PdR COASTAL
Coastal Consultant and Scientist
Expert coastal hazard risk and climate adaptation advice across New Zealand
Supporting homeowners, councils, communities, and developers to make informed, future-proof decisions along Aotearoa’s changing coastline.Specialist coastal hazard assessment reports, coastal property pre-purchase advice, erosion and inundation risk analysis, and science-backed coastal research support.
Services
PdR Coastal provides a range of services for communities, homeowners, local and regional governments, developers, and research groups to help understand the risks and processes involved with building or buying in coastal areas of Aotearoa New Zealand, including:
Coastal Hazard Assessments
High-level and site-specific coastal hazard assessments for sites along beaches, cliff coastlines, estuaries, or anything in between. Typical projects include subdivisions, new builds, rebuilds, and housing extensions — for both residential and commercial developments — at all planning stages or as part of resource consent applications.
Coastal Erosion Risk and Trend Analysis
Detailed site-specific analysis of erosion risk and long-term shoreline trends—whether retreat (regression) or advance (progradation)—for properties along beaches, cliffs, and estuarine coastlines.
Coastal Inundation Risk Analysis
Detailed evaluation of coastal flood and storm tide risk for low-lying properties near beaches, estuaries, or sheltered bays. Includes analysis of present-day and future inundation risk, based on various sea-level rise scenarios.
Pre-Purchase Coastal Hazard Advice
High-level coastal hazard assessments tailored for prospective buyers. Gain expert insight into coastal erosion and inundation risk as part of property due diligence before purchase. Includes review of hazard zones, analysis of relevant datasets, map overlays, and site-specific expert commentary—supporting confident, informed coastal property decisions.
Coastal Climate Adaptation Advise
Tailored, science-based advice on coastal adaptation to climate change, helping coastal clients understand and respond to long-term risks like sea level rise, erosion, and coastal flooding. I also offer experience relevant to small island states and other vulnerable coastal regions facing urgent climate-related pressures.
Coastal Processes Assessments
Science-based assessments of local coastal dynamics — including tides, waves, sediment transport, and shoreline change — to inform planning, policy, and adaptation strategies.
About -
Dr. Peter de Ruiter
Peter is a Coastal Scientist and Consultant with over 15 years’ experience across consulting, coastal research, and university teaching in New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. He has called New Zealand home for more than 10 years and completed his PhD in coastal science at the University of Waikato in 2022.Peter's interests and areas of work include coastal hazard risk management, coastal adaptation to climate change, numerical modelling of coastal and estuarine hydrodynamics and morphological evolution, and climate resilience of small island states.
As PdR Coastal, he specializes in managing the impacts of coastal hazards, dynamic coastal processes, and climate change across Aotearoa New Zealand.Peter prioritizes clients by delivering practical, expert advice with clear and straightforward communication and a strong focus on evidence-based solutions. From first-time buyers and private landowners to developers and local governments, Peter is committed to making the process smooth and easy to understand.With a lifelong connection to the coast and ocean, Peter brings both professional expertise and a personal passion to every project.
Recent Projects
A selection of coastal projects I've recently worked on
across the Auckland region, Bay of Plenty, Waikato
and wider Aotearoa.
Whangaparāoa Coastal Erosion Assessments
Assessment of future coastal erosion risk and shoreline regression patterns for clients with beachfront and cliff-top properties in Stanmore Bay, Arkles Bay, and Wade Heads.
Waihi Beach Coastal Hazard Advice
High-level and site-specific coastal hazard assessment to help prospective property buyers and developers understand erosion and inundation risks along the Waihi Beach coastline — for properties both with and without seawalls.
Coromandel Peninsula Erosion Risk Assessment (ongoing)
Comprehensive assessment to identify the beaches most at risk from future coastal erosion along the Coromandel coastline — providing the local communities with clear, site-specific information about their beaches and erosion risk.
South Auckland Coastal Hazard Assessments
Coastal erosion and inundation risk assessments to support residential and commercial subdivision planning along the estuarine edges of Karaka and Kingseat.
East Auckland Coastal Inundation Analysis
Detailed analysis of present and future coastal inundation risk along the low-lying western shoreline of Bucklands Beach and Eastern Beach to support clients planning a commercial development.
National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards (NPS-NH)
— Coastal Hazard Implementation (ongoing)
Review of how the proposed NPS-NH is shaping coastal hazard management across Aotearoa. This work provides early insights into how consistent and practical interpretation of the NPS-NH by local councils will guide effective adaptation to climate change and coastal hazards in the coming years.
News and Insights
Climate Change Is Reshaping Our Shorelines 🌊
September 2025
From Port Waikato to Waihi Beach, coastal erosion and flooding are affecting homes, roads, and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. Understanding these risks today helps planners and property owners make smarter, more resilient decisions. Coastal hazard assessments provide a science-based view of how shorelines may change decades into the future — from likely erosion zones to areas at risk from rising seas.
Buying Coastal Property? Why Hazard Assessments Matter
August 2025
Buying a home by the sea is a dream for many, but coastal erosion, flooding, and rising seas can pose hidden risks. Pre-purchase coastal hazard assessments provide a science-based view of how a property may be affected now and in the future — giving buyers peace of mind and informed decision-making.
Seawalls at Waihi Beach – A Sustainable Solution?
August 2025
Seawalls protect homes, but can shift erosion further along the beach. At Waihi Beach, long-term monitoring shows that while property behind the wall is safer, the shoreline itself faces ongoing change. Sustainable coastal solutions need to balance protection with the health of the beach itself.
Contact
Let’s Talk Coastal!
Whether you're planning a coastal development, buying a coastal property, or have a general question about coastal hazard risks or other coastal matters:
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