kapiti coast waikanae estuary

Consultation on managing wetlands in the coastal marine area

We are seeking feedback on how we manage wetlands in the coastal marine area.

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This consultation relates to the application of the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020 (NES-F) to natural wetlands in the coastal marine area.    

The NES-F was originally intended to restrict activities likely to cause the loss or degradation of all natural wetlands including those in the coastal marine area.   However, several issues with the application of the NES-F to wetlands within the coastal marine area have become apparent.

These include:

  • the physical extent of where the NES-F applies within the coastal marine area is unclear 
  • the risks to wetlands in the coastal marine area are different from inland wetlands
  • the overlap of the NES-F and coastal plans has led to unintended duplication and conflict.    

To address these issues, the consultation asks for feedback on options to retain or amend the application of the NES-F wetland provisions to the coastal marine area.    

Find out more and have your say  

The consultation runs from 10 August until 21 September 2022.