OIAD-3653
10 January 2024
Penny Sparks
[FYI request #24756 email]
Tēnā koe Penny
Thank you for your request to the Department of Conservation, received on 12 December
2023, in which you asked for the following information in relation to a notice of the closure of
Goldie Bush published on 4 December 2020:
Can you please give a full list of where this was published please. Where may i view
the formal notice of closure. Can you please provide a link to it.
We have considered your request under the Of icial Information Act 1982.
Context
In your request you disclose that you hold a copy of my response to “Scot P” who requested
information about the Mokoroa Falls Track and Unformed Legal roads in Goldie Bush (ref
OIAD-3568). In my response I provided context for the closure of Goldie Bush, and as you
already hold that I wil not repeat it.
Response
Your questions and our responses are listed below:
1.
Can you please give a full list of where this was published please. Where may i view
the formal notice of closure. Can you please provide a link to it.
The public notice was published in the
New Zealand Herald on 4 December 2020. I have
located an image of the public notice. This image is listed in the table below and accompanies
my response as Attachment 1 (Item 1).
I am not able to provide you with an online link to the public notice as it is from three years
ago. You may be able to access an online copy of the 4 December 2020 edition of the
New
Zealand Herald via the public library network.
Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai
DOC-7524882
Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Office
Private Bag 68908, Wellesley St., Auckland 1141
www.doc.govt.nz
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In reviewing my advice to “Scott P” dated 12 December 2023, I note we advised that we also
published the notice in local newspapers (OIAD-3568). On further investigation I can confirm
that the advice was incorrect and we have identified that it was only published in the
New
Zealand Herald.
Item
Date
Document description
Decision
1
4 December Image of public notice
Released in full
2020
2.
I can find an informal press release on your site. But it does not give the section/clause
of the reserves act which has closed Goldies Bush. If it is not in the formal notice, can
you please provide the document which shows which specific part of the law, under the
reserves act was used to close the Bush.
The two scenic reserves that together comprise “Goldie Bush” were closed pursuant to
sections 55(1)(a), 55(1)(b) and 55(1)(f) of the Reserves Act 1977. Section 55 of the Reserves
Act can be viewed at this link:
https:/ www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1977/0066/latest/DLM444730.html
Section 55 of the Reserves Act does not specifical y require the closure of a scenic reserve to
be publicly notified. The Department arranged for the publication of a public notice about the
closure to ensure that the public were informed. We also issued a media release, which you
advised that you have viewed on our website.
Advisories
Please note that this letter (with your personal details removed) and the attached document
may be published on the Department’s website.
If you would like to discuss this response with us, please contact Stefan Sebregts, Senior
ranger Heritage and Visitors, by email to
[email address].
Nāku noa, nā
Andrew Baucke
Regional Operations Director, Auckland
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
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