Proposal to vest part of Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve

Introduction

The Minister of Conservation has publicly notified a proposal to vest a part of Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve near Queenstown in Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Submissions closed 26 June 2022.

Submissions closed 26 June 2022

DOC invited submissions from the public on a proposal from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (Te Rūnanga) to vest a part of the Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve in them as an administering body.

Read the submissions

DOC received ten submissions on this proposal.

Application details

This application is notified under sections 26 and 119 of the Reserves Act 1977. The Minister of Conservation has received an application to vest a part of the Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve near Queenstown in Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

Applicant: Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Location of proposed activity: Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve, Arthur’s Point, Queenstown
Summary of proposal: Application to vest 0.8 ha of the Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve, transferring responsibility for administering this part of the reserve from DOC to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Further information:

About the proposal

The Minister of Conservation received a request from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (Te Rūnanga) to vest a part of the Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve in them as an administering body.

The Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve is a highly visible and well used reserve in the Queenstown area.

The area of the reserve proposed for vesting is approximately 0.8 hectares and is currently leased to Shotover Jet Ltd, which is owned by Ngāi Tahu Tourism Ltd.

Shotover Jet Ltd has operated from this site under a 30-year lease since 1993 and has been owned by Ngāi Tahu Tourism Ltd since 1999.

Te Rūnanga seeks to develop, enable, and support ahi kā, whilst connecting their customers with the iwi and the proposed vesting area through the sharing of their stories.

The proposed decision on this vesting is subject to section 4 of the Conservation Act which requires the Department to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Along with requesting to be the administering body of the proposed vesting area, Te Rūnanga are also seeking delegations of Ministerial powers relating to the 0.8 ha proposed vesting area.

Vesting a reserve does not change land ownership; the land remains subject to the Reserves Act.

Make a submission

Submitters were asked to send written submissions on the proposal (including the grounds for any objection they may have) and an indication of whether they wish to be heard in support of their submission to:

Statutory Land Management Manager
Christchurch Service Centre
Private Bag 4715
Christchurch Mail Centre
Christchurch 8140

Email: SLM@doc.govt.nz 

Submissions closed 26 June 2022.

Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, state this in writing when making your submission.

What happens next

After submissions close:

  1. DOC will analyse and consider all submissions.
  2. A hearing will be held if there have been requests to be heard. If you have expressed an interest in presenting your submission at a hearing, you'll be contacted by DOC regarding this.
  3. DOC will analyse and consider information raised at the hearing if a hearing occurred.
  4. DOC will make a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation.
  5. The Minister of Conservation will make a decision on the application.

Hearing details

If a hearing is required, it's likely to occur mid-July 2022.

Decision

No details at this point. Details, such as submissions and the decision outcome, will be added when they are available.

Contact

If you have a question about the application or the submission process you can contact SLM@doc.govt.nz.

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