More than 200 anglers debated their options in Rotorua on Monday night in response to the Timberlands closure of vehicle access to trout fishing along the upper Rangitaiki River this summer.
Timberlands has closed the Kaingaroa Forest to public vehicle access from October until May, which is the best fishing season.
Anglers can still walk in, but face a hike of 25-30km.
United Future's Peter Dunne and Rotorua National MP Todd McClay attended the Rotorua meeting.
'It was a pretty good turnout and it was good to let people know what was happening, and the fact that it is Timberlands policy and not a central North Island iwi policy,” says eastern region Fish & Game manager Rob Pitkethly.
'There was a good response to the question of anglers if necessary taking on a higher level of responsibility to be able to access the forest at certain times in certain areas.
'What happens now is the politicians who were there, United Future's Peter Dunne and Rotorua National MP Todd McClay, are pretty adamant they will try and do something about it.”
Since the central North Island iwi settlement, the Kaingaroa Forest has reverted to private ownership. The owners, the iwi, have always said that they are happy to let the pre settlement access situation continue, says Rob.
'Timberlands, the tree managers, they have re-looked at their legal requirement for access and have sort of decided to ‘work to rule' and are only allowing the legal access for anglers, in summer in particular.
'Legally there's only one legal public easement and they are letting people use that. The other legal situation is you can walk anywhere you want in the forest, and they have said they don't have any problems with that. The problem is the forest is twice the size of Lake Taupo.”
The traditional access through the forest was a more than the legal requirement, says Rob.
Previously Timberlands exercised some corporate good and demonstrated a higher level of social responsibility, says Rob.
'Now they have gone back to the bare legal minimum. Timberlands have been pretty staunch on it, and we need to show them there is a higher level of angler and public concern.”
4 comments
So who's liable?
Posted on 23-11-2010 17:40 | By Murray.Guy
Timberlands are tasked with managing the forest, which, I imagine, places on them liability where mis-management occurs resulting in material losses (EG: Fire). So the question is, in the event of losses as a direct consequence of public access, who pays? Will the fishing fraternity agree to paying for an insurance levy, a public liability levy, a track maintainance levy lest anyone injure themselves or damages a vehicle? The list goes on. My guess is the public will want to be able to enjoy the benefits that the private land provides but will not contribute to their share of the costs associated with those benefits.
FYI murray.guy
Posted on 25-11-2010 09:33 | By MissyJ
With regard to your comment "My guess is the public will want to be able to enjoy the benefits that the private land provides but will not contribute to their share of the costs associated with those benefits." What the anglers want is to be able to travel to the public land that runs alongside the Rangataiki river and waterways within the Kiangaroa forest. Access has been denied to vehicles. Walking access is still permitted. As the river and waterways are some 25kms to 30kms within the forest this makes it difficult to achieve. With regard to maintenance of tracks Timberlands have never taken any responsibility for these, Fish & Game and several fishing clubs have kept these along with signage in good repair. Public Liability Insurance for anglers was discussed at the meeting in Rotorua and it was agreed that this should be part of the discussion with Timberlands.
Thanks MissyJ. Far reaching issues!
Posted on 25-11-2010 11:36 | By Murray.Guy
Sounds like the fisher folk are, in the main, being responsible and prepared to be accountable. Problem is how to protect the assets from those irresponsible, the ones who might enter the area in cars (stolen). Is burnt out cars, rubbish, an issue as it is up Pyes Pa (TECT PARK)? It's a bugger that the fire risk period runs concurrent with the best fishing period. We live in rapidly changing times with hightened awareness of risk issues and fewer folk willing to share in those risks. In the event of a fire I can well imagine who will be left with a burnt while everybody else ducks for cover - Timberlands. Just another unforseen outcome of 'treaty settlements, privatisation' versus 'public ownership'.
Again FYI murray.guy :-)
Posted on 25-11-2010 13:48 | By MissyJ
It is understood that the fire risk is high during the summer months, and we have ALWAYS taken the utmost care when staying in the forest at these times. Yes, up until 2 years ago there was a camp ground at Te Awa in the Kaingaroa (it is now called a picnic spot!). This was the ONLY area where camping was allowed so that we could all be accounted for if an emergency arose. Those of us who camped there (with permits issued by the forest management) also acted as a deterrent to those who would perhaps NOT be in the forest for the right reasons. These people of course do not bother to apply for a permit so Timberlands are not aware of them until their trail of destruction or plantations of cannabis are found. We, on the other hand, supplied vehicle registration, fire arm licenses (if hunting) and names of family or club members that were requesting a permit to enter the forest and/or camp. Regarding your comment "Just another unforseen outcome of 'treaty settlements, privatisation' versus 'public ownership'." I would point out that the iwi who own the land have NO say in the management of the forest and it was not their intention for this to have happened. They have also been shut out in the same way as anglers. They are no longer able to use vehicles within the forest to go hunting. Together we are looking for a resolution which will accommodate all that wish to use this area in a safe and positive way.
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