Media Statement
19 November 2003
Call for more submissions on walking access to land
More than 180 submissions on the Land Access Ministerial Reference Group's report have been received so far, Rural
Affairs Minister Jim Sutton said today.
However, Mr Sutton said the issues covered in the report were important ones, and he encouraged interested people to get
submissions in by the end of the month.
There was a common belief by most New Zealanders is that the Queen's Chain gave the legal right to access rivers, lakes
and the sea, Mr Sutton said.
"The reality is that there are many wilderness areas and parts of rivers and the seashore that people cannot get access
to because of the ad hoc legal situation around the country. Consultation so far has shown that there are many varying
views throughout New Zealand about how we can address this problem."
The consultation process sought public feedback on proposals to clarify and enhance the legal situation relating to
public walking access over private land, along riverbanks and the foreshores of lakes and the sea.
More than 50 meetings were held around New Zealand following the release of the report, led by former group members John
Acland and Claire Mulcock.
All submissions will be consolidated into a report back to government early next year.
The consultation on walking access to land will close at the end of this month, although Mr Sutton said late submissions
would be considered. The submission analysis process would, however, need to begin in early December if the report back
time is to be met.
The group found that the current law and institutional arrangements were inadequate to meet public expectations for
access in today's society. It found that there is a lack of clarity and a gap between expectations and understanding of
those seeking access and those providing access to recreational areas - particularly where it involves crossing private
land.
ENDS