News from the field - April 2013

'News from the field' provides a roundup of public access topics being worked on by the New Zealand Walking Access Commission's regional field advisors. In each Accessing New Zealand newsletter, two field advisors update readers with the latest from their region. This month, we hear from John Wauchop (Eastland) and Noel Beggs (Otago and Southland).

John Wauchop, Eastland

Walking access in Eastland has received a boost thanks to the collaborative efforts of Gisborne Canoe and Tramping Club, Gisborne District Council, Kiwirail, Juken New Zealand and Wharerata Forests Ltd.

The groups worked together earlier this year to open up access to the Kopuawhara Monument, near Mahia, for the 75th commemoration of the 22 workers who lost their lives while building the Wairoa to Gisborne rail line. The workers were killed when a flash flood hit their riverside camp in 1938.

More than 140 people attended the commemoration event on 17 February, including Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon. The event was a success, and while access to the area is still on a permit-only basis at the time of writing, those involved in the commemoration are continuing to talk about how it can be improved in a manageable way in future.

Ensuring access to the monument and the old Wharerata Walkway that leads to it would go a long way towards re-opening up a beautiful part of the district that has largely remained hidden in recent years. Securing access would also enable the Gisborne Canoe and Tramping Club to spend the $5,600 it was granted in the 2010 round of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission's Enhanced Access Fund. If access is secured, the funding will be used for signage and restoration of sections of the Wharerata Walkway, which crosses the private land and could again provide access to the Kopuawhara Monument.

Elsewhere in Eastland, I continue to work with recreationalists, landholders and government bodies on a variety of access issues. These issues include locked gates on public roads, purchase of property under the Overseas Investment Act and some cases where landholders neighbouring tourist hotspots have been unduly affected by the actions of an inconsiderate few. As with access elsewhere, education about rights of access and responsible behaviour in the outdoors is key.

Noel Beggs, Otago and Southland

The topics I deal with as the Commission's regional field advisor for South Otago and Southland evolve on a daily basis.

A lot of my cases revolve around access on unformed legal roads, due to the high number of these at the bottom of the South Island. The advice I provide on rights of access on these roads and the liability of any adjacent farmers goes hand in hand with advice about responsible behaviour in the outdoors and the need to encourage a balance between rights and responsibilities.

It is rewarding to be collaborating with local councils, which are increasingly recognising both the value of the Commission's role and also the recreational value associated with unformed legal roads. By taking a joint approach, enhancement of access for all parties is possible.

The great work of community groups in my region is reinforced time and again by the many positive projects being undertaken. The opening of completed projects such as the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway near Lake Wakatipu and the Newcastle Track in the Upper Clutha are just a couple of examples. Both of those projects were completed by groups that successfully applied for funding through the Commission's Enhanced Access Fund.

A lot of my other work has generally involved clarifying rights of access over particular areas of land, helping members of the public who want help negotiating access over private land to local landmarks, and assisting organisations to upload their own access-related information to the Walking Access Mapping System (www.wams.org.nz).

The most recent Otago and Southland addition to the mapping system has been provided by Clutha Fisheries Trust, which has used the system to mark fishing access points on the Clutha River for the public to see.