Application for a concession by Te Araroa Trust

Introduction

Have your say on an application by Te Araroa Trust for the construction and use of a swing bridge across the Whangaehu River. Submissions closed 3 March 2025.

This application is notified under section 17SC of the Conservation Act 1987. The Minister of Conservation has received an application for a licence concession.

Application details

Applicant: Te Araroa Trust
Location of proposed activity: Whangaehu River
Map Reference: Whangaehu River from the Whitiau Scientific Reserve
Concession type: Licence
Summary of proposal: Te Araroa Trust seeks a concession for the construction and use of a swing bridge across the Whangaehu River from the Whitiau Scientific Reserve to provide a river crossing link for the Te Araroa Trail. The structure will be fully accessible on foot to members of the public.
Application documents:

How to make a submission

Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing to the Director-General on the proposal.

Submissions closed at 5 pm on 3 March 2025.

1. Prepare your submission

Record what you think in the submission form.

Any person or organisation wishing to be heard at a possible hearing in support of their submission must request an opportunity to appear before the Director-General. This request must be included in your submission.

2. Send us your submission

Send your submission by email or post. You'll get a confirmation email or letter when a submission has been received.

Email: permissionshamilton@doc.govt.nz
Subject line: Te Araroa Trust notification

Post:
Director-General
Department of Conservation
Private Bag 3072

Hamilton 3240

Attention: Joke Methorst, Permissions Advisor

Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, state this in writing when making your submission.

What happens next

After submissions close:

  1. DOC will analyse and consider all submissions.
  2. A hearing will be held if there have been requests to be heard by the Director-General. If you have expressed an interest in presenting your submission at a hearing, you'll be contacted by DOC regarding this.
  3. DOC will analyse and consider information raised at the hearing if a hearing occurred.
  4. DOC will make a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation.
  5. The Minister of Conservation will make a decision on the application.

Hearing details

If a hearing is required, it's likely to occur the week starting 24 March 2025.

Decision

No details at this point. Details, such as submissions and the decision outcome, will be added when they are available.

DOC comment regarding publicly notified applications

The Minister of Conservation has made no determination regarding the suitability of this proposed concession on public conservation land.

This public notification should not be interpreted as an intention on the part of the Minister of Conservation to grant the proposed concession.    

Contact

If you have a question about the application or the submission process you can contact Joke Methorst, Permissions Advisor.

Email: jmethorst@doc.govt.nz