HUNTERS vs DOC- HUNTERS WIN

Hi all
my first post.

some may be interested in this post on Facebook about the result of our high court challenge to DOC decisions to allow WARO into the closed areas of Ruahine, Tararua and Rimutaka forest parks
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1682...3/?pnref=story

theres more info here about the background
cheers



the Lower North Island Red Deer Foundation has heard the result of our High Court challenge to DOCs 2015 WARO concessions that resulted in allowing WARO into previously Closed areas in the Lower North island

We didn't win all of our grounds we applied for, but some of those were similar and have resulted in the department changes to be considered invalid

we previously agree that if we won, we would accept no change until the next concession review process which is due to begin very soon. This was because the change effects all WARO concessions, not just those in the Lower North Island.

Below is our lawyers summary of it

Edited:

While the Court did not accept all of the grounds in our application, it found in our favour in regards to natural justice. Justice France considered that a duty to consult with recreational hunters existed due to the factors set out at paragraph [53] of the judgement. These include The High Court has issued a declaration that the 2015 WARO concession, and in particular the land boundaries set in the Forest Parks were invalid due to failure of natural justice.the significant nature of the changes to the land in the Forest Parks, and the fact that WARO operators were given an opportunity to comment on the classification of the land but recreational hunters were not, as stated in the judgement: ‘Standing back, I am satisfied this been an unfair process caused by a failure to consult with the applicant.’

The decision has not quashed the current 2015 permit, because it considered this to be a disproportionate response given that the permit applies to the whole of the North Island (and there is only 1 year left to run).




many thanks to all of you who supported this action. it will mean a lot in future DOC decisions about WARO (and other) concession decisions

EDIT reading the full judgement, seems the judge lumped 3 Grounds of our challenge, into one. ie lack of consultation
Importantly, our claim that the Wild Animal Control Act requires DOC to consult was upheld

Great result - and will ensure that recreational hunters are heard in future!!

That's good news about time they look after the many recreational people who use the public land not just the few who profit at our expense.

Very sad that genuine Kiwi's have had to challenge government (DoC in this case) to assert fairness and democracy. Thanks to TH and his associates who took up this cause, for defending the rights of all New Zealanders.