27 March 2007

Hunters welcome improved Public Access across Poronui Station

The New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association (NZDA) has cautiously welcomed the Poronui Station access agreement with the Crown, announced today, negotiated under the new Overseas Investment Act.

“Poronui has denied public access in the past, even though a public legal road runs through the property to the Mohaka River” spokesman Hugh Barr said. “This resulted in hunters, trampers, fishers and others staging protest access walks and taking other actions in the 1970s, to get legitimate public access re-instated”.

“Formalising this access right through an easement over the current poled route, as the Crown has negotiated, is a valuable step” Mr Barr said. “It confirms access to the public, including hunters with disarmed firearms.”

Mr Barr said it was also valuable that Poronui Station would develop an access policy, and display it on their website to assist the public. “This is a great start on a property where public access across it for recreational fishing, hunting and tramping is very important” he said. “NZDA is keen to work with the new owners on enhancing public recreational access, and move forward from past problems”.

ENDS

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