High Country Advisory Group

The High Country Advisory Group (HCAG) was established in 2018 to enable a range of stakeholders, representing farming, environmental and iwi interests, to provide advice to LINZ and the Commissioner of Crown Lands on the management of Crown pastoral land in the South Island high country.

The group is a non-statutory body that meets every four months to discuss high country land management issues.

Members of the HCAG

  • Tom Pinckney
  • Kerry Harmer
  • Donna Field
  • Ray Grubb
  • Shay Schlaepfer
  • Professor Bill Lee
  • Jonathan Wallis
  • Di Lucas
  • Jen Miller

Appointment process

In early 2021, we sought expressions of interest from a wide range of stakeholders after the HCAG’s first term finished.

When considering applications, we sought members with skills and knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

  • Crown pastoral lease management
  • Land Act and Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998
  • high country farming
  • tikanga Māori
  • biosecurity
  • biodiversity or environmental sustainability
  • other industry in the high country
  • local government, or
  • public use of Crown land.

Appointments, including any reappointments, are for a period of 18 months or three years, at the discretion of the LINZ Chief Executive.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu holds a permanent position on the group, and its representative for the current term is Matthew Matahaere.