Minister's Foreword

Sustainability underpins the Government's themes for Economic Transformation, Families Young and Old, and National Identity. Effective land management and high-quality land information are fundamental foundations for our economic base, and for the sustainable management of the lands and waterways that are important to our cultural identity.

The quality of our land information ensures that individuals and businesses can have confidence and certainty in our property rights system. Property rights are a deeply-rooted part of our society and a prerequisite to economic investment, which in turn underpins progressive social policy.

New Zealanders have a sense of pride and interest in their land and this helps the nation to be confident and prosperous. Sustainable land practice will be critical to ensuring that future generations can use the land and enjoy its benefits.

One of this year's priorities is to optimise the balance between economic, conservation and social outcomes for the Government's South Island high country pastoral lease land. Another priority is to improve access to the nation's rivers, lakes and foreshore through marginal strips and other legal access-ways.

Balancing competing interests is also a factor when considering applications from overseas investors wanting to buy sensitive New Zealand land. The Government has to weigh the benefits that overseas investment brings to New Zealand as a whole.

Legislation passed in 2005 ensures applications include a greater level of detail and information about the economic, as well as conservation and public access, outcomes of proposed purchases. Improved access for New Zealanders to adjacent rivers, lakes and foreshore has already resulted from these new rules. The legislation also enables a longer period for scrutiny of compliance with conditions imposed on successful applications, and for the Government to take action over any breaches.

Having authoritative information on land and details about the attributes of land are important features of effective land information systems. The push to 100% e-lodgement is one means by which government can improve the way information is collected, managed and shared. Another is the new Geospatial Office, which will ensure that New Zealand's Geospatial Information Strategy results in better co-ordination of geospatial information held by government agencies.

The Statement of Intent is consistent with the priorities and performance expectations of the Government.

HON DAVID PARKER
Minister for Land Information

previous | next