1 Aug 2018

Mt White Station: 'Generations of Kiwis have thought this was their land'

6:59 pm on 1 August 2018

Back country hikers say the government has missed the perfect opportunity to correct a century-old mistake and ensure one of the South Island's most beautiful spots went back into the public hands.

Mt White bridge over Waimakariri River.

Mt White bridge over Waimakariri River. Photo: 123RF

The Overseas Investment Office has approved the sale of the lease on Mount White Station, near Arthur's Pass, to a Czech-born New Zealand resident.

The property includes almost 1000 hectares, known as Riversdale Flats, which was originally intended to be part of the Arthur's Pass National park.

Federation of Mountain Clubs president Peter Wilson said it was an "incredibly popular" area.

"It's open, accessible, wonderful scenic landscape value, and a road going right through it...generations of Kiwis have thought this was their land."

Riversdale Flats is the gateway to Arthur's Pass National Park, and Mr Wilson said that while people had no problem accessing the area, there was no certainty that would continue.

"Particularly with the hardening of attitude around property rights, and the potential for the lease to be sold overseas. It needs to be sorted out."

Mr Wilson said the legal status of the flats was not clear, with some people believing it was legally part of the national park, and others who said it was part of the pastoral lease.

The government and Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) had a chance to clarify its status before it went into new hands.

'A bizarre situation'

LINZ Crown Property deputy chief executive Jerome Sheppard said they did look into the status of the flats land but it was not straight forward.

"It was gazetted as national park - there is no argument over that in 1901.

"But it was not included in the Arthur's Pass National Park when that was created in 1929 and had been farmed all that time - and then was put in pastoral lease at a later stage. So it's a really unique and in some ways a bizarre situation."

Gerry McSweeney owns a wilderness lodge at Arthur's Pass, which borders Mt White Station.

While the land was under a pastoral lease the owners had certain rights, including the right to trespass people, he said.

The previous owners sought permission to turn parts of the wider station into farm paddocks, which would have destroyed a unique environment.

Mr McSweeney said LINZ had missed an opportunity to protect a special area.

"I certainly wouldn't have LINZ on my team if I was playing cards, because they have actually given away all their advantages.

"They have approved the transfer of the pastoral lease through the commissioner of Crown lands. They have approved the sale through the Overseas Investment Act and have given no indication that the destruction of 1000 hectares of the native vegetation through Mount White.

"Those consents won't be carried forward, and finally of course they haven't sorted out the Riversdale Reserve."

Mr Sheppard said he was confident nothing would change public access and new owner Lukas Travnicek had indicated he would like to formalise access.

LINZ, the Department of Conservation and Mr Travnicek's representatives will meet on Friday but an outcome is not expected for some time.

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