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National parks, Reserves and park rangers - National parks and Reserves

c4bb0ose		Posted : Saturday, 25 October 2014 11:42:35 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 7/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 97 Thanks: 1 times Was thanked: 32 time(s) in 29 post(s)		Had a run in with a park ranger at an urban park who told me to clear off, citing you cannot dig here and stuff, I did not know the laws and such so I went on my way. So it has been bugging me to no end so I have been trawling through the acts and legislation relating to parks and such, although I have not found anything on public access parks and or urban parks I have some info on the national parks and reserves. Big fat no no to do anything related to recovery of anything found metal detecting, even breaking the dirt, turf or 'sod' as they call it is an offence. 300k fines and or 5-10 years jail time is the max punishments for removal of anything basically. Neither of these cover parks like ones with say playgrounds attached to them or gardens located in cities that are not classed as reserves or national parks and I cannot find any other pieces associated with them. If anyone knows of the legislation I would love to know what it is :) . With all that being said I am going to head to the local police station and ask them about what laws and or legislation/act govern normal parks as they are the only guys I can think of who would actually know what the actual laws are surrounding this.

Erickd		Posted : Sunday, 26 October 2014 12:07:29 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 14/06/2014(UTC) Posts: 628 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 473 times Was thanked: 695 time(s) in 297 post(s)		I'm not 100% sure really, maybe you should use that park as your night time digging spot lol...that's what it will come too if it becomes banned for us to dig
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c4bb0ose		Posted : Sunday, 26 October 2014 12:40:43 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 7/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 97 Thanks: 1 times Was thanked: 32 time(s) in 29 post(s)		Originally Posted by: Erickd I'm not 100% sure really, maybe you should use that park as your night time digging spot lol...that's what it will come too if it becomes banned for us to dig I have done so in the evening on a different part of the place, I think it would be more to go out metal detecting when the rangers are legally not working or on call (I am sure I could russel up the working hours :P). I am tempted next time to ask for the actual legislation that covers it, and if they cannot cite it tell they have no grounds. That might create more toruble for me however.

sycotoad		Posted : Sunday, 26 October 2014 9:54:08 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 9/08/2012(UTC) Posts: 569 Location: downunder Thanks: 120 times Was thanked: 126 time(s) in 97 post(s)		My advice is this - Go to the police - They will tell you that there are no laws regarding metal detecting on a public park - however, you CAN be prosecuted for damage if you are not neat in your recovery process - Find out what legislation they are referring to - Give ICC Parks & Reserves a phone call or call in (Queens Park) and ask the turd at the top of the pile what the legislation is they are telling their rangers to abide by - Also its a great time to inform them that you have been in contact with the police and as far as they are concerned, metal detectorists are NOT breaking the law - Then perhaps mention that if their rangers continue to approached you in such a manner that you will have no alternative but to report them to police for harassment - Just offtrack for a minute - The local Fisher Dealer (Rob) and myself run into a ICC Ranger out at Oreti Beach and asked him if they had any problems with metal detectorists hunting Sandy Point areas (Parks/Sports Fields/Race Tracks etc) and their response was that they actually enjoyed what it was that we were doing and that they did not have a problem with it - (mixed messages) The people that do have a problem with it are the suits at the desks - You see they think the public lands they manage belong to them - As the Parks Manager for the Southland District Council stated regarding Parks & Reserves "there will be no metal detecting on my land" All I can say after being threatened by 5 of the 6 local councilors, is that I am still enjoying hunting public parks and reserves - always will until I get locked up This has been councils approach to stomping out a perfectly good hobby - Also, ask the councils who picks up their rubbish left lying around public parks? We know who shred the rubbish into dangerous sharp metallic objects but who do they get to clean up those shredded cans? I am sure they will ALL say no-one - so they are happy to have members of the public slice themselves up because of their incompetence/laziness If this hobby ends up being banned I will put all my time and effort into making sure councils do not carry on using contractors who shred cans all over sports fields just to save a buck - Please keep us posted on your follow-ups
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Erickd		Posted : Sunday, 26 October 2014 11:24:36 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 14/06/2014(UTC) Posts: 628 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 473 times Was thanked: 695 time(s) in 297 post(s)		Vote Sycotoad for councilor lol, great points there and will have to remember that if ever I'm challenged
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creamer		Posted : Sunday, 26 October 2014 6:26:32 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 19/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,022 Location: Bay of Islands Thanks: 2289 times Was thanked: 525 time(s) in 391 post(s)		There is no said legislation. But, tread with your own caution, respect local parks and stuff and do what you know to be right. If it ain't ment to be then it ain't ment to be there. Try your best not to push the boundaries. If in doubt follow the Code of ethics in "Tips and Tricks" as i do. Be cool, and safe hunting out there to you. Our actions now will reflect on all of us in the future. More and more we see persons told not to detect "around Here" . Wether it right or wrong these actions will lead to a better understanding of our hobby. All good. I'm probly talking shite here, i dont know. Hope this helps. HH . Edited by user Sunday, 26 October 2014 7:07:48 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified
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c4bb0ose		Posted : Sunday, 26 October 2014 7:12:57 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 7/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 97 Thanks: 1 times Was thanked: 32 time(s) in 29 post(s)		Originally Posted by: creamer There is no said legislation. But, tread with your own caution, respect local parks and stuff and do what you know to be right. If it ain't ment to be then it ain't ment to be there. Try your best not to push the boundaries. If in doubt follow the Code of ethics in "Tips and Tricks" as i do. Be cool, and safe hunting out there to you. Our actions now will reflect on all of us in the future. More and more we see persons told not to detect "around Here" . Wether it right or wrong these actions will lead to a better understanding of our hobby. All good. I'm probly talking shite here, i dont know. Hope this helps. HH . Certainly I agree with you since I have not found one, only for the national parks and reserves. I think I will go have a chat to the police like sycotoad said so I can get some confidence back.

Metal Kiwi		Posted : Sunday, 26 October 2014 7:16:54 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 19/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,210 Location: Auckland Thanks: 498 times Was thanked: 484 time(s) in 322 post(s)		There is some legislation relating to National Parks. It does not speak of metal detecting as probably quite old law however it does talk about no cutting and digging amongst other actions. If you stay out of National Parks there is probably little to be concerned about as far as I an aware. HH MK
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creamer		Posted : Sunday, 26 October 2014 7:26:38 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 19/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,022 Location: Bay of Islands Thanks: 2289 times Was thanked: 525 time(s) in 391 post(s)		All good C4, have a browze first thru: Metal Detecting - Tips and Tricks. There are some useful stuff/codes/precautions etc that will keep you on track when starting out. There are also some other threads relating to this topic there or abouts. HH .
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sycotoad		Posted : Monday, 27 October 2014 11:17:08 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 9/08/2012(UTC) Posts: 569 Location: downunder Thanks: 120 times Was thanked: 126 time(s) in 97 post(s)		Just a quick point - After all the attention I had received from the Southland District Council, I cant help but think that they have buddied up to the Invercargill City Council in trying to stomp this hobby out - The Southland District Council had been told by the police down this way to back off metal detectorists with their illegal behavior - i.e. threatening grievous bodily harm, spotlighting up my house in the middle of the night (using a police car as one of the local councillors is a policeman with the same police that state that metal detecting is NOT illegal) but most of all was the lying to the community that there are people (metal detectorists) digging up and destroying our parks - Yep they even went down the hysterical spreading of lies track - Even after all this, I was informed by a Mr Ian Marshall of the Southland District Council that he will not stop his boys from hassling metal detectorists on their land - Now IMO you cant get more bloody minded than that - The friendly south is no longer - I think you have my contact details c4bb0ose - Give me a shout if things get too ugly ok -
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sycotoad		Posted : Monday, 27 October 2014 11:17:46 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 9/08/2012(UTC) Posts: 569 Location: downunder Thanks: 120 times Was thanked: 126 time(s) in 97 post(s)		.. Edited by user Monday, 27 October 2014 11:18:33 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified
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under the bedrock		Posted : Monday, 27 October 2014 11:31:53 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 6/07/2011(UTC) Posts: 116 Location: invercargill Was thanked: 14 time(s) in 13 post(s)		I don't even go to parks down here now,ive seen massive square holes half arsed filled in around beautiful parks around here. My detector gets little use now days.If it was ok to go to parks and reserves I would be out a lot more but it is easy to see the powers that be don't like people digging the place up no matter how neat you cover up.IMO.

under the bedrock		Posted : Monday, 27 October 2014 11:32:15 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 6/07/2011(UTC) Posts: 116 Location: invercargill Was thanked: 14 time(s) in 13 post(s)		I don't even go to parks down here now,ive seen massive square holes half arsed filled in around beautiful parks around here. My detector gets little use now days.If it was ok to go to parks and reserves I would be out a lot more but it is easy to see the powers that be don't like people digging the place up no matter how neat you cover up.IMO.

sycotoad		Posted : Tuesday, 28 October 2014 9:37:20 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 9/08/2012(UTC) Posts: 569 Location: downunder Thanks: 120 times Was thanked: 126 time(s) in 97 post(s)		Originally Posted by: under the bedrock I don't even go to parks down here now,ive seen massive square holes half arsed filled in around beautiful parks around here. My detector gets little use now days.If it was ok to go to parks and reserves I would be out a lot more but it is easy to see the powers that be don't like people digging the place up no matter how neat you cover up.IMO. I am sure you will find that those who dig square holes that have been half arsed filled in are either NOT hobby metal detectorists OR they have no idea at what they are doing - perhaps they were a drunk rugby player who fell over a spade - God knows, but if any council thinks that they will stop this type of vandalism of our parks by threatening members of the public then somethings seriously wrong - According to the police it is ok to metal detect parks & reserves (afterall, thats where people lose stuff) - I would not suggest doing so until you are confident in your own recovery methods - The powers that be are simply overstepping the power given to them by the very same people they are attacking - Have you ever been approached or threatened by SDC or ICC? They were that dedicated in trying to prosecute me they had a photographer follow me around a reserve trying to take photo's of the areas I had excavated my finds from, only for them to concede that they could not actually find where it was I had actually dug - It was about that time too when I actually stopped taking the rubbish that I was finding home to recycle as I had been informed that (no kidding) the SDC were looking into prosecuting me for taking away their rubbish - YES - it is that bad down in the south for metal detectorists YES - the councils will approach you in a threatening manner YES - the intimidation is designed to turn new hobbyists away from the hobby YES - they are acting in an illegal manner NO - you should not give up the hobby because of some frock in a suit behind a desk Edited by user Tuesday, 28 October 2014 9:40:47 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified
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Guardian		Posted : Wednesday, 29 October 2014 7:59:09 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 30/10/2011(UTC) Posts: 716 Location: Dunedin Thanks: 42 times Was thanked: 222 time(s) in 185 post(s)		May I suggest some changes in detecting attire? I don't think you'd get many hassles dressed like this. Seriously though, had no problems here with the exception of some overly stuck up toffee noses - but ya get that! Edited by user Wednesday, 29 October 2014 8:03:44 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified Guardian attached the following image(s):

c4bb0ose		Posted : Wednesday, 29 October 2014 9:30:21 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 7/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 97 Thanks: 1 times Was thanked: 32 time(s) in 29 post(s)		Originally Posted by: Guardian May I suggest some changes in detecting attire? I don't think you'd get many hassles dressed like this. Seriously though, had no problems here with the exception of some overly stuck up toffee noses - but ya get that! Lol, funnily enough I have some MARPAT from when I was playing airsoft, That would be funny rocking around in my full BDU looking all tactical :P

c4bb0ose		Posted : Wednesday, 29 October 2014 8:18:32 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 7/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 97 Thanks: 1 times Was thanked: 32 time(s) in 29 post(s)		So I went in to the police today, they had not heard of any laws but referred me to the ICC, we then referred me onto Robert Slater who conveniently was out and so I left a voice message with him.

under the bedrock		Posted : Wednesday, 29 October 2014 9:38:53 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 6/07/2011(UTC) Posts: 116 Location: invercargill Was thanked: 14 time(s) in 13 post(s)		Originally Posted by: sycotoad Originally Posted by: under the bedrock I don't even go to parks down here now,ive seen massive square holes half arsed filled in around beautiful parks around here. My detector gets little use now days.If it was ok to go to parks and reserves I would be out a lot more but it is easy to see the powers that be don't like people digging the place up no matter how neat you cover up.IMO. I am sure you will find that those who dig square holes that have been half arsed filled in are either NOT hobby metal detectorists OR they have no idea at what they are doing - perhaps they were a drunk rugby player who fell over a spade - God knows, but if any council thinks that they will stop this type of vandalism of our parks by threatening members of the public then somethings seriously wrong - According to the police it is ok to metal detect parks & reserves (afterall, thats where people lose stuff) - I would not suggest doing so until you are confident in your own recovery methods - The powers that be are simply overstepping the power given to them by the very same people they are attacking - Have you ever been approached or threatened by SDC or ICC? They were that dedicated in trying to prosecute me they had a photographer follow me around a reserve trying to take photo's of the areas I had excavated my finds from, only for them to concede that they could not actually find where it was I had actually dug - It was about that time too when I actually stopped taking the rubbish that I was finding home to recycle as I had been informed that (no kidding) the SDC were looking into prosecuting me for taking away their rubbish - was detecting in barkchips a while back and had into parks a icc ranger roar up in his truck and asked me in a angry tone if it was me who had been digging up the parks all over town?Have not really been into parks since then. Edited by user Wednesday, 29 October 2014 9:42:50 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

simon		Posted : Wednesday, 29 October 2014 10:25:29 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 7/01/2011(UTC) Posts: 789 Location: Central Otago Thanks: 33 times Was thanked: 239 time(s) in 150 post(s)		Small town bullshit i suspect. I used to live down there once upon a time. Grew up out Otatara way. I remember the parks and reserves to be very rough. and I'm not talking about Queens park. I think the rabbits dig more holes and bigger ones than and detectorists will dig. and the rabbits don't fill theirs back in. even some of the rugby grounds down south were rouge as guts. The guys who have been giving grief are probably making up for a lack of something and are probably jealous you guys ge the chance and the time to do something enjoyable. And you probably remove some of the trash that is all over those same parks that gets deposited out the windows of the bogans cars. and there sure are a lot of those down there. As a suggestion some other good places to detect may be sections and houses getting demolished in some of the older parts of town such as windsor, south city and the inner city. i remember my dad who is a builder finding a bit of stuff on some sites. when we lived at otatara we dug drains in oreti road and hit old trash from when there was a tram line running up the road. out at sandy point there was a whaling settlement and down bluff way theres probably some good spots to try but I'm not too familiar with the mean streets of bluff. a lot of history in southland. tiverton would have to be good too, one of the oldest settlements. i know the library is pretty good, with loads of old history books so that would throw out some more places to try.
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c4bb0ose		Posted : Wednesday, 29 October 2014 11:12:54 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 7/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 97 Thanks: 1 times Was thanked: 32 time(s) in 29 post(s)		Originally Posted by: simon Small town bullshit i suspect. I used to live down there once upon a time. Grew up out Otatara way. I remember the parks and reserves to be very rough. and I'm not talking about Queens park. I think the rabbits dig more holes and bigger ones than and detectorists will dig. and the rabbits don't fill theirs back in. even some of the rugby grounds down south were rouge as guts. The guys who have been giving grief are probably making up for a lack of something and are probably jealous you guys ge the chance and the time to do something enjoyable. And you probably remove some of the trash that is all over those same parks that gets deposited out the windows of the bogans cars. and there sure are a lot of those down there. As a suggestion some other good places to detect may be sections and houses getting demolished in some of the older parts of town such as windsor, south city and the inner city. i remember my dad who is a builder finding a bit of stuff on some sites. when we lived at otatara we dug drains in oreti road and hit old trash from when there was a tram line running up the road. out at sandy point there was a whaling settlement and down bluff way theres probably some good spots to try but I'm not too familiar with the mean streets of bluff. a lot of history in southland. tiverton would have to be good too, one of the oldest settlements. i know the library is pretty good, with loads of old history books so that would throw out some more places to try. The irony of it all is that the lawn mowers do more damage than anything else, the ground is rather soft almost all year round and so the second a tractor or a ride on lawn mower gets involved it looks like someones been doing drifts throughout all the parks. I went out for a bit and did notice how many old houses there were in south Invercargill, I was at the time going to an out of the way place to detect but it seemed to just be a literal trash dump, I found chewing gum packets more than anything else. Seems I have been spooked by the parkuu ranguuuur.

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