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Kahawai image

About kahawai

Māori name: kahawai

Scientific names: Arripis trutta, Arripis xylabion

The kahawai species most people are familiar with (Arripis trutta) is found all around New Zealand. They're mainly found:

  • in coastal seas
  • in harbours and estuaries
  • when they enter saltier water in rivers.

The Kermadec kahawai (Arripis xylabion) is found seasonally around Northland.

Kahawai:

  • live together in large schools (groups)
  • take bait easily
  • mostly eat food from the water but also from the seabed
  • mostly eat other fish but also eat krill.

Kahawai reproduction isn't well understood but is thought to be offshore on the seabed. Kahawai can live up to 26 years and grow up to 79 cm long.

Fishing rules for kahawai

Fishing rules for kahawai (and other fish species) are different around the country and can change. Check the rules for your area every time before you go fishing.

Find fishing rules for your area

The kahawai fishery

Kahawai are managed under New Zealand's Quota Management System (QMS), with 6 quota management areas. Under the QMS, annual catch limits and allowances are set differently for each area depending on population size, the health of the stock, and to ensure fishing pressure is at sustainable levels. 

Find out about the QMS

To find information about catch allowances and stock status for various areas, see the kahawai section in Volume 2 of the Fisheries Assessment Plenary. This publication summarises all available information on fisheries and the status of each fish stock. 

See the latest Fisheries Assessment Plenary

Kahawai fishery area image

Report poaching

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

Report illegal fishing (such as poaching)

You can also:

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.

Who to contact

If you have questions about kahawai, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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