Deerstalkers Welcome "Customary Rights" for all New Zealanders

The New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association Inc has backed customary rights for all New Zealanders as agreed between government and NZ First.

NZDA president Trevor Dyke says the concept underlines the egalitarian principle of "equal rights."

"As regards the outdoors, that principle was enshrined in law to stop discrimination on any aspect, especially wealth but also social class or creed," he said. "It is illegal to charge for the right to fish and shoot and we believe that should be reinstated with hunting."

However Mr Dyke was surprised "public domain" had been shelved in favour of vesting in the Crown.

"We hope it's crystal clear in the bill that no government can hock off this crown asset, like governments did in the 1980s and 1990s," he said.

Mr Dyke instanced the sale of three high country stations that were pastoral leases owned by the Crown, by the Bolger National government to Ngai Tahu as a treaty settlement.

"That's the sort of thing that should be absolutely taboo under the proposed law pertaining to seabed and foreshore," he added.