Walking Access Commission members announced

Members of the Board of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission were announced today by Rural Affairs Minister Damien O'Connor.

The Commission was established under the Walking Access Act 2008 which passed into law last week. The Commission will provide leadership on walking access issues, develop a national strategy, undertake mapping of walking access, provide information to the public, develop a code of responsible conduct, assist with dispute resolution, and negotiate new walking access.

"Improving and extending walking access to our outdoor heritage is a high priority for many New Zealanders. I am confident that the members of the Commission will do a great job in showing leadership both at a national and local level on these very important issues," said Mr O'Connor.

Members of the New Zealand Walking Access Board are: John Acland (Chair, Geraldine), John Aspinall (Wanaka), Brian Stephenson (Auckland), Peter Brown (Gisborne), Dr Kay Booth (Christchurch), Maggie Bayfield (Ohope), John Forbes (Opotiki) and Barbara Stuart (Nelson).

Collectively, the members have significant experience in farming, forestry, public service, land management, law, Maori interests, public consultation, local government, recreational access and dispute resolution.

The Minister noted that owing to the conventions relating to the pre-election period, the appointments have been made for a relatively short term and will expire on 28 February 2009.

Biographies of Board members

•1. John Acland (Chair) has wide experience as chair of a number of companies and trusts. He is the former Chair of the Walking Access Advisory Board, the Walking Access Consultation Panel and the Land Access Ministerial Reference Group. He is the current Chair of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

•2. Brian Stephenson is a barrister with extensive experience in employment law and dispute resolution. He is a past president of Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand.

•3. Peter Brown has over twenty-five years experience in community economic development in rural areas and is a current member of the Waitangi Tribunal. His iwi affiliations are Turanganui a Kiwa, Ngati Porou,Te Arawa, and Tuwharetoa.

•4. Dr Kay Booth has twenty years of experience in parks and recreation research and planning. She has held executive positions with non-government conservation and recreation organisations.

•5. John Aspinall has a long involvement with the rural community. He has particular knowledge of recreational, environmental and resource management issues.

•6. Maggie Bayfield has experience working with landowners throughout New Zealand through involvement with QE II National Trust, Rural Women New Zealand, farm forestry and conservation boards.

•7. John Forbes is the Mayor of Opotiki. He has significant experience in governance processes, public consultation and representing rural communities.

•8. Barbara Stuart has thirty-three years of experience farming and personal experience of managing a public walkway through private land. Regional Coordinator for NZ Landcare Trust.