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Proposed bylaws for Rāpaki, Whakaraupō and Whakaraupō extension mātaitai reserves around Lyttelton

Update – 2 October 2026

Minister's decisions released

The Minister for Oceans and Fisheries has approved bylaws for Rāpaki, Whakaraupō and Whakaraupō extension mātaitai reserves.

The bylaws include restrictions on harvesting of shellfish, seaweed, and finfish from within the mātaitai reserves.

These bylaws came into effect on 1 October 2026.

Check the South-East area fishing rules

Fisheries (Ngāti Wheke Mātaitai Reserves Bylaws) Notice 2026 (Notice No. MPI 2008) – NZ Gazette

The advice paper supporting these decisions will be released shortly when publicly available.

Consultation background

Ngāti Wheke tangata tiaki/kaitiaki proposed bylaws that aimed to maintain the long-term sustainability of fisheries resources for ongoing utilisation by the community and future generations within these mātaitai reserves:

  • Rāpaki
  • Whakaraupō
  • Whakaraupō extension.

The proposed bylaws included changes to the recreational fishing rules for a number of fish, shellfish, and seaweed species within these mātaitai reserves. They are summarised on this page and shown in the consultation document and map.

Consultation closed on Monday 15 December 2025.

What was proposed?

Tāngata tiaki/kaitiaki for the Rāpaki Mātaitai Reserve proposed new bylaws and modifications to existing bylaws to prohibit the taking of all shellfish, seaweed (except Undaria) and some finfish species as presented in the consultation document.

They also proposed new bylaws and modifications to existing bylaws for the Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve as well as the consistent application of these bylaws to the Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve (established more recently in 2023), which does not currently have bylaws.

The proposed changes to bylaws generally would:

  • prohibit the taking or possession of seaweed except wakame (Undaria) taken from within the mātaitai reserves
  • prohibit taking and possession of some shellfish and finfish species taken from within the mātaitai reserves
  • reduce daily limits for some shellfish and finfish species taken from within the mātaitai reserves
  • reduce combined daily finfish daily bag limits taken from within the mātaitai reserves
  • implement a new minimum length for pāua (130 mm), cockles and pipi (40 mm), and green-lipped mussels (70 mm) taken from within the mātaitai reserve
  • close areas to the taking and possession of pāua (see map) taken from within the mātaitai reserves
  • prohibit the taking or possession of shellfish taken from whata kaimoana (non-commercial fish culturing structures) areas within the mātaitai reserves
  • implement a maximum limit per vessel for pāua in the mātaitai reserves.

The vessel limits proposed would apply to the master of the vessel. Individual daily limits would still apply up to the vessel limit.

The bylaws would apply within the boundaries of the mātaitai reserve areas. If you are fishing outside of the mātaitai boundaries, the general Southeast Area rules would apply.

Consultation document

Proposed bylaws for Rāpaki and Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserves [PDF, 120 KB]

Map of the area

Map of Rāpaki and Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserves showing proposed pāua closures and current tuaki (cockle) closures within these mātaitai reserves.

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