Two recent announcements from the government are set to make these activities even better for those taking part, and for landowners whose property is accessed for recreational use.
As part of the government’s commitment to reform health and safety law and regulations, we have announced a change that clarifies the law for landowners and will free up private and public land for recreational use.
Landowners will not be responsible if someone is injured on their land while doing recreational activities. Health and safety responsibilities will lie squarely on the organisation or people running the activities.
We all know recreational pursuits aren’t without some risk, and sometimes it’s the risk that makes it fun.
This government wants New Zealanders to be able to hunt, fish, hike, climb, mountain bike, kayak and so much more without being caught up in health and safety red tape.
The change will apply to public and private land, from farms and forestry to school grounds, local council land and regional and national parks.
This change will not impact private property rights, and it will still be up to the landowner to grant access to their land if they wish.
A new and improved hunting permit system is also set to be introduced to make it easier for New Zealanders hunt on public conservation land.
Longer permits, automatic reminders and better navigation are part of a significant upgrade replacing the current outdated hunting permit system with improvements based on the direct feedback of hunters. These may be simple changes, but they reflect a government committed to making it easier to go hunting and fishing on conservation land and are willing to listen to the feedback of the hunting community to do so.
The new permit system will be launched by the Department of Conservation in May.
