The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 (NZCPS) guides councils in their day-to-day management of the coastal environment. The NZCPS is the only compulsory NPS under the RMA. The RMA requires there to be a NZCPS at all times.
New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 Amended 2025
Department of Conservation with support from
MfE
New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 Amended 2025 (Department of Conservation website)
15 January 2026
New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 [Department of Conservation website]
Notice of gazettal [NZ Gazette website]
The Government consulted on proposals to prepare or amend national direction, including amending the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement from May to July 2025.
Consultation closed on 27 July 2025. The Recommendations and Decisions report on proposed amendments to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement is now available.
View the Recommendations and Decisions Report
View the Infrastructure, development and primary sector national direction consultation
The Governor General, on recommendation from the Minister of Conservation approved amendments to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement on 15 December 2025. These amendments come into force on 15 January 2026.
New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement Amendments
Regulatory impact statement for the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement Amendments
DOC undertook a review of the effect of the NZCPS on RMA decision-making in 2016/2017. The Report on the review was released in February 2018.
Review of the effect of NZCPS 2010 on RMA decision-making [DOC website].