Engagement Highlights Importance Of Coast To Otago Communities
by Otago Regional Council · SCOOPPublic engagement by Otago Regional Council carried out during July and August this year with the aim of collecting people’s responses to issues and opportunities facing the coast received a total of 163 unique responses, including 161 completed online and 2 completed in hard copy.
Six public drop-in sessions were held in different locations along the Otago coast during July and August 2026. An online drop-in session was also held, which included a webinar and Q&A session.
Engagement included an online survey, public drop-in sessions, an online webinar, and stakeholder workshops. Participants included community members and organisations and individuals with specialist knowledge of, or interests in, the coast. Input on coastal issues and opportunities was also sought from mana whenua.
Feedback from the engagement process, together with mana whenua perspectives, indicated that Otago communities have a strong connection to the coast. Participants highlighted its importance for wellbeing, biodiversity, recreation, food gathering, cultural values, and regional identity.
Key issues identified included biodiversity loss, water quality, public access, climate change and coastal hazards, habitat degradation, biosecurity threats, and pressure from growth and development.
Key opportunities identified included ecosystem restoration, improved public access and recreation, climate resilience, integrated coastal management, stronger partnerships with Kāi Tahu and support for sustainable economic activities.
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Portfolio lead Cr Kate Wilson says, “People showed strong support for protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems, improving resilience to climate change, maintaining public access, and enabling sustainable use of coastal resources. Residents who engaged at drop ins around coastal Otago saw these issues as interconnected, both people and place being affected and this highlighted the importance of collaboration, stewardship, monitoring, education and integrated catchment-to-coast management.”
“An important recurring theme was the need for a holistic ki uta ki tai (mountains-to-sea) approach to coastal management. This feedback has formed an important part of the final Issues and Opportunities paper, available on the ORC website.”
What was the project about?
- Understanding the key issues, opportunities and values associated with Otago's coastal environment.
- Gathering technical, mana whenua, community and stakeholder perspectives on how the coast is used, valued and managed.
How will the findings be used?
- To inform the development of Otago's future coastal planning framework.
- To help shape policies, priorities and actions for managing the coast.
- To support a more integrated, adaptive and collaborative approach to coastal management.
- To ensure future planning reflects community values and aspirations, Kāi Tahu perspectives, stakeholder input and technical evidence.
Where to find more information
The Otago Coast Issues and Opportunities Report and Otago Coast Engagement Report: Summary of feedback on Issues and Opportunities for the Otago Coast (July-August 2026) is available on the ORC website: www.orc.govt.nz/otagocoast
These reports contain more information on the issues, opportunities and values identified for Otago's coastal environment. They also provide further detail on the feedback received through community and stakeholder engagement and how this information will be used to inform the development of Otago's future coastal planning framework.
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