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237B: Access strips
or “Paths that let people walk along the water's edge, agreed between landowners and local councils”

You could also call this:

“Strips of land by the water can be closed to keep people safe during emergencies or dangerous times.”

You should know that an esplanade strip or access strip can be closed to the public at certain times. This can happen for two reasons:

  1. The closure times are written in a special document called an instrument or easement. You can find more information about this in Schedule 10.

  2. The local authority (like your local council) can close the strip during emergencies or when there’s a risk to the public. This is to prevent people from getting hurt or property from being damaged.

When a strip is closed, the local authority needs to let people know about it. They should put up signs at all the places where you can enter the strip. These signs should tell you that the strip is closed and that it’s against the rules to go in during this time. Sometimes, the special document might say that someone else is in charge of putting up these signs.

Remember, it’s important to follow these rules to stay safe and respect the closures when they happen.

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Next up: 237D: Transfers to the Crown or regional council

or “The government can change who looks after special areas near water, like beaches or rivers.”

Part 10 Subdivision and reclamations
Esplanade reserves

237CClosure of strips to public

  1. An esplanade strip or access strip may be closed to the public for the times and periods specified in the instrument or easement under Schedule 10, or by the local authority during periods of emergency or public risk likely to cause loss of life, injury, or serious damage to property.

  2. The local authority shall ensure, where practicable, that any closure specified in the instrument or easement, or any closure for safety or emergency reasons, is adequately notified (including notification that it is an offence to enter the strip during the period of closure) to the public by signs erected at all entry points to the strip, unless the instrument or easement provides that another person is responsible for such notification.

Notes
  • Section 237C: inserted, on , by section 124 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 65).