4 NOVEMBER 2010 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 148 3717

(iv) habitats of indigenous species in the coastal environment that are important for recreational, commercial, traditional
or cultural purposes;
(v) habitats, including areas and routes, important to migratory species; and
(vi) ecological corridors, and areas important for linking or maintaining biological values identified under this policy.

Policy 12 Harmful aquatic organisms

(1) Provide in regional policy statements and in plans, as far as practicable, for the control of activities in or near the coastal
marine area that could have adverse effects on the coastal environment by causing harmful aquatic organisms* to be
released or otherwise spread, and include conditions in resource consents, where relevant, to assist with managing the
risk of such effects occurring.

(2) Recognise that activities relevant to (1) include:
(a) the introduction of structures likely to be contaminated with harmful aquatic organisms;
(b) the discharge or disposal of organic material from dredging, or from vessels and structures, whether during
maintenance, cleaning or otherwise; and whether in the coastal marine area or on land;
(c) the provision and ongoing maintenance of moorings, marina berths, jetties and wharves; and
(d) the establishment and relocation of equipment and stock required for or associated with aquaculture.

Policy 13 Preservation of natural character

(1) To preserve the natural character of the coastal environment and to protect it from inappropriate subdivision, use, and
development:
(a) avoid adverse effects of activities on natural character in areas of the coastal environment with outstanding natural
character; and
(b) avoid significant adverse effects and avoid, remedy or mitigate other adverse effects of activities on natural
character in all other areas of the coastal environment;
including by:
(c) assessing the natural character of the coastal environment of the region or district, by mapping or otherwise
identifying at least areas of high natural character; and
(d) ensuring that regional policy statements, and plans, identify areas where preserving natural character requires
objectives, policies and rules, and include those provisions.

(2) Recognise that natural character is not the same as natural features and landscapes or amenity values and may include
matters such as:
(a) natural elements, processes and patterns;
(b) biophysical, ecological, geological and geomorphological aspects;
(c) natural landforms such as headlands, peninsulas, cliffs, dunes, wetlands, reefs, freshwater springs and surf breaks;
(d) the natural movement of water and sediment;
(e) the natural darkness of the night sky;
(f) places or areas that are wild or scenic;
(g) a range of natural character from pristine to modified; and
(h) experiential attributes, including the sounds and smell of the sea; and their context or setting.

Policy 14 Restoration of natural character

Promote restoration or rehabilitation of the natural character of the coastal environment, including by:
(a) identifying areas and opportunities for restoration or rehabilitation;
(b) providing policies, rules and other methods directed at restoration or rehabilitation in regional policy statements, and
plans;
(c) where practicable, imposing or reviewing restoration or rehabilitation conditions on resource consents and designations,
including for the continuation of activities; and recognising that where degraded areas of the coastal environment require
restoration or rehabilitation, possible approaches include:
(i) restoring indigenous habitats and ecosystems, using local genetic stock where practicable; or
(ii) encouraging natural regeneration of indigenous species, recognising the need for effective weed and animal pest
management; or
(iii) creating or enhancing habitat for indigenous species; or
(iv) rehabilitating dunes and other natural coastal features or processes, including saline wetlands and intertidal
saltmarsh; or
(v) restoring and protecting riparian and intertidal margins; or
(vi) reducing or eliminating discharges of contaminants; or
(vii) removing redundant structures and materials that have been assessed to have minimal heritage or amenity values
and when the removal is authorised by required permits, including an archaeological authority under the Historic
Places Act 1993; or
(viii) restoring cultural landscape features; or
(ix) redesign of structures that interfere with ecosystem processes; or
(x) decommissioning or restoring historic landfill and other contaminated sites which are, or have the potential to,
leach material into the coastal marine area.

Policy 15 Natural features and natural landscapes

To protect the natural features and natural landscapes (including seascapes) of the coastal environment from inappropriate
subdivision, use, and development: