From 13 July until 10 August 2026, you can share your views on a range of environmental, cultural, social, recreational and economic issues and opportunities, including coastal water quality, use of natural resources and risks such as natural hazards.

We have some data and scientific information to support spatial planning and management of the Otago Coast, and it’s important to hear from the public and community groups who can add to our understanding through the valuable information they hold from their own experiences and knowledge.

This feedback supports the development of a framework to manage coastal issues and activities under the new resource management system, including a future regional spatial plan.

This work reflects the Council’s priority action to progress work to understand coastal environmental issues, opportunities, and risks, in partnership with mana whenua and our communities, to ensure a strong evidence base is available regardless of future regulatory settings.

We have identified a number of issues and opportunities based on our current knowledge of the coast, and are seeking feedback to ensure they reflect what matters most to the people in Otago, and if we’ve missed anything.

Please comment on any issues and/or opportunities you consider relevant and let us know if you think we’ve missed something.

Your feedback will help shape future coastal management, ensuring the Otago coast is safeguarded and resilient for current and future generations.

ORC has identified the following topics to represent the range of values, issues and opportunities present in Otago’s coastal areas.

We would like to understand what is important to you and whether we have missed anything.

Land use and urban development provide opportunities to support thriving communities, such as transport routes, harbours, employment, and recreation, while maintaining the environmental, cultural, and landscape values that make the coast distinctive.

Public access to the coast is highly valued and plays an important role in supporting quality of life and community wellbeing.

Occupying space is the ability to use coastal space, and how important it is to Otago communities.

Taking (extraction) and deposition of material in the coastal environment can bring both benefits and environmental pressures.

Infrastructure, including ports, needs to be located within the coastal environment, and this provides benefits to the people, communities and the regional economy of Otago.

Marine aquaculture involves farming fish, shellfish and seaweed. It occurs either inshore, in coastal waters influenced by tides, or offshore in the open ocean.

Coastal biodiversity includes the plants, animals and habitats found in the sea and along the coast, such as saltmarshes, sand dunes and the land next to the shore.

Natural hazards and climate change is the natural dynamic coastal processes that support coastal values are also responsible for processes like erosion and flooding that pose hazards to wellbeing.

Good coastal water quality keeps the estuaries and seas around our coast healthy, makes it safe for people to swim and play, supports jobs and tourism, provides ecosystem services, and protects food sources such as shellfish.

Historic heritage helps people understand and appreciate Aotearoa New Zealand’s history and cultures.

Natural character, features, landscapes and seascapes are the visible elements, such as landforms and scenic views. The Otago coast has a diverse range of high scenic values which contribute to the local economy by attracting visitors and tourism.

Surf breaks are an important component of coastal natural character and a valued recreational resource for New Zealanders and attracting international visitors.

Biosecurity is how Otago’s coastal environment is vulnerable to biosecurity risks from invasive pests and diseases.

Drop by at any time during an in-person session or tune in for a presentation and Q&A online and let us know what you think about Otago’s coast.

Once we have all the feedback collated, it will give us a better understanding of those matters relevant to spatial planning and management of the Otago coast. 

The feedback will be incorporated into an Issues and Opportunities Report and will inform further consideration on the management of coastal issues in Otago.

This report and a summary of the feedback received will be made available on the ORC website before the end of this year.

The current Regional Plan: Coast was prepared under the Resource Management Act 1991 and remains the operative planning framework for managing activities in the coastal marine area (CMA).

However, this work is taking place during a period of significant national resource management reform. As a result, the process is not expected to simply lead to a like-for-like replacement ‘Coast Plan’.

Instead, the coastal issues, values and management responses identified through this process will help inform how coastal management is carried forward into the new resource management system.

Email policy@orc.govt.nz 
Phone 0800 474 082

www.orc.govt.nz/otagocoast