
Unformed Legal Roads
People are often unsure about the legal status of unformed legal roads, colloquially known as paper roads.
Read morePeople are often unsure about the legal status of unformed legal roads, colloquially known as paper roads.
Read moreThere are many different types of legal public access. This page details some of the main ones you are likely to encounter.
Read moreOne of the Commission’s interesting jobs is to look at applications by overseas investors to buy sensitive land.
Read moreConservation land administered by DOC is usually open to walking access but there are some exceptions to this.
Read moreDespite our name the Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa also helps negotiate public access to trails for cyclists and especially mountain bikers.
Read moreNew Zealand offers an abundance of walking tracks providing opportunities for access to the great outdoors. These tracks fall into many categories.
The New Zealand Walking Access Commission can help facilitate resolutions when there is a dispute between two or more parties over access to the outdoors.
Read moreA downloadable calendar showing common farming, fishing and hunting seasons. The calendar has been jointly created by the Commission, Fish & Game and Federated Farmers.
Read moreThere is no general right of public access across private land. If there is any doubt about access you should seek permission first.
Read moreNo. Landholders do not have the right to refuse access over adjoining public land. This includes unformed legal roads.
Read moreThere is no general right of public access across private land. Owners of private land have the right of exclusive occupation and enjoyment of that land.
Read moreThe right to walk with a dog, including hunting dogs, depends on the existing rights that run with access.
Read moreGenerally, you cannot use motor vehicles on tracks. Even where vehicles are legally allowed, such as on unformed legal roads, it is polite to inform the landholder.
Read moreGazetted walkways are those walking tracks that have been established under the Walking Access Act 2008 and the New Zealand Walkways Act 1990.
Read moreUnless there has been special agreement with the landowner or public land administrator bikes, dogs or horses may not be taken on a walkway.
Read moreHolly Stevens’ research highlights incentives to encourage Auckland’s property developers to allow public access through their land for greenway development.
Treasury’s Living Standards Framework means a new way of talking about the value of tracks and trails. Tracks contribute to wellbeing in a multitude of ways.
Landholders may refuse access to their land, even if such access may have been traditional and the request seems to be reasonable.
People accessing the outdoors can walk along public access that borders or passes through private land. And they can be more confident that they are in the right place.
The commission advocates for shared pathways for cyclists, walkers, horse riders and other active transport users as a part of our support for outdoor recreation.
Read moreThere are several reasons for foresters to understand public access instruments. These include knowing legal responsibilities and maintaining good community relationships
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