Taupo Urban Structure Plan - Taupo District Council

4.2.3.1 Landcorp Land
Landcorp Farming Limited is New Zealand's largest agricultural enterprise
running 1.5 million stock units - sheep, beef and dairy cattle, deer and goats -
on 110 farming units totalling 383,033 hectares. It has two subsidiaries
Landcorp Investments Ltd, which manages a portfolio of leases and loans;
and Landcorp Estates Ltd, which develops and sells land suitable for higher
value use than farming.
The subsidiary company, Landcorp Estates Ltd, was incorporated in 2002
and will hold high value land sold to it by the parent company for subsequent
subdivision and sale. The company has entered into joint venture
arrangements for the development of two properties at Taupo. Investigation
into the future of a further property at Taupo is currently underway. Landcorp
Estates has the potential to be significant player in the future development of
the Taupo Urban Area.
There are 3 key elements to Landcorp's future strategy:
1. Increase revenue annually by increasing animal numbers and diversifying
the product range.
2. Increase productivity by using genetics, nutrition and technology transfer.
3. Increase return on assets by better utilisation of existing assets and
exiting those unable to achieve an adequate return.
While the returns from agriculture remain part of an essential base to the New
Zealand economy, it seems unlikely that any significant areas of land will be
retired and made available for Taupo’s growth.
In addition a key central government policy in relation to Treaty of Waitangi-
Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty-Tiriti) settlements since the mid-1990s has been to
retain enough suitable remaining government land in Crown ownership, such
as Landcorp land, to maintain a land bank for the eventual settlement of
Maori Treaty-Tiriti grievances and land claims. Suitable Landcorp land is
therefore potentially part of this land bank and is unavailable for urban growth,
even if retired from agricultural use unless it is made available for
development by any new Maori owners.
4.2.3.2 Department of Conservation Land
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is the central government
organisation charged with conserving the natural and historic heritage of New
Zealand on behalf of and for the benefit of present and future New
Zealanders. Its mission is "to conserve New Zealand's natural and historic
heritage for all to enjoy now and in the future".
DOC manages or administers on behalf of New Zealanders:
♦ national parks and conservation parks (formerly called forest parks)
♦ reserves and conservation areas
♦ protected indigenous forests
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