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Education – Open Letter to Education Minister from Ōtaki-Kāpiti Principals’ Association

Source: NZ Principals Federation

Open letter follows:
Tēnā koe Minister Stanford,
We are writing on behalf of the Ōtaki-Kāpiti Principals’ Association to express our deep concern regarding the Government’s recent announcement to remove the Treaty of Waitangi obligations from school Boards and centralise these responsibilities within Government. Alongside this, we remain extremely worried about the rapid pace of curriculum change and the lack of genuine consultation with the profession.
As principals, we lead schools where the Treaty is not an add-on; it is woven into our values, daily practice, and relationships. Our partnership with mana whenua, Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga and Ngati Toa Rangatira (The ART Confederation) is one of the great strengths of our kura. This relationship guides our local curriculum, supports culturally sustaining practice, and ensures our tamariki understand their place and identity within our rohe.
Across our kura, giving effect to Te Tiriti happens in real, lived ways every day through:
  • Partnerships with mana whenua that shape curriculum design and school decision-making
  • Kapa haka groups that are valued and well supported
  • Pōwhiri, karakia, waiata and tikanga woven through school events and culture
  • Noho, hāngī, celebrations of Matariki, and connections to local stories and sites
  • Normalising te reo Māori in classrooms, playgrounds, and assemblies
  • Developing local curriculum that reflect mātauranga Māori, local histories, tikanga, te ao Māori and place-based learning
  • Culturally responsive teaching practices
  • A strong focus on equitable outcomes and Māori success as Māori 
These are not political gestures-they reflect our values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, kotahitanga, and whakaute. They strengthen identity, belonging, respect and wellbeing for all tamariki, not only Māori.
While our kura will continue this work regardless of policy shifts, we are deeply concerned that removing Treaty obligations from Boards risks creating national inconsistency and avoidable harm to race relations in Aotearoa. Some kura may feel less able, or less courageous, to uphold Te Tiriti in meaningful ways. This would have significant negative impacts, not just on tamariki Māori, but on all learners who benefit from culturally rich, inclusive education. 
We also wish to highlight our concern about the proposed new national assessment rollout in Term 1 and the rationale for and speed of disestablishing NCEA. The timing, while teachers and principals are still working to understand the new curriculum expectations, as well as structured literacy and structured maths requirements, feels like a step too far. Introducing high-stakes assessment during this period is likely to increase stress, reduce the quality of implementation, and ultimately fail to produce the outcomes the Government is seeking.
More broadly, there is a growing sense across the sector that schools are “under attack”. Sudden shifts, tight timelines, and insufficient engagement with practitioners are compounding pressure at a time when the system is already stretched. Hundreds of principals nationwide have called for the curriculum rollout to be paused to allow for genuine, sector-wide consultation and realistic timeframes.
We respectfully urge the Government to:
1. Revoke the removal of Treaty responsibilities from Boards of Trustees.
2. Pause high-stakes assessment implementation in Term 1 and the disestablishing of NCEA.
3. Slow the curriculum rollout to allow for careful, collaborative development.
4. Engage meaningfully with the sector to ensure changes are workable and sustainable.
We wish to be clear that we are not against change; we understand and support reform where it is necessary and well planned. However, the frantic pace of current reforms is not beneficial and risks undermining the very outcomes the Government seeks. Our Association remains committed to constructive dialogue and to working with you to ensure all tamariki in Aotearoa receive an education that is inclusive, future-focused, and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Ngā mihi nui,
Ōtaki-Kāpiti Principals' Association Tumuaki/Principals
  • Kapakapanui School
  • Kāpiti College
  • Kāpiti Primary School
  • Kenakena School
  • Ōtaki School
  • Our Lady of Kāpiti School
  • Paekākāriki School
  • Paraparaumu Beach School
  • Paraparaumu College
  • Paraparaumu School
  • Pukerua Bay School
  • Raumati Beach School
  • Raumati South School
  • Te Horo School
  • Te Kariti o Ōtaki (Ōtaki College)
  • Te Ra School
  • Waikanae School
  • Waitohu School.
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Northland News – Burning, smoke nuisance complaints dominate

Source: Northland Regional Council

Burning and smoke nuisance complaints continue to dominate calls to the Northland Regional Council even as higher penalties are doled out.
From 01 July until the end of last month 153 burning and smoke nuisance (BSN) complaints were reported to the council’s 24/7 incident hotline, a 34 percent jump on the 114 complaints fielded over the same period last year.
Council’s Group Manager – Regulatory Services, Colin Dall, says every year the council gets about 300 BSN complaints, accounting for roughly a quarter of all hotline calls.
“Most of the fines issued for calls to the hotline are for burning and smoke nuisance.”
He says the offending usually entails either open burning on trade/industrial sites (which is not allowed), burning of non-permitted materials or causing a smoke/odour nuisance beyond a property’s boundary.
In September this year central government significantly increased the penalties involved for breaching environmental rules under the Resource Management (Infringement Offences) Amendment Regulations 2025.
“Some recent examples where people have not complied with an abatement notice to cease contravening the burning rules have resulted in fines in excess of $2000 for individuals and more than $5000 for companies.” “Trade/industrial penalties are higher again.”
Mr Dall says previous fines for breaching environmental rules had ranged from $300 to a maximum of $1000 but the new penalties ranged from $600 to maximum of $4000.
“Under the changes, fines are different for individuals and companies, with company fines effectively double those for individuals.”
Under the new regime individuals breaching the rules have seen the penalties for a land use contravention go from $300 to $1500.
“Discharge to air (including burning fines) contraventions went from $300 to $600, discharge of contaminants to water (or where likely to get to water) went from $750 to $1500 and discharges from industrial or trade premises from $1000 to $2000.”
Penalties for contravening an Abatement Notice increased from $750 to $2000.
“For companies the penalties have increased much more steeply.”
“Land use contravention has gone from $300 to $3000, discharge of contaminants to water (or where likely to get to water) from $750 to $3000 and discharge from industrial or trade premises from $1000 to $4000.”
For companies contravening an Abatement Notice the penalty has gone from $750 to $4000.
Those burning on an industrial or trade premise where it is non-compliant now face a $2000 penalty.
Mr Dall says the new penalties are the first time the fines have been increased since early 2000.
“Once again, we encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the appropriate information before undertaking activities that could lead to potential breaches of our rules and regulations.”
Mr Dall says people can contact the council for advice on (0800) 002 004 if they have any doubts about an activity they were about to undertake.
Alternatively, people wanting more information can visit the council’s website: www.nrc.govt.nz/newregionalplan
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Property Market – Homebuyers’ only fear: fear itself – FAMNZ

Source: Finance and Mortgage Advisers Association of New Zealand (FAMNZ)

The only thing homebuyers have to fear is fear itself, according to the Finance and Mortgage Advisers Association of New Zealand (FAMNZ).

FAMNZ managing director Peter White AM said the latest ABS Housing Confidence Survey should be welcome news to aspiring homeowners.

“Often the only thing holding back first homebuyers from taking the plunge into ownership is a feeling of fear and uncertainty,” he said.

“But this fear can come at a significant financial cost later in life if you miss out on the opportunity to amass personal wealth through property.

“Aspiring buyers should be taking advantage of today’s favourable market conditions because buying conditions haven’t been this good for more than a decade.

“The ABS survey shows buyer sentiment at its highest level in 15 years, so now is the time for aspiring owners to get into the housing market.”

Mr White encouraged buyers to do their homework before talking to a mortgage adviser who can help them find the right loan.

“Mortgage advisers can help borrowers access a far wider range of products than major banks – products specifically suited to their own unique circumstances,” he said.

“Market conditions frequently change and could become less favourable in future, so take advantage of the buyers’ market that now exists.

“You shouldn’t fear entering the housing market – if you enter the market now and start building equity it will benefit you and your family in the long run.”

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Weather News – A warm start to the week – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Monday 8th – Thursday 11th December:

  • Warm, mostly sunny conditions dominate the North Island and eastern South Island
  • Heat Alerts issued for Gisborne and Hastings today
  • Brief bursts of wind and rain for the lower South Island.

After last week’s thunderstorms, heavy downpours and rapidly changing skies across the North Island, this week sees a strong contrast as conditions have taken a noticeably calmer and warmer turn. A settled early summer pattern is over Aotearoa New Zealand, bringing warm days, light winds and long fine spells for much of the country, though the south will feel a bit more varied.

The North Island has already been feeling the change, with dry westerlies, clear skies and high temperatures becoming the theme of the week. Tauranga and Whitianga recorded their highest December temperatures on record on Sunday at 31.2°C and 30.9°C respectively*. Heat alerts have been issued for Gisborne and Hastings today, where temperatures may reach 32°C and 34°C, especially inland.

Temperatures are expected to stick in the mid to high twenties for many regions supported by sunshine, relatively stable air and higher than normal sea surface temperatures, however, a gradual southwest change will see temperatures ease throughout the week.

While most of the country trends settled, the South Island sees a bit more variation. The West Coast remains the most unsettled area, where rain and the chance of thunderstorms continue at times. Further south, Fiordland, Southland and Stewart Island may experience strengthening northwesterlies as a cold front brushes through on Tuesday night, while Otago and Canterbury may also see some patchy mid-week rain as that front extends onto them.

MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden says the shift will be welcome for many. “Last week brought a lot of lively weather. This week is much more settled. Most regions are already experiencing warm, pleasant days with only brief interruptions from cloud or an isolated shower.”

Temperatures remain a standout feature, particularly for northern and eastern areas where clear skies and dry westerlies help boost daytime highs. Even with some more persistent cloud for places like East Cape, the overall pattern favours sunshine and comfortable conditions for most of the population.

Stay up to date with the latest forecasts at metservice.com or on the MetService app.

*Temperature records for Tauranga Airport and Whitianga Airport began in 1941 & 1990 respectively.
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Children’s Commissioner launches urgent nationwide advocacy campaign

Source: Children’s Commissioner

“The reality is that children – often very young children – are dying in our country by homicide. We can’t let it happen anymore.”

That’s the stark message shared today by Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad, as she launches a nationwide advocacy campaign focused on preventing all forms of child maltreatment (physical, sexual, emotional abuse, exposure to domestic violence, and neglect).

“Child homicide is an issue that has required my attention since day one in the role. Abuse, violence and neglect are part of the daily reality for thousands of children in our country. But this is completely preventable,” says Dr Achmad.

“That’s why I’m using the platform I have as Children’s Commissioner, together with my team at Mana Mokopuna, to start a nationwide conversation that I want to lead to action – so that all our mokopuna can grow up safely.”

The Dear Children campaign brings focus, urgency, and collective responsibility to what she says is a problem we can and must solve as a nation. Its launch, ahead of the summer holidays, is intentional.

“Tragically, last summer holidays, two children were killed by homicide. Going into this time of year, I want New Zealanders to be aware that child abuse is a problem in our country, and to commit to looking out for children.”

Despite decades of attention, many cases of child harm go unreported or unaddressed often due to systemic gaps, stigma, a lack of support for families and parents, and people looking away. International data from 2023 showed New Zealand had one of the highest rates of deaths of children under five compared with similar countries, about three times higher than Australia.

At the heart of the campaign is a letter the Children’s Commissioner has written directly to our nation’s 1.23 million children, in which she affirms ‘you have the right to be safe.’ To the adults reading, she’s saying ‘A child’s right to safety is something we adults should protect fiercely – and I’m asking you to play your part.’

“My request of all adults in our country is to sign this letter alongside me. Together, let’s send children a crystal clear message: they are precious to us and we will do better by them, so they are all growing up safe.

 

“Join me in creating a ripple effect of real change. Please visit dearchildren.co.nz to sign the letter alongside me, share it with your community and reflect on the things, small and large, that you can do to play your part in keeping our nation’s children safe, well and thriving. Let’s show New Zealand’s children we won’t accept any of them being harmed anymore.”

Notes

Find the campaign including shareable resources and sign the letter at www.dearchildren.co.nz

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad is the independent advocate for all children under the age of 18 in Aotearoa New Zealand and children and young people under 25 who have been in or who are in care and/or custody. As Children’s Commissioner, Dr Achmad leads the team at Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner, an independent Crown entity. 

 

Mana Mokopuna | Children’s Commissioner advocates for the best interests of all children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand and looks to ensure all of their rights are respected and upheld. This email is confidential. If it is not intended for you please do not read, distribute or copy it or any attachments. Please notify the sender by return email and delete the original message and any attachments. Any views expressed in this email may be those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of Mana Mokopuna | Children’s Commissioner.

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Health Appointments – GenPro Welcomes New Board Member and Confirms Leadership for 2026

Source: General Practice Owners Association (GenPro)

The General Practice Owners Association (GenPro) has strengthened its governance team with the co-option of a new board member and the confirmation of its Chair and Deputy Chair for the 2026 year.

Following the Annual General Meeting, the GenPro Board confirmed the reappointment of Dr Angus Chambers as Chair and Dr Stephanie Taylor as Deputy Chair, and welcomed Dr Richard Lowe as its newest co-opted board member.

Dr Lowe is a specialist GP and co-owner of a large, multi-site Very Low Cost Access practice in Mt Roskill, Auckland. At 33, he brings fresh perspective and strong future-focused advocacy to the GenPro Board.

“GenPro is doing an outstanding job uniting the voice of GP owners, making our message stronger, and ensuring practices like ours are heard at the top table,” says Dr Lowe. “I bring a fresh perspective on today’s challenges and a determination to see general practice thriving in 10, 20 and 30 years’ time.”

Dr Lowe believes the coming years will be pivotal, with many long-serving owners approaching retirement.

“With many owners set to retire, it’s vital that as many of these practices as possible remain in GP hands. This means encouraging GPs to step into ownership and ensuring each and every new owner is engaged with GenPro. Without this, we risk the gradual erosion—and even extinction—of independent general practice.”

Alongside his practice leadership role, Dr Lowe has recently broadened his governance and sector experience, including serving as temporary Clinical Director at ProCare (contractor), representing the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners on a Health NZ funding working group on palliative care, completing training with the Institute of Directors, teaching General Practice Education Programme Year one  registrars, and providing care in two residential aged-care facilities.

He sees significant opportunity for GenPro to support stability and strong leadership in the sector.

“GenPro can play a leading role in connecting GP owners, supporting younger GPs into ownership, helping retiring owners keep practices in GP hands, and developing future leaders across the health system.

“We know that well-resourced general practice delivers better care, closer to home, and improves the health of New Zealanders. The next generation of GPs can bring new fuel to GenPro’s mission—and I offer a direct, relatable connection to this group.”

GenPro Board for 2025/26

Dr Angus Chambers – Chair
Dr Stephanie Taylor – Deputy Chair
Dr Mary English
Dr Richard Lowe
Dr Vicky Jones
Dr Richard Lowe (co-opted)
Dr Hiria Nielsen (co-opted)
Dr Mark Peterson
Bethan Rajwer
Michelle Te Kira

GenPro represents the owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres across Aotearoa New Zealand.

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Environment – The 12 pests ruining Christmas for farmers

Source: Federated Farmers

Pine trees and deer might stir up warm feelings of festive joy for many Kiwis, but for farmers they represent mostly cost, destruction and heartache.
That’s why Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to highlight the most troublesome farm pests.
Richard Dawkins, Federated Farmers’ spokesperson on pest issues, says the campaign is about raising awareness of New Zealand’s growing pest problem and hopefully spurring some action.
“Sure, we’re taking a cheeky and playful tone with our messaging, but this is a serious issue that needs some urgent attention from the Beehive.
“These pests and weeds aren’t just a minor nuisance; they’re an economic and environmental crisis causing serious problems for farmers and conservationists.
“They’re spreading disease, destroying native forests, killing native birds, chewing through farmer’s pasture, and in some cases eating newborn lambs – it’s absolutely devastating.”
To highlight the problem, Federated Farmers has booked a large digital billboard outside the Beehive and will feature a new pest each day in the lead-up to Christmas.
“Unfortunately, these pests are out of sight and out of mind for most New Zealanders, running rampant through farms and forests, not cities and suburbs,” Dawkins says.
“That’s why we wanted to put them up in bright lights in central Wellington – to make politicians and the public really sit up and take notice.”
Dawkins says New Zealand’s pest problem is getting worse by the day, and we need a coordinated national pest management plan to protect our farms, forests and biodiversity.
“Pests are costing farmers hundreds of millions of dollars every year in lost pasture, damaged fences and stock losses – but there is a large cost to indigenous biodiversity too.
“And the problem is only getting worse. New Zealand’s pest control systems are severely underfunded and too fragmented to do the job properly.
“Responsibility is scattered across DOC, regional councils, MPI, OSPRI and others, but there is no single lead agency with overall responsibility – so we keep going backwards.
“We’re calling for a national pest strategy that unites all the main players under one co-ordinated plan covering all species and land tenures.”
Dawkins says most urban New Zealanders would be horrified if they saw the true scale of the pest problem facing farmers and conservationists.
“For example, I’m well aware of many farmers – like those in the Lawrence area of Otago – who are losing large numbers of newborn lambs to feral pigs coming out of forestry blocks.
“These farmers are heading out during lambing season to find their paddocks strewn with the picked-clean carcasses of dead lambs. It’s terrible stuff.”
And pigs are just one of the 12 pests robbing farming families of Christmas joy.
Other pests on Federated Farmers’ naughty list include wilding pines, possums, feral deer, feral goats, wild cats, wallabies, rabbits, and Canada Geese.
Dawkins says he hopes the ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ campaign will spark some serious conversations about the issue.
“If we can get everyday New Zealanders talking about our national pest problem as they stand around a barbeque drinking a beer this summer, then we’ve done our job.
“And if we can get Ministers talking about the issue around the Cabinet table, that’s even better, because they’re who we need to step up and sort this out.
“Farmers are doing their bit – trapping, shooting, poisoning, fencing, clearing, monitoring, you name it – but this can’t be solved farm by farm.
“A national problem of this scale requires a national solution – but that will require much more coordination, funding and leadership.”
Full lyrics to Federated Farmers’ The Twelve Pests of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: bush pigs rooting in the field 
On the second day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 2 wall-a-bies 
On the third day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 3 wild deer 
On the fourth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 4 kill-er cats 
On the fifth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: FIVE WILD-ING PINES! 
On the sixth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 6 chewing goats 
On the seventh day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 7 T-B possums 
On the eighth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 8 rab-bits breed-ing 
On the ninth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 9 Can-a-da geese 
On the tenth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 10 ducks de-stroy-ing 
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 11 koi carp swir-ling 
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 12 rats a-gnaw-ing.
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Greenpeace – Another dead rat banquet for NZ First? Resource Management bills expected tomorrow

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is questioning whether NZ First has acquired a taste for the ACT Party’s dead rats, as the Government prepares to unveil its new Resource Management bills tomorrow.
Greenpeace understands the RM replacement bills are expected to include a “Regulatory Takings” clause, whereby if councils introduce rules to limit environmental harm, foreign and domestic companies will likely be able to claim financial compensation.
It’s a provision that Greenpeace says would directly contradict NZ First’s long-held stance of defending Kiwi communities from foreign corporate interests.
Greenpeace campaigner Genevieve Toop says: “Under this plan, if regions like Gisborne want stronger rules to stop forestry slash destroying homes and rivers, ratepayers would likely be forced to pay offshore forestry companies 'compensation’. It’s absurd.”
“Regulatory takings is a ‘polluters get paid’ scheme, where ordinary New Zealanders would have to pay companies to get them to stop polluting. It’s a truly fringe and radical idea that the ACT Party is trying to import into Aotearoa.”
“NZ First only just finished choking down David Seymour's last dead rat, the Regulatory Standards Act. We’re surprised that they appear back for more so soon,” says Toop.
NZ First recently voted the highly controversial Regulatory Standards Bill into law. While the party succeeded in softening a similar regulatory takings provision in the Bill, it announced its commitment to repeal the law only weeks after providing the votes required for it to pass.
“New Zealanders should never be expected to pay financial compensation to the very corporations causing the damage to their communities,” Toop said.
“We are about to find out if NZ First chooses to stand with New Zealanders or with foreign corporations demanding public handouts for the simple act of ceasing to trash Aotearoa.”
With the Government planning to cap council rates, Greenpeace is warning that most councils will be financially unable to introduce new protections – effectively blocking locally specific regulations to prevent slash, flooding, and the nitrate contamination crisis.
Greenpeace is calling on NZ First and National to remove all regulatory takings provisions from the RM replacement bills. Further details of the reforms will be released when the Government introduces the bills to the House tomorrow.
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Universities – Te Herenga Waka graduates light up Wellington

Source: Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington
This week, the newest cohort of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s graduates will stop traffic with glam fits, billowing cloaks, and bright smiles, on their way to celebrate their achievements at the Michael Fowler Centre and Te Herenga Waka marae.  

The group of over 1,100, which includes over 540 students who have achieved postgraduate qualifications, will be supported by friends, whānau, and Te Herenga Waka staff as they parade through Wellington—from Government Buildings to Queens Wharf—on Thursday 11 December.

Among those crossing the stage will be two honorary doctorate recipients: business leader Dame Theresa Gattung, who will be presented with a Doctor of Commerce, and legal luminary Sir David Carruthers KNZM, who will receive a Doctor of Laws.

This graduation period includes the first Doctor of Nursing to be conferred by the University Council which was awarded to James Rice-Davies for his research on the need for increased access to HIV testing programmes.

“This is a time to recognise academic achievement, but also to acknowledge the perseverance and resilience it has taken our graduates to achieve their goals,” says Chancellor Alan Judge.

“We are in a time of global change, but our graduates have developed values and relationships that will sustain them throughout their lives.

“To our graduates—our future leaders and innovators, I look forward to walking alongside as you lead us into the future with integrity, perseverance, and empathy.”

December graduation will be a time of celebration for the 99 students who will receive their Doctorates, with their significant bodies of work adding to Te Herenga Waka's rich research output.

Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith says this cohort of graduates should be extremely proud of their achievements as they move to the next phase of their lives.

“Graduation always reminds me of the extraordinary potential our students bring to society, whether they joined us straight from school or decided to study later in life. As they move into the world as ambassadors of our university, we are grateful for the energy, creativity, and perspective they contributed to our community. We are immensely proud to see them carry their skills, connections, and commitment to service into the public, creative, and commercial sectors.

“I look forward to witnessing the contributions they will make as they join our global network of over 150,000 alumni.

“Congratulations to all our graduates—we celebrate your achievements and look forward to your future successes.”


 

About Graduation ceremonies

Monday 8 December

Pasifika Celebration, 5.30 pm, The Hub
This is the first Pasifika graduation hosted by Dr Emma Dunlop-Bennett, the University’s new Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika).


Wednesday 10 December 

Ceremony 1 – 9.30 am, Michael Fowler Centre

 

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Health

 

Ceremony 2 – 3 pm, Michael Fowler Centre

 

Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering

 

 

Thursday 11 December

Parade – 1 pm, Old Government Buildings – Queen’s Wharf Square

All graduates and their whānau

 

Ceremony 3 – 3 pm, Michael Fowler Centre

 

Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation

Faculty of Law

Wellington School of Business and Government


Friday 12 December—Te Hui Whakapūmau

Ceremony 4 – 9.30 am, Te Herenga Waka Marae

 

Faculty of Education

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Health
Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation

 

Ceremony 5 – 2 pm, Te Herenga Waka Marae

 

Faculty of Science
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Law
Wellington School of Business and Government 

 

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Agencies unite to secure future of Macetown road

Source: Herenga ā Nuku – the Outdoor Access Commission

The Outdoor Access Commission will be one of several organisations to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Arrowtown, marking a major step toward securing long-term public access to the historic Macetown Road. The agreement brings together Queenstown Lakes District Council , the Department of Conservation (DOC), Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), the Outdoor Access Commission, and private landowners.
Macetown Road, an iconic farm track linking Arrowtown to the gold rush-era ghost town of Macetown, is a popular route for 4WD enthusiasts, motorbike riders, trampers, mountain bikers, runners, and gold prospectors. Despite its popularity, the track has never been legally constituted as a road. Heavy use and more than 20 river crossings have led to significant wear. Without coordinated action, the route risks becoming impassable.
The current situation is complicated. No entity is currently responsible for maintenance. There is a complex mix of landowners involving private farmland, LINZ-managed pastoral lease land, DOC-managed marginal strips, and LINZ-managed hydro parcels.
Herenga ā Nuku chief executive Dan Wildy highlighted the importance of collaboration:
“This MOU secures access for everyone who values this part of Otago’s heritage. We are committing to work together so that 4WDers, bikers, and other recreationists can continue to enjoy Macetown Road without compromising its future.”
Alongside the MOU, the community is also working on installing gates to manage 4WD traffic and extend track life. The Overseas Investment Office previously recommended formalising access on the Macetown Road as part of an overseas purchase of some of the private land along the road
The agreement formalises public access and develops a framework for sustainable use of the road. Funding and maintenance responsibilities remain to be resolved, but the MOU commits the partners to the safe management and long-term preservation of the track. 
The Outdoor Access Commission has played a pivotal role advocating for access along the road, supporting the memorandum and committing to cover a portion of the survey costs of Coronet Peak Station access easements .
“The Outdoor Access Commission’s leadership has been critical,” Wildy said. “Everyone involved is ensuring that public access isn’t just protected for today, but for generations to come.”
This MOU will help keep the road open, accessible and sustainable for the thousands of locals and visitors who treasure it.