Rush of Applications to Beat Crown Pastoral Land Act Deadline
January 9, 2023
PHOTO: Peter Scott
Farmers on Crown pastoral leases flooded authorities with development applications just days before tighter protections kicked in.
The leases cover about 1.2 million hectares, or 5 percent of the country, spanning the South Island’s high country. Lessees have grazing rights and other activities need approval from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, an independent officer employed by the Crown’s land manager, Land Information New Zealand.
LINZ confirms it received 218 applications in November – more than the previous six months combined.
More than half of November’s applications came from three districts – Central Otago (55), Mackenzie (46), and Queenstown-Lakes (31).
“These applications include consent to undertake discretionary pastoral activities, stock limitation exemptions, commercial recreation permits and easements,” LINZ head of Crown property Sonya Wikitera said.
“We believe the increase in applications is partially due to leaseholders wanting their applications considered under a familiar regime.”