Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill passes third reading

New legislation to improve the management of Crown pastoral land and end tenure review was passed in Parliament yesterday.

The Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill has passed its third reading. The final step before it becomes an Act of Parliament is Royal Assent, given by the Governor-General on behalf of the Queen. This is expected to occur by Monday 16 May.

The Bill amends the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 and Land Act 1948 to introduce an outcomes-based approach to improve the way 1.2 million hectares of Crown pastoral land is managed. It also ends tenure review. This land is administered by Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ).

Tenure review will end the day after the Act receives Royal assent. Only those reviews where a substantive proposal has been put to or accepted by a leaseholder will continue.

The other changes in the Bill will come into effect six months later to enable new supporting regulations and standards to be developed. 

LINZ Head of Crown Property Sonya Wikitera says the Bill marks the start of a new journey to further improve the way Crown pastoral land is managed.

 “Over the last couple of years, we’ve been committed to taking a more active approach to managing these special landscapes. We’ve increased pastoral lease visits and look forward to building on this as we enter this next phase.

“Leaseholders, iwi, the High Country Accord and High Country Advisory Group will be consulted on the new regulations and standards. The public will also have an opportunity to provide feedback.”

To view the latest version of the Bill, or for more information, visit the Parliament website.