Discussion of and alternatives for the provision of public recreational access to the Port Hills of Canterbury : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of [Bachelor of] Resource Studies with Honours at Lincoln University

Abstract

The benefits of providing public access to land have been recognised for most of New Zealand’s European history. Provision has been made in law to allow public access but it seems as though the system is ineffective in the way it is implemented. Four main problems arise: issues caused by trespass, ineffective management of current reserves, liability of land owners to recreationists on their land and development pressures. These problems and concerns have been raised by recreationists, land managers and land owners within the study area. The study area for this dissertation is the Port Hills of Canterbury. The background to New Zealand’s public access provisions and situation will be established. This leads to possible solutions to this issue developed from a combination of ideas from other countries and the current laws and situation within New Zealand. The national parks and long-distance walkways of Great Britain will be considered, as will Allemansratt ('The Right of Common Access') in Sweden and the National Trail System Act, 1968 in the United States of America. The five alternatives provided require varying degrees of change to implement and each would result in varying degrees of public rights of access over land on the Port Hills. Suggestions are: 1. No action 2. Better publicity of access rights 3. One management plan for all reserves 4. Enforcement of access rights 5. Heritage Park or Port Hills Regional Park concept

These alternatives are all presented and discussed to give an idea of what each one would and would not achieve. The rationale is to give people the ability to read about various possibilities which represent all sides of the argument. The option I consider to be the most appropriate for improving public access on the Port Hills is a combination of two, three and four. This considers the need to provide more public access opportunities as well as the need to protect the rights of private land owners.