KEY POINTS:
A Government deal over a prized chunk of high-country land could enable the largest addition yet to the spectacular Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park.
Under the tenure review process, the Burnett family, who have a pastoral lease over the historic 2463ha Mt Cook Station, have given 65 per cent of the land back to the Government for public conservation land.
The deal costs taxpayers $1.8 million, while the Burnett family - who have had stewardship of the station since 1864 - keep the remaining 35 per cent of the land as freehold, with conditions.
Land Information Minister David Parker and Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick have today trumpeted the deal as protection for an "outstanding high-country landscape".
Mr Parker said the newly protected land on the lower slopes of the Burnett Mountains, as well as 7200ha of adjoining land in the higher slopes the Crown took over a few years ago, could be a future addition to the national park.
"Today's announcement could enable the largest addition to the national park since it opened in 1953," Mr Parker said.
"In addition, protective covenants have been put in place over the 851ha of lower-lying land being freeholded to the leaseholder. That will protect landscapes by preventing exotic forestry and subdivision."
Ms Chadwick said protections on the new public land included tall tussock grasslands and shrublands containing threatened plants, birds and invertebrates.
Large parts of the property had not been burned for more than 70 years, so the native vegetation was in very good condition.
Also protected were lower-altitude river flats and terraces beside the Tasman River and the Jollie River delta, which were habitats for threatened braided river birds.
Public access to the Tasman River flood plain, from the eastern side of Lake Pukaki, would provide for walking, picnicking, photography and tramping.
Access up the Jollie River to the Burnett Mountains and Liebig Range would provide for tramping, climbing and ski touring.
The new public land is expected to be available for public use towards the end of this year.
