areas of cultural significance.

“New Zealand is lucky to have such beautiful natural resources all around us,” says MPI Director of Environment & Communities, Charlotte Denny.

“New Zealanders love to get outdoors and want to have access to a range of places to walk, bike, hunt, swim, surf and boat, whether in town, in rural areas or further afield.

“Under the Act a review must be undertaken after 10 years. Our review will look at whether the Act is fit for the future, and what improvements are needed.

“As part of the review, we’ll be meeting with a number of stakeholders in December 2018 do some early scoping of what the issues are, and consult with the public in April/May 2019 to get their views on these issues,” Ms Denny says.

Further Background:

The Ministry for Primary Industries will lead the review as it is responsible for administering the Act. MPI will work with a panel of three people, chaired by Dr Hugh Logan, to complete the review by September 2019. The panel has experience in public access to the outdoors, Māori access issues and government.

Short biography for Dr Logan:

Dr Logan has had wide experience at national, regional and local levels that involve major outdoor access stakeholders. This includes environmental, conservation, primary industry, local government and recreation organisations. He has worked as chief executive for the Ministry of the Environment and the Department of Conservation.

He has considerable experience in multi stakeholder processes at national level, for example chairing the Land and Water Forum. He has also been involved in community level local groups, including the Mackenzie Trust and the Canterbury Mountaineering Club.

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