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News from the field - April 2014

Published 1 April 2014

'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. This month, we hear from Nicola Henderson (Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa) and Noel Beggs (Otago and Southland).

Nicola Henderson, Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa
Nicola imageOne of the best parts of being a regional field advisor with the Commission is getting out into the countryside, meeting rural people and seeing the landscape in which they live.

I had the privilege of visiting Omahaki Station west of Napier in February, where an unformed legal road that provides access to the Omahaki Stream needed to be identified. The road was an old New Zealand Forest Service route that had been marked but was missing some posts, and had no signage or markers to denote public access. Fish & Game New Zealand provided the necessary posts and the Commission funded a sign, both of which make it clear to the public and adjacent landowners where users of the road can safely go.

The landowners made themselves available to discuss the problems with access and they were very helpful, especially as they are so busy on their farms. This made the job a real pleasure. These people live in a fantastic part of Hawke's Bay but, because of the remote location, they are constantly on alert for people trespassing or attempting to poach stock. It is an ongoing problem in areas such as this.

The Commission helps as much as we are able with advice, route marking and signage. We also talk to recreational groups such as the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association to promote responsible behaviour and it is always encouraging to see the attitude of their members. Unfortunately, we don't always get to talk to those who flout the law.

Noel Beggs, Otago and Southland

It was a pleasure to attend the recent Southern Field Days event, which is held every second year near Gore in Southland.

This event attracts mainly landholders but also recreational enthusiasts. The Commission's site attracted interest from people wondering what public land, such as unformed legal roads utilised by farming operations, means from both access and farming perspectives. Some visitors were interested in the responsible behaviour message, and how they can access New Zealand's great outdoors in such a manner.

It was pleasing to note the openness of all who visited with many positive comments on how the Commission is operating and the role it fills.

I have also recently been involved in assisting various stakeholders to reach a practical outcome where an unformed legal road leads to a popular hunting area on public conservation land. Although this was quite a long process, all involved have agreed it has resulted in enhanced access for recreational users as well as the adjoining concerned landowner whose farming operation utilises the unformed legal road.

It is great to see that the Commission is becoming more widely known, leading to increased opportunities for collaboration. For example, I am currently in discussions with New Zealand Police staff to gauge whether there is an opportunity to work together with concerned landholders following an increase in instances of trespass in the southern region.