Appendix 2
The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement–provisions of particular relevance for Maori
Policies and/or statements of particular relevance to Maori include:
- The recognition (up front) that the tangata whenua are the kaitiaki of the coastal environment.
- Protection, as a national priority, of the characteristics of special spiritual, historical or cultural significance to Maori, identified in accordance with tikanga Maori.
- Provision for the identification of the characteristics of the coastal environment of special value to the tangata whenua in accordance with tikanga Maori. Including the right of the tangata whenua to choose not to identify all or any of them.
- Protection of the characteristics of the coastal environment of special value to the tangata whenua being carried out in accordance with tikanga Maori, and the provision be made to determine, in accordance with tikanga Maori, the means whereby the characteristics are to be protected.
- Where characteristics have been identified as being of special value to tangata whenua, the local authority should consider:
- The transfer of its functions, powers and duties to iwi authorities in relation to the management of those characteristics (section 33 of the RMA).
- 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 (section 34 of the RMA).
- Policy statements and plans should make provision for papakainga housing and marae developments in appropriate places in the coastal environment.
- Restrictions depriving the public of access to and along the coastal marine area can only be imposed where such a restriction is necessary to protect (amongst others) Maori cultural values.
- Policy statement and plans should, as far as practicable, identify the access which Maori people have to sites of cultural value to them, according to tikanga Maori.
- In relation to land of the Crown in the coastal marine area, policy statements and plans are to recognise and facilitate the special relationship between the Crown and the tangata whenua as established by the Treaty of Waitangi.
- General guidelines in relation to land of the Crown in the coastal marine area which are:
- Taking into account the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
- Making provision for consultation with tangata whenua which is early, meaningful and ongoing and which is as far as practicable in accordance with tikanga Maori.
- Having regard to any relevant planning document recognised by the appropriate iwi authority.
- Where appropriate involving iwi authorities and tangata whenua in the preparation of plans and policy statements, in recognition of the relationship of Maori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands.
- Where practicable, and with the consent of the tangata whenua, incorporate in policy statements and plans and in the consideration of applications for resource consents, Maori customary knowledge about the coastal environment, in accordance with tikanga Maori.
- Rules being made as soon as possible with the object of enhancing water quality in the coastal environment and in particular where there is a particular tangata whenua interest in the water.
- Rules should provide that a discharge of human sewerage direct into water, without passing through land, may only occur where there has been consultation with the tangata whenua in accordance with tikanga Maori and due weight has been given to sections 6, 7 and 8 of the RMA.
