Tenure Review in the High Country

What is tenure review?

In 1998 the Crown Pastoral Land Act was passed which gives farmers the option of having their land reviewed so their pastoral lease land can be divided into freehold farmland and conservation land.

Tenure review is a voluntary process. 

The aim of this process is to:

1. Identify land which is suitable for production so that it can become freehold land owned in full by the farmer
2. Identify land with high conservation, recreation and landscape values so that it can become conservation land, which is owned by the government and can be accessed by the public.

Tenure review is managed by LINZ. (Land Information New Zealand).

Farmers do not have to go through this review process, they can continue to lease their land. Farmers who hold pastoral leases do not own the land they farm, they lease (rent) it from the government. These pastoral leases are for a period of 33 years. If farmers choose to have their leased land reviewed they negotiate with the government about how much land they can own and how much will become conservation land. The leaseholder and the government each pay for their share.

Do you think tenure review is a good idea? You could discuss this with your class.

New conservation land from tenure review has mostly been less productive higher mountain land. Tenure review has only recently started to protect lower areas of natural vegetation.

The government has made several purchases of all or part of some high country properties with the aim of protecting conservation and recreation values.

Conservation Parks

Government purchases of some properties have allowed conservation parks to be created such as;

• Korowai-Torlesse Tussockland Park 
• Te Papanui in Otago
• Tākerehaka/Eyre Mountains in Southland
• Hakatere Conservation Park which protects the Ashburton Basin and Lake Heron wetlands
• Seaward Kaikōura Range
• Te Kāhui Kaupeka Park on Canterbury’s Two Thumb Range.

Tenure review and the new parks have guaranteed open public walking access to many formerly inaccessible parts of the high country, created hundreds of kilometres of new walking and mountain bike trails, and preserved historic sites.

How is freehold land being used?

Land already freehold can be used for economic activity which is benefiting communities and the wider economy, for example viticulture and tourism. Some land continues to be used for farming.

Use of freehold land as a result of tenure review is still controlled by regional and district planning processes under the Resource Management Act.

Who is consulted during tenure review?

A range of parties are consulted as proposals are developed, including;

• The Department of Conservation
• Fish and Game
• Iwi
• The public are also notified and can make submissions to have their say about the review.