3714 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 148 4 NOVEMBER 2010

(e) coastal vegetation and the habitat of indigenous coastal species including migratory birds;

(f) elements and features that contribute to the natural character, landscape, visual qualities or amenity values;

(g) items of cultural and historic heritage in the coastal marine area or on the coast;

(h) inter-related coastal marine and terrestrial systems, including the intertidal zone; and

(i) physical resources and built facilities, including infrastructure, that have modified the coastal environment.

Policy 2 The Treaty of Waitangi, tangata whenua and Māori heritage

In taking account of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi), and kaitiakitanga, in relation to the coastal environment:

(a) recognise that tangata whenua have traditional and continuing cultural relationships with areas of the coastal environment, including places where they have lived and fished for generations;

(b) involve iwi authorities or hapū on behalf of tangata whenua in the preparation of regional policy statements, and plans, by undertaking effective consultation with tangata whenua; with such consultation to be early, meaningful, and as far as practicable in accordance with tikanga Māori;

(c) with the consent of tangata whenua and as far as practicable in accordance with tikanga Māori, incorporate mātauranga Māori in regional policy statements, in plans, and in the consideration of applications for resource consents, notices of requirement for designation and private plan changes;

(d) provide opportunities in appropriate circumstances for Māori involvement in decision making, for example when a consent application or notice of requirement is dealing with cultural localities or issues of cultural significance, and Māori experts, including pūkenga, may have knowledge not otherwise available;

(e) take into account any relevant iwi resource management plan and any other relevant planning document recognised by the appropriate iwi authority or hapū and lodged with the council, to the extent that its content has a bearing on resource management issues in the region or district; and

(i) where appropriate incorporate references to, or material from, iwi resource management plans in regional policy statements and in plans; and

(ii) consider providing practical assistance to iwi or hapū who have indicated a wish to develop iwi resource management plans;

(f) provide for opportunities for tangata whenua to exercise kaitiakitanga over waters, forests, lands, and fisheries in the coastal environment through such measures as:

(i) bringing cultural understanding to monitoring of natural resources;

(ii) providing appropriate methods for the management, maintenance and protection of the taonga of tangata whenua;

(iii) having regard to regulations, rules or bylaws relating to ensuring sustainability of fisheries resources such as taiāpure, māhinga mātaitai or other non commercial Māori customary fishing;

(g) in consultation and collaboration with tangata whenua, working as far as practicable in accordance with tikanga Māori, and recognising that tangata whenua have the right to choose not to identify places or values of historic, cultural or spiritual significance or special value:

(i) recognise the importance of Māori cultural and heritage values through such methods as historic heritage, landscape and cultural impact assessments; and

(ii) provide for the identification, assessment, protection and management of areas or sites of significance or special value to Māori, including by historic analysis and archaeological survey and the development of methods such as alert layers and predictive methodologies for identifying areas of high potential for undiscovered Māori heritage, for example coastal pā or fishing villages.

Policy 3 Precautionary approach

(1) Adopt a precautionary approach towards proposed activities whose effects on the coastal environment are uncertain, unknown, or little understood, but potentially significantly adverse.

(2) In particular, adopt a precautionary approach to use and management of coastal resources potentially vulnerable to effects from climate change, so that:

(a) avoidable social and economic loss and harm to communities does not occur;

(b) natural adjustments for coastal processes, natural defences, ecosystems, habitat and species are allowed to occur; and

(c) the natural character, public access, amenity and other values of the coastal environment meet the needs of future generations.

Policy 4 Integration

Provide for the integrated management of natural and physical resources in the coastal environment, and activities that affect the coastal environment. This requires:

(a) co-ordinated management or control of activities within the coastal environment, and which could cross administrative boundaries, particularly:

(i) the local authority boundary between the coastal marine area and land;

(ii) local authority boundaries within the coastal environment, both within the coastal marine area and on land; and

(iii) where hapū or iwi boundaries or rohe cross local authority boundaries;

(b) working collaboratively with other bodies and agencies with responsibilities and functions relevant to resource management, such as where land or waters are held or managed for conservation purposes; and

(c) particular consideration of situations where:

(i) subdivision, use, or development and its effects above or below the line of mean high water springs will require, or is likely to result in, associated use or development that crosses the line of mean high water springs; or