OIO’s job on Lauer deal ‘outstanding’
WELLINGTON: The Overseas Investment Office did an ‘‘outstanding job’’ in the deal with former US broadcaster Matt Lauer to buy the farm now at the centre of a dispute over access, former land information minister Mark Mitchell says.
Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage on Tuesday blamed the previous government, and singled out Mr Mitchell and his former ministerial colleague Steven Joyce, for the current stoush over public access through the Hunter Valley Station, on the shores of Lake Hawea.
‘‘I completely disagree with that. The OIO did an outstanding job,’’ Mr Mitchell said.
‘‘There were clear identifiable benefits that weren’t preexisting and it appears like they’re coming back for a second bite of the cherry,’’ he said, referring to the Walking Access Commission and the Department of Conservation which are seeking an easement through the station to allow vehicle access to a road that connects to conservation land.
‘‘They can do that, but don’t point the finger at what was actually a very good deal for New Zealand,’’ Mr Mitchell told NewstalkZB yesterday.
The Walking Access Commission and the Doc are seeking an easement through the 6500ha station to allow vehicle access to the 40km road that connects to conservation land — a 40km road and estimated twotothree hour drive.
Mr Lauer is entitled to compensation if the access is granted.
Ms Sage said the Walking Access Commission asked for vehicle access. ‘‘It’s a long way along the edge of the lake,’’ she said.
The OIO recommended that there were other benefits from the application and recommended that it be approved.
Ms Sage said an easement for public access to pastoral land would result in compensation, ‘‘but not the millions that is now being talked about’’.
While the station says ‘‘reasonable’’ access is granted, asking permission to enter the station is nigh on impossible, a South Island mountaineer told RNZ yesterday.
Mountaineer and guidebook editor James Thornton said getting a contact number for the farm was almost impossible.
He had called Doc asking for the number, but it refused, and getting in contact with the farm managers was challenging as voice messages were not returned when left on the number published online.
‘‘I think it is disingenuous of them to say, ‘Just call us up and we’ll let through.’ because they obviously don’t want anyone to have the number.’’
Other trampers RNZ spoke to said they had similar frustrations.
Doc said its refusal to give out the phone number for the station was not unusual.
It said the phone number for Hunter Valley Station could be found publicly in the White Pages. — NZME/RNZ