Submission to the Regional Land Transport Plan, from NZ Horse Recreation Inc
Regional Land Transport Plan Submission
From: NZ Horse Recreation Inc. Vivien Dostine, President.
Address: 55a Gallony Ave, Massey. Auckland 0614
Phone Number: 027 4419 022
Email Address: viv@nzhorseriders.info
Do you wish to be heard? N
About NZ Horse Recreation Inc.
NZ Horse Recreation Inc is a volunteer based not-for-profit community group, which has operated since 2008.
Our membership and affiliated clubs come from all regions in New Zealand, and all sectors of the community. In
addition to our members, and affiliated clubs and organisations, NZ Horse Recreation Inc regularly consults and
works with other equestrian and recreation organisations.
This submission is authorised by our 600+indivudal and family members, plus the following affiliated partners :
Waiheke Island Riding Club
Thames Pony Club and Adult Ride
Kokatahi-kowhitirangi pony club
(Westland)
Grey Valley Riding Club (Westland)
Kumeu Western Riding Club
Katikati Hack and Hunters Riding Club
South Head Riders
Clevedon Pony Club
Matakana Pony Club
Auckland Woodhill Endurance Club
(AWEC)
Totara Park Pony Club
Te Atatu Pony Club
Franklin Western Riding Club
Matakana Pony Club
Kohukohu Riding Club
CD Trekkers (Central Districts)
Secondary Schools Equestrian Cup Trust
Icelandic Horse Breeders and Riders
Association New Zealand (IHBRANZ)
Mt Sandford Farmstay and Random Rides
Kate Tapley Horse Treks
Akaroa Horse Riding
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Otahuna Horse Riding
Mt. Lyford Horse Riding
Central Southland Riding School
Diamond Lodge Equestrian
Submission to the Regional Land Transport Plan, from NZ Horse Recreation Inc
NZ Horse Recreation Inc is a foundation trustee of the Northern Regional Equestrian Trust, which
consists of the following organisations:
Woodhill Sands Equestrian Centre
Waitemata Eventing
Show Jumping Waitemata
Waitemata Riding Club
Showhunter Waitemata
Waitemata Hunt Club
Dressage Waitemata
Special Olympics
NZ Horse Recreation Inc is also a member of Auckland Equine Group:
Auckland Polo
Royal Agricultural Society
Northern Regional Equestrian Trust
Woodhill Sands Equestrian Centre
North Island Standardbred Breeders Association
NZ Racing Board
NZ Trainers Association
New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Federation
Byerley Park Thoroughbred Training Facility
Auckland Racing Club – Ellerslie
Counties Racing Club – Pukekohe
Franklin Trotting Club – Pukekohe
Auckland Trotting Club - Alexander Park
NZ Sporthorse
Equestrian Sports NZ
Avondale Jockey Club
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Submission to the Regional Land Transport Plan, from NZ Horse Recreation Inc
The current draft plan and priorities seem to imply that all current journeys are made for
economic\work\transport reasons only. This is not a true reflection of roading use, nor of
the communities requirements or desires for a safe road network.
Roads are used for a wide variety of purposes, including recreation and tourism. This
activity needs to be recognised within Transport Plans.
Regional Land Transport Plans must have regard to:
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The rural productivity of the region, including the equine sector, and
The contributions to the social, health and economic sustainability of the region
through recreation and tourism opportunities that also require safe access to roads
(whether formed or unformed).
Any land transport strategy must recognise this to be relevant and practical to all members
of the user community (and ratepayers).
The Transport plan fails to include horse riders in any planning for rural roads; including a
failure to recognise horse riders as part of the road safety planning for rural roads.
Encouraging Walking and Cycling for transport\commuting is dependent upon encouraging
walking and cycling for recreation. Increasing the number of people walking and cycling for
recreation and sport, has a direct impact on the number of people who will then commute
using these forms of transport. Moreover the routes and paths put in place ostensibly for
commuting will also be used for recreational purposes, and need to be integrated into the
parks and recreation spaces networks to encourage healthy,active living. If the one is done
in isolation from the other, there will be enormous wastage of effort, resources and
therefore money.
The equine sector must be considered in rural areas which have a high horse riding
population.
Horses are legally entitled to use of the roads (unlike motor vehicles which must be
registered and licensed to use the roads). Their safety on roads must be included in road
safety programmes.
The equine sector contributes significantly to the economy of the country through exports,
and tourism. Lack of recognition of horse rider rights to use public roads, and provision of
road safety is limiting the growth of equine based tourism, and also increasing the costs of
equestrian sporting businesses.
Horse rider safety and integration of bridleways (not just walking and cycle ways) must be
included in the planning of the integrated transport network.
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Submission to the Regional Land Transport Plan, from NZ Horse Recreation Inc
Transport agencies and authorities (TAs) are responsible for all legal roads; this includes all
unformed roads which provide a wealth of recreation and open space opportunities.
TA’s transport agencies must be funded appropriately, and provided with sufficient
enforcement powers to ensure that all roads within the region are available to the public
and not encroached upon or obstructed.
High Risk Rural Roads
When prioritising high risk rural roads this MUST include horse riders!
We strongly support developing a regional speed management policy for high-risk rural
roads, provided that the equine sector and rural use of rural roads is given appropriate
consideration. Rural roads must not be treated as simply an extension of urban streets.
We support “Implementing a safety improvements programme on high-risk rural state
highways” and “Implementing demonstration safety projects on high-risk urban arterials and
rural roads”. These road safety initiatives must recognise horse riding in rural areas.
The drive for more sustainable transport, should also consider the impact of equine sector
traffic on (rural) roads. It should be a goal to ensure that horse riders, along with all other
non-motorised transport, can make local journeys in safety.
Reducing the number of large horse transport vehicles on the roads will result in less
maintenance, reduced congestion and greenhouse gases. In many cases, riding safely along
roads and berms is the preferred method of transport and recreation for many horse riders.
The current road engineering standards and lack of road safety programmes including
horse riders has driven most horse riders from using the roads as they feel extremely
unsafe when doing so (and supported in their rights as road users from both the police and
the Council).
State Highways
State Highways in New Zealand are planned and implemented in a way which does not
clearly provide alternative local routes for local road users. State Highways are often the
road frontage for properties (without any other alternate road provided for access to local
services, communities or recreation).
State Highway programmes must recognise that they are also the ‘local road’ for all
properties that front onto the highway. This means that all state highway planning and
road safety programmes must integrate with local authorities and consider local road usage,
including the interruption to communities or their effect on local road useage including
recreation, or their use as ‘from the door’ transport to local locations.
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Submission to the Regional Land Transport Plan, from NZ Horse Recreation Inc
Transport planning must include recognition of the detrimental effect that state highways
can have on communities; cutting off local services and resources from local road users such
as walkers, cyclists or horse riders or making the use of a road within the local community
outside of the scope of local Council planning or road safety programmes.
Safer Journeys
The Safer Journeys Strategy, like the National Land Road Transport Strategy has failed to
recognise the equestrian road user, and failed to include or understand the significance of
the equine sector to the economy of the country.
About the Equine Sector
The horse was one of the original road users (along with foot traffic) in New Zealand.
Horses continue have right of passage along all legal roads.
Key Facts About the Equine Sector:
The most recognized and well published part of the New Zealand Equine Sector is the New
Zealand Racing Industry. Yet, this accounts for less than 1/3 of the horses in the Country.
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“One in every 83 New Zealand residents is employed (paid or unpaid) by the
New Zealand Racing Industry”
“The racing industry is responsible for generating more than $167 million in
export revenue for New Zealand. Key markets include Australia and North
America”
“Racing contributes more than $1,635 million in value added to the New
Zealand economy. The activities of the racing industry sustain the
employment of more than 16,930 FTE positions”
“In dollar terms, the racing industry generates its largest portion of
expenditure in the Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing sector, followed by
Cultural & Recreational Services and Health & Community Services
- Source IER Pty Ltd “Size and Scope of the New Zealand Racing Industry” Mar 2010,
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Submission to the Regional Land Transport Plan, from NZ Horse Recreation Inc
The remaining 2/3’s of horses are sport horses (est 80,000+1), and recreational horses. The
economic value of this sector is estimated to reflect this size, and the export and tourism
opportunities are frequently under estimated.
Equine Tourism includes, but is not restricted to commercial Horse Trekking operators.
The lack of safe local, and rural roads is often a considerable impediment to the growth or
creation of horse trekking operators and\or increases their costs as they feel the need (due
to safety concerns for their customers) to transport horses in trucks to local
beaches\forests or other natural locations rather than being able to ride to them (as would
happen in other countries where ALL road users are given equitable access to roads and
road sides).
Commercial sport horses is a growth opportunity for the international export market. New
Zealand already exports polo ponies and top class eventers, and has a growing reputation
for producing show jumpers. Access along local roads for fitness work, or simply to go to a
local training facility is often restricted by the lack of recognition of the rights to ride a
horse on a road (or the lack of road safety programmes for horses). Again, local journeys
(even of very short distances) are often made by truck instead of on horse back, raising
costs and decreasing sustainability of the industry.
Grass roots horse ownership drives a complex supply chain; creating local and national
manufacturing, supply and distribution businesses.
1
Figures from Agribase Quality Asure equine database (MAF Biosecurity database)
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