Inspections are now done by third-party contractors at least every five years, depending on factors such as risk or active discretionary consents but $3.1 million Budget funding will let Land Information train staff and employ experts to fill that role.
“Many farmers remember the days of the Lands and Survey pastoral land officers,” he said.
“They had a real empathy for the land and a strong understanding of the seasonal patterns and farmers enjoyed the relationship.
“If that is the path Land Information is taking then that’s good.”
Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage says the employment of specialist staff to replace contractors is designed to enhance the relationships with leaseholders.
“The Crown needs to step up in terms of pastoral leases and leaseholders generally rather than rely on third party providers.”
Lessees will continue to have 33-year lease terms with a perpetual right of renewal and the right to quiet enjoyment of life, Sage said.
Todhunter says farmers are yet to see how other changes proposed will affect the handling of discretionary consents for burning and cultivation and daily farm management.
Sage said they will face closer scrutiny of discretionary consents for grazing, burning and cultivation to take greater account of the impact on inherent significant values.
The Conservation Department will also play a greater role considering the applications, a function Sage says is not a conflict of interest but uses the department’s skill with biodiversity and ecological values.
“Through working more closely with leaseholders, Ngai Tahu and stakeholders, Land Information will be in a better position to deliver on the Government’s outcomes for Crown pastoral land.”
Land Information will also use technology such as satellite data.
Earlier this year the Government announced an end to tenure review but the Budget provided $96m to complete the 34 properties still at various stages of the process. Four are entering the final or substantive proposal phase.
Sage says the priority of others will be assessed.
“They may not all proceed through the whole process.”
Tenure review allows lessees to negotiate the freehold purchase of part of their lease in return for surrendering areas of significant inherent value to the Crown.
Sage said the Government will remain the landlord of the remaining 1.2m ha of South Island pastoral leases.
Land Information said an analysis of submissions on its proposals for Crown land show broad support.
Of the 3216 submissions received from individuals, 2739 were form submissions promoted by Forest and Bird and Greenpeace.
