Marine protections for Hauraki Gulf on the way

Sunday, 5 October 2025

The country’s largest network of coastal marine reserves is a step closer to reality in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, sparking praise for the expansion and criticism over last-minute amendments allowing commercial fishing in high-protection zones.

The Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Bill passed the committee of the whole House in August and is in line to pass a third reading in Parliament before the end of the year.

It will increase the protected area of the gulf by 20 times, from 0.3% to 6%.

Forest & Bird national conservation advocate Bianca Ranson said it was a huge moment for the gulf and probably the biggest level of protection in a generation.

However, she was deeply concerned about compromises in the bill allowing for commercial fishing in some high-protection zones.

“Interests over ecosystem recovery and high protection should mean exactly that, not high protection with commercial fishing.

“It sets a really dangerous precedent for future high-protection areas.”

The amendments were made after public consultation had closed despite strong opposition to any level of commercial fishing in high-protection zones.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka downplayed the impact of the last-minute changes in a statement on the bill.

“Overall, we are establishing high-protection areas for 800 square kilometres of the gulf while limited ring-net fishing will only be allowed in 3% of the total area protected under this bill,” he said.

“This will be reviewed after three years.”

Environmental Defence Society policy director Raewyn Peart said the bill would not only increase productivity and biodiversity within the gulf, but also create jobs and strengthen the area’s blue economy.

“The protection will release a significant amount of philanthropic funding to actively restore lost kelp forests within the high-protection areas.”

The new legislation would create 12 new high-protection areas, five new seafloor protection areas, and two extensions to existing marine reserves.

They range from the waters surrounding the Mokohīnau Islands in the north to the Aldermen Islands in Coromandel and critical habitats closer to Auckland.

It has been 50 years since New Zealand’s first marine reserve was established around Goat Island. Potaka pointed to the reserve as an example of success.

“We know marine protection works, and Goat Island is an exceptional example,” he said.

“It is home to one of the most diverse marine habitats in the country and is an educational, scientific and tourism hub with 350,000 visitors per year.

“It also pumps out 10 times more snapper than any comparable bit of coast in the gulf.”