Since 1992 the Crown has reviewed the pastoral lease system and sold off 370,000ha to farmers and developers while putting 330,000ha into permanent conservation land.
But that leaves a large amount of land still in pastoral lease.
Some runholders have done well out of the Crown’s generosity in disposing of taxpayers’ land. Many subdivided and sold off prime blocks, others started vineyards or tourism ventures.
Following last year’s decision to end tenure review Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage now wants to strengthen protections over the land’s inherent values. For example, draining or cultivating wetlands will be prohibited – not unreasonable considering 90% of wetlands have been destroyed since human settlement. Predictably, leaseholders are fighting back over what they consider is excessive red tape. They will have the chance to put their case to the select committee considering the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill.
Gerard Hutching
Pacific deal fails to deliver
The touted benefits of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal to New Zealand’s dairy industry have not materialised with Canada, Japan and Mexico bent on protecting their local industries.
Ruckus over pastoral leases
High-country pastoral lessees are unhappy about the Government’s change of tack over the leases, in which it has put a priority on the inherent values of the Crown-owned land.
Fonterra closes the door to re-entry
From 2023 Fonterra will be able to refuse to take farmers’ milk if they have left the dairy giant and want to return, a move its competitors believe is anti-competitive.
Carving out career path
Nikayla Knight is one of the new faces of farming, having gone from serving coffee in an airport to milking cows on a Mid Canterbury dairy farm.
Store lamb prices rise
The price of store lambs is out of kilter with forecasts in international markets but the latest sales have defied logic by increasing values. Large traders appear to be responsible.
Store lamb prices rise
The price of store lambs is out of kilter with forecasts in international markets but the latest sales have defied logic by increasing values. Large traders appear to be responsible.
