Nelson Mayor Nick Smith has raised concerns that the Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill could remove natural protections from more than 1,600 hectares of coastal land within the Abel Tasman National Park. While Smith warns of long-term consequences, Attorney-General Chris Bishop and the Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust maintain that the land’s transfer from the Crown will not change the experience for park visitors.
Why the land status is changing
The legislation is designed to resolve the country’s longest-running property dispute, known as the Nelson Tenths case. According to the Attorney-General, the Crown never actually owned the 3,000 hectares of land in question, which includes the coastal strip now being transferred. Chris Bishop stated that the land was incorrectly incorporated into the Abel Tasman National Park at the time of the park’s establishment. The High Court later found that the Crown was not the owner, prompting negotiations between the government and the trustees to settle the future use of the private property.
The debate over park protections
Mayor Nick Smith, a former Minister of Conservation, argues that the current draft of the Bill contains flaws that could jeopardize the park’s future. Smith’s primary concern involves clauses that he claims would allow the Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust to develop the land after a 25-year management agreement with the Department of Conservation (DOC) expires. He has launched a petition, which has gathered over 1,700 signatures, to ensure the area remains protected as a national park in perpetuity.
In contrast, the Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust describes the Bill as a “hugely positive” development. The Trust maintains that the 25-year agreement with DOC provides a framework to ensure conservation work continues and that public access to the 55km-long coastal strip remains unchanged. The Trust stated that any future agreements beyond the initial 25-year period would be based on partnership and stewardship, aiming to manage the land for the benefit of future generations.
What happens next
The legislative process is currently underway, with public submissions on the Bill having closed on Monday. The Finance and Expenditure Select Committee is scheduled to report back on the Bill by July 29. Depending on the committee’s findings, the proposed 25-year licence for DOC to manage the land may proceed as drafted, or further amendments could be introduced to address the concerns raised by the Mayor and petition signatories regarding long-term land development rights.
