Unformed legal roads, commonly known as paper roads, are generally accessible to the public as a legal right. When walking or biking on an unformed legal road, respect property boundaries and be courteous to nearby landowners.
About unformed legal roads
Unformed legal roads were planned on paper but never built. Unformed legal roads can look like a walking track or two-wheel rut in the ground. Sometimes it is simply an area covered in grass or bush. It can also be rough terrain that is not accessible.
Legally these roads are public land. Generally, people have the right to use them for walking, biking or any legitimate activity.
How to find unformed legal roads
The Outdoor Access Commission Herenga ā Nuku has mapped all unformed legal roads on their Outdoor Access Map.
Follow these guidelines when accessing unformed legal roads
Unformed legal roads are often maintained by adjoining landowners, so please use them with care.
- Respect property boundaries and stay on the unformed legal road
- Leave gates as you found them (open or closed)
- Do not damage any private property on the road
- Do not damage the land through your actions
- Do not disturb livestock
- Be cautious and sensible - some terrain is inaccessible and dangerous
- Be courteous to nearby landowners and avoid confrontations
Be aware: Adjoining landowners may not be aware of the public access rights associated with legal roads and may treat you as a trespasser.
Permission to use unformed legal roads
If you are an adjoining landowner, you can:
- apply to use the land on which an unformed legal road sits
- request the stopping of an unformed legal road
- apply to work on the road
Unformed legal roads
Related legislation
(Optional)
Thanks for your feedback!
Last updated 5 June 2026, 09:01 am