Central area fishing rules

Fishing Rule Changes

4 September 2023: Changes to recreational daily bag limit for pāua

From 4 September 2023, the recreational daily bag limit for pāua in the Central fishing area changed to 5 ordinary pāua and 5 yellow foot pāua per fisher per day. The accumulation limit remains at 20 pāua per fisher.

28 November 2022: Changes to recreational rules for hāpuku and bass

From 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.

Check the new fishing rules

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.

About the Central fishing area

This area extends from Cape Runaway east of Ōpōtiki, around the southern end of the North Island, to Tirua Point north of Taranaki.

This page has the rules for:

size limits
catch/bag limits (how many fish or shellfish you can take each day)
closed areas (where you cannot fish)
special restrictions
all types of recreational fishing, including potting, netting, and all other fishing methods.

Remember, if you're a recreational fisher, selling any fish or shellfish you catch is illegal.

How to check the rules

You can find a summary of the size and catch limits, closed areas, and special restrictions further down this page.

Size limits, catch/bag limits, closed areas, and special restrictions

You can also use the free NZ Fishing Rules app, check rules in our brochures, or text us. You'll also see signs about rules at many fishing spots.

Download the free NZ Fishing Rules app

Mac App Store for Apple devices

Google Play for android devices

Or free text "app" to 9889 to be sent the links to your phone. After you install it, the app will work without an internet connection.

Get a brochure

Central area fishing rules [PDF, 1.8 MB]

Visit a Fisheries New Zealand office

Use our free text service

Send a free text to 9889 with the name of a species.

For example, text "blue cod" or "pāua" to 9889. You'll receive a text with legal bag and size limits for that species.

Size limits, catch limits, closed areas, and special restrictions

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Finfish – size limits and catch/bag limits

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In the Central fishing 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

Finfish species	Maximum daily limit per active fisher	Min fish length (cm)	Min net mesh size (mm)
Blue cod – Taranaki to Titahi Bay	10	33 Landed whole or gutted only	—
Blue cod – Titahi Bay to Cape Runaway	20	33 Landed whole or gutted only	—
Bluenose	5	—	160
Groper (Hapuku) / Bass**	2	—	160
Kingfish	3	75	100
Quinnat salmon	4	—	—
Snapper	10	27	100
Southern bluefin tuna	1	—	100
** Groper (Hapuku) /Bass has an accumulation limit of no more than 3 per fisher when taken over more than one day in the Central area.

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

Finfish species	Min fish length (cm)	Min set net mesh size (mm)
Blue moki	40	114
Butterfish (Greenbone)	35	108
Elephant fish	—	150
Flatfish (except Sand flounder)	25	100
Red cod	25	100
Red gurnard	25	100
Red moki	40	115
Rig	—	150
Sand flounder	23	100
School shark	—	150
Tarakihi	25	100
Trevally	25	100
Trumpeter	35	100
All other finfish	—	100

Table 3: Additional to combined bag limit

Baitfish species	Maximum daily limit per active fisher
Anchovy	Daily limit of 50 for any combination of these species
Jack/Horse/Chilean mackerel
Koheru/Scad
Pilchard
Piper/Garfish
Slender/Stout sprat
Yellow-eyed mullet

Table 4 – Additional to combined bag limit

Finfish species	Maximum daily limit per active fisher	Min mesh size (mm)
Eel	6	12

Shellfish – size limits and catch/bag limits

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Shellfish are considered "taken" (collected or harvested) when they cannot 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.

Shellfish Species	Max daily limit per fisher	Min size (mm)
Cockles	150	none
Kina (sea eggs)	50	none
Mussels	50	none
Oysters – Dredge* – Rock & Pacific†	50 250	58 none
Pāua – Ordinary* – Yellow foot*	5 5	125/85** 80
Pipi	150	none
Scallops+ (Season: 15 Jul to 14 Feb)	20	100
Toheroa#	Prohibited	Prohibited
Tuatua	150	none
All others (combined) •	50	none

**Minimum size of ordinary pāua is 85mm within the Taranaki pāua fishery area.

* Dredge oyster, pāua, and scallops must be landed in the shell. They cannot be shucked or shelled seaward of the mean high watermark. 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).

# 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]

+ 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 on-board the vessel, and acting in that capacity, when the diving is done. If only 1 safety person is on-board 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.

• This is a combined, mixed-species bag limit. It applies to all shellfish species not specifically named above, and includes all crabs, limpets, starfish, periwinkles, whelks, barnacles and freshwater crayfish (koura).

Rock lobster (crayfish) rules and limits

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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 bag limits

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

Bay of Plenty, from Cape Runaway to East Cape Lighthouse

A total of 3 spiny rock lobsters can be taken within the combined limit. Up to 3 spiny rock lobsters can be taken, and the remainder (up to 6 in total) can be packhorse rock lobster. If no spiny rock lobsters are taken at the same time, 6 packhorse lobsters can be taken.

[Between these 2 locations, the catch/bag limit is different. You can take a total of 3 spiny rock lobster and 3 packhorse rock 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 cannot 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 cannot possess rock lobster seaward of the high watermark in an unmeasurable state.
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.

Find out about rock lobster pot construction and use

Telson (tail fan) clipping for rock lobsters from Cape Runaway to East Cape Lighthouse

In eastern Bay of Plenty (from Cape Runaway to East Cape Lighthouse), telson clipping is required for all spiny rock lobsters that you take.

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, 1.5 MB]
the free NZ Fishing Rules app – Apple or Android
rock lobster/crayfish methods page.

Video: Telson clipping your crayfish (2.25)

Transcript - show/hide

Gary: Hi team, my name is Gary McAneny, I'm a senior compliance officer based in Mount Maunganui. You should be able to see it over my shoulder. You've probably guessed what we're all about here judging by this little character here. This is all about telson clipping for rock lobster. Come the first of July 2020 we're now obliged in cray 2 and cray 5, Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Plenty, Marlborough and Canterbury to clip the tails on recreationally caught rock lobsters so I'm going to talk about that today. The reason that we're doing that is to make the recreationally caught rock lobsters different from the commercial rock lobsters and that's going to deter poaching. It's probably a part of our toolbox of measures that help us to go some way to limit the amount of poaching that goes on and it's hopefully the general public can assist us by doing this small thing. And essentially it is clipping one third of the length of the telson which is the centre fin on a rock lobster tail as you can see here. We've got them all spread out there i'm going to go about doing it for you now. It's a simple matter, you take your dive knife, pair of scissors, either way you've got to take that last third of the telson off no more and no less.

[Image showing clipped rock lobster, with one-third of middle part of tail cut.]

Let's get that done right there. That's done now, that's a legal recreationally caught rock lobster. When you come ashore, now that has to be done immediately as soon as you take this rock lobster you need to do this. You can't do it under the water, we're accepting that, but obviously when you get back to the boat you take your tank off, the first thing you do is open your catch bag, pull the rock lobster out, inspect it for size, condition, berry, and the crays that you're going to keep, you cut the telson back by one third. You don't do that for pack horse rock lobster, you only do that for spiny red rock lobster. That helps us to recognise the fish that should or shouldn't be in the commercial industry. The crays that are in the commercial side will all be complete; the crayfish that are recreationally taken will need to have the telson clipped.

[End of transcript]

Closed areas and special restrictions

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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. This includes Marine Reserves.

Kāpiti Marine Reserve (Eastern and Western)
Tapuae Marine Reserve
Taputeranga Marine Reserve
Te Angiangi Marine Reserve
Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve
Parininihi Marine Reserve

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

A to Z of marine reserves – DOC

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.

Location	Rule
Pukerua Bay	Only hand-held lines to be used
Taranaki	No set netting; different size limit for pāua
Cape Runaway	No set netting
Pāuatahanui Inlet	No set netting
Wairoa Hard	No netting of any kind
Sugar Loaf Island Marine Protected Area	No netting or longlines/Kontiki
Waimarama [PDF, 6.5 MB]	No taking of blackfoot pāua
Tangoiro/Waihirere	No taking of shellfish or finfish
Motuoroi	No taking of shellfish or finfish

Learn more about the Pukerua Bay closure [PDF, 3.6 MB]

Set netting restrictions

Net restrictions extend around Taranaki from Pariokariwa Point south to Hawera, then from Pariokariwa Point south to the Waiwhakaiho River between 2 and 7 nautical miles offshore. The closure out to 7 nautical miles extends north to Maunganui Bluff. Restrictions also extend for 4 nautical miles offshore from Hawera south to the Wellington Harbour entrance.

r200216 Rec SN Closure Comms Maps Central Update 23092020

Find out about the new restrictions

Mātaitai reserves

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

Toka Tāmure – Mahia Peninsula:

view the map [PDF, 288 KB] (includes Horokaka and Te Hoe mātaitai)
Fisheries (Declaration of Toka Tāmure Mātaitai Reserve Bylaws) Notice 2016 (Notice No. MPI 599) – NZ Gazette

Horokaka – Mahia Peninsula:

view the map [PDF, 288 KB] (includes Horokaka and Te Hoe mātaitai)
Fisheries (Declaration of Horokaka Mātaitai Reserve Bylaws) Notice 2018 (Notice No. MPI 919) – NZ Gazette

Te Hoe – Mahia Peninsula:

Temporary closures

These are areas that are temporarily closed to fishing or certain fishing methods.

Western Taranaki:

Te Rāhui o Moremore:

View the map [PDF, 11 MB]
Any species of fish, aquatic life, or seaweed [PDF, 29 KB]

Tangoiro/Waihirere

View the map [PDF, 1.3 MB]
All species of shellfish and finfish [PDF, 36 KB]

Motuoroi

View the map [PDF, 1.3 MB]
All species of shellfish and finfish [PDF, 36 KB]

Blue cod restrictions

Blue cod...	Rule
Pot construction	Rigid square mesh, where: the squares in the mesh must be at least 54mm by 54mm the mesh should be strong, and not easily bent or reshaped.
Accumulation limit	When your fishing trip is more than one day, if you can prove you have not taken more than the daily bag limit on any given day you can possess 2 daily bag limits of blue cod.
Measurable state	All blue cod must be landed whole or gutted.
Eating blue cod on the boat	You can eat the blue cod on the fishing boat it was caught on, but you have to eat it as soon as you fillet it. Any blue cod that you eat still counts towards your daily catch/bag limit.

Shellfish food safety warnings

We issue warnings not to collect shellfish when testing shows that they contain unsafe levels of toxins.

Check for shellfish warnings

Report poaching

You can report poaching, suspicious, or illegal activity online.

Report illegal fishing (such as poaching)

You can also:

freephone 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24), or
email poacher@mpi.govt.nz

You can help us by providing:

the location
vehicle/trailer registration number
boat name
description of the person.

When reporting any suspected poaching, put your personal safety first. All calls and personal details are treated as confidential.

It is illegal to buy, sell, or swap recreationally caught seafood

These are offences against the Fisheries Act 1996, which can result in fines up to $250,000.

Follow us on Facebook

Our regional Facebook pages bring you information about the fishing rules and how we manage and protect local fisheries:

Find out more

Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013 – NZ Legislation

Who to contact

If you have questions about Central area fishing rules, email info@mpi.govt.nz

Fishing Rule Changes

4 September 2023: Changes to recreational daily bag limit for pāua

28 November 2022: Changes to recreational rules for hāpuku and bass

5 May 2022: Changes to finfish bag limits

Minister's decision on temporary closure of Waimārama

About the Central fishing area

How to check the rules

Download the free NZ Fishing Rules app

Get a brochure

Use our free text service

Size limits, catch limits, closed areas, and special restrictions

Finfish – size limits and catch/bag limits

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 – size limits and catch/bag limits

Rock lobster (crayfish) rules and limits

Daily bag limits

Bay of Plenty, from Cape Runaway to East Cape Lighthouse

Spiny rock lobster minimum size

Packhorse lobster minimum size

Other rules and protections

Protected types

Banned gathering methods

Telson (tail fan) clipping for rock lobsters from Cape Runaway to East Cape Lighthouse

Video: Telson clipping your crayfish (2.25)

Closed areas and special restrictions

Closed areas

Restricted areas

Set netting restrictions

Mātaitai reserves

Temporary closures

Blue cod restrictions

Shellfish food safety warnings

Report poaching

It is illegal to buy, sell, or swap recreationally caught seafood

Follow us on Facebook

Find out more

Who to contact

MPI business units