Letter of Intent

To the Members of Parliament of New Zealand

We, the members of the New Zealand Equestrian Advocacy Network, (NZEAN) want to bring attention to the fact that for horse-riders, the ‘kiwi’ way of life is being eroded because of lack of recognition of the importance of our safe access to the roading network, recreational pathways, beaches, and Department of Conservation trails. Our access to these places has not been protected. We are increasingly finding examples of being ‘shut out’ of places we have traditionally ridden and driven our horses, mules, and donkeys.

We note with consternation that local and central government planners and path designers are not required to consult with equestrians as a group to determine our recreational needs yet institutional bias towards cyclists and walkers sees these groups having both governmental funding and overt support as legitimate road, beach, and recreational pathway users. Equestrians are also legitimate road, beach and recreational pathway users who have a long history in New Zealand and are a diverse and far-reaching group.

We are dismayed that our cultural history and economic input into NZ is ignored, and misunderstood. We are not a small group. In a 2012 economic impact analysis of the sport horse industry in New Zealand* it was estimated that there were 80,000 recreational, and sport horses in New Zealand, plus another 40,000 in the racing industry. At this time, the recreational and sport horse industry contributed over $1 billion to the New Zealand economy annually, this was greater than 0.5% of GDP. At the time of this report, sport horses supported 12,000 fte jobs and horse owners spent on average $12,500 p/a on each horse. While more recent figures have not been obtained, the percentage is more likely to have increased rather than decreased since this time. Equestrians support many industries, including stock food suppliers, the horse tack industry, farriers, and vets.

While no longer used for daily tasks such as mail delivery, milk rounds or ploughing, horses are still used on large stations, are invaluable for mental and physical therapy through Riding for the Disabled and other projects, teach innumerable skills and are no less valid a recreational pursuit than walking and cycling. Horses need to be provided with a wide variety of experiences to develop the skills necessary to provide such services.

We believe it is high time that we are once again properly recognized as such so that we will no longer find ourselves shut out of traditional riding areas or excluded from road safety campaigns.

We wish to inform you we are organizing ourselves with the intent to achieve the following:

1. Petition the NZ Government to require that by legislation, local and central government planners and roadway/pathway designers consult with and meet equestrian recreational groups’ needs.

2. Lobby all MPs to set up funding to establish national recognition for our group.

3. Require the NZ Government to begin a specific road safety education campaign to remind all New Zealand Road users how to safely share with equestrians.

4. Provide ongoing support for the development of multi-use, recreational pathways so that equestrians can share these off-road areas with walkers, cyclists, and all other recreational users on an equal basis.

5. Ensure all new government transport infrastructure and recreational links provide safe connections for horses.

6. Work with the government to provide a continuous bridle path the full length of New Zealand. We look forward to working closely with you on achieving these goals.

Please respond to us at NZEANstaff@gmail.com to indicate your support.

Yours sincerely. Members of NZEAN