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Managing Coastal Areas

There are several agencies responsible for managing coastal activities in the Bay of Plenty.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Bay of Plenty Regional Council:

  • Has a Regional Coastal Environment Plan for the management of the use, development and protection of the Coastal Marine Area and the adjacent coastal environment. 
  • Issues coastal permits for activities in the Coastal Marine Area (eg for wharves, sea walls, dredging and discharges).
  • Controls earthworks, burning and vegetation disturbance in the Coastal Environment. 
  • Monitors coastal permits and the state of the coastal resources (excluding fisheries).
  • Manages navigation and safety in harbours and out to the 12 nautical mile limit.
  • Controls oil pollution within coastal waters out to the 12 nautical mile limit.
  • Assists with the management of any orders made under the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004.

Contact details below.

Department of Conservation

The Department of Conservation is responsible for:

  • Protection of marine mammals, eg whales, dolphins, seals 
  • Supervising whale and dolphin rescues, including the care and disposal of sick or injured marine mammals.
  • Administering Crown-owned foreshore and seabed
  • Protection of wildlife, i.e. insects, reptiles, birds
  • Advocacy (providing a conservation perspective on regional policy and plans, and district plans) to the general public
  • Managing and caring for marine reserves

For more information contact:
Department of Conservation
07 349 7400

Minister of Conservation

The Minister of Conservation is responsible for:

  • Approving the Regional Coastal Plan and any changes to the Coastal Plan.
  • Approving applications for restricted coastal activities, (Bay of Plenty Regional Council will let you know if your proposed activity requires ministerial approval when you apply for your coastal permit).
  • Leasing legally reclaimed land.
  • Monitoring the effect and implementation to the NZ Coastal Policy Statement and restricted coastal activity permits.
  • Making directions on allocation of space for aquaculture in the coastal marine area.

For more information contact:
Department of Conservation
07 349 7400

Ministry of Fisheries

MinFish is responsible for:

  • Conserving and managing all marine and certain freshwater fisheries on a sustainable basis through: 
    • Research programmes
    • Public education and consultation
    • Policing the Quota Management System as well as other gear and catch controls
  • Establishing Taiapure (a locally controlled coastal management area of special significance to Iwi).
  • Assisting Regional Councils with the development and implementation of Aquaculture Management Areas.
  • Implementing the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004.

For more information contact:
Ministry of Fisheries (District Office - Tauranga)
07 571 2820

Maritime New Zealand

Maritime New Zealand implements the Maritime Transport Act especially in navigation, safety and oil pollution control. In the Bay of Plenty, Maritime New Zealand is responsible for:

  • The general control of vessels at sea, including survey standards.
  • Dealing with oil spills outside of 12 nautical mile limit or in Tier III operations.
  • The Ministry of Transport makes policy.

For more information contact:
Maritime New Zealand
0508 22 55 22
04 473 0111

District Councils

The District Councils are responsible for:

  • Issuing consents for activities ABOVE the mean high water springs (ie land activities outside the Coastal Marine Area).
  • Dog control and litter control to the mean low water mark.
  • Coastal reserves management.
  • Noise control in the Coastal Marine Area (in conjunction with Bay of Plenty Regional Council).

For more information contact:
Tauranga District Council 07 577 7000
Western Bay of Plenty District Council 07 571 8008
Whakatane District Council 07 306 0500
Opotiki District Council 07 315 3030