Coastal Erosion
The gradual loss of land along the coastline caused by wave action, tidal currents, weathering, and rising sea levels.
What is a Coastal Erosion?
Coastal erosion is an ongoing natural process where the shoreline retreats as waves, currents, and weather break down and carry away soil and rock. In New Zealand, with over 15,000 kilometres of coastline, this affects a significant number of properties — particularly in areas with soft cliff faces, sandy shores, or low-lying coastal land.
Climate change is accelerating coastal erosion in many parts of New Zealand. Rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, and changing weather patterns mean that properties considered safe 20 years ago may now be at risk. Councils are increasingly identifying coastal hazard zones in their district plans and restricting development in at-risk areas.
High-profile examples include properties at Haumoana in Hawke's Bay, parts of the Kapiti Coast, and various Bay of Plenty beaches where homes have been damaged or abandoned due to advancing erosion. Some councils have implemented managed retreat policies, where they plan to eventually relocate infrastructure and residents away from the coast.
Why It Matters for Due Diligence
Coastal erosion can literally consume your property over time. Unlike most hazards, it's progressive and largely irreversible. Properties in coastal erosion zones may become uninsurable, unsaleable, and eventually uninhabitable.
Check the LIM report for coastal hazard overlays. Research the council's coastal hazard management strategy — some councils are pursuing managed retreat, which means your property could eventually be designated for removal. Consider getting a coastal hazard assessment for any property within 200 metres of the coast.
How to Check
The LIM report will flag coastal erosion hazard zones. Check your council's district plan and coastal hazard maps — most councils publish these online through their GIS portals. Regional councils also prepare coastal hazard assessments. For waterfront properties, ask the council about projected shoreline positions under different sea level rise scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get insurance for a property at risk of coastal erosion?
Gradual coastal erosion is generally not covered by standard home insurance — insurers typically exclude gradual natural processes. Storm damage may be covered, and EQC covers certain types of land damage from natural disasters, but the ongoing retreat of the coastline is usually uninsured.
What is managed retreat?
Managed retreat is a council strategy where at-risk coastal properties and infrastructure are planned to be gradually relocated away from the coast over time. This can mean restrictions on repairs and rebuilding, and eventually the removal of houses. If a property is subject to a managed retreat plan, this significantly affects its long-term value.
Related Terms
LIM Report
GlossaryA Land Information Memorandum — an official council report summarising everything the council knows about a property.
Flood Zone
GlossaryAn area identified by the local council or regional authority as being at risk of flooding, based on historical data and modelling.
Erosion-Prone Land
GlossaryLand identified as susceptible to erosion from wind, water, or other natural processes, potentially affecting the stability and usability of a property.
Tsunami Zone
GlossaryAn area identified as being at risk of inundation from a tsunami — a series of ocean waves caused by large-scale undersea disturbances such as earthquakes.
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