$50 fee for hunters and fishers in Kaingaroa forest
Charging hunters and fishers a $50 fee to use Kaingaroa Forest in an unacceptable abuse of power, says United Future leader Peter Dunne.
Charging hunters and fishers a $50 fee to use Kaingaroa Forest in an unacceptable abuse of power, says United Future leader Peter Dunne.
Kaingaroa is the largest forest in the North Island, in the inland East Cape and Bay of Plenty. The majority of the forest is on land leased from the Crown and local iwi.
On its website, forest manager Timberlands said people wanting a recreational permit had to register with a security company, Independent Security Consultants, which carried a $50 fee.
The site said recreational permits were limited to hunting and fishing in the designated areas only.
The company declined to comment on the fee when contacted by NZPA.
Mr Dunne said there was a well established common right for New Zealanders to fish and hunt without charge.
"As Timberlands are still intending to restrict access during the summer months it means that anglers are being asked to pay for a permit they are unlikely to be able to use it during the fishing season anyway," he said.
The fee was an abuse of power he said.
"Part of what makes this a wonderful country to live in is the egalitarian principle that no-one can own or sell access to publicly owned resources."
NZPA
Fri, 18 Mar 2011
Fri, 18 Mar 2011
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$50 fee for hunters and fishers in Kaingaroa forest
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