The latest GSNZ fieldtrip to examine coastal processes in the Bay of Plenty ran in 1988. In the intervening 13 years there have been changes in both the legislative framework and our scientific understanding that affect coastal management at the start of the 21st Century. The most important legislative change has been the Resource Management Act (RMA) introduced in October 1991. and the associated Coastal Policy Statement. Amongst other requirements has been the need to define Coastal Hazard Zones for the entire 10-15,000 km of the New Zealand coast. This field trip (Environment Court permitting) will particularly examine the advances in our understanding of coastal processes and hazards in the context of coastal development in the western Bay of Plenty between Waihi and Little Waihi.