In 2008, Surfbreak Protection Society (SPS) successfully submitted (along with others) on the ten year review of the Taranaki Regional Plan asking for surf break to be included in the new Plan – 83 surfbreaks were included in the new Plan and subsequently formally protected by the Taranaki Regional Council in 2009.
Then in 2010, SPS successfully submitted (supported by a 4 hour submission with professional support from lawyers, planners and scientists) to a ten year review of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (prepared under the Resource Management Act 1991).
The new 2010 Statement now gives protection to 19 top named surf breaks across NZ as well as potential protection to any other surf breaks forming part of the ‘natural character of the coastal environment,’ and the protection covers water quality, access and swell corridors. This is a world first with the protection of surf breaks at the highest Government level (New Zealand Planning documents must give effect to this protection and Councils must comply with it.) and the news of this success travelled worldwide.
However work still needs to be done on establishing an acceptable, methodical approach towards identification of surfbreaks and then ensuring the law is put into effect.
SPS continues to lodge numerous submissions in this regard (the most recent being on the Northland Regional Plan Review 2013) as well as work on other campaigns and projects – Whangamata and Aramoana remain under threat and SPS is working to ensure appropriate scientific monitoring is implemented at these breaks.
A priority at present for SPS (along with a team of supporters including and coastal and legal experts) is preparing for an upcoming hearing regarding the application by Port Otago to increase dredging and spoil dumping near the, now protected, Aramoana Spit surf break.
Help protect NZ surfbreaks by becoming a Paid Member of Surfbreak Protection and by Making a Donation – see link below:
BECOME A MEMBER OR MAKE A DONATION
Want to do more? then attend our 2013 AGM at 7pm on Thursday 18 April at the Grey Lynn Community Centre, Auckland – see link below