22 June 2007

Cost of losing high country - priceless

Changes to the tenure review process to protect iconic New Zealand landscapes are being welcomed by the Green Party.

"No one wants to lose large areas of lakefront to rampant development, and the Government's decision to halt talks with run holders around lakes Tekapo, Wanaka and Wakatipu is prudent and appropriate," Green Party Conservation Spokesperson Metiria Turei says.

"There is a great deal of debate about the tenure review process. It's well past time the Government placed a moratorium on the process to allow for a complete reassessment.

"All too often the Crown is paying a great deal of money for relatively unusable land while lease holders are getting valuable waterfront and valley property at a cut price rate.

"There is also concern that some of the less picture postcard areas are missing out on protection. Landcare research has already shown that conservation and biodiversity values are not being protected. There are many fragile eco-systems that don't have breathtaking scenic value but still need to be identified and protected.

"Nor are taxpayers getting a fair deal on the land that does remain in Crown hands. Land Information New Zealand recently acknowledged the Government is getting less than $1 a hectare from South Island high country farmers on pastoral leases," Mrs Turei says.

ENDS

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