Applying for a marine dumping permit

To dump waste within New Zealand’s coastal marine area or beyond the 12 nautical mile limit, a dumping permit is required.

To dump waste within the coastal marine area, resource consent must be applied for with the appropriate regional authority. Maritime New Zealand assesses and issues dumping permits for beyond the 12 nautical mile limit.

Dumping permits for within the coastal marine area

Regional Councils have the responsibility to enforce the provisions of the Resource Management Act for dumping waste within the coastal marine area.

Regional Council responsibility includes:

• the preparation of the regional policy statement that identifies issues of regional significance
• the preparation of a regional coastal plan
• the assessment and issuing of coastal permits.

While there is no statutory requirement to do so, Regional Councils may also take into account the New Zealand Guidelines for Sea Disposal of Waste when considering applications for dumping permits.

New Zealand Guidelines for Sea Disposal of Waste [PDF: 1.91Mb, 88 pages]

To apply for, or get more information about, a dumping permit within the coastal marine area please contact your local regional council.

Get contact details for your local council [Local Government Online]

Dumping permits for beyond the 12 nautical mile limit

Maritime New Zealand assesses and issues dumping permits. To assist in this, Maritime New Zealand has prepared the New Zealand Guidelines for Sea Disposal of Waste (NZGSDW).

These guidelines provide a comprehensive overview of:

• the New Zealand legislation for sea disposal
• waste reduction and alternatives to dumping
• waste characterisation
• assessing the waste suitability for dumping
• assessing the dump site
• decision making and monitoring.

The guidelines also provide detailed technical information supporting the assessment approach.

New Zealand Guidelines for Sea Disposal of Waste [PDF: 1.91Mb, 88 pages]

The guidelines aim to:

• help applicants who are applying for resource consents and permits to dump wastes at sea from ships, aircraft or offshore installations
• assist the issuing authorities who have to decide upon the applications they receive
• promote a consistent, practical consenting/permitting regime for dumping, in accordance with the 1996 Protocol, in all areas of the sea that New Zealand has jurisdiction and responsibilities for dumping.

The 1996 Protocol refers to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes or Other Matter, 1972. It is also known as the London Convention.

Permits for the disposal of waste at sea are only granted if:

• all other waste disposal options are proved to be impractical
• the effects on the marine environment will be minor
• the activity is consistent with the sustainable management of natural and physical resources.

To apply for, or get more information about, a dumping permit for beyond the 12 nautical mile limit, please contact Maritime New Zealand’s Environmental Analyst.

Contact Maritime New Zealand