These Regulations, adopted under the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012, establish conditions for the disposal of human remains, other than ashes, in New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone and on the continental shelf. They require prior certification by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), submission of documentation confirming lawful authorisation of the burial under the Burial and Cremation Act 1964, and compliance with specified procedural requirements. Human remains must be placed in a casket or container designed to sink permanently to the sea floor, and disposal is permitted only within designated offshore locations identified by geographic coordinates. The Regulations further require notification of the proposed disposal to the EPA and the submission of evidence confirming compliance after burial. Upon issuing a certificate of compliance, the EPA must notify affected iwi, hapū, customary marine title groups, and protected customary rights groups of the date and location of the disposal. The Regulations are administered by the Ministry for the Environment.
New Zealand · 2015-09-28