The proposed legislation would introduce new decision making and establishment processes for designating marine protected areas in New Zealands coastal marine area. The proposed marine protected areas legislative reform aims to move New Zealand beyond marine protection focussed on creating marine reserves for scientific purposes and establish a flexible approach that enables protection, sustainable use and recreation in marine areas. The reform aims to meet the following objectives:
- Decisions about environmental protection and economic growth are made in a planned and integrated way, based on sound evidence, to maximise the benefits to New Zealand.
- Customary rights and values are recognised, ensuring the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi are met and the Crowns Treaty obligations are delivered.
- Collaboration is supported through meaningful engagement with iwi/Māori, local communities, business and the wider public.
- Varying levels of protection and use are provided for, including consideration of all existing and future uses and values.
- New Zealands international obligations in relation to the marine environment are met.