Auckland Regional Plan: Coastal

The coastal environment is an integral part of life in the Auckland region. The coastal area is dynamic and diverse and is home to a complex web of physical and ecological processes. This Coastal Plan covers a range of coastal environments including shallow, sheltered estuarine systems bordered by intense urban and commercial development; high-energy east and west coast beaches; the areas surrounding the Hauraki Gulf islands, and all the coastal marine area out to the 12-mile limit.

Recreational pursuits and the majority of other activities and uses of the coastal marine area are concentrated in a narrow band on either side of the Mean High Water Spring tide mark. For effective management of the coastal environment it is essential that the management and administration functions of the Auckland Regional Council and local councils throughout the region be integrated.

Certain activities in the coastal marine area are restricted under sections 12, 14 and 15 of the RMA, unless specifically allowed by a rule in a coastal plan or a resource consent.

This Coastal Plan contains objectives, policies and methods, including rules, which establish the framework within which certain uses are permitted and proposals for development can be assessed. The plan provides certainty for existing and potential users of the coastal marine area.

Statutory Basis

Section 63(2) of the RMA states that "the purpose of the preparation, implementation and administration of regional coastal plans is to assist a regional council, in conjunction with the Minister of Conservation, to achieve the purpose of the RMA in relation to the coastal marine area of the region".

Plan text and maps

The Auckland Regional Plan: Coastal consists of two parts: text and maps.

Click here to view the plan text and maps.

To purchase a copy of the plan please follow the 'Publications order form' link in the related links column on the right of your screen. Prices for Text $225.00 and Maps $77.00.

 Document history and modifications

The Regional Plan: Coastal was first notified in February 1995. After a process of submissions and hearings, a decisions version of the plan was publicly released in September 1999. All appeals to the plan have since been resolved and the Environment Court has granted consent to approve and make operative those parts of the plan that relate to the coastal environment (with the exception of provisions subject to variation). The Minister of Conservation, Hon Chris Carter, granted approval to the coastal plan on 5 August 2004, providing the final requirement to make the Plan operative in part. Those parts not subject to variations became operative from 8 October 2004.

Modifications to a Proposed Plan are called "variations". After a plan is approved and becomes operative, modifications are called "plan changes".

There are five outstanding Variations to the Proposed Plan. Appeals on Variation 1 (stormwater and wastewater network discharges) are noted in the plan in Chapters 10, 20 and the definitions. These are indicated by shaded text. Variation 3 (Aquaculture Management Areas - Kaipara) has been withdrawn by the ARC.

A ‘Notation' establishes new Aquaculture Management Area (AMA) in southern Kaipara: The ARC is required to note the details of a new AMA following a decision by the Ministry of Fisheries to grant a marine farming permit to Biomarine Limited for a 76 hectare oyster farm. Open the PDF below to obtain a copy.

Plan Change 1: (Rakino Island mooring management areas) - Operative 10 March 2008:
Plan Change 1 amends Schedule 5 of the Plan to increase the maximum number of moorings within the Mooring Management Area (No. 61) at Sandy Bay, Rakino Island, from 20 to 30.

Plan Change 1 only affects Schedule 5 of the Auckland Regional Plan: Coastal. Please see below for your replacement copy of the updated schedule.

Links to plan changes 2,3 and 4 are listed at the top of this page