(19659005) American broadcaster Matt Lauer has agreed to begin negotiations with Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) about access through his pastoral lease to Hunter Valley.
Peter Wilson, president of FMC, said he hoped the breakthrough, which apparently follows an offer made by Lauer's attorney general conservation department director Lou Sanson.
Lauer, who bought last year the lease for the highland resort of 10.759ha Otago for $ 13 million, has been under pressure to provide better access.
After a holiday in 2016, Lauer bought the Hunter Valley station in Central Otago. He describes New Zealand as "the most sensational country on the planet."
His lease extends from the northern shores of Hawea Lake to the Hunter Valley and keeps access to the Hawea Conservation Park of 105,000 ha.
* US presenter Matt Lauer may fail character test and lose Kiwi bolthole
* Foreign buyers of New Zealand pastoral leases seek refuge, according to critics
Queenstown Lawyer , Graeme Todd, told Newsroom and other interested parties in September
Wilson said that he wanted to clarify the access that FMC was looking for, because some media had wrongly said that the Outdoor organization wanted unhindered access.
"We have never sought unobstructed access.is what is in the current proposal of servitude that is for a lambing and calving season restriction and 4 wheel drive with permission only "
" The difficulty is for the moment that access is quite random, it's difficult to get in touch with the farmers.We always thought that it had to be between the hands of an independent and neutral party, "Wilson said.
Federated Farmers said he was encouraged by Matt Lauer's offer to work on issues of access to the Hunter Valley station. Katie Milne offered the help of her organization as a landowner representative.
"I am confident that with all parties present in the room, we will be able to find a practical and friendly solution." Unhindered access through Hunter Valley Station is not what is sought after. It's time to take a break during the winter when access through the resort is not sure anyway, and get around the table in two months to find a way to live with all the world. "
The millionaire broadcaster was fired last year from his job as NBC host after allegations of sexual misconduct.
– Stuff