The Labour Party is promising to drop the tenure review process for high country land and embark on a programme of direct purchase of future conservation land if it wins November's election.
In its election policy on the high country issued on Tuesday, Labour says adding land to the conservation estate helps protect New Zealand's most spectacular landscapes for future generations and makes the land more accessible.
The policy also promotes the protection of the South Island's Mackenzie Basin from inappropriate water use and irrigation and the possible creation of a drylands conservation park in the northern part of the basin.
A Labour government would also investigate whether the existing Aoraki Mount Cook National Park could be expanded by 50%.
Public accessways through high country land would also be identified.
