Image: Benhi Dixon | Creative Commons
View from Cape Reinga.
New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement
The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) 2010 guides local authorities in their day-to-day management of the coastal environment.

The purpose of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) is to state policies in order to achieve the purpose of the Resource Management Act in relation to the coastal environment of New Zealand.

The NZCPS 2010 took effect on 3 December 2010. It was amended in 2025. 

NZCPS 2010 documents

NZCPS 2010 with 2025 amendment (PDF, 5,502K)

NZCPS 2010 - superseded 2025 (PDF, 949K)

2025 amendment:

NZCPS 2025 amendment document (PDF, 192K)

NZCPS 2010 with 2025 amendment showing track changes (PDF, 5,512K)

Guidance notes:

NZCPS 2010 guidance notes have been developed by DOC to support implementation of the NZCPS. 

NZCPS 2010 full text

Includes 2025 amendment. 

Effectiveness review 

Report from DOC to the Minister of Conservation on its review of the effects of the NZCPS 2010 on Resource Management Act decision-making. Released February 2018.