Maps will outline public walkways

Farmers and recreation groups welcome a new online mapping system. Photo / Sarah Ivey

New Zealanders and tourists will soon have a clear guide to their rights of public access in the outdoors - a move welcomed by recreation groups and affected farmers.

After years of debate and animosity over the rights of people to access beaches, lakes, rivers and mountains, the New Zealand Walking Access Commission yesterday launched draft guidelines about the rights and responsibilities of the public and landowners.

The commission is working on a one-stop online mapping system that will show people where in New Zealand they can and cannot roam. It hopes this will encourage more people to experience what the country has to offer.

"The current system is complicated," said commission chairman John Acland.

"It's not easy for people to find information on where they can go on publicly-owned land, or who to contact to ask for permission to access privately-owned land."

"The commission expects to trial a pilot scheme next year. That should make a difference."

Agriculture and Forestry Minister David Carter applauded the plan, saying: "There is a huge amount of public access available in New Zealand, but the information of that access has never been readily available."

Tony Hawker, of Fish and Game New Zealand, said the mapping system would be a "huge help".

"Because at the moment, it's out there but its fragmented. But it's not going to solve problems where you have an unformed legal road and you come across a farmer's locked gates, or a shed has been put in the way. So there's still some work to do there."

Paul Chaplow, general manager of Outdoors New Zealand, welcomed clarification of where people could roam, but was also concerned that the process could result in less overall access rather than more.

Chris Sundstrum, of Federated Farmers, said the new draft guidelines let all groups know exactly where they stood.

* Copies of the draft guidelines are available on the commission's website www. walkingaccess.org.nz