Land use conflict: The case of the Upper Waimakariri catchment South Island, New Zealand

Abstract

This study investigates the historical and contemporary use pattern and use conflict of the Upper Waimakariri catchment, South Island, New Zealand. The majority of the catchment is public land and marginally productive for agricultural use because of steep slopes, erosion prone soils and a harsh environment. Most of the steepest slopes are public domain and are managed as either national park, reserve or other conservation-related land. These areas are also used for recreation and tourism. Less steep and flat lands of the catchment are either leased from central government or owned privately. At present, tourism and farming are the primary economic activities in the Upper Waimakariri Catchment.

Public lands in a democracy mean that people have vested rights of access, to those lands, to satisfy their needs and wants. In a developed country like New Zealand, interest in the high country is focused primarily on recreation or profit generating activities, sometimes at the expense of conservation values. In developing countries like the Philippines, the need to survive drives people to seek benefits from land, often at the cost of natural resources. High country areas are sources of major economic revenue for timber, farming, oil and energy. A number of central and local government agencies are responsible for the management of these areas. This presents challenges for coordination of management effort.

This study suggests that security of tenure is one of the major issues for the high country. Land tenure and traditional use rights are always a strong influence in land use planning. Planning plays an important role in reaching compromises between private interests and government aims for wise land use. Planning processes such as Carrying Capacity, Recreational Opportunity Spectrum and/or Limits of Acceptable Change, Mavora and the recent Visitor Impact Management and Visitor Activity Management Process concepts may help resolve resource allocation. A careful system of zoning can accommodate use and conservation with a minimum of conflict. This study suggests that a consultative approach to planning is highly desirable in any planning context. Public consultation and public participation are crucial ingredients for successful land use planning. Development, without public input and approval, may fail because in the end, it is public cooperation that is a major determinant of success. Conservation Boards and other public bodies can bridge the gap between people and management. This study suggests that better coordination between the management agencies is required for the high country. Inaction over problems in the high country is often caused when questions such as "who is responsible for what and where" are left unanswered.