Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Cultivation - A7445064

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

5 years with maintenance rights

For the part of the consent that was granted:

Given the benefits it will have on the farming operation, the Commissioner of Crown Lands considers that consent to cultivate should be approved for most of the area applied for. 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/lucerne on the approved area, and the benefits this will have for animal health and performance is significant. The conditions of the approval will ensure that larger, more diverse indigenous grey shrubland and inherent values associated with the natural systems are preserved. 

For the part of the consent that was declined:

Given the advice of the Director-General of Conservation with regards to the inherent values within parts of the application areas, particularly the presence of At-Risk plants, and the adverse effects clearing will have on these, the Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined these areas should be declined. 

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

1. That cultivation is limited to the approved areas as indicated on the map attached to the Notice of Decision. 
2. 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. 
3. That no cultivation shall occur within 20 metres of any waterway or wetland within the areas approved. 
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 to reduce the need and frequency for renewal of 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 are informed of the conditions of this consent prior to cultivation commencing. 

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