Public Rights to Lakes Stopped By Wellington Iwi

Public use rights to the local Pencarrow lakes have been stopped by the Wellington Iwi organisation, the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust. Duck hunting has been occurring on the lake for over 80 years.

Fish & Game is very concerned that a publically unaccountable group can remove a longstanding public right.

“The settlement process has worked well in the past,” said Bryce Johnson, Chief Executive, New Zealand Fish & Game Council, “and to my knowledge has always provided for the aspirations of Iwi and the interests of the wider public around conservation and recreational hunting and fishing. I don’t know why this is seemingly not happening in this case.” On 3 March Wellington Duck Shooters found out the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trustees had decided to stop shooting on Pencarrow lakes this May (Lake Kohangatera and Lake Kohangapiripiri).

The Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trustees decision goes against the Government’s assurances that public use rights would remain unaffected by the treaty settlement.

These assurances were seemly formalised in clause 52 (1) of the Port Nicholson Block Claims Settlement Act, which states the “lawful right of access to or use of, Lake Kohangatera or Lake Kohangapiripiri remains unaffected”.

Furthermore, in regard to this settlement, the Minister of Treaty Settlements said ‘No’ in response to the question, ‘Are the publics rights affected?’ (see question 4 of the Minister’s Q&A published 30 July 2009).

“Clearly this decision has implications for every water body in our region and means we must establish whether the public use rights we thought were protected, are indeed protected. Fish & Game are seeking to ensure iwi co-management arrangements, that work OK at other sites around NZ, are followed through here.”, said Phil Teal, manager of the Wellington Fish and Game region.

ENDS

© Scoop Media