Review of the Walking Access Act

Impact of concurrent reforms

There are a number of other reforms being considered across Government that may impact on how well the Act and the Commission can develop and maintain public access. These include reforms to the management of Crown Pastoral Land, the review of the Overseas Investment Act 2005, and the review of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Both MPI and the Commission have been working with LINZ and the Treasury in considering and commenting on proposed changes. However, no interaction has taken place to date in relation to the review of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Changes proposed under these processes are subject to Government decision. As such, this report acknowledges it would be premature to comment on the specific impact they may have on the Act and the work of the Commission. However, this report emphasises that changes under each of these processes have the potential to impact on public access, including through the creation or loss of opportunities to identify and establish access opportunities. As such, any further consultation undertaken at the conclusion of this review, should consider changes proposed through these related processes.