Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Cultivation maintenance - A7445066

For this decision summary:

• LINZ received the application before 17 November 2022
• accordingly, the decision was made under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 excluding the amendments taking effect on 17 November 2022.

Cultivation maintenance

Ongoing

Given the benefits it will have on the farming operation, the Commissioner of Crown Lands considers that consent to maintain the areas of cultivation should be approved. The ability for pastoral lessees to improve and maintain better country is crucial to support a viable farming operation. It is considered that the benefits to the farming operation of being able to grow better pasture on the application area, and the benefits this will have on stock health and performance, is significant. 

Consent is granted for cultivation, subject to the following conditions:

1. That cropping/cultivation is limited to the approved areas as indicated on the map attached to the Notice of Decision. 
2. That within the approved areas as defined on the map attached to the Notice of Decision, cropping/cultivation will only occur on land that has previously been cultivated. That is, no new areas will be cultivated within the approved areas shown on the map.
3. That the cropping cycle is restricted to no more than two seasons of turnips or annual grasses only. Following this, the areas will be sown down in permanent pasture and/or lucerne. 
4. The return cultivation cycle is restricted to no more than once in every 10 years. 
5. Cultivation will only occur when soil conditions are moist and there is little to no wind. 
6. Only seed certified as being free of weed seeds and impurities is to be sown 
7. Continued inputs of maintenance fertiliser are applied to extend the effective life of the permanent pasture/lucerne to reduce the need and frequency for renewal cultivation. 
8. Good management practices are to be undertaken to avoid excessive pugging that could result in sediment, E.coli, and/or nutrients reaching waterways and wetlands. 
9. All machinery brought to the site to carry out any work under this consent should be cleaned of any earth and plant material prior to access. 
10. The Lessee shall keep records of the areas cultivated annually and provide these records to the Commissioner of Crown Lands or its delegate, on request, to ensure ongoing compliance with this consent. 
11. That all contractors and employees of Te Akatarawa Station engaged in working under this consent are informed of the conditions of this consent. 

The Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 provides that permission to undertake the activity may still be needed under other enactments.