Reserves Act 1977

Classification and management of reserves - Farming and other leases

72: Farming by another person or body

You could also call this:

"Letting someone else farm reserve land with rules to protect it"

If you are in charge of a recreation reserve or local purpose reserve and it is not being used for its main purpose, you can let someone else farm or graze the land. You can make an agreement with the Minister to let another person or body use the land for farming or grazing. This agreement must include rules to protect the natural and special features of the land. You must make sure the agreement includes conditions to prevent damage to the land's natural, scenic, historic, or cultural features, as well as its flora and fauna. If the reserve is owned by the Crown and there is no one in charge, the Commissioner can make an agreement with someone else to farm or graze the land, but only with the Minister's approval.

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This page was last updated on 18 September 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM444788.

Topics:

Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Land useHousing and property > Land use

71: Farming by administering body, or

"Using reserves for farming if they're not being used for their main purpose"

73: Leasing of recreation reserves for farming, grazing, afforestation, or other purposes, or

"Leasing recreation reserves for other uses, like farming or tree planting, with permission"

Part 3Classification and management of reserves
Farming and other leases

72Farming by another person or body

Where all or any part of any recreation reserve or local purpose reserve is not for the time being required for the purpose specified in its classification, or where the administering body of a recreation reserve has decided under section 53(1)(a)(ii) that it is necessary or desirable to farm or graze any part of the reserve as part of a development, improvement, or management programme, the administering body may enter into an agreement or lease with the Minister providing for the carrying out by another person or body of farming or grazing operations, including the development and improvement of the land on behalf of the administering body, on such terms and conditions (including the repayment of development costs) as may be agreed upon between the Minister and the administering body:

provided that where in the case of a recreation reserve or local purpose reserve vested in the Crown there is no administering body, the Commissioner may, with the approval of the Minister, enter into an agreement with another person or body to farm or graze the reserve or part thereof as part of any development, improvement, or management programme.
Repealed
The agreement or lease shall include a condition providing adequate safeguards to prevent the destruction of or damage to any natural, scenic, historic, cultural, archaeological, geological, or other scientific features or indigenous flora and fauna.

Notes

Section 72 heading: amended (with effect on 1 April 1987), on 1 July 1987, by section 11(1) of the State-Owned Enterprises Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 117).
Section 72(1): amended (with effect on 1 April 1987), on 1 July 1987, by section 11(1) of the State-Owned Enterprises Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 117).
Section 72(1) proviso: amended (with effect on 1 April 1987), on 1 July 1987, by section 11(1) of the State-Owned Enterprises Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 117).
Section 72(2): repealed (with effect on 1 April 1987), on 1 July 1987, by section 11(1) of the State-Owned Enterprises Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 117).