New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association Inc.

See this excellent short video from the Walking Access Commission giving a very clear description of unformed legal roads, and the rights of access along them.

You'll find it on their website at www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/about-us/news/unformed-legal-roads//

This doesn't mean we can just barge in through fences and gates and help ourselves to access where it might upset adjacent land-owners. It is always worthwhile politely approaching land-owners first where there are obstacles or the risk of conflict, explain the situation and your understanding of the road and ask about ways to make minimal impact of the land or the land-owners or other users.