Marine and Coastal Area Register

Customary marine interests include customary marine title and protected customary rights.

Customary marine title recognises the relationship of iwi, hapū or whānau with a part of the common marine and coastal area. Customary marine title can’t be sold, and free public access, fishing and other recreational activities are allowed to continue in customary marine title areas.

Protected customary rights include activities like launching waka and collecting hangi stones, that were undertaken in 1840 and continue today as part of local iwi, hapū and whānau tikanga practice.

For more information on customary interests in the marine and coastal area, visit the Te Arawhiti website.

Under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act (subpart 3 of part 4), Land Information New Zealand is responsible for maintaining a marine and coastal area register as a permanent record of documents relating to customary marine interests.

Access the marine and coastal area register