Government to extend public access to land, but no 'right to roam'

Walkers are set to gain from changes. Picture / Brett Phibbs

The Government has decided to extend access to the Queen's Chain but it will be for walkers only and a new agency will take three years to work out the details, Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton said today.

He said the chain, which is supposed to ensure public access to rivers, lakes and beaches, had been eroded over the years and in many places there was no certainty about whether it actually existed.

Farmers have been concerned about the impact of the Government's intention, but Mr Sutton said there would be no "right to roam" and where access was needed across private property it would be negotiated by the agency.

New five metre-wide access strips would be designated along waterways, but there would also be 50m exclusion zones around houses and 20m zones around farm buildings.

"This is a decision to enhance walkers' access, not a right to intrude on people's homes or business buildings," Mr Sutton said.

"We want to be quite clear that this new access is for walkers only. It is not for people in vehicles, people with dogs, or people with guns unless they have the express permission of the landholder."

The process for deciding exactly what to do will take time -- legislation will be introduced to Parliament around the middle of next year and a select committee will hear public submissions.

A statutory code of responsible conduct will also be introduced, so walkers know what they can and can't do.

Mr Sutton said the new agency would "clearly set out legal access where it currently exists and negotiate walking access across private property where there is none now".

Compensation was possible in "particular circumstances" but he thought it unlikely there would be cash paid out to farmers.

Mr Sutton said about 70 per cent of waterways which should have a Queen's Chain had one now, but in many cases the waterway had either moved or the public strip had eroded away.

- NZPA