5 MAY

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

1565

(c) protecting ecosystems which are unique to the coastal environment and vulnerable to modification including estuaries, coastal wetlands, mangroves and dunes and their margins; and

(d) recognising that any other areas of predominantly indigenous vegetation or habitats of significant indigenous fauna should be disturbed only to the extent reasonably necessary to carry out approved activities.

Policy 1.1.3
It is a national priority to protect the following features, which in themselves or in combination, are essential or important elements of the natural character of the coastal environment:

(a) landscapes, seascapes and landforms, including:
(i) significant representative examples of each landform which provide the variety in each region;
(ii) visually or scientifically significant geological features; and
(iii) the collective characteristics which give the coastal environment its natural character including wild and scenic areas;

(b) characteristics of special spiritual, historical or cultural significance to Maori identified in accordance with tikanga Maori; and

(c) significant places or areas of historic or cultural significance.

Policy 1.1.4
It is a national priority for the preservation of natural character of the coastal environment to protect the integrity, functioning, and resilience of the coastal environment in terms of:

(a) the dynamic processes and features arising from the natural movement of sediments, water and air;

(b) natural movement of biota;

(c) natural substrate composition;

(d) natural water and air quality;

(e) natural biodiversity, productivity and biotic patterns; and

(f) intrinsic values of ecosystems.

Policy 1.1.5
It is a national priority to restore and rehabilitate the natural character of the coastal environment where appropriate.

CHAPTER 2—THE PROTECTION OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT OF SPECIAL VALUE TO THE TANGATA WHENUA INCLUDING WAAHI TAPU, TAURANGA WAKA, MAHINGA MAATAITAI, AND TAONGA RARANGA

Policy 2.1.1
Provision should be made for the identification of the characteristics of the coastal environment of special value to the tangata whenua in accordance with tikanga Maori. This includes the right of the tangata whenua to choose not to identify all or any of them.

Policy 2.1.2
Protection of the characteristics of the coastal environment of special value to the tangata whenua should be carried out in accordance with tikanga Maori. Provision should be made to determine, in accordance with tikanga Maori, the means whereby the characteristics are to be protected.

Policy 2.1.3
Where characteristics have been identified as being of special value to tangata whenua, the local authority should consider:

(a) The transfer of its functions, powers and duties to iwi authorities in relation to the management of those characteristics of the coastal environment in terms of section 33 of the Resource Management Act 1991; and/or

(b) The delegation of its functions, powers and duties to a committee of the local authority representing and comprising representatives of the relevant tangata whenua, in relation to the management of those characteristics of the coastal environment in terms of section 34 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

CHAPTER 3—ACTIVITIES INVOLVING THE SUBDIVISION, USE OR DEVELOPMENT OF AREAS OF THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT

3.1 Maintenance and Enhancement of Amenity Values

Policy 3.1.1
Use of the coast by the public should not be allowed to have significant adverse effects on the coastal environment, amenity values, nor on the safety of the public nor on the enjoyment of the coast by the public.

Policy 3.1.2
Policy statements and plans should identify (in the coastal environment) those scenic, recreational and historic areas, areas of spiritual or cultural significance, and those scientific and landscape features, which are important to the region or district and which should therefore be given special protection; and that policy statements and plans should give them appropriate protection.

Policy 3.1.3
Policy statements and plans should recognise the contribution that open space makes to the amenity values found in the coastal environment, and should seek to maintain and enhance those values by giving appropriate protection to areas of open space.

3.2 Providing for the Appropriate Subdivision, Use and Development of the Coastal Environment

Policy 3.2.1
Policy statements and plans should define what form of subdivision, use and development would be appropriate in the coastal environment, and where it would be appropriate.

Policy 3.2.2
Adverse effects of subdivision, use or development in the coastal environment should as far as practicable be avoided. Where complete avoidance is not practicable, the adverse effects should be mitigated and provision made for remedying those effects, to the extent practicable.

Policy 3.2.3
Policy statements and plans should recognise the powers conferred by section 108 to obtain environmental benefits which will (to a degree) offset environmental damage, by specifying purposes in their plans for which "financial contributions" can be sought, in cases where there will be