Auckland and Kermadec area fishing rules

In the Auckland/Kermadec area there is a combined daily bag limit of 20 finfish* per fisher (excluding specified baitfish and freshwater eels).

This means you can have a combination of up to 20 of any finfish in total. For example, you could have 19 kahawai and 1 red cod, or 10 kahawai and 10 red cod. As long as you have no more than 20 in total.

There are also species with individual daily limits within the combined daily bag limit of 20 (Table 1). You must not exceed individual species limits. For example, there is a daily limit of 5 bluenose. This means you could have 5 bluenose and 15 kahawai.

In addition to the combined daily bag limit of 20, you can take a maximum of 50 of any combination of baitfish species (Table 3) and a maximum of 6 freshwater eels (Table 4). For example, you could take 10 kahawai, 10 red cod and 50 baitfish.

Remember, there may be other specific rules in some areas. For example, a harbour might have different size limits for certain species. Check the "Closed areas and special restrictions" section on this web page for more information.

* Finfish includes all species of finfish of the classes Agnatha, Chondrichthyes, and Osteichthyes, at any stage of their life history, whether living or dead

Table 1: Individual species daily limits within the combined bag limit

Table 2 - Further size limits for finfish within the combined bag limit

Table 3: Additional to combined bag limit

Table 4: Additional to combined bag limit

Shellfish are considered "taken" (collected or harvested) when they can't freely return to the water. For example, when you put them in a bag. When you're gathering or collecting, you can never possess more than your daily limit.

Remember, there may be other specific rules in some areas. For example, a harbour might have different size limits for certain species. Check the 'Closed areas and restrictions' section on this page for more information.

* Dredge oyster, pāua, and scallops must be landed in the shell. They can't be shucked or shelled seaward of the mean high water mark. However, you can shuck dredge oysters and scallops that you are going to eat while you're still at sea. These still count towards your daily catch/bag limit.

† Rock and Pacific oysters must not be opened while they're still attached to the object they're growing on (like if they're still stuck to a rock).

+ Limited provision allows a diver on a vessel to gather extra bag limits of oysters and scallops for up to 2 other people acting in a dive safety capacity from that vessel. The safety people must be onboard the vessel, and acting in that capacity, when the diving is done. If only 1 safety person is onboard the vessel, only 1 extra bag limit may be taken. A maximum of 2 extra bag limits may be taken per vessel, regardless of the number of people diving.

# Toheroa must not be taken, processed, or disturbed. This is always the case unless we declare an open season.

View the difference between toheroa and tuatua [PDF, 302 KB]

• This is a combined, mixed-species bag limit. It applies to all shellfish species [that are not listed in the table. This includes all crabs, limpets, starfish, periwinkles, whelks, barnacles, freshwater crayfish (koura), cats eyes (snails), and sea cucumbers.

Download the rock lobster rules brochure [PDF, 1.1 MB]

This section has the rules for both:

• spiny rock lobster
• packhorse lobster.

Remember, there may be other specific rules in some areas. Check the 'Closed areas and special restrictions' section on this page for more information.

Daily catch limits

Maximum of 6 rock lobster (both species combined) per day.

Kaipara Harbour (Northland) to Cape Runaway

From the Kaipara Harbour on the west coast of the North Island, around North Cape and then south east to Cape Runaway, the catch limit for spiny rock lobster is different. Within the combined limit of 6 rock lobster, you can take a maximum of 3 spiny rock lobster and the remainder can be packhorse lobster. If you do not take any spiny rock lobster, then you can take a total of 6 packhorse lobster.

Spiny rock lobster minimum size

Measure the tail width in a straight line, between the tips of the two large (primary) spines on the second segment of the tail.

• The minimum measurement for males is 54mm.
• The minimum measurement for females is 60mm.
• If you're not sure what sex the lobster is, use the 60mm measurement.

Packhorse lobster minimum size

Measure the tail length along the underside in a straight line from the rear of the calcified bar on the first segment to the tip of the middle fan of the tail. Must have a tail length of at least 216mm (male and female).

Other rules and protections

There are rules for gathering rock lobster/crayfish that cover:

• protected types
• banned gathering methods
• pot construction and use.

Protected types

You can't take:

• female rock lobster “in berry” carrying external eggs
• soft shell stage rock lobster (rock lobster that has shed its skin)
• unmeasurable rock lobster (like if its tail is damaged)
• undersized rock lobster.

Banned gathering methods

• You can't possess rock lobster in an unmeasurable state seaward of the high watermark.
• No spring-loaded loops or lassos – hand operated only.
• No spears or puncturing devices – it is an offence to possess a speared rock lobster.
• Do not remove external eggs from any rock lobster.
• No baited nets.
• Maximum of 3 rock lobster pots per fisher.
• Maximum of 6 rock lobster pots from a vessel for 2 or more fishers.

Visit this page for information on pot construction and use:

Rock lobster

Telson (tail fan) clipping for rock lobsters between Te Arai Point and Cape Runaway

From Te Arai Point (Auckland) to Cape Runaway, telson clipping is required for all spiny rock lobsters that you take. This involves cutting off the central part of the tail fan (the telson). This must be done to all legal spiny rock lobsters as soon as you take them.

The last third of the telson (central part of the tail fan) must be cut off so that it is noticeably shorter than the other sections of the tail fan.

Labelled diagram of a telson-clipped lobster [PDF, 551 KB]

Do not telson clip any packhorse rock lobsters.

For more details, check the:

• rules brochure [PDF, 1.6 MB]
• the free NZ Fishing Rules app – Apple or Android
• rock lobster/crayfish methods page.

Video: Telson clipping your crayfish (2.25)

The lists below show areas where:

• fishing is not allowed (closed areas)
• size limits and catch limits might be different (special restrictions).

There's more information in the rules brochure and NZ Fishing Rules app.

Closed areas

You can't fish in these areas.

• Cape Rodney-Otakari Point (Goat Island) Marine Reserve
• Long Bay – Okura Marine Reserve
• Motu Manawa - Pollen Island Marine Reserve
• Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve
• Tawharanui Marine Reserve
• Te Matuku Marine Reserve
• Te Parpar o Aotea (Volkner Rocks) Marine Reserve
• Tuhua (Mayor Island) Marine Reserve
• Whanganui A Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve
• Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve

Marine reserves are managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

A to Z list of marine reserves – DOC

Northland Scallops (SCA 1)

• From 1 April 2022, the entire Quota Management Area SCA 1 – Northland scallop fishery – is closed to scallop harvesting until further notice.
• This closure applies to both commercial and recreational fishers. It does not restrict the taking of scallops for customary purposes.
• No person may take or possess scallops from the area marked in blue on the map.
• If convicted, a penalty of up to $100,000 and forfeiture of any equipment used in the offending applies.

Coromandel scallops (SCA CS)

Sustainability closure measures

• In April 2022, as part of the sustainability review round, the Minister closed most of SCA CS to recreational and commercial scallop harvesting under the sustainability provisions within section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996. Two areas were left open to fishing; the Hauturu/Little Barrier Island scallop area and Colville Channel scallop area (see map 2 below).
• This closure applies to commercial and recreational fishers. The section 11 closure area does not restrict the taking of scallops for customary purposes.
• No person may take or possess scallops from the area labelled ‘S11 Scallop Fishery Closure’ shown in Map 1 below.
• If convicted, a penalty of up to $100,000 and forfeiture of any equipment used in the offending applies.

Emergency closure measures

• From 16 December 2022 to 16 March 2023, the waters within the Hauturu/Little Barrier Island and Colville Channel scallop areas in SCA CS are closed to scallop harvesting under section 16 of The Fisheries Act 1996 as emergency measures (labelled ‘S16 Scallop Fishery Closure’ Maps 1 and 2 below).  
• This closure applies to commercial, customary and recreational fishers.
• No person may take or possess scallops from these waters.
• If convicted, a penalty of up to $100,000 and forfeiture of any equipment used in the offending applies.

Set netting restrictions

These areas are closed to set netting:

• Three Kings Islands
• Cape Reinga to Scott Point
• Reef Point to Whangape Harbour
• Bay of Islands (Cape Wiwiki, Whale Rock, The Twins – Cape Brett)
• northern side of the Hen and Chickens
• Mokohinau Islands
• Simpson Rock
• Little Barrier (Needles Point, eastern side of Arid Island, Cape Barrier)
• Channel Island
• Cape Colville
• most of the Mercury Islands
• Pauanui
• Tamaki River
• Panmure Basin
• Muriwai Beach
• Karekare Beach
• Pariokariwa Point to Maunganui Bluff
• Manukau Heads
• Cape Runaway.

Manukau Harbour entrance

Set netting is prohibited [not allowed/restricted/banned] at the entrance of the Manukau Harbour. The ban is from Taumatarea Point (in the north) to Matakawau Point (in the south).

Find out about the new restrictions

Restricted areas

In the following areas, there are specific rules or restrictions. These might be for size limits, catch/bag limits, or fishing methods (like no set netting). Check the location and the rule.

• Auckland and Coromandel area – reduced shellfish daily bag
• Bay of Islands (Eastern) – no set netting or set lines from 1 October to 30 April
• Bay of Islands (Cape Wiwiki, Whale Rock, The Twins to Cape Brett) north of the Hen and Chickens – no set netting
• Cape Colville – no set netting
• Cape Reinga to Scott Point – no set netting
• Cape Runaway – no set netting
• Channel Island – no set netting
• Cheltenham Beach – no shellfish gathering
• Cockle Bay – no taking of shellfish
• East Coromandel – no taking of scallops
• Eastern Beach – no shellfish gathering
• Great Barrier (Needles Point, eastern side of Arid Island, Cape Barrier) – no set netting
• Kaipara Harbour – no taking scallops
• Kaipara Harbour (entrance) – no set netting
• Karekare Beach – no shellfish gathering and no set netting
• Little Barrier – no set netting
• Mair Bank – no taking of shellfish
• Manukau Heads – no set netting
• Manukau Harbour (entrance) – no set netting
• Marsden Bank – no taking of shellfish
• Maunganui Bay (Deep Water Cove) – no taking of any species, except kina
• Mercury Islands (most of) – no set netting
• Mimiwhangata – no set netting or set lines
• Mokohinau Islands – no set netting
• Muriwai Beach – no set netting
• Ngunguru Estuary – no pipi and/or cockle gathering
• Okatoa Rock, near Motu River mouth – no set netting or set lines 1 December to 31 March
• Panmure Basin – no set netting
• Pariokariwa Point to Maunganui Bluff – no set netting
• Pauanui – no set netting
• Poor Knights Islands – no set netting or set lines
• Raglan Harbour (entrance) – no set netting
• Reef Point to Whangape Harbour – no set netting
• Simpson Rock – no set netting
• Tamaki River – no set netting
• Te Mata and Waipatukahu – no taking of pipi, cockles, mussels, or oysters
• Te Puna Mātaitai – no taking of green lipped, blue, or black mussels
• Three Kings Islands – no set netting
• Tuhua (Mayor Island) – no set netting or set lines
• Umupuia Beach – no taking of cockles
• Waiheke Island – no taking of scallops, mussels, rock lobster, and pāua.
• Waikato Harbour (entrance) – no set netting
• Whangateau Harbour – no taking of cockles or pipis

Taiapure

Taiapure are areas of special significance to an iwi or hapu where other rules or restrictions are in place. Find out more on the New Zealand Legislation website.

Fisheries (Maketu Taiapure) Order 1996

Mātaitai reserves

These are areas where tangata whenua manage non-commercial fishing through bylaws. Information is in the NZ Gazette.

Mt Maunganui and part of Tauranga Harbour – Bay of Plenty:

• View the map [PDF, 3.1 MB]
• Fisheries (Declaration of Mt Maunganui and Part Tauranga Harbour Mataitai Reserve Bylaw) Notice 2009 (No. F510) – NZ Gazette

Te Puna Mātaitai – Bay of Plenty:

• View the map [PDF, 978 KB]
• Fisheries (Declaration and Notification of Te Puna Mataitai Reserve and Appointment of Tangata Kaitiaki/Tiaki) Notice 2013 (No. MPI 177) – NZ Gazette

Blue cod restrictions

Restrictions relating to blue cod are shown in the table below: