High country appeal would be irresponsible

Federated Farmers believes an appeal of the Minaret Station Otago Land Valuation Tribunal decision would be an irresponsible use of taxpayers money. The Federation has also lambasted former Labour Lands Minister, the Hon David Parker, as still failing to understand what high country pastoral leases entail.

“It would seem very unwise for Land Information New Zealand (Linz) to appeal what was a well reasoned decision by the Tribunal,” says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers High Country spokesperson.

“Any Government appeal of this decision would only expose taxpayers and high country pastoral lease holders to an additional financial burden.       

“This test case sets a precedent for hundreds of other high country land valuation cases waiting to be processed. Labour’s David Parker and his bevy of environmental groups must now accept the Tribunal’s decision that intrinsic amenity values cannot be included in the rent for high country pastoral leases.

“Although I am not surprised that Mr Parker is now calling for an appeal, as it was his decision to bring this case in the first place, he still doesn’t grasp what a high country pastoral lease is.

“Now he is covering his own behind by trying to influence how high country properties are valued when the rent is set for pastoral leases. This is a clear case of political interference in the judicial process and a deliberate attempt to override both the 1948 Land Act and the 1998 Crown Pastoral Land Act.

“High country farming families would never have entered into pastoral leases without having robust property rights. This is what the Tribunal decided. Security of tenure is vital so that this iconic New Zealand landscape is protected for generations to come.

“What’s more, Mr Parker’s claim that the ruling will mean only wealthy foreigners can afford to purchase high country leases shows just how little he understood his former portfolio and the law. If Mr Parker had his way, only millionaire foreigners could afford to operate a high country lease.

“The intent of the present Government is to ensure the rent paid by lease holders fairly reflects permissible land-use and that means farming. This is designed to ensure the viability of lease holders’ farming businesses and we have no doubt the Tribunal was aware of these factors when making its sensible decision,” Mr Aubrey concluded.