Stewardship Land – what and where is it?

If you hiked in the Remarkables area in Otago or have visited Waitaha river on the West Coast, you might have thought you were moving through the National Parks, but you were actually visiting stewardship land. How come?

It is because not all public conservation land is the same. In Aoteraoa New Zealand, areas of land are classified into categories such as National Park, Nature Reserve or Conservation Area which helps determine how the land is protected. Stewardship land is public conservation land which is yet to be classified. It makes up 1/3 of all DOC land and is often just as stunning and biodiverse as protected areas.

When the Department of Conservation was established in 1987, more than 10% of New Zealand land was placed into the temporary classification of stewardship land. These parcels of land are now typically known as Conservation Areas; many other parcels of land with high conservation values have been added to them since, through Nature Heritage Fund and tenure review purchases. Even though they hold high conservation value, these areas lack the level of protection and active management afforded to other areas, with identical values.

National Park on the left, stewardship land on the right side of the river. East Matukituki valley. Photo: Sierra Alef-Defoe

This leaves stewardship land vulnerable to economic use. In some cases concessions for activities such as hydro development or mining are much easier to gain on such land. In the past years, developers have used ‘land swaps’—trading conservation land for private land if a net benefit is perceived. Notable examples include swapping land, purchased by Nature Heritage Fund on the Craigieburn Range, for bush on Banks Peninsula and a proposed exchange near Seddonville to enable a hydroelectric dam.

To better understand the location and extent of stewardship land, FMC created a Stewardship Land map. Take a tour of the estate and see for yourself:

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What is the issue and what FMC has done about it?

As the future of stewardship land became a prominent issue, FMC joined a broad spectrum of voices in stressing that these areas were not low value—they had simply not been assessed—and that prioritizing their assessment and reclassification was essential. In 2014 FMC launched a “Forgotten Lands” campaign in response to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report about the future of stewardship land (Investigating the future of conservation: the case of Stewardship land). The purpose of the campaign was to improve the protection of stewardship land so that it corresponds to its natural and recreational values.

Our first step focused on eight outstanding natural areas to be formally incorporated into Conservation, Recreation Areas, or National Parks: Whangapoua and Tairua Forests, Waitotara Forest, St James Conservation Area, Livingstone Range and Mavora Lakes, Remarkables, Rangataua Forest/Ruapehu and Lower Landsborough to Lake Moeraki.

FMC also developed targeted campaigns to ensure stewardship areas at risk, or of high conservation value, are reclassified as a priority. In 2020, two campaigns stem from this endeavor: Remarkables National Park campaign and Wild Rivers park campaign, calling for the southern part of the West Coast of the South Island to be formed into a Wild Rivers park.

FMC’s campaigns helped shift public understanding of stewardship land. It is now widely recognized that stewardship land is not ‘low value’ conservation land, and development proposals affecting high-value areas will face public opposition.

Wild and untamed – the Waitaha river on the West Coast flows through stewardship land. Photo: Neil Silverwood

What have DOC and governments done about the stewardship land?

Since the stewardship land issue emerged, DOC and Conservation Boards have debated how to prioritize reclassification. Progress came in 2015 when DOC identified three large and fifteen smaller areas, based on conservation value, to advance. The three large areas—St James, Mokihinui, and Te Wāhipounamu—make up nearly a third of New Zealand’s stewardship land. While the inclusion of 64,000 hectares of Mokihinui in Kahurangi National Park was a success, no progress has been made on reclassifying St James. In 2021, the Government introduced a two-step process to accelerate reclassification: first, the establishment of expert panels to assess land and recommend classifications to the Minister of Conservation, followed by proposed changes to the Conservation Act. The West Coast of the South Island is the first area chosen for reclassification. FMC submitted detailed recommendations for reclassification of this spectacular region. However, both steps are currently on hold.

Where to from here

The present Minister for Conservation Tama Potaka indicated he intends to make final decisions on the reclassification of stewardship land for the Western South Island in mid-2025.

In general, FMC is concerned about the current government’s inclination to see stewardship land as a land of low conservation value and as an economic resource. There are certain development projects included in the Fast Track Approvals schedule, that are located on stewardship land with extraordinary recreational opportunities and high natural values – for example expansion of Remarkables Ski field to the Doolans Area and hydro scheme on Waitaha River, a jewel of a wild river in the heart of the South Westland.

Due to growing pressure on the stewardship land and poor understanding of its values, especially by decision-makers, FMC is committed to extend our advocacy and strengthen the campaign. We will ensure that the proper reclassification is enshrined in Conservation Management Strategies or any new such plans and that land thoroughly assessed through tenure review is given a proper classification as that process is completed. We will continue to advocate to protect any stewardship land, that is under immediate threat: places like the Waitaha, the Remarkables and Whangapoua Forest.

Parts of the West Coast of the South Island are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Area. Photo: Neil Silverwood

What can you do?

Here are some ideas on how you can help:

  • use our map to help you plan your trips and be aware when you are recreating on stewardship land,
  • make a planned visit to a hut located on stewardship land,
  • visit your local stewardship land regularly and take your friends and whānau with you,
  • support and tell your friends about our Remarkables National Park and Wild Rivers park campaigns,
  • tag FMC @federatedmountainclubs when posting about your adventures on stewardship land online,
  • send us your stories about trips on stewardship land,
  • actively participate in consultation with DOC and government when it comes to stewardship land – you can write a submission, sign a petition etc.
  • support FMC and other organisations that share the same values – you can join us and become our supporter or donate to help us protect the land,
  • read stories and background information about stewardship land on our Wilderlife blog.