Proposed temporary fishing closures at Tangoiro/Waihirere and Motuoroi, north of Gisborne

Consultation background

Ngāti Wakarara – Ngāti Hau Takutai Kaitiaki Trust requested 2 temporary closures, one at Tangoiro/Waihirere and the other at Motuoroi, both north of Gisborne. Both requested closures were to prohibit the take of finfish and shellfish, including crustaceans and rock lobster, for 2 years.

Fisheries New Zealand invited written submissions in response to the request from anyone who had an interest in the species concerned or in the effects of fishing in the areas concerned.

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.

Maps of the proposed closure areas

Proposed Tangoiro/Waihirere temporary closure [PDF, 1.1 MB]

Proposed Motuoroi temporary closure [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Both proposed temporary closures [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Area boundaries

The area of the proposed Tangoiro/Waihirere temporary closure covered about 0.7 square kilometres, and included all those fisheries waters within the following lines:

• starting at a point on the mean high-water mark south-west of Māwhai Point at 38°11.205'S and 178°21.163'E; then 
• proceeding in a straight line in a south-westerly direction to a point on the mean high-water mark at the southern end of Waihirere Beach at 38°12.206'S and 178°20.039'E; then 
• proceeding in a generally north-easterly direction along the mean-high-water mark to the starting point.

The area of the proposed Motuoroi temporary closure covered about 1.2 square kilometres, and included all those fisheries waters within the following lines:

• starting at a point on the mean high-water mark near the Lockwood Woolshed at 38°15.005'S and 178°19.436'E; then 
• proceeding in a straight line in a north-easterly direction to a point on the mean high-water mark at the northern-most point of Motuoroi Island at 38°14.842'S and 178°20.008'E; then 
• proceeding along the western then southern mean high-water mark of Motuoroi Island, in a generally south-easterly direction, to a point on the mean high-water mark at the eastern-most point of Motuoroi Island at 38°14.987'S and 178°20.628'E; then 
• proceeding in a straight line in a south-westerly direction to a point on the mean high-water mark near the headland between Anaura Bay and Mārau Beach at 38°15.779'S and 178°20.014'E; then 
• proceeding in a generally north-westerly direction along the mean-high-water mark to the starting point.

Public notice

A public notice about the call for submissions was scheduled to appear in the Gisborne Herald on 25 January 2023.

Find out more

Temporary fishing closures

Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation