Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Cropping and cultivation - A5575840

For this decision summary:

• LINZ received the application before 17 November 2022.
• accordingly, the decision was made under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 excluding the amendments taking effect on 17 November 2022.

Cropping and cultivation

5 years with ongoing maintenance.

The Commissioner has determined that, provided the cultivation activity remains in the areas identified on the plans attached, the activity has positive benefits for farming that will outweigh any negative effects to inherent values of the land he wishes to protect. The conditions requiring appropriate management will minimise the potential for adverse effects on inherent values.

Consent is granted subject to the following conditions:

1. Cultivation must only occur at the areas as indicated on the plan attached to the Notice of Decision. Any deviation to the location of the works must have prior approval from the Commissioner of Crown Lands.
2. Good management practice measures are to be undertaken to minimise the risk of soil erosion, including the use of minimum tillage and direct drilling techniques where possible, leaving soil bare for as short a period as possible, and avoiding cultivation of dry soil.
3. Spraying to be undertaken by an experienced and appropriate qualified operator and is to be undertaken in suitable weather conditions to minimise spray drift onto adjoining areas. 
4. No spraying or cultivation to occur within the consented areas within five (5) metres of any active waterway/spring/wetland.
5. For Area A, this consent authorises cultivation using discing for the planting of Kale and turnips as a winter feed crop for up to 2 years at commencement and each renewal cycle, and clovers, fescue and chicory for the permanent pasture composition by direct drilling. 
6. For Area B, this consent authorises the planting via direct drilling only of fescue, rye grass and white clover.
7. The areas may be re-cultivated not more frequently than 10-year intervals for the purposes of growing feed or forage for livestock on the property. During such recultivations the conditions of this consent.
8. That a grazing system is implemented that avoids overgrazing of the introduced pasture.
9. That only certified permanent pasture seed free from weeds and impurities is to be sown.
10. Continued inputs of maintenance fertiliser are to be applied to ensure the healthy maintenance of sward and to extend the effective life of the permanent pasture to reduce the need and frequency for renewal cultivation. 
11. All machinery, equipment (including hand and mechanical tools) and materials intended to be used to undertake the activity must be cleaned of plant matter and soil and free of weeds or seeds prior to entering the lease to avoid the introduction of pest plants. 
12. No disturbance to NZAA recorded archaeological site G42/247 – Galloway Station Homestead and Outbuilding is permitted.
13. In the event of an accidental discovery of any archaeological sites, features or material that is likely to predate 1900, work must cease immediately, and the consent holder must advise Heritage New Zealand, and if required make an application for an archaeological authority pursuant to the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014.
14. All contractors and employees of the consent holder are to be informed of the conditions of this consent and the requirement to comply with them prior to any cultivation work commencing. 
15. The Lessee shall keep records of the areas cultivated annually and provide these records to the Commissioner of Crown Lands or LINZ if requested. 
16. On termination of the lease, all land that has been cultivated must be properly laid down in permanent pasture as required by section 16(4) of the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998.

The Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 provides that permission to undertake the activity may still be needed under other enactments.