The advisory group, being created by Land Information, has potential to boost constructive discussions among stakeholders and increase the wider public’s understanding of tenure review, Federated Farmers high country chairman Simon Williamson said.
“It’s always a good thing when a government agency aims to be more transparent.”
Federated Farmers believes the tenure review process and all issues related to the management of Crown land in the South Island’s high country are widely misunderstood, primarily because they are complicated.
“A more visible process should help the whole community understand what’s going on,” Williamson said.
But the new group should not be about reopening debate on the Crown Pastoral Land Act.
“This has already been tested in the Environment Court before being enshrined in legislation.”
The advisory group will have Conservation Department and Federated Farmers representatives and three to six people with experience in sectors such as the environment, farming, industry, iwi and central or local government.
“It’s always a good thing when different stakeholders can sit together as a forum and discuss issues constructively as opposed to taking pot shots at each other through the media,” Williamson said.
“Over recent years we have asked a number of individuals and groups to provide factual and non-emotive reasons for claims that tenure review is not working.
“The advisory group may provide an opportunity for this.”
Applications for appointments to the advisory group close on June 14.
