Following consultation, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries has decided to temporarily close Te Ohooho O Parapara Rāhui, northeast of Napier Port, to the take of all fish, shellfish, and seaweed between 8 August 2025 and 7 August 2027, inclusive.
Map of Te Ohooho O Parapara Rāhui closure [PDF, 399 KB]
Published gazette notice of Te Ohooho O Parapara Rāhui [PDF, 29 KB]
Ngāti Pārau Hapū Trust has requested a temporary closure offshore of Napier Port, Hawke's Bay, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.
The requested closure would prohibit the take of all finfish, shellfish, and seaweed for 2 years. The closure was to be called Te Oho o Parapara rāhui.
This request followed a previous temporary closure known as Te Rāhui o Moremore. The new request was to provide additional time to support further species establishment in the area and to develop long-term protection strategies.
Fisheries New Zealand invited written submissions from anyone who had an interest in the species concerned, or in the effects of fishing in the area.
Te Oho o Parapara rāhui Section 186A temporary closure application [PDF, 168 KB]
The proposed area was approximately 0.11 square kilometres, and encompasses the artificial reef located approximately 6 km northeast of Napier Port. The reef was created as a result of the development of the port's new wharf, named Te Whiti.
Proposed Te Oho o Parapara Rāhui temporary closure map [PDF, 637 KB]
A public notice about the call for submissions is scheduled to appear in the 'Hawke’s Bay Today' on Tuesday 20 May 2025.
Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996 allows the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in respect of an area, if satisfied that the closure, restriction, or prohibition will recognise and provide for the use and management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of non-commercial fishing rights.
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