Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand

Coastal Dune Ecosystem Reference Database

Treaty of Waitangi duties relevant to adaptation to coastal hazards from sea-level rise

Author
Iorns, C
Year
2019
Journal / Source
Research Report for the Deep South National Science Challenge
Pages
190 pp
Summary
This paper addresses duties under Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi (the Treaty) for protection of particular Māori interests in the face of coastal hazards associated with sea-level rise.1 Under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Crown has a duty to actively protect Māori lands, estates, forests, fisheries and other taonga, and must enable Māori to protect these taonga. It is necessary to assess what Treaty duties may exist in relation to decisions to adopt measures to adapt in an attempt to prevent the risks of damage eventuating from coastal hazards associated with sea-level rise.