The reforms introduced an outcomes-based approach to the regulatory system to help ensure that sustainable pastoral farming maintains or enhances the inherent (ecological, landscape, cultural, heritage and scientific) values of the land.
The changes:
- increased transparency
- improved accountability
- enabled more public involvement in how the system operates
- better supported the Crown-Māori relationship.
The Reform Act ended the tenure review process the day after Royal assent. Only those at implementation or substantive proposal stage continued. Other changes came into effect on 17 November 2022 which included changes to processes for:
- consenting discretionary pastoral activities
- stock limitation exemptions
- commercial recreation permits
- easements.
Regulations and Standards
The Reform Act introduced regulation and standard making powers to the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998. New regulations and a new Commissioner of Crown Lands’ standard came into force in September 2023 to improve how we administer Crown pastoral land in the South Island high country.
Regulations
Regulations came into effect on 21 September 2023 and cover the information we need when:
- leaseholders apply for consent to carry out a discretionary pastoral activity or stock limitation exemption
- leaseholders and others apply for a commercial recreation permit
- enforceable undertaking agreements are made between leaseholders and the Crown to mitigate or resolve a breach.
The Regulations also created new infringement fees and notices.
View the regulations:
Crown Pastoral Land Regulations 2023
Commissioner’s Standard
The Commissioner of Crown Lands’ standard came info effect on 1 September 2023 and covers the information we need when:
- an easement is sought under or over Crown pastoral land under section 60 of the Land Act 1948
- consent to a transfer or sublease of Crown pastoral land is sought under section 89 of the Land Act 1948.
View the standard:
Commissioner of Crown Land’s Standard on Easements, Transfers and Subleases affecting Crown pastoral land
Guidance for pastoral leaseholders and applicants
A series of guides and factsheets were created to help pastoral leaseholders and those applying for consents to navigate Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 requirements introduced through the reforms.