Conservation House
Isabelle Douglas
18 – 31 Manners Street
Te Aro
[FYI request #31644 email]
Wellington 6011
doc.govt.nz
Ref: OIAD-5474
28 August 2025
Tēnā koe Isabelle
Thank you for your request to the Department of Conservation (DOC), received on 18 July
2025, in which you asked for:
I am seeking information regarding the Department of Conservation’s report for the
Minister of Conservation Review of the effect of the NZCPS 2010 on RMA decision-
making.This report is a consequence of Policy 28(1) of the New Zealand Coastal
Policy Statement 2010 (NZCPS). The provision requires the Minister of Conservation
to collaborate with local authorities, collect data, and assess the impact of the NZCPS
on regional policy statements, plans, resource consents, and other decision-making,
and publish a report and a conclusion on these matters.
The provision is rendered in full below:
Policy 28: Monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the NZCPS
1. To monitor and review the effectiveness of the NZCPS in achieving the purpose of
the Act, the Minister of Conservation should:
a. in collaboration with local authorities collect data for, and, as far as practicable,
incorporate district and regional monitoring information into a nationally consistent
monitoring and reporting programme;
b. undertake other information gathering or monitoring that assists in providing a
national perspective on coastal resource management trends, emerging issues and
outcomes;
c. within six years of its gazettal, assess the effect of the NZCPS on regional policy
statements, plans, and resource consents, and other decision-making; and
d. publish a report and conclusions on matters (a) to (c) above.
In Part 2 of the Report (“Background information”), the Department of Conservation
sent out requests to local government bodies, asking them to complete surveys on
coastal issues and the work that council had done to uphold NZCPS. This was to be
completed by Friday 4 November 2016. A blank copy of the survey, and further
context provided by DOC can be found in Part 2J of the Report.
Part 2K of the Report subsequently lists the councils that responded to the survey,
and those who did not.
Links to the reports can be found below:
DOC NZCPS page, also containing the Report: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nzcps
Part One of the Report:
https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/marine-and-
coastal/coastal-management/review-of-effect-of-nzcps-2010-on-rma-part-one.pdf
Part Two of the Report:
https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/marine-and-
coastal/coastal-management/review-of-effect-of-nzcps-2010-on-rma-part-two.pdf
My requests:
1. Please provide copies of the completed local government surveys (found in Part
2J) by the councils who responded to DOC’s request.
2. Please provide any associated documents that said councils attached to the
survey, relating to Policy 11 of the NZCPS (“Protect significant indigenous
biodiversity”).
3. If a council did not complete the survey, but did respond to DOC’s request with
some reason or justification for why they would not complete the survey, then I
request a copy of those responses as well.
4. If any of those responses in (3.) contained attached information about Policy 11, or
indigenous biodiversity, then I would also request that information be sent to me.
On 31 July you clarified (or refined) your request as follows:
You confirmed you do not require Policy 11 attachments if these were not provided by
councils with their survey responses.
You asked that priority be given to survey responses from Christchurch City Council,
Environment Canterbury, Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council,
West Coast Regional Council, and Buller District Council.
You asked that if Grey District Council or Westland District Council provided reasons for
not completing the survey, those responses be released.
You confirmed you ultimately wish to receive all council responses and accept that an
extension may be necessary for this.
We have considered your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA).
Under section 15(1)(a) of the Official Information Act, I have decided to grant your request.
However, more time is required to prepare the response for release. We expect to be able to
provide you with the final documentation no later than Monday 1 September 2025. We apologise
for any inconvenience that this may cause.
You are entitled to seek an investigation and review of my decision by writing to an Ombudsman
as provided by section 28(3) of the OIA.
If you have any questions please email [email address] referencing OIAD-
5474.
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Nāku noa, nā
Guy Kerrison
Policy Manager
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
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