DoC Visitor Strategy
Department of Conservation has consulted with NZRA on the development of its ‘Visitor Strategy’, which when released will articulate how it will manage visitors to the Public Conservation land it manages. 80% of NZers visit Public Conservation Land annually and 1.5 million international tourists visiting at least one national park. So it is important that DoC gets their strategy right. We look forward to our input being incorporated into the final strategy and will keep you abreast of its development.

WorkSafe commit to developing guidance on recreational access for landowners
NZRA has been engaging with WorkSafe officials on rectifying misconceptions held by landowners about the HSW Act. Recent closures and access denials have shown that land managers can easily misunderstand the intent and reality of the HSW Act and adopt a risk-adverse attitude to allowing recreational access.

At a recent workshop hosted by WorkSafe, Sam and other representatives of various recreational organisations, progress was made. WorkSafe have committed to developing guidance material for land managers that will hopefully provide confidence and reassurance to those that are faced with a choice to allow recreational access. WorkSafe have indicated that the guidance will be produced and disseminated in months, rather than years.

Education (Protecting Teacher Title) Amendment Bill
We were glad to see that this ill-conceived bill was withdrawn recently. If implemented, it would have disallowed Swimming Teachers to call themselves ‘Teachers’. Swim Mentors, anyone?

Local Government (Community Wellbeing) Amendment Bill 2018
NZRA has made a written submission to the select committee on this bill and will be appearing at the select committee hearings. NZRA supports the Bills concept of community wellbeing and the role that local territorial authorities have in enhancing economic, social, environmental and cultural wellbeing.

We also support the restoration of powers to collect development contributions, particularly when they are utilised to provide recreational facilities such as trails, aquatic facilities, parks, green spaces, playgrounds and sportsgrounds.
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