Landcorp's allocation questioned

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 1, 3 June 1987, Page 1

Landcorp's allocation questioned

Twenty six mistakes and anomalies have been found in the King Country region as a result of the carve-up of public land between the Department of Conservation, the Forest Corporation and The Land Corporation. Members of the King Country Branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society have spent the past two weeks examining the maps and allocation schedules which were first made public on 16 April 1987. The maps and schedules contain all the allocations that have been proposed. Transfer of title has been put on hold because of court action by the Maori Council. The mistakes and anomalies concern a total area of 14,358ha. 11,512 has been allocated to the Land Corporation and 2876 ha to the Forestry Corporation. Included in these allocation are areas of significant and sometimes nationally important conservation values in - cluding the recently dis - covered Buried Forest in Pureora Forest Park: of immense scientific value; an almost pure Matai forest in Tongariro Forest Park; four rare and/or endangered species habitats have been allocated - two to the Land Corporation and two to the Forestry Corporation; five wetlands containing endangered birdlife such as Fernbird, Kaka, Parakeet, Whio (Blue Duck), Spotless Crake, Kiwi and the Falcon; two areas contain the internationally endangered Dactylanthus taylori, more commonly known as the "wood rose"; two areas are surrounded by scenic ecological reserves. Historic Two areas allocated have historic claims over them from local Maori interests. Forest Corp have been allocated 1005ha of Erua Forest, an area of very significant cultural and spiritual value for the tangata whenua. Landcorp have been allocated a wedge of land between the Whakapapaiti and Whakapapanui which is also subject to an historic claim. One small allocation is both intriguing and alarming to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. A 0.04ha area cannot be precisely located, but appears to be either on a pa, a burial mound or the peacepole. The three year exhaustive

public consultations over the Tongariro Forest Park have resulted in 5400ha of land being allocated to Landcorp despite the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, that the Forest Park not be split three ways. 1612ha surrounding the Outdoor Pursuits Centre are allocated to Forest Corp. The management plan for this area calls for "i.ntensive wood production" and goes against the re - commendations of the Ad - visory Committee and in - tensive public lobbying. The Land Corporation could also become influential real estate owners. Seven hectares of Taupo lakeside at Omori have been allocated to the Land Corporation, 61 ha in National Park township and 55 ha in Turangi. 278ha in total fall into a "real estate" category. The King Country Branch's findings have been forwarded to the Deputy Prime Minister who has promised to re-consider the allocations.