New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement consultation

Page updated October 2010

The Board of Inquiry into the NZCPS completed its report and recommendations to the Minister of Conservation in July 2009. The Minister of Conservation has considered that report and recommendations and announced her decision to issue a new statement, the NZCPS 2010.

About the NZCPS

View the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010.

The Resource Management Act 1991 established a coastal management regime based on a partnership between the Crown and the community through their regional and local authorities.

The Act requires a New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) to guide local authorities in their day to day management of the coastal environment. Local authorities must give effect to relevant provisions of the NZCPS in planning documents and resource consent authorities must have regard to relevant provisions when considering consent applications.

The Minister of Conservation is responsible for preparing the NZCPS, which is to promote the sustainable management of the natural and physical resources of the coastal environment, including coastal land, foreshore and seabed, and coastal waters from the high tide mark to the 12 nautical mile limit.

The first NZCPS was issued in 1994. A new statement took effect on 3 December 2010 when the NZCPS 1994 was revoked.

Implementation Project

Local authorities are key implementers of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) 2010. There is a joint work programme between local authorities and DOC to ensure district and regional councils are well informed about the NZCPS 2010 and are supported to implement its policies. This work is supported by the national implementation plan.