(1) Prior to his or her approval of a regional coastal plan, the Minister of Conservation may require the regional council to make any amendments to the plan specified by that Minister.
(2) The Minister of Conservation may not require a regional council to make an amendment to a regional coastal plan that is in conflict or inconsistent with any direction of the Environment Court, unless the Minister made a submission on the provision concerned when the provision was referred to the court.
(3) When the Minister of Conservation requires a regional council to make changes under subclause (1), the Minister shall give reasons.
(3A) If all submissions or inquiries relating to part of a regional coastal plan have been disposed of, the Minister of Conservation may approve that part.
(4) Every approval of a regional coastal plan under this clause shall be effected by the Minister of Conservation signing the regional coastal plan.
Schedule 1 clause 19(2): amended, on 2 September 1996, pursuant to section 6(2)(a) of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 160).
Schedule 1 clause 19(3A): inserted, on 7 July 1993, by section 218 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 65).