Cabinet studies land access issue

The controversial issue of public access to waterways and the sea is to be considered by Cabinet today.

Many farmers, spurred on by an Act campaign, fear that the Government plans to open up their land by giving everyone a "right to roam".

Ministers have grappled with the issue for many months and Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton has been back to Cabinet numerous time with various options.

The Government has been increasingly concerned that the so-called "Queen's chain" that was meant to guarantee access to the sea, lakes and rivers is a legal fiction in most parts of New Zealand.

Officials say that many farmers are overreacting as the Government is only looking at ensuring walking access to "significant" rivers and bodies of water, not a general right to roam across any land anywhere at any time.

Earlier this year, Mr Sutton was reported to be preparing for Cabinet a proposal for pedestrian access to public land which would balance individual and collective rights in extending the Queen's chain on the coastal foreshore and lake and river banks.

"We hope to build on that, not by compulsion, but possibly by agreement or a mechanism to facilitate more extensive access on that basis," he said last month.

Act MP Gerry Eckhoff claims the Government is looking to erode property rights and risking opening farms to criminals and other unwanted visitors.

Mr Sutton has said although land on farmers' property was private, the water running through it was public.

"There is no private title to water in New Zealand. The public want to have a higher quality of access as practicable to fish and enjoy the environment.

He said he wanted to ensure any changes to the Queen's chain did not interfere with farmers' ability to farm because he did not want to intrude on their privacy.

While Cabinet considers the issue and officials hope a decision will be announced before Christmas, it is possible ministers might want even more time and information before they proceed.

- NZPA