Government review upsets farmers

High country farmers have come out swinging after the Government review of pastoral leases.

Land Information minister David Parker yesterday released a list of 65 South Island high-country stations, including some in Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan and Wakatipu, which would not be freed up for development through the tenure review process because of their lakeside locations.

Federated Farmers South Island High Country Committee chairman Donald Aubrey said this could drive farmers from the high country.

"The problem that those farming families face is, that in locking them out of tenure review they are faced as pastoral lessees with new rent increases that are extremely high.