The Minister of Conservation has received multiple applications for licence concessions of up to 29 years. They are not currently licenced. These applications are notified under section 17SC(1)(b) of the Conservation Act 1987.
The Permissions team are publicly notifying these applications at the same time in order to manage the volume of applications more efficiently and reduce the cost to applicants.
Application details
Applicants: This is a bulk application process with 36 applications in total, refer to the applicant information below.
Concession applied for: Licences
Location of proposed activity: Ocean Beach Conservation Area and Remutaka Forest Park, Wellington region.
Term applied for: Applicants are seeking a term that will expire in 2054 (approximately 29 years).
Summary of proposal: These applications are for the licence to occupy land for the purpose of existing, private baches located on Ocean Beach Road in the Ocean Beach Conservation Area and Remutaka Forest Park, on the southern coast of the North Island, near Wellington.
For a summarised history of the baches, see the documentation below.
In June 2023 the Department invited bach owners to apply for a new concession. An application form was partially pre-filled by the Department and provided to applicants to assist in providing the required information. Below is a summary of the applications made.
The total footprint (m²) of each site as well as the total footprint of structures located on each site has been included in the table below, where the information has been provided by applicants. The total footprint of structures (m²), such as the bach and associated structures (eg, sheds, outdoor toilets, water tanks), are specified under the title ‘Bach’. The area applied for has been recorded to the nearest hundredth of a square metre, where specified by applicants.
Application documents:
- Application form (PDF, 345K)
- Applicant information (PDF, 177K)
- Summarised history of the baches (agreed upon by the majority of bach owners and accepted by DOC) (PDF, 114K)
- Assessment of the ecological values present at Ocean Beach (PDF, 448K)
- Map of baches (PDF, 2,315K)
- Bach images (PDF, 5,114K)
How to make a submission
Any person or organisation can make a submission in writing to the Director-General on the proposal.
Submissions close on Friday 13 February 2026 at 5 pm.
1. Prepare your submission
Record what you think in the submission form.
Submission Form:
Any person or organisation wishing to be heard at a possible hearing in support of their submission must request an opportunity to appear before the Director-General. This request must be included in your submission.
2. Send us your submission
Send your submission by email or post.
Email: askpermissions@doc.govt.nz
Subject line: Ocean Beach Road Baches Submission
Post:
Director General
Department of Conservation
Permissions Hamilton
Private Bag 3072
Hamilton 3240
Attention: Chris Williams, Senior Permissions Advisor
Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, you need to state this in writing when making your submission.
What happens next
After submissions close:
- DOC will analyse and consider all submissions.
- If anyone asks to speak, a hearing may be held. You will be contacted beforehand if you wish to speak.
- DOC will consider all feedback and make a recommendation.
- A final decision will be made by the Minister of Conservation’s representative.
Hearing details
If a hearing is required, it is likely to occur online in March 2026. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
Decision
This public notice does not mean the concession will be approved. No decision has been made yet. When a decision is made, the outcome will be published here.
DOC comment regarding publicly notified applications
The Minister of Conservation has made no determination regarding the suitability of this proposed concession on public conservation land. This public notification should not be interpreted as an intention on the part of the Minister of Conservation to grant the proposed concession.
Contact
If you have any questions about the application or the submission process, contact Chris Williams, Senior Permissions Advisor via email: askpermissions@doc.govt.nz