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Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004

The Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 provides for Crown ownership of the public foreshore and seabed, on behalf of all New Zealanders. A key principle of the Act is guaranteeing public access in, on and over the public foreshore and seabed along with protecting customary rights and interests.

A main element of the Foreshore and Seabed Act is public access and navigation. It guarantees:

(a) access rights in, on and over the public foreshore and seabed. These include the right to participate in recreational activities, like swimming; and

(b) navigation rights within the foreshore and seabed.