Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean says the public’s response to the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill shows the bill "should be turfed."

The bill, which is now with the Environment Select Committee, would end the tenure review process and redesign the regulatory system.

Tenure review separates leasehold land into private land owned by the farmer and conservation land owned by the Crown. 

While the process was developed to assist farm productivity and grow the conservation estate, critics say it has resulted in former Crown pastoral land being made freehold and subject to more intensive farming and subdivision development, and condemned large payouts to farmers through the process.

Submissions closed on the bill late last month and Jacqui, the opposition spokesperson for conservation, pointed to the fact almost all the close to 2,000 submissions opposed it.

Jacqui Dean PHOTO: Supplied

"High country farmers have expressed their disapproval of the proposed bill which would see an end to tenure review and alter regulations on crown pastoral land,” she said. 

When addressing parliament in July last year, Jacqui called the end of tenure review "a land grab by the government".  

However, former Conservation minister Eugenie Sage called the bill a milestone because of "its importance for the sustainable management of the South Island high country". 

Eugenie said the bill provides the framework for pastoral leaseholders to continue to farm while safeguarding the farms’ unique and precious features.

The bill does not change the system of setting rentals on pastoral leases.

Since 2010 the taxpayer has paid more than $30M to farmers through tenure review, taking 120,000ha for conservation and privatising 145,000ha.

A handful of local stations have been through the tenure review process including Lake Hāwea Station, Alpha Burn Station and Glendhu Station.

The Environment Select Committee is gathering information and preparing a report on the bill for the House, which may include recommending changes. 

MPs will then debate the report and vote on the bill.