Access to Mt Richmond Forest Park has been an issue for recreational communities in the upper South Island for quite some time. Much of the legal public access to the park is over a large number of easements through OneFortyOne forests. Many of these easements were closed because of forestry operations until June 2024, causing a considerable amount of frustration among recreation groups, who regularly use the forest park.
Recently, FMC submitted recommendations to Forest Stewardship Council before their audit of OneFortyOne Plantations Holdings, an Australian forestry company, which own and operate many plantation forests on the periphery of Mt Richmond Forest Park. In FMC’s view, OneFortyOne did not fully meet the Forestry Stewardship Council standards, especially the principles relating to engagement with local communities to support their economic and social activities and to accommodate their access across the forestry land.
The outdoor community expects access to the Forest Park to be safeguarded by the public access easements. Around 70% of these easements were closed last summer and autumn. There was no information available on how long the closures would last, or on any possible alternative routes into the park. In June, OFO updated the status of public access easements across their land to the park. About 80% of the easements can now be accessed. Signs will be installed in the near future to advise of closures. Despite the updates on the access point on the company’s website, the frustration that lasted over several months has mainly been caused by a lack of constructive dialogue between OFO and affected communities. To date, there have been no meetings between OFO and recreational groups.
FMC would like to see a working group established, comprising representatives from OneFortyOne, Federated Mountain Clubs NZ, Te Herenga ā Nuku/Outdoor Access Commission, local outdoor recreation clubs, NZ Deerstalkers Association, Department of Conservation, and Nelson/Marlborough Fish & Game to meet two or three times a year to review access arrangements over the public easements. The group should develop more detailed guidelines about the opening and closing of the public easements.
Such working relationships could include reviewing the status of public access easements, the opening and closure of routes, accompanying signage, as well as the provision of alternative access routes etc. The information would be published on the OFO and Department of Conservation websites.
FMC also requested to be added to the Forest Stewardship Council’s list of stakeholders, so we have an opportunity to contribute to future audits of the forestry companies.
Photo: Mt Richmond, (c) Andrea Cockerton
