CORANZ research team came across this comment on Motueka Community Centre’s Facebook site by Luke Wigram that gives a dire warning.
Opinion by Luke Wigram
Recently, I read an article talking about public conservation land in New Zealand, what we call DOC land, and how New Zealand’s government is proposing to make up to 60 percent of the land, which DOC are stewards of – eligible for sale or disposal.
That’s a big deal.
Heres some key things I learnt from the article (link here) [https://e-tangata.co.nz/…/is-this-modernising-or…/](https://e-tangata.co.nz/…/is-this-modernising-or…/…)
“The conservation estate covers roughly one-third of the country - approximately 8.5 million hectares - and includes national parks, conservation parks, reserves, and other protected areas.”
“Currently, the bar is set extremely high to sell or exchange public conservation land - sale or exchange is limited to areas of no or low conservation value.”
“Land which the government would now like to make eligible for sale or exchange includes forest parks, conservation parks, scientific reserves, historic reserves, recreation reserves, scenic reserves, and stewardship land.”
“Under the new proposal, the only land classifications which would be ineligible for disposal are national parks, nature reserves and wilderness areas, and also sites with World Heritage or Ramsar designation.”
Looking at a map of Abel Tasman National Park and its surrounds, I found a little under 150 hectares of land – excluding scenic reserves – which would be eligible for sale of exchange under the proposed legislation. Scenic reserves – such as Paynes Ford and Cannan Downs would also be included, making up a far large land area eligible for sale.
Importantly, a large proportion of the coastal area of Abel Tasman itself is not classified as National Park on the DOC map, but Scenic reserve. 773.9 hectares of paradise. This land is a scenic reserve, and scenic reserves are up for sale or exchange under this law change.
I for one do not want to see this occur – not to one acre.
I recall that not many years ago, New Zealand came together to purchase a small block of land on the foreshore of Awaroa on the Abel Tasman coast, and I would like to know why the silence now.
Last time we garnered international attention for the love we have for our land, we smashed the target needed to buy a section of beach in Awaroa.
Will we let it be sold in silence this time around?
I think it’s important for everyone to look and see what land is potentially up for disposal in their neighbourhood, and in places they care about. People might be surprised just what is potentially on the block.
The link below is to the DOC map that shows how each block of ‘DOC’s land is classified – but remember, it’s all held in trust as public conservation land.
[https://doc-deptconservation.opendata.arcgis.com/…/explore](https://doc-deptconservation.opendata.arcgis.com/…/expl…)
And if you don’t like the idea of their local scenic reserve being sold, and whatever development occurring there – hotels, mines, or a big sign saying ‘KEEP OUT’, its time to talk with people you know and figure out how to stop this unprecedented and unannounced initiative from proceeding.
Let’s make a big of noise and stop the sale of paradise!
This year is election year. It is time for people to not be ruled by apathy especially with the attitude of recent governments – and this one – to the environment. The current government’s Fast Track Approvals Act represents an attack on the environment giving the green light to exploitation of natural resources that includes our wilderness lands, rivers and fisheries, freshwater and saltwater. Ministers Jones and Bishop are responsible for the grab on our land and resources.
National and Act want to sell assets. The sales invariably go to overseas corporates who don not care about the Kiwi environment. Profits of big foreign corporates go offshore. It is time to make a noise.
Good thoughts by Luke Wigram and pertinent to the election late this year. I believe people should continue to flush out the MPs and political parties who pull the strings and wield the power and want to sell out New Zealand. Flush them into the open where the spotlight of public scrutiny at the polls can be clearly focused.
Seems this coalition are hell-bent on worshiping the mighty $ and to hell with the consequences. But who to turn to? Not another round of Chippie surely?