Esplanade reserves are strips of land beside the sea, rivers and lakes. often known as the '
Queen's Chain'. Under the
Resource Management Act 1991, esplanade reserves must contribute to the protection of conservation values, by supporting the natural functioning of an adjacent waterway, its water quality, aquatic habitats, natural values, mitigating natural hazards, or allowing public access if access is compatible with conservation values.
District plans can require esplanade reserves for subdivisions of a certain size, and stipulate the width the reserves they must be. ==References==