New Zealand has 44 marine reserves (as of August 2020) that are spread around the North, the South Island, and neighbouring islands, and on outlying island groups. They are governed by the Marine Reserves Act 1971 and administered by the Department of Conservation with assistance from the Ministry for Primary Industries (formally the Ministry of Fisheries), New Zealand Customs Service and the New Zealand Defence Forces.
History The Marine Reserves Act was passed by the Parliament of New Zealand in 1971. In 2001, the Department of Conservation published a review of the Act, resulting in a draft Marine Reserves Bill that was introduced into Parliament in June 2002, but did not progress past the select committee stage.
The first marine reserve to be created was the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve. The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve was established next, although with only a partial ban on fishing; a full ban was implemented in 1998. The first two marine reserves in Fiordland were established at the request of New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen in 1993.Warne, Kennedy. Blue Haven: New Zealand marine reserves are a model for the world National Geographic Magazine April 2007. An additional eight reserves were established in Fiordland on the recommendation of the Guardians of Fiordland in 2005. The Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve was established in 2006 with the active support of the students and faculty of nearby Kamo High School.
Effects The abundance of fish within the reserves creates spillover, or larval export, that boosts catches in neighbouring areas. In general, the reserves tend to attract a lot of recreational divers and fishermen. The divers are attracted to the abundant fish, coral, etc. inside the reserves. The fishermen are attracted to the areas just outside the reserves – where spillover creates an abundance of large game fish not found in other areas.
The Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve, in particular, receives more than 200,000 visitors per year. It is a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba-divers, due to the abundance and diversity of fish now living within the reserve after over 30 years of protection. Species that can be found in the reserve include Australasian snapper and New Zealand sea urchin (kina).
List of reserves + List of marine reserves in New Zealand Name Image Map Area (ha) Date created Notes Akaroa Marine Reserve 512 2014 Covers an area around the eastern side of the entrance to Akaroa Harbour, known for marine mammals including Hector's dolphins, whales, and seals. Auckland Islands - Motu Maha Marine Reserve 498,000 2003 Covers a range of marine environments in the water around the Auckland Islands. Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve 547 1975 The first marine reserve to be established in New Zealand. Hautai Marine Reserve 853 2014 Located in a remote corner of New Zealand's West Coast, making it the most remote marine reserve on New Zealand's main archipelago. Hawea (Clio Rocks) Marine Reserve 411 2005 Covers the inner reaches of Hāwea / Bligh Sound. Hikurangi Marine Reserve 10,416 2014 Deepest marine reserve around the mainland of New Zealand, covering a large area of the Kaikōura Canyon and Hikurangi Trough. Horoirangi Marine Reserve 904 2005 Also known as the Glenduan Marine Reserve, covers the eastern side of Tasman Bay and protects a unique transition zone with a range of reef-dwelling species. Kahukura (Gold Arm) Marine Reserve 464 2005 Protects the entirety of the Gold Arm of Taiporoporo / Charles Sound, which includes a range of red and black corals Kahurangi Marine Reserve 8,419 2014 Kapiti Marine Reserve 2,167 1992 Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve 748,000 1990 Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve 433 2005 Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve 980 1995 Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve 619 1993 Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm) Marine Reserve 2,007 2005 Motu Manawa-Pollen Island Marine Reserve 501 1995 Moutere Hauriri / Bounty Islands Marine Reserve 104,626 2014 Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island Marine Reserve 290,000 2014 Moutere Mahue / Antipodes Island Marine Reserve 217,287 2014 Parininihi Marine Reserve 1,844 2006 Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve 690 1993 Pōhatu Marine Reserve (Flea Bay) 215 1999 Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve 1,890 1981 Punakaiki Marine Reserve 3,520 2014 Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve 613 2005 Tapuae Marine Reserve 1,404 2008 Taputeranga Marine Reserve 855 2008 Taumoana (Five Finger Peninsula) Marine Reserve 1,466 2005 Tauparikākā Marine Reserve 17 2014 Tāwharanui Marine Reserve 394 2011 Te Angiangi Marine Reserve 446 1997 Te Awaatu Channel (The Gut) Marine Reserve 93 1993 Te Hapua (Sutherland Sound) Marine Reserve 449 2005 Te Matuku Marine Reserve 690 2005 Te Paepae o Aotea (Volkner Rocks) Marine Reserve 1,267 2006 Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound) Marine Reserve 3,672 2005 Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve 2,452 1999 Tonga Island Marine Reserve 1,835 1993 Tuhua (Mayor Island) Marine Reserve 1,060 1992 Ulva Island - Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve 1,075 2004 Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve 4,557 2014 Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve 536 1994 Whanganui A Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve 840 1993 Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve 237 2006 Protects two separate areas within Whangārei Harbour: an intertidal mudflat and mangrove forest at Waikaraka, and the waters around Motukaroro / Passage Island. Was established following efforts by students from Kamo High School.
See also Environment of New Zealand Marine park
References
External links Marine reserves & other protected areas at the New Zealand Department of Conservation Effects of a 30-year fishing ban – NIWA Marine reserves at Forest and Bird