All business or entity requiring access into the TPFL forest estate must first obtain a TPFL permit. 

Businesses or entities will fall under one of the following categories:

Direct TPFL Business (Type 1):

A contractor/service provider that is directly engaged by TPFL, has a current Services Agreement with TPFL, and works in the TPFL estate.

Examples:  harvesting and silviculture contractors, engineering contractors, helicopter contractors, technical forestry services provider, forest security provider, etc. 

Direct TPFL Business (Type 2):

A business that is directly engaged by TPFL to provide a service to TPFL within the TPFL estate, but does not have a Services Agreement with TPFL. 

Examples: radio communications provider, auditors, consultants.

Indirect TPFL Business(Type 3):

A business not engaged by TPFL, but is directly engaged by a TPFL Direct Business to provide a service to them within the TPFL estate.

Examples: Fuel delivery, mechanics, hydraulic specialists, trainer/assessors, sales representatives.

Non-TPFL Business (Type 4):

A business not engagedby TPFL nor a TPFL Direct Business, but requires access onto or through the TPFL estate. NOTE: a separate TPFL Commercial Access Agreement and associated fees may apply.

Examples: Utilities, communications network providers, bee keepers, clubs responsible for rifle ranges, forest management companies managing operations on an adjoining property, compliance officers (council and WorkSafe).

Business Permit Application

Mountain Biking, Running or Walking

A TPFL Mountain Biking/Running/Walking Access Permit is required to access TPFL forest land to undertake these recreation activities. 

There are a number of forest areas within the TPFL forest estate where these activities can be enjoyed.

To be eligible for a TPFL Mountain Biking / Running / Walking Access Permit the following criteria apply:

• No previously revoked TPFL permits or TPFL trespass notices issued.

Horse Riding

A TPFL Horse Riding Access Permit is required to access the TPFL forest estate for horse riding. 

There are several designated areas within the TPFL forest estate where horse riding can be enjoyed. Access into the forest is via specific horse access gates. Gate lock keys will be issued if and when the permit application has been approved.

To be eligible for a TPFL Horse Riding Access Permit the following criteria apply:

• No previously revoked TPFL permits or TPFL trespass notices issued.

Hunting

A TPFL Hunting Access Permit is required to hunt within the TPFL forest estate, the exceptions being for Ngāti Koata iwi hunters who have exclusive hunting access to specific forest areas and for TPFL staff. 

To be eligible for a TPFL Hunting Access Permit the following criteria apply:

Hunting with vehicle access:

• Only people who are employed by a Direct TPFL Business working in our forests are eligible to apply for a TPFL Hunting Access Permit which allows vehicle access. 

• People must have been employed by a Direct TPFL Business working in our forests for minimum 3 months continuous employment.

• Minimum $10M third party motor vehicle insurance for any vehicles accessing TPFL forest estate.

• Permit applicants must have a valid driver’s licence.

• All applicants for a TPFL Hunting Access Permits will be vetted and approval is at TPFL’s discretion. 

Hunting with walk in access: 

• People who are not employed by a Direct TPFL Business working in our forests are eligible to apply for a TPFL Hunting Access Permit which allows walk in access only. 

• All applicants for a TPFL Hunting Access Permits will be vetted and approval is at TPFL’s discretion. 

Hunting with firearms:

• Those intending to hunt in the forest using a firearm will need to specify this in their permit application and provide a copy of their current NZ Firearms licence.

• Firearms users within a hunting group must either have a current firearms licence and comply with the Firearms Safety Code or be under the direct supervision of someone with a current NZ Firearms Licence.

• NZ firearms legislation and the NZ Firearms Safety Code rules must always be adhered to.

• The hunting group cannot have access to a firearm if any group member is currently restricted by the Police to hold and carry a firearm.

Motorcycling

• The only area within the TPFL forest estate where motorcycles are permitted is in Moutere North Forest. Access for motorcyclists is for Nelson Motorcycle Club members only and permitting is via the club’s own permitting system.

Nelson Motor Cycle Club Inc 1908 - Forest Permits

Events

A TPFL Event Access Permit is required for organised group recreation involving more than 10 people within the TPFL forest estate. 

To be eligible for a TPFL Event Access Permit the following criteria may apply:

• A comprehensive Health and Safety Management Plan for the event which includes emergency response plans, fire plans, etc.

• Minimum $10M Public Liability insurance cover.

• Minimum $10M third party motor vehicle insurance for any vehicles accessing TPFL forest estate.

Recreation Permit Application

Firewood

• TPFL have ownership of all forest produce within their forests and any material produced including slovens, offcuts and minor species. Removal of forest produce without permission is theft and will be dealt with accordingly.

• For health and safety reasons, TPFL does not allow public access to our forest estate for the purpose of collecting firewood. 

• Members of harvesting crews are entitled to cut and remove up to 10m3 per person per annum of offcuts and non-merchantable material from their active harvesting site on weekdays.

• Silvicultural contractors may collect up to a maximum of 10m3 per person per annum of log offcuts, slovens and non-merchantable wood from inactive landings or road edges on weekdays. Prior approval from a TPFL staff member is required.

• All firewood uplifted must be for personal use (i.e., at the contractor’s personal address)

• Any forest material taken for selling or swapping will be treated as theft, unless previously agreed with TPFL.

• No merchantable wood is to be cut for firewood - if unsure obtain approval from TPFL staff.

• No trees are to be felled for firewood purposes.

• Other TPFL contractors who wish to uplift firewood must obtain a TPFL Firewood Access Permit and only uplift firewood material during weekends from approved areas.

• Harvesting and silvicultural contractors who wish to uplift firewood during the weekend must also obtain a TPFL Firewood Access Permit.

To be eligible for a TPFL Firewood Access Permit the following criteria apply:

• Only people who are employed by a Direct TPFL Business working in our forests are eligible to apply for a TPFL Firewood Access Permit. 

• To be eligible to use a chainsaw in TPFL forests you must have the following Unit Standards:

  • US6916 Demonstrate knowledge of the Approved Code of Practice relating to chainsaw use 

and

• US6917 Demonstrate basic chainsaw operation

• Minimum $10M Third Party Motor Vehicle insurance cover for any vehicles accessing TPFL forest estate.

• Permit applicants must have a valid driver’s licence.

Recreation Permit Application

Pest Animal Trapping

A TPFL Trapping Access Permit is required to trap pest animals, such as possums and mustelids, within the TPFL forest estate.

• Forest access for trapping is permitted in designated forest areas and can commence two hours before daybreak and continue during daylight hours.

• Permitted days of access for trapping will be determined and specified on the approved permit.

• Do not cut tracks and/or blaze trees.

• Use temporary, removable or biodegradable markers to mark trap lines and locations. All markers must be removed when the work is completed. Do not use aerosol paints.

• Only leghold traps Size 1 or Size 1.5 padded-jaw can be used.

• All leghold traps must be raised at least 100 cm above ground; any accompanying ramp must be sloped at least 55 degrees.

• Do not set traps within 150m of a dwelling or in any area where there is a probable risk of catching pets or livestock.

• Leghold traps must have a chain of sufficient length to prevent trapped animals from being suspended above the ground.

• Traps must be set to ensure the chain/trap does not become entangled when animals are caught.

• Trapping practices must conform to the requirements of Section 36 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 - A competent person must inspect all leg-hold traps within 12 hours after sunrise on each day the traps are set or if monitoring the trap with an electronic monitoring system, within 24 hrs after capture.

• If using a remote monitoring system for trap inspection, ensure the system and practices adhere to the MPI good practice guidelines for remote monitoring of live capture traps for vertebrates.

• Carcasses and offal must be disposed of at least 10m off roads, tracks and skids and 50m from any water body.

• Use of poisons in TPFL estate is strictly prohibited unless written approval is given by TPFL.

• Report any captures of weka, kea, or other endangered bird species to TPFL and discontinue trapping at the site immediately.

• If any protected wildlife is harmed it must be cared for and handed in, as soon as possible, whether alive or dead: contact the nearest wildlife rescue centre: https://www.wrennz.org.nz/wrennz-centres (in Nelson, contact Nurture Nature on 021 0839 7510.

• TPFL may exclude areas of land from this permit or suspend or alter its conditions at any time.

• Trapping permits only allow access for one vehicle.

• No firearms permitted.

• Strictly no animals except for possums, rats, mustelids, feral cats, rabbits, hares and hedgehogs may be trapped and killed.

To be eligible for a TPFL Trapping Access Permit the following criteria apply:

• If vehicle access is required: 

  • Minimum $10M third party motor vehicle insurance for any vehicles accessing TPFL forest estate.

  • Permit applicants must have a valid driver’s licence.

All applicants for a TPFL Trapping Access Permit will be vetted as part of the permit approval process.

Recreation Permit Application

Neighbour Through Access

In some instances, neighbours may require access through areas of the TPFL estate to access parts of their own property. Such neighbours can apply for a TPFL Neighbour Through Access Permit. 

Recreation Permit Application