Partially-reviewed Kahurangi National Park Management Plan now with NZCA

Date:  20 April 2010 Source:  Nelson/Marlborough Conservation Board

The Nelson/Marlborough Conservation Board has referred the partially-reviewed Kahurangi National Park Management Plan to the New Zealand Conservation Authority (NZCA) for final decisions on draft new provisions including in relation to proposed mountain biking trials on the Heaphy and two other park tracks.  

The conservation board and the Department of Conservation are reminding the public that in the meantime no mountain biking can take place in Kahurangi National Park.

Nelson/Marlborough Conservation Board member Dr Philip Simpson said final decisions on the draft partial review provisions lie with the NZCA in consultation with the Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson.

‘The draft partially-reviewed Kahurangi National Park Management Plan contains new provisions relating to the five matters considered in the partial review. These include draft provisions for a winter-season Heaphy Track mountain biking trial, from 1 May to 30 September, and year-round mountain biking trials on the Flora Saddle to Barron Flat and Kill Devil tracks.

“The NZCA will now consider the draft partially-reviewed plan and it may decide to modify some provisions before approving the plan.”

Dr Simpson, convenor of the board sub-committee which considered public submissions, said it was a matter for the NZCA to determine the time it needed to consider and approve the draft partially-reviewed park management plan including consulting the Minister of Conservation.

In total, 645 public submissions were made on proposals in the partial review of the plan. Around 40 submitters took up the option of speaking to their submissions at hearings in Takaka, Motueka, Nelson and Karamea.

“Some adjustments were made to the draft provisions in light of public submissions before the revised plan was passed to the NZCA for final approval,” said Dr Simpson.

“The draft mountain biking provisions received the most comment with 494 submissions referring to it, the majority supporting trialling mountain biking.   

“Until the partially-reviewed plan is approved, the current park management plan remains in effect. Under the current park management plan and park bylaws no mountain biking can take place in the national park.

“The conservation board and the Department of Conservation urge people to respect and comply with the bylaws. People who ride bikes in the park can be prosecuted for breaching park bylaws.”

The five matters considered in the partial review of the plan had arisen due to changes in circumstances or policy since the current park management plan came into effect in 2001. The NZCA is also considering draft partial review provisions relating to aircraft access, some increased hunting access, allowing guided horse trekking access on a short route in the park, and not permitting private or commercial accommodation on the Heaphy Track.

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