3716 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 148 4 NOVEMBER 2010

and provide protection from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development in these areas through objectives,
policies and rules.

(2) Identify in regional policy statements, and plans, coastal processes, resources or values that are under threat or at
significant risk from adverse cumulative effects. Include provisions in plans to manage these effects. Where practicable,
in plans, set thresholds (including zones, standards or targets), or specify acceptable limits to change, to assist in
determining when activities causing adverse cumulative effects are to be avoided.

Policy 8 Aquaculture

Recognise the significant existing and potential contribution of aquaculture to the social, economic and cultural well-being of
people and communities by:

(a) including in regional policy statements and regional coastal plans provision for aquaculture activities in appropriate
places in the coastal environment, recognising that relevant considerations may include:

(i) the need for high water quality for aquaculture activities; and

(ii) the need for land-based facilities associated with marine farming;

(b) taking account of the social and economic benefits of aquaculture, including any available assessments of national and
regional economic benefits; and

(c) ensuring that development in the coastal environment does not make water quality unfit for aquaculture activities in areas
approved for that purpose.

Policy 9 Ports

Recognise that a sustainable national transport system requires an efficient national network of safe ports, servicing national
and international shipping, with efficient connections with other transport modes, including by:

(a) ensuring that development in the coastal environment does not adversely affect the efficient and safe operation of these
ports, or their connections with other transport modes; and

(b) considering where, how and when to provide in regional policy statements and in plans for the efficient and safe
operation of these ports, the development of their capacity for shipping, and their connections with other transport modes.

Policy 10 Reclamation and de-reclamation

(1) Avoid reclamation of land in the coastal marine area, unless:

(a) land outside the coastal marine area is not available for the proposed activity;

(b) the activity which requires reclamation can only occur in or adjacent to the coastal marine area;

(c) there are no practicable alternative methods of providing the activity; and

(d) the reclamation will provide significant regional or national benefit.

(2) Where a reclamation is considered to be a suitable use of the coastal marine area, in considering its form and design have
particular regard to:

(a) the potential effects on the site of climate change, including sea level rise, over no less than 100 years;

(b) the shape of the reclamation and, where appropriate, whether the materials used are visually and aesthetically
compatible with the adjoining coast;

(c) the use of materials in the reclamation, including avoiding the use of contaminated materials that could significantly
adversely affect water quality, aquatic ecosystems and indigenous biodiversity in the coastal marine area;

(d) providing public access, including providing access to and along the coastal marine area at high tide where
practicable, unless a restriction on public access is appropriate as provided for in Policy 19;

(e) the ability to remedy or mitigate adverse effects on the coastal environment;

(f) whether the proposed activity will affect cultural landscapes and sites of significance to tangata whenua; and

(g) the ability to avoid consequential erosion and accretion, and other natural hazards.

(3) In considering proposed reclamations, have particular regard to the extent to which the reclamation and intended purpose
would provide for the efficient operation of infrastructure, including ports, airports, coastal roads, pipelines, electricity
transmission, railways and ferry terminals, and of marinas and electricity generation.

(4) De-reclamation of redundant reclaimed land is encouraged where it would:

(a) restore the natural character and resources of the coastal marine area; and

(b) provide for more public open space.

Policy 11 Indigenous biological diversity (biodiversity)

To protect indigenous biological diversity in the coastal environment:

(a) avoid adverse effects of activities on:

(i) indigenous taxa4 that are listed as threatened5 or at risk in the New Zealand Threat Classification System lists;

(ii) taxa that are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as threatened;

(iii) indigenous ecosystems and vegetation types that are threatened in the coastal environment, or are naturally rare6;

(iv) habitats of indigenous species where the species are at the limit of their natural range, or are naturally rare;

(v) areas containing nationally significant examples of indigenous community types; and

(vi) areas set aside for full or partial protection of indigenous biological diversity under other legislation; and

(b) avoid significant adverse effects and avoid, remedy or mitigate other adverse effects of activities on:

(i) areas of predominantly indigenous vegetation in the coastal environment;

(ii) habitats in the coastal environment that are important during the vulnerable life stages of indigenous species;

(iii) indigenous ecosystems and habitats that are only found in the coastal environment and are particularly vulnerable
to modification, including estuaries, lagoons, coastal wetlands, dunelands, intertidal zones, rocky reef systems,
eelgrass and saltmarsh;