Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Consent to cultivate - A6126579

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.

Consent to cultivate

5 years with maintenance rights

No inherent values that will be adversely affected by the activity have been identified. The Commissioner has determined that, provided the activity remains in the areas identified on the plan attached, the activity has positive benefits for farming that will outweigh any negative affects 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 for cultivation, subject to the following conditions:

1. Cultivation and cropping is limited to direct drilling only and must only occur at the areas 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 is to be undertaken by an experienced and appropriately qualified operator and is to be undertaken in suitable weather conditions to minimise spray drift onto adjoining areas.
4. No cultivation to occur within the consented area within ten (10) metres of any waterway.
5. The areas may be re-cultivated not more frequently than 6 year intervals for the purposes of growing feed or forage for livestock on the property. During such re-cultivations the conditions of this consent are to be adhered to.
6. That a grazing regime is implemented that avoids overgrazing of the introduced pasture.
7. That only certified permanent pasture seed free from weeds and impurities is to be sown.
8. 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 for, and frequency of, renewal cultivation.
9. 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.
10. 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.

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