To request a printed copy of a Walking Access Commission publication please email contact@walkingaccess.govt.nz.
We are unable to supply printed copies of general publications or Walking Access Commission background publications.
All of the files linked below are in Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) format.
New Zealand Walking Access Commission Annual Report 2010-2011
The New Zealand Walking Access Commission's Annual Report for the period 2010-2011.
New Zealand Walking Access Commission Statement of Intent for 2011-16
This Statement of Intent explains the context we work in, how we intend achieving our vision, challenges we are likely to face, risks we must manage, and how we can measure our progress. It also describes the organisational assets we rely on to achieve our goals.
The New Zealand Walking Access Commission National Strategy 2010-2035
A key function of the Commission under the Walking Access Act 2008 (Section 10) is to provide leadership by preparing and administering a national strategy on walking access, including Walkways. This strategy sets out our current intentions to ensure walking access is valued, enduring and understood for the present and future generations who use and enjoy the outdoors in our wonderful country.
New Zealand Outdoor Access Code
The Outdoor Access Code aims to enhance people’s knowledge and understanding of responsibly behaviour in the outdoors and raise awareness of access rights and responsibilities. It is practical andinformative.
Guidelines for the Management of Unformed Legal Roads
'Best practice' guidelines document for local authorities and interested parties on the administration of unformed legal roads. The Commission has liaised with a range of organisations and individuals to produce this document. We also expect that this will be the first edition and anticipate that future editions will take into account experience from other organisations with a role in this area.
NZ Coastal Policy Statement
The Minister of Conservation is responsible for preparing the NZ Coastal Policy Statement. The first NZ Coastal Policy Statement was issued in 1994 and a new statement was took effect from December 2010.
Roading Law as it Applies to Unformed Roads – The Sequel
Published October 2007
The main purpose of this report is to provide an illustration of the method and the depth of research underpinning Roading Law as it Applies to Unformed Roads.
Roading law as it applies to unformed roads
Published March 2007
This commentary explains the nature of the "Queen's highway", what the free right of passage is, the special character of roads along rivers, lakes and the sea, as well as some historical perspective.
Elements of the law on movable water boundaries
Published March 2007
This commentary highlights unsatisfactory elements in our waterside law that detract from a stable legal environment. It shows that we need legislation to protect landowners and the recreational users from inadequacies in such law as we now have.
The law on public access along water margins
Published August 2003
Public access to our coast, lakes, rivers and streams for all citizens has been a feature of New Zealand land law and practice from the earliest colonial times. The foresight of many of the early administrators and the genuine efforts of their successors have kept that ideal alive - indeed it may have become larger in life than it is as law.
If Visitors to My Farm are Injured, Am I Liable?
July 2009
This farming fact sheet, published by the Department of Labour, details farmers' responsibility to warn visitors of workplace hazards under the Health and Safety in Employment Act (1992).
Explaining the Queen's Chain Myth: the Evolution of Laws for Marginal Strips
Published April 1999 (NZ Surveyor No 289)
Baldwin, John
Colmar Brunton Walking Access survey
Published April 2011
In February 2011 the New Zealand Walking Access Commission contracted Colmar Brunton to carry out a survey to help assess the Commission’s progress towards achieving the goals laid out in its Statement of Intent.
New Zealand Walking Access Commission 2010 Annual Report
Published September 2010
The New Zealand Walking Access Commission's Annual Report for the period 2009-2010.
New Zealand Walking Access Commission 2009 Annual Report
Published September 2009
We are pleased to present the first annual report for the New Zealand Walking Access Commission (NZWAC). The NZWAC was established on 30 September 2008 and this report covers the period ended 30 June 2009.
Walking Access – Organisational structure, legislation and funding (cabinet paper)
Published December 2007
The Government confirmed the decisions that it made in principle on 15 August 2007 for the establishment and functions of a new Crown entity for walking access.
Outdoor walking access: Report to the Minister of Rural Affairs
Published March 2007
This report contains the Walking Access Consultation Panel's recommendations for how New Zealanders' access to rivers, lakes, the coastline and other public land can be improved and managed over the coming years.
Outdoor walking access: analysis of written submissions
Published March 2007
The Walking Access Consultation Panel received almost 1400 submissions in response to its consultation document. This summary provides an overview of submitters' opinions, not a critique of submissions.
Outdoor walking access – consultation document
Published April 2006
In this consultation document we propose an aim and principles for walking access to and along rivers, lakes and the coast in New Zealand. We summarise the issues, suggest solutions and ask questions about the issues and solutions.
Outdoor walking access – summary of issues
Published April 2006
In this document we summarise the aim, principles, issues and suggested solutions for walking access to and around lakes, rivers and the coast.
Other background publications
Walking access in the New Zealand outdoors
Published August 2003
This report outlines the discussions and conclusions of the Ministerial Reference Group, established in January 2003 to consider whether the arrangements for public access to water margins, access to public land and private rural land are sufficient, while providing for private land use, both now and in the future.
Analysis of written submissions on the report: Walking access in the New Zealand outdoors
Published June 2004
This document is an analysis of the written submissions made on Walking access in the New Zealand outdoors, the report of the Land Access Ministerial Reference Group.
12 May 2009 - High Court decision on access to Crown pastoral lease properties:
Summary of High Court decision
