Thousands of contributions from Wellingtonians, through workshops, beachside chats, school projects, online tools, and written submissions, captured the community’s aspirations for the future of the coast.
The plan includes a comprehensive list of over 80 actions, policies, and approaches to how we manage the coast into the future, including:
- Developing a new coastal park at the former Maranui depot site in Lyall Bay.
- Restoring te reo Māori place names across coastal parks.
- Tightening 4WD access to Pariwhero (Red Rocks) - including introducing night-time gate closures and allowing sections of the coastal road to recede naturally with minimal maintenance.
- Working with the Marine Education Trust on a plan for future building works at the Bait House in Island Bay.
- Creating a dedicated penguin sanctuary at Rangitatau.
- Expanding kororā (little penguin) and other wildlife protection areas, through work on stricter dog controls in sensitive zones.
- Exploring a dark sky initiative for the south coast.
- Investigating opportunities to bring tītī (muttonbirds) back to Wellington.
- Expanding dune restoration work.
- Delivering new cultural and historical interpretation projects along the coast, highlighting wāhi tapu sites.
- Upgrading toilets at Island Bay and Oriental Bay, and building new facilities in Rangitatau and along Massey Bay/Shelly Bay Road.
- Progressing planning for the Evans Bay Water Recreation Precinct and marina.
The 10-year plan was built on a partnership between Taranaki Whānui, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, the Council, and the community. Guided by mana whenua leadership, the community’s passion for the coast has been woven into a plan that carefully balances ecosystem protection, resilience, access, and recreation.
Deputy Chair Taranaki Whānui, Huia Puketapu, introduced the plan to the Council by taking us to 2065 and looking back to our 2025 acceptance decision.
“Generally mana whenua have been at the monitoring end of everything. This time we were at the deciding of the ingredients stage. Both parties brought their ingredients and together we made this awesome cake that all our moko can enjoy in the future. This is a new momentum for best practice of partnerships,” she says.
“The introduction of iwi rangers and the reclamation of our names within this document is hugely important. It allows the mauri to be reconnected to the places that nurture us, surround us, care and provide for us, in our place we call home.”
Rawiri Faulkner, Pou Toa Matarau - Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira says: "This plan shows what happens when we walk alongside each other. Partnership has been at the heart of every step - from hui and oral hearings to kōrero on the beach. It has not always been easy, but by listening and working together we have created a stronger plan for the coast. The challenge now is to carry these commitments into action."
Paul Andrews, Parks Sport and Recreation Manager says: “The strength of this plan lies not only in its policies and actions but in the way it was created, a true collaboration between mana whenua, Council, and the community.
“With adoption achieved, we’re now focused on delivering real change on our coastal landscape. That means restoration, improved amenities, and stronger protection for our ecosystems. It also means continued partnership, staying true to the plan’s name.”
The name Tātou ki Uta, meaning “all of us on the land,” was bestowed by mana whenua from the saying “Tātou ki Uta, Tātou ki Tai.” This kōrero, rooted in the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku and the ongoing struggle between Tāwhirimātea and Tangaroa, speaks to our enduring connection with the land and sea - and our shared responsibility to care for them.
The final plan will be available on the Council website in the coming months. Information on the consultation is available at wcc.nz/coastalplan.
Taranaki Whānui ki te Ūpoko o te Ika acknowledges the mahi undertaken for this plan by Ahumai Ltd lead Lee Rauhina-August and her team.