NZCA's view of the Haast River Valley Grazing Permit
5 March 2020: Read the NZCA's view on Kay Booth's decision to grant a Grazing Permit in the Haast River Valley.

To: Lou Sanson, Director General of Conservation
Date: 5 March 2020

At the Authority’s February 2020 meeting, we discussed the recent decision by Kay Booth to grant a Grazing Permit in the Haast River Valley.

The Authority resolved to form a sub-committee of Robyn Jebson, David Barnes and myself, in order to meet with Kay and discuss this decision in full; this meeting was held via teleconference on 2 March. Kay outlined key factors influencing her decision and answered numerous questions and points of clarification from the sub-committee.

After consideration, the Authority accept the decision to grant the short-term grazing licence. The Authority finds that this decision was made based on a sound analysis of the West Coast CMS provisions, and noting that the conditions of the licence are for a stricter grazing regime that will be monitored. As such, the Authority requests that the Department provide periodic reporting on:

  1. the progression of the grazing licence;
  2. compliance with the conditions of the licence; and,
  3. actions the Department may be required to take to ensure breaches do not occur or are remedied in a timely manner.

No reira
E noho ora mai

Edward Ellison ONZM
Chairperson NZCA