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The Waikato Regional Coastal Plan (RCP) was made operative in 2005 (the operative plan).

The operative plan contains policy and methods to manage the allocation and use of coastal resources.

What area does the plan cover?

The plan applies across the coastal marine area (CMA) of the Waikato region, from the line of mean high water spring (MHWS) out to 12 nautical miles (approximately 20 km). Where the line of MHWS crosses a river, the landward boundary is determined by whichever is the lesser of one kilometre upstream from the mouth, or the point upstream calculated by multiplying the width of the river mouth by five. The CMA boundary has been fixed by agreement between the district council, Waikato Regional Council and the Minister of Conservation for some rivers – refer to Schedule 4.

Proposed Waikato Regional Coastal Plan

A new plan to replace the operative plan is being prepared. The Proposed Waikato Regional Coastal Plan (the proposed plan) was notified for public submissions on 18 August 2023 and the period for making submissions on the proposed plan closed on 14 November 2023.

Certain rules have immediate legal effect upon notification and should be considered alongside the operative plan.

Read more about the Proposed Waikato Regional Coastal Plan

Read the Regional Coastal Plan

Click on the link below to access the plan online. 

  • You will need to select 'Waikato Regional Plan' from the list of regional plans available.
  • You need to use Microsoft Edge or Chrome as your web browser. E-plan does not work on Internet Explorer.

Please note that Waikato Regional Council no longer maintains a register of plan holders or provides an update service, as updates are now electronic via the online version website, below.

Private Plan Change - Coastal Plan

Waikato Regional Council has accepted a private plan change request to the Waikato Regional Coastal Plan from Pare Hauraki Kaimoana.

Click here to view the proposed plan change documents

Historical variations and plan changes

As a result of the realignment of the boundary between the Waikato Regional Council and the Auckland Council, the area between Kaiaua and Matangarahi was transferred from Auckland Council to the Waikato region. Until the Waikato Regional Coastal Plan is amended through the Plan Review to address this area, the planning documents prepared by the Auckland Regional Council (as at 1 November 2010) continue to apply. The relevant planning documents for this part of the Waikato coastal marine area are the Auckland Transitional Coastal Plan, the Auckland Regional Plan: Coastal, and Variation 2 to the Auckland Regional Plan: Coastal.

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