Fishing Rule Changes
28 November 2022: Changes to recreational rules for hāpuku and bass
On 28 November 2022, recreational rules for hāpuku/bass changed for the Auckland (West) and Auckland (East), Central and Challenger fishing areas. Changes include:
- Hāpuku/bass has been removed from the combined daily bag limit with kingfish, with each now having a separate daily limit.
- A daily bag limit of no more than 2 hāpuku/bass per person.
- An accumulation limit of 3 hāpuku/bass per person if caught over more than one day.
5 May 2022: Changes to finfish bag limits
Daily bag limit rules for recreationally caught finfish changed.
- All finfish, including those with individual species limits, are now part of the combined daily bag limit (except specified baitfish species and freshwater eels).
- Specified baitfish species are part of a new daily limit of 50 combined per person, per day (additional to the combined daily bag limit for finfish).
- New infringement offences and penalties have been set for southern bluefin tuna in line with what exists for other finfish species.
Minister's decision on temporary closure of Waimārama
The ban now ends on 22 December 2024. The Minister has decided to extend the 23 December 2020 to 22 December 2022 ban on collecting blackfoot pāua from the coastline to the north and south of Waimarama, including the area around Te Motu o Kura / Bare Island.
This ban supports the rāhui, put in place by Ngāi Hapū o Waimārama. Make sure you are up to date with the rules. To learn more about the changes, see the "Closed areas and special restrictions" section on this web page.