1. Subdivision, use and development in the coastal environment is designed and located to avoid significant adverse effects on natural character, and to retain the particular elements or features that significantly contribute to the natural character of an area.

2. The natural character of areas with high or outstanding natural character value is preserved, and subdivision use and development is managed to maintain their high levels of naturalness.

3. Where practicable areas with degraded natural character are restored or rehabilitated, and areas of high and outstanding natural character in the coastal environment, including in the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area and the Hauraki Gulf/To Moana Nui o Toi/Tīkapa Moana, are enhanced.

1.Subdivision, use and development must avoid significant adverse effects on the natural character of the coastal environment, and avoid, remedy or mitigate other adverse effects of activities, taking into account:

a.the extent of man-made changes to landform, vegetation, coastal processes and water movement

b.the presence or absence of structures and buildings

c.the particular elements, features and experiential values that contribute significantly to the natural character value of the area, and the extent to which they are affected

d.whether it is practicable to use an alternative location or form of development that would have lesser adverse effects on natural character

e.the extent to which functional need, or an existing use, limits location and development options.

2.Promote land use practices and restoration projects that will restore or rehabilitate natural character values.

3.Areas of outstanding and high natural character are identified using criteria in Policy 13(2) of the NZCPS.

4.Protect the physical and visual integrity and the natural, and wilderness values of ONC/HNC areas of the coastal environment by:

a.requiring subdivision, use and development to be of a type, scale and intensity that will maintain the natural character values of the area

b.requiring built elements to be subservient to the dominance of the features, patterns, processes and qualities that make up the natural character values of the area

c.maintaining the high levels of naturalness of these areas

d.avoiding activities that individually or cumulatively detract physically or visually from the natural character values of the area

e.promote land use practices that help maintain and enhance natural character values

f.maintaining, and where practicable, enhance Mana Whenua values.

5.Subdivision, use and development in areas immediately adjoining areas of outstanding and high natural character of the coastal environment must:

a.avoid or minimise adverse physical and visual effects on ONC/HNC areas

b.maintain significant landforms and indigenous vegetation and habitats that are significant elements or patterns in ONC/HNC areas to protect the visual and biophysical linkages between the two areas

c.avoid locating significant built elements directly adjacent to the boundary with an ONC/HNC area

d.avoid adverse cumulative effects on the ONC/HNC areas of the coastal environment

e.avoid adverse effects on Mana Whenua values.

6.Provide for the use of transferable development rights to avoid latent potential for inappropriate development in areas identified as having outstanding natural character value.

7.Exclude ONC areas from being recipient areas for transferable development rights.

8.Avoid subdivision, use and development in areas identified as having ONC value, other than:

a.works associated with maintaining or enhancing natural character values

b.existing uses and/or where an existing use right applies

c.small-scale buildings.

9.Require subdivision, use or development that does need to be located in ONC areas to minimise the level of modification to ecosystems, natural landforms, vegetation and natural processes and patterns through the careful:

a.location of development

b.design of development

c.mitigation of the adverse effects of development.

10.Require subdivision, use and development to be undertaken outside of a HNC area where there is an alternative.

11.Avoid significant adverse effects and avoid, remedy and mitigate other adverse effects on HNC areas by:

a.protecting the physical and visual integrity, and natural processes of the location

b.minimising adverse effects on natural values resulting from the location, scale, and design of any buildings, including associated buildings, infrastructure, earth works and vegetation clearance

c.maintaining the intactness of significant vegetation areas and vegetative patterns

d.maintaining the physical, visual, and experiential values that contribute significantly to the wilderness and scenic value of the area

e.maintaining the integrity of landforms, geological features and associated natural processes, including sensitive landforms such as ridgelines, headlands, peninsulas, cliffs, dunes wetlands, reefs, fresh water springs, streams or rivers, and surf breaks

f.maintaining the elements, processes, and patterns that exist or operate across the MHWS and connect land in the coastal environment, including processes of sediment transport, patterns of erosion and deposition, substrate composition and movement of biota, including between marine and freshwater environments.

1. Auckland’s ONLs and ONFs are protected from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development.

2. The ancestral relationships of Mana Whenua with, and their perspectives on, the landscapes and natural features of Auckland is identified and provided for.

3. The restoration and enhancement of natural features and landscapes, including in the Waitākere Ranges heritage area and the Hauraki Gulf/Te Moana-nui o Toi/Tīkapa Moana islands is promoted.

4. The visual and physical integrity and values Auckland's volcanic features that are of local, regional, national and/or international significance are protected and where practicable enhanced.

5. The significant views to and between Auckland’s maunga are protected.

6. The multiple values of ONFs are protected and enhanced.

7. The role of existing rural production is recognised in the management of landscape values.

1.Identify geological sites and landforms that are ONFs using the following criteria:

a.the extent to which the landform feature or geological site contributes to the understanding of the geology or evolution of the biota in the region, New Zealand or the earth, including type localities of rock formations, minerals and fossils

b.the rarity or unusual nature of the site or feature

c.the extent to which it is an outstanding representative example of the diversity of Auckland's natural landforms and geological features

d.the extent to which the landform, geological feature or site is a component of a recognisable group of geologically associated features

e.the extent to which the landform, geological feature or site contributes to the aesthetic value or visual legibility of the wider natural landscape

f.the community association with, or public appreciation of, the values of the feature or site

g.the potential value of the feature or site for public education

h.the potential value of the feature or site to provide additional understanding of the geological or biotic history

i.the state of preservation of the feature or site

j.the extent to which a feature or site is associated with an historically important natural event, geologically related industry, or individual involved in earth science research

k.the importance of the feature or site to Mana Whenua

l.the contribution of the feature to the more publicly valued groups of landforms and geological sites associated with Auckland's volcanoes, coastlines, Hauraki Gulf islands, and the Waitākere Ranges.

2.Identify landscape values of ONFs and ONLs using the following landscape assessment criteria:

a.the visual coherence, unity or integrity of the site or landform

b.the aesthetic value, memorability, expressiveness and legibility of the site or landform

c.the extent to which the site can be perceived of as natural, such as low intrusion of human influence, presence of buildings and structures, or landform modification

d.the public profile of the site or landform, including shared and recognised values

e.the known historic associations in relation to the site or landform

f.the value of the site to Mana Whenua

g.natural science factors including geological, topographical, ecological and dynamic

h.the presence of water including seas, lakes, rivers and streams

i.transient perceptual landscape events

j.wild or scenic values.

3.Appropriate processes must be followed with accidentally discovered features of potential significance when trenching or excavating in:

a.basalt lava in the Auckland volcanic field

b.organic deposits of pre-European age or greater

c.rock strata known to contain fossils.

4.Provide for appropriate rural production activities and related production structures as part of the working rural and coastal landscape.

5.Manage the outstanding natural features including the volcanic features in an integrated manner:

a.to protect and, where practicable and appropriate, enhance their multiple values which may include social, cultural, historic, geological, archaeological, scientific, ecological, amenity, open space, and landscape values

b.across jurisdictional, tribal, or ownership boundaries

c.to maintain their range and diversity

d.that maintains, and where practicable, enhances Mana Whenua values.

6.Enable works and development that maintains or enhances the values or appreciation of the outstanding natural features and outstanding natural landscapes.

7.Require urban intensification to be consistent with the protection of volcanic features and viewshaft policies.

8.Manage subdivision, use and development on sites immediately adjacent to ONLs to:

a.consider its adverse physical and visual effects on the outstanding natural landscape

b.protect the physical and biophysical linkages between the two areas

c.avoid locating significant built elements directly adjacent to the boundary with an ONL

d.avoid adverse cumulative effects on the outstanding natural landscape

e.avoid adverse effects on Mana Whenua values.

9.Protect ONLs including volcanic features by:

a.avoiding activities that individually or cumulatively result in significant modification or destruction of the feature

b.maintaining, and where practicable, enhancing the amenity values of publicly-owned, historic heritage, cultural, scientific, landscape, and open space. Provision of public access and recreation are consistent with the protection of these values

c.maintaining, and where practicable, enhancing Mana Whenua values associated with ONLs.

10.Require activities to avoid adverse effects on outstanding natural features by avoiding:

a.locating new development on the feature

b.destruction of the physical integrity of the feature

c.disruption of a process integral to that feature

d.the loss or obscuring of the feature through inundation with water or deposition of material

e.effects that cumulatively contribute to the modification or destruction of the feature

f.a significant reduction in the value of the feature as a result of the inappropriate use or development of other land surrounding or adjacent to the feature

g.a significant reduction in the value of the feature in its wider historic heritage, cultural, landscape, natural character, and amenity context

h.destruction of, or significant reduction in, the educational, scientific, amenity, social, or economic value of the feature

i.a reduction in the value of the historical, cultural, and spiritual associations with the feature held by Mana Whenua.

11.Require alternative methods and locations for carrying out any work or activities considered to avoid damaging ONFs.

12.Legally protect and where practicable and appropriate, restore ONFs when undertaking development and subdivision.

13.Maintain, and where practicable enhance, the overall contribution of the regionally significant volcanic features to Auckland’s landscape character, including physical and visual connections to, and views between, the maunga.

14.Protect the historic, archaeological and cultural integrity of regionally significant volcanic features and their surrounds to avoid activities that detract from these values and their mana.

15.Avoid new buildings or structures within viewshafts identified in Appendix 3.3 and development above the specified building heights in height-sensitive areas to protect views to and between the maunga.

16.Protect the physical and visual integrity and the landscape values of ONLs by:

a.appropriate type, scale, intensity and location for subdivision, use and development

b.making built elements subservient to the dominance of the features, patterns, processes and qualities that make the landscape an ONL

c.avoiding activities that individually or cumulatively detract physically or visually from the values of the landscape

d.maintaining the visual coherence and integrity of the landscape

e.maintaining significant natural landforms, natural processes and significant vegetation areas and patterns

f.maintaining the visual or physical qualities that make the landscape iconic or rare

g.maintaining high levels of naturalness in ONLs that are also identified as HNC/ONC.

17.Encourage the restoration and enhancement where achievable, of ONFs and ONLs where this is consistent with the values of the feature or area.

1. Areas of significant indigenous biodiversity in terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal environments are protected from the adverse effects of subdivision use and development.

2. Indigenous biodiversity is maintained through protection and restoration in areas where ecological values are degraded, or where development is occurring.

3. The protection and restoration of natural heritage features of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area and the Hauraki Gulf/Te Moana-nui o Toi/Tīkapa Moana is promoted.

4. Coastal ecosystems and their life supporting capacity are protected, and where possible, enhanced.

5. The relationship of Mana Whenua and their customs and traditions with Auckland’s and its biodiversity is acknowledged.

1.Identify and protect areas of significant indigenous vegetation and the significant habitats of indigenous fauna in terrestrial, freshwater and coastal environments as SEAs using one or more of the following criteria:

a.representativeness: The area is important for the indigenous habitats and/or ecosystems it supports because they are ecologically representative of the mature and successional stages of the vegetation of each ecological district in Auckland and provide cumulatively for at least 10 per cent of the natural extent of each ecosystem type

b.stepping stones, buffers and migration pathways: The area is significant because of its context with other habitats or ecosystems. This includes groups of smaller sites that together form an important vegetation component in the landscape, cumulatively provide critical habitat for a native species, provide buffers to other significant ecological areas or act as stepping stones or ecological corridors providing for movement of species across the landscape

c.threat status and rarity: The area supports genes, species, habitats and/or ecosystems that have been classified as threatened with extinction or are naturally rare in Auckland or New Zealand

d.uniqueness or distinctiveness: The area supports genes, species, communities, habitats and/or ecosystems that are endemic, or near endemic, and only naturally occur in Auckland

e.diversity: The area supports indigenous vegetation that is ecologically diverse, close to the typical species or ecosystem diversity for that habitat or supports indigenous vegetation that extends across at least one environmental gradient.

2.Identify other areas that do or can enhance indigenous biodiversity values, or make a significant contribution to providing ecosystem services, including:

a.areas of predominantly indigenous vegetation in riparian margins and the coastal environment

b.habitats of indigenous species that are important for recreational, commercial, traditional or cultural purposes

c.steep or erosion prone areas

d.areas that make a significant contribution to landscape or natural character values.

3.Recognise the relationship of Mana Whenua with Auckland’s indigenous biodiversity through engagement on the identification and evaluation of indigenous biodiversity.

4.Provide for the role of Mana Whenua as kaitiaki in decision-making affecting indigenous biodiversity, particularly in those areas affected by Treaty Settlements.

5.Provide for the cultural practices and cultural harvest where the mauri of the resource is sustained.

6.Manage the effects of activities on significant indigenous biodiversity by:

a.avoiding and minimising adverse effects on:

i.areas identified in the SEA overlay, particularly those identified as significant when assessed against the 'threat status and rarity' or the 'uniqueness or distinctiveness' criteria and within SEA–Marine 1

ii.areas in the coastal environment set aside for full or partial protection of indigenous biological diversity under other legislation

iii.indigenous ecosystems and habitats found only in the coastal environment and which are particularly vulnerable to modification, including estuaries, lagoons, coastal wetlands, dunelands, intertidal zones, rocky reef systems, eelgrass and salt marsh.

b.requiring remediation where adverse effects cannot be avoided

c.requiring mitigation where adverse effects on the areas identified above cannot be avoided or remediated

d.requiring any residual adverse effects that are more than minor are offset through restoration and enhancement actions that achieve no net loss and preferably a net gain in indigenous biodiversity values.

7.Manage the effects of activities on other biodiversity by avoiding significant adverse effects, and avoiding, remedying, mitigating and offsetting adverse effects on indigenous species and ecosystem.

8.Adverse effects on indigenous biodiversity to be avoided, remedied, mitigated or offset in accordance with Policies 6 and 7 may include:

a.fragmentation of, or a reduction in the size and extent of, indigenous ecosystems and habitats

b.fragmentation or disruption of connections between ecosystems or habitats

c.changes which result in increased threats from pests on indigenous biodiversity and ecosystems

d.loss of buffering of indigenous ecosystems

e.the loss of a rare or threatened species or its habitat

f.loss or degradation of wetlands, dune systems, lava forests, coastal forests

g.a reduction in the abundance or natural diversity of indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna

h.significant loss of ecosystem services

i.effects which contribute to a cumulative loss or degradation of habitats and ecosystems

j.impacts on species or ecosystems that interact with other activities, or impacts that exacerbate or cause adverse effects in synergistic ways

k.significant loss of, or damage to, ecological mosaics, sequences, processes, or integrity

l.downstream effects on wetlands, rivers, streams, and lakes from hydrological changes further up the catchment

m.a modification of the viability or value of indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna as a result of the use or development of other land, freshwater, or coastal resources

n.a reduction in the value of the historical, cultural, and spiritual association with significant indigenous biodiversity held by Mana Whenua

o.a reduction in the value of the historical, cultural, and spiritual association with significant indigenous biodiversity held by the wider community

p.the destruction of, or significant reduction in, educational, scientific, amenity, historical, cultural, landscape, or natural character values

q.disturbance to indigenous fauna that is likely or known to increase threats, disturbance or pressures on indigenous fauna.

9.Allow property owners reasonable use and enjoyment of their land through the:

a.trimming of vegetation

b.maintenance of existing open areas including tracks

c.establishment and maintenance of a reasonable area of clearance around a building

d.the maintenance of lawfully established activities, structures and buildings

e.provision of one dwelling per site.

10.Prevent the establishment and avoid the spread of pest species that threaten indigenous biodiversity by:

a.developing, and providing for, pest management plans and programmes to exclude, contain or control pests

b.managing activities such as aquaculture, shipping or moorings and marinas in the CMA to avoid or reduce opportunities for the establishment and spread of pest species

c.managing works in the vicinity of kauri, such as deadwood removal or earthworks, to control kauri dieback disease by preventing the spread of soil and kauri plant material.

11.Avoid the clearance or damage of areas of significant indigenous biodiversity for buildings, access and infrastructure by:

a.using any existing cleared areas on the site to accommodate new development in the first instance

b.minimising the loss of native vegetation by retaining all native vegetation within SEAs except where loss is unavoidable to create a single building platform per site for a dwelling and associated services, access and car parking

c.designing and locating dwellings and other structures to future reduce needs, such as clearing additional vegetation to provide sunlight or protect property

d.avoiding any changes in hydrology which could adversely affect indigenous biodiversity values

e.maintaining existing water quality with no increase in the amount of sediment entering natural waterways, wetlands and groundwater

f.using techniques that minimise the effects of construction and development

g.utilising techniques to minimise the introduction and spread of animal and plant pests.

12.Protect and enhance biodiversity when undertaking new use and development by:

a.using transferable rural site subdivision to protect SEAs

b.requiring legal protection, ecological restoration and active management techniques to mitigate or offset adverse effects on indigenous biodiversity

c.linking biodiversity outcomes to other aspects of the development such as the provision of infrastructure and open space.

13.Enhance and restore indigenous biodiversity values and remedy, mitigate or offset adverse effects including by the:

a.provision of further opportunities for threatened ecosystems and additional habitats for rare or threatened indigenous species

b.control and where possible eradicate plant and animal pests

c.fencing of significant ecological areas to protect them from stock impacts

d.legal protection of significant ecological areas and areas of value to kaitaki and the wider community through covenants or similar mechanisms

e.improvement in the ecological quality of areas of indigenous biodiversity in the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area and the Gulf and its islands.

f.development and implementation of management plans to address adverse effects on SEAs

g.use, where possible, indigenous species sourced from naturally growing plants in the vicinity of the re-vegetation site, and from places which match the climactic and environmental conditions

h.provision of opportunities for the practical expression of kaitiakitang.

14.Avoid use and development within the CMA where it will result in any or all of the following:

a.any regular or sustained disturbance of migratory bird roosting, nesting and feeding areas that noticeably reduces the level of use of an area for these purposes, or results in permanent abandonment of an area

b.the destruction or loss of any regionally or nationally rare, threatened or endangered plant community or indigenous marine or terrestrial fauna, including as a result of any disturbance of the foreshore and seabed

c.increased risk to threatened and at risk marine species including Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins and Bryde’s whales

d.more than a minor adverse effect on the value identified for an affected SEA-Marine

e.the permanent use or occupation of the foreshore and seabed to the extent that the value, function or processes associated with any SEA-Marine are significantly reduced

f.any change to physical processes that would destroy, modify, or damage any natural feature or value identified for a SEA-Marine in more than a minor way

g.a reduction in water quality which would adversely affect the natural ecological functioning of the area

h.the deposition of material at levels which would adversely affect the natural ecological functioning of the area

i.greater risk of access and establishment of pest species

j.fragmentation of the values of the area to the extent that its physical integrity is lost.

15.Avoid cumulative adverse effects of use and development on the values of the SEA-Marine 1 and 2, taking into account all of the following:

a.the extent to which existing use and development already, and in combination with any proposal, impacts on the habitat, or impedes the operation of ecological and physical processes

b.the extent to which there are similar habitat types within other SEA-Marine in the same harbour or estuary or, where the SEA-Marine is located on open coast, within the same vicinity

c.whether the viability of habitats of regionally or nationally threatened plants or animals is adversely affected, including the impact on the species population and location.

16.Avoid structures in any SEA-Marine 1 except for any of the following:

a.scientific and research purposes or for public education and will enhance the understanding and long term protection of the SEA-Marine

b.navigation and safety

c.habitat maintenance and enhancement

d.where they are of benefit to the regional and national community, including significant infrastructure, and there is no reasonable or practicable alternative location on land or elsewhere in the CMA.

17.Avoid the extension to, or alteration of, any existing lawful structure in SEA-Marine 1 unless it can be demonstrated that all of the following apply:

a.the existing structure has no significant adverse effect on the values and ecological and physical processes operating in the SEA-Marine

b.the extension or alteration does not involve significant disturbance of foreshore or seabed, clearance of indigenous vegetation, or significantly increase the need to dredge in order to obtain access to the structure from the CMA.

c.the purpose of the extension cannot practicably be met by a land based alternative.

18.Avoid the following activities:

a.disturbance of the foreshore and seabed and damage to vegetation and habitat from livestock in the CMA.

b.underwater explosives training exercises.

19.Avoid mangrove removal within any SEA-Marine 1 or 2 where it will threaten the viability or significance of the ecological values identified in Appendix 6.1 for the SEA-Marine.

20.In addition, avoid mangrove removal within any SEA-Marine 1 unless it will:

a.maintain or enhance the ecological values of the SEA-Marine where it can be demonstrated these values are being adversely affected by mangrove colonisation maintaining or restoring the open nature of wading bird feeding and roosting areas identified in Appendix 6.6; or

b.maintain or enhance public access, such as developing boardwalks, consistent with protecting the geological or ecological values of the SEA-Marine; or

c.enable the reasonable operation, maintenance and use of lawful structures and/or allowing for the efficient functioning of drainage systems; or

d.enable the provision, maintenance and use of public infrastructure, such as roads, walkways and drainage systems and any associated public health and safety requirements, where there is no practicable alternative location outside the SEA-Marine that would achieve a better environmental outcome.

21.Provide for mangrove seedling removal in SEA-Marine 1 areas that do not have significant values associated with mangroves recorded in Appendix 6.1.

22.Adopt a precautionary approach when:

a.assessing and responding to the effects of climate change on indigenous biodiversity

b.when considering the potential for activities to adversely affect ecosystems and threatened species in the coastal environment.