Grazing policy document
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Schedule parks and reserves grazing licences
The following are Council owned or administered Parks, Reserves or Open Spaced Zoned lands that are currently
or have recently been subject to grazing arrangements.
Apirana Reserve
Currently grazed by horses as part of pony club activity. No management plan.
Churchill Park
Recreation Reserve subject to the Reserves Act 1977 owned by Auckland City.
44ha with estimated 60-70% grazed. Options for grant of grazing tenure:
- Licence - Pursuant to Section 74 the Reserves Act 1977 by Auckland City. Maximum term - 5 years. Public
notification required.
- Lease - Section 73 Reserves Act 1977 by Auckland City with prior consent of the Minister of Conservation and
subject to public notification. Term - maximum 33 years. Conditions as set out in the first Schedule of the
Reserves Act 1977 apply.
The Management Plan (December 1996) on page 39 states as Policy 8.2.3 - Cattle - "To retain cattle grazing
on upper slopes to the extent that enjoyment of the park by increasing numbers of people is not compromised."
Throughout the management plan is the theme of retention of Churchill Park as a rural park. Winter soils tend to
pug from heavy cattle, therefore need to restrict to lighter class during winter months.
Fernwood Reserve
Main area (6.2ha) Recreation Reserve vested in Auckland City ex the Crown.
Small area (166sq.mtrs.) - owned by Auckland City as Recreation Reserve.
Grazing tenure options:
- Licence (Section 74) granted by Council. Maximum term 5 years, notification required.
- Lease (Section 73) granted by Council with consent of the Minister. Maximum term 33 years, notification and 1st
Schedule conditions apply.
There is no management plan for this reserve.
Hamlins Hill
Hamlins Hill is comprised of two parts, the eastern portion of 22.5ha being owned by Council as Recreation Reserve
subject to the Reserves Act 1977, and the western portion of 25ha owned by the Crown with Auckland Regional Council
in a management role. Grazing is conducted by the Auckland Regional Council in conjunction with management of its own
area of responsibility.
There is no management plan for the Council owned reserve area.
Meola Reef
Of mixed status - part Recreation Reserve vested in Council, part Local Purpose (Quarry) Reserve owned by the Crown
(Department of Conservation) and part reclaimed sea bed vested in Council in fee simple. Requires status to be resolved
and unified (Policy 11) before formal grazing tenancy entered.
No management plan, but reserve may be subject to residents’ planting and beautification programme. Grazing by sheep
in the past has presented considerable problems from dog attacks and poor management practices.
Mount Eden
Summit area (area inside Summit Road) is Historic Reserve owned by the Crown with Council appointed to manage. Grazing
licence (Section 74) granted by Council with consent of the Minister. Maximum term 5 years, notification required.
No authority for grant of lease of Historic Reserve for grazing.
Lower Area (area outside Summit Road) is Recreation Reserve vested in Auckland City (Section 26A Reserves Act 1977).
- Licence (Section 74) granted by Council. Maximum term 5 years, notification required.
- Lease (Section 73) granted by Council with consent of the Minister. Maximum term 33 years, notification and 1st
Schedule conditions apply.
The Management Plan (1986) in Section B5 acknowledges grazing as a method of controlling grass growth, acknowledges
erosion problems caused by grazing, requires regulating grazing intensity to minimise erosion problem, suggests
restricting cattle to two year olds, suggests close review of grazing stock type, class and intensity. Past stocking
rate of 15 - 20 head young cattle.
Mount Hobson
Part (9.4 ha - eastern portion) Recreation Reserve vested in Auckland City (Section 26A Reserves Act 1977).
Tenancy options:
- Lease (Section 73)
- Licence (Section 74)
Part (5.06ha - western portion)owned by Auckland City in fee simple held in trust pursuant to Auckland City Loans
Consolidation and Empowering Act 1921 for open space and recreation ground. Not subject to the Reserves Act and any
grazing tenancy for this part would be issued pursuant to the Local Government Act 1977. Mixed status a problem
necessitating a tenancy under two statutory provisions.
No management plan. Volcanic cone requiring light numbers of lighter cattle.
Mount Owairaka - Mount Albert
Recreation Reserve of 9.5ha vested in Auckland City (Section 26A Reserves Act 1977).
Tenancy options:
- Licence (Section 74) granted by Council. Maximum term 5 years, notification required.
- Lease (Section 73) granted by Council with consent of the Minister. Maximum term 33 years, notification and
1st Schedule conditions apply.
The Management Plan for combined ex Mt Albert City Reserves (1981) includes Owairaka, acknowledges grazing with
cattle as management tool, past problems with grazing with sheep, and provides for continued grazing with young cattle,
subject to regular monitoring.
Mount Richmond
Recreation Reserve vested in Auckland City ex the Crown (Section 26A Reserves Act 1977) 18.4954 ha.
Tenancy options:
- Licence (Section 74) granted by Council. Maximum term 5 years, notification required.
- Lease (Section 73) granted by Council with consent of the Minister. Maximum term 33 years, notification and
1st Schedule conditions apply.
The Management Plan (1989) acknowledges past grazing of reserve and keeps grazing as a management tool depending
on the needs of the reserve.
Mount Roskill - Winstone Park
This is a former Domain with Council as Domain Board but the Reserve has not been classified pursuant to the
Reserves Act. Until such time as the classification requirement is met Council is only Appointed to Control and
Manage (Sections 16[7] and 26 Reserves Act 1977). The Reserve has a management plan which recommends dual
classification - upper part of cone as Historic, lower slopes as Recreation - but in the interim the Reserve
being a former Domain is managed as a Recreation Reserve. Until such time as the Reserve is classified there is
no authority for Council to grant a grazing lease or licence.
On classification, either single as recreation or dual - historic/recreation, the reserve vests in Council and
authorities similar to Mt Eden apply. 9ha in area of which approximately 7ha is grazed.
The Management Plan (1985) acknowledges grazing arrangement for up to twelve head of cattle under two years of
age. Page 16 of the Management Plan has the basis of a grazing licence for this reserve.
Mount St John
Recreation Reserve vested in Auckland City (Section 26A Reserves Act 1977).
Tenancy options:
- Licence (Section 74) granted by Council. Maximum term 5 years, notification required.
- Lease (Section 73) granted by Council with consent of the Minister. Maximum term 33 years, notification and
1st Schedule conditions apply.
The Management Plan (1983) acknowledges past grazing with 6 to 8 weaner cattle. The Reserve is currently grazed
by Cornwall Park Trust in conjunction with One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park. This arrangement allows flexibility for
movement of stock as conditions or problems require.
Mount Taylor - Taylors Hill
Recreation Reserve, part vested / part owned by Auckland City.
Tenancy options:
- Licence (Section 74) granted by Council. Maximum term 5 years, notification required.
- Lease (Section 73) granted by Council with consent of the Minister. Maximum term 33 years, notification and
1st Schedule conditions apply.
No management plan for this reserve
Mount Wellington
Recreation Reserve vested in Auckland City Council (Section 26A Reserves Act 1977).
Tenancy options:
- Licence (Section 74) granted by Council. Maximum term 5 years, notification required.
- Lease (Section 73) granted by Council with consent of the Minister. Maximum term 33 years, notification and
1st Schedule conditions apply.
The Management Plan (1989) acknowledges grazing with cattle to control vegetation growth. Grazing to be monitored
to control erosion and soil quality.
One Tree Hill Domain Recreation Reserve
Recreation Reserve of 48.54ha. vested in Auckland City Council.
Tenancy options:
- Licence (Section 74) granted by Council. Maximum term 5 years, notification required.
- Lease (Section 73) granted by Council with consent of the Minister. Maximum term 33 years, notification and
1st Schedule conditions apply.
The Management Plan acknowledges use of grazing in vegetation control and also records concerns at effects of
grazing on erosion and damage to archaeological sites. Calls for investigation of alternative vegetation control
methods but allows for continued grazing meantime. Reserve is currently grazed in conjunction with adjacent
Cornwall Park by Cornwall Park Trust.
Point England - Kaiano
Recreation Reserve of 41ha. vested in Auckland City Council.
Tenancy options:
- Licence (Section 74) granted by Council. Maximum term 5 years, notification required.
- Lease (Section 73) granted by Council with consent of the Minister. Maximum term 33 years, notification and
1st Schedule conditions apply.
The Management Plan (1997) acknowledges the open space nature of much of this park and the contribution that
grazing has toward that. Also acknowledges that soils are wet and subject to considerable pugging in winter then
drying out to an uneven surface making walking across the open paddocks difficult. The Management Plan suggests
continued grazing with light cattle subject to regular review and control. Kiano Reserve is grazed by 3 - 5 horses
and the Management Plan suggests continuation but with modification to paddock structure and provision of pathways
through the reserve to view vantage points.
Waiatarua
41.21ha held by Council in fee simple as and for a public park and recreation ground pursuant to Municipal
Corporations Act (Local Government Act 1974). Not subject to the Reserves Act.
All leases and licences are to issue under provisions of the Local Government Act.
The Management Plan (1984) has policy of continued grazing for vegetation management but grazing will gradually
be reduced in area to allow for new planting areas.
