Stock limitation exemption decision - Carrying sheep and cattle - A6519019

For this decision summary: 

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

Carrying sheep and cattle

Personal to the Holder

The Commissioner of Crown Lands grants consent to an exemption to the stock limitation in the lease to allow the leaseholder to carry the following stock:

37,100 stock units 

For the part of the consent that was granted

The Commissioner of Crown Lands considers that given the improvements and developments that have occurred, the Nokomai pastoral lease, when farmed in conjunction with 3,114ha of freehold land, can support the number of stock units indicated without having a detrimental effect on the land, provided the above conditions are complied with. This decision reflects a desire to allow the Lessee to realise the reasonable benefits from investment in the property while ensuring the risk of adverse effects to inherent values is minimised. It also allows the current stock numbers on the Station to be maintained, while allowing some flexibility with stock classes.  

For the part of the consent that was declined

It has been determined that there are important inherent values that require protection in the form of nature conservation values, soil and water values and landscape values that can be affected by overgrazing. Specific values identified on the Lease include the quality of the shrublands, beech forest edges, riparian margins and, in particular, the number and size of the wetlands on the lease. These values can be adversely impacted by overstocking, and in particular by cattle. It has also been determined that the sustainable carrying capacity is at a lower level than that applied for.
 

The stock exemption is subject to the following conditions: 

1. The Nokomai pastoral lease continues to be farmed in conjunction with approximately 3,114 ha of freehold land. 
2. The following stock limits will apply: 
   •    14,000 wethers 
   •    1,500 cattle (including not more than 750 breeding cows) 
3. Stocking rates are managed in all blocks at a level that prevents excessive grazing and trampling of tussock grasslands, indigenous shrublands, beech forest, streams and wetlands, to avoid damage to inherent values. 
4. Notwithstanding condition 3, no cattle shall be grazed in the large area of wetlands located northeast of Mt Tennyson, as identified in the map attached to the Notice of Decision.
5. Developed paddocks shall be maintained by regular applications of fertiliser and seed as required. 
6. The 37,100 stock units is based on the following conversion values: 
   Breeding sheep 1.0 stock units 
   Dry sheep 0.7 stock units 
   Breeding cow/Bull 6.0 stock units 
   Dry cattle 4.5 stock units

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

Consent is declined in part for an exemption to the stock limitation specified in clause 1 of the Nokomai pastoral lease. Specifically, the number of stock units is restricted to a maximum of 37,100 as opposed to the 54,000 stock units sought in the application, even when run in conjunction with the 3,114ha of freehold land.