New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Freephone: 0800 The NZILA : info@nzila.co.nz

HIGH COUNTRY LANDSCAPE GROUP click here for Reports and Updates
- Identification of Significant Inherent Landscape Values in the High Country

See also www.stoptenurereview.co.nz This website posts links to research and other background information on tenure review.

Anne Steven Landscape Architect's
MT BURKE AND GLEN DENE PASTORAL LEASE TENURE REVIEW

A Review of How Tenure Review has
Enabled the Protection of Significant Inherent Landscape Values

Mt Burke Glen Dene Audit Report - Executive Summary (2Mb)

Mt Burke Glen Dene Audit Report - Outcome & Conclusion

Table 1colour A4.doc (47kb)

complete Tenure View Report available upon request from Anne Steven

[as at Jan/Feb 07] Over the last three to four months the programme of tenure review has been heavily debated and has been under investigation, and the programme itself has slowed down considerably. There have been no new proposals advertised since September 2006.

Nevertheless, as of December 2006, 40 of the 306 pastoral leases existing in 1998 have been 'disposed' of and a further 19 have accepted the final proposal. Only 34% of pastoral leases have not entered tenure review.

Two properties in Otago were surveyed this summer (Loch Linnhe in the Nevis valley and Shortlands in the Danseys Pass area); and 7 were surveyed in the Canterbury region including 5 in the Mackenzie Basin and 2 smaller foothill properties.

dairy cattle on newly developed irrigated pasture on outwash plain south of Lake Ruataniwha, Mackenzie Basin
(photo: A Steven)

Concurrently, there are mounting concerns over the ability of district planning in places like the Mackenzie and Waitaki districts to cope with the sudden relinquishing of control over development, for example concerns over lake side development for rural lifestyle around the shores of Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. With large scale advances in irrigation technology and water supply ability combined with the release of land to freehold ownership, broadscale landscape change is also looming.

View south across Ohau Downs, southern Mackenzie
Basin (photo: A Steven)

High country landscape group members have been actively involved in reviews of the process, meeting with the PCE team in September and writing for the media to bring the serious landscape issues right up front. It is comforting to read and hear many others share our concerns over the landscape outcomes both real and potential that have occurred including from David Parker, our Minister of Land Information, to the point where he has stipulated that every proposal must now pass over his desk.

The issues of landscape protection in general, and protection of lake side landscapes in particular, are foremost. Also the question of including landscape values in valuation methodologies and the importance of providing for enhancement of lowland biodiversity. The concept of using covenants (instead of unencumbered freehold) especially for landscape protection is gaining interest but the concerns related to the use of covenants remain to be addressed, and the concept of whole property covenants remains a concept only.

downlands below Braemar Dome, Mackenzie Basin
(photo: A Steven)

Group members intend to keep pushing for change in the implementation of the process, so that our wonderful and special high country landscapes are given the recognition and protection they most definitely deserve.

Anne Steven, Wanaka
January 2007

These subtle foreground landforms are dunes formed in the loess mantle that overlies the glacial outwash gravels. The dunes form as the loess is eroded and redistributed across the landscape through time
From State Highway 8 between Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, January 2007 (photo: Di Lucas)

Further reading:

Click here for media release 'Protect the high country or NZ's crown jewels will be laid out for the picking- says international landscape expert', Word of Mouth Media, 27 December 2006

'High Country Highjack' , Mike White, North & South, Nov 2006 (please email info@nzila.co.nz to request an emailled copy 3MB)
Otago Daily Times, 5 January - "Review Putting Landscape Values At Risk", Anne Steven
Click here to download 'More fuel stoked on high country furore; New revelations about deals anticipated', Chris Hutching, National Business Review, 2 February 2007