High Country Update

18 December 2008  Landscan Issue 47

A pastoral lease inspection programme is underway after a successful pilot was completed last summer.

Mathew Clark, Manager of LINZ’s Pastoral Unit, said the inspection programme aims to ensure that the rights and obligations of the Crown and leaseholders are understood and are being complied with.

“Each lease will be inspected every five years. The properties will be assessed as objectively as possible against indicators based on the obligations and covenants in pastoral leases, the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 and the Land Act 1948.”

“Last summer’s pilot programme found that a high level of compliance and good husbandry was being practised by leaseholders,” Mathew said.

“The programme will help us to get a better understanding of the farming activities being undertaken and improve the information available on pastoral leases.”

Relationship building

Mathew said the inspections were another opportunity to build and maintain relationships with high country farmers. Relationships are a key focus with LINZ moving earlier this year to take a more hands on role in the day to day management of pastoral leases and licences.

“Farmers are coming into our office in Christchurch and we’re getting a lot of phone enquiries. Staff are also going out for site meetings. As a result we’re building our knowledge and farmers are benefiting from clear communications channels and the chance to talk through problems and concerns.”

Publications are also in the pipeline as part of this effort. The first two factsheets in a series covering a range of pastoral land management issues were recently sent to high country farmers. A booklet for new leaseholders providing LINZ contact details and outlining leaseholder rights and obligations is also in production.

Tenure review

As at 31 October 2008, agreement had been reached on reviews of 68 of the 303 leases eligible for tenure review under the Crown Pastoral Land Act. This has resulted in 180,199 hectares of land being transferred to the Department of Conservation, and the freeholding of 196,735 hectares.

Ninety-three leases are in the earlier stages of the review process. Mathew says funding approval had recently been given for seven preliminary proposals. One of these, a proposal for the Braemar lease near Lake Pukaki, was advertised in November for public comment.

Three other preliminary proposals have been advertised since June – for Cloudy Peak, The Larches, and Mt Alexander. Public submissions on these reviews are currently being analysed.