Updates
30 August 2023 – Consultation on bottom fishing access zones (trawl corridors) open
Fisheries New Zealand is consulting on options for establishing bottom fishing access zones, also known as trawl corridors, in the Hauraki Gulf. This is one of the key actions in the Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan.
The proposals seek to protect key seafloor habitats by excluding bottom trawling and Danish seining from the Hauraki Gulf, except within defined areas.
The consultation period will run for 9 weeks, with a closing date for submissions of 5pm on 6 November 2023.
Following public consultation, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries will be provided with advice and submissions from the public to support making final decisions on where bottom trawling and Danish seining will be permitted in the Hauraki Gulf.
A regulatory process will then be required to bring the finalised trawl corridors into effect.
Find out more about the consultation and how to have your say
9 August 2023 – Plan approved
The Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan has been approved by the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries.
The development and implementation of a Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan is one of the key actions in Revitalising the Gulf. The plan sets out an ecosystem-based approach to managing fisheries, and the effects of fishing, within the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi. It is the first area-based fisheries plan approved under the Fisheries Act 1996.
Fisheries New Zealand worked with the Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan Advisory Group to incorporate feedback from tangata whenua and views from public consultation to produce the final version of the plan.
Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan [PDF, 14 MB]
Find out more
Government triples Hauraki Gulf protection areas – Beehive
New marine protections in the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana – Department of Conservation
Restoring the health and mauri of the Hauraki Gulf
Revitalising the Gulf provides Government leadership across how we manage one of the country's most valued and intensively used coastal spaces. It sets out a package of marine conservation and fisheries management actions to restore a healthy Hauraki Gulf.
Revitalising the Gulf is the Government's strategy in response to the call for action made by the 2017 Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari – Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan.
The Sea Change Plan set out over 180 recommendations to improve and protect the waiora (health) and mauri (life force) of the gulf, created by a group representing mana whenua, communities, and local government.
Plan for action
The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) are leading implementation of the actions contained in the strategy, which focuses on supporting recovery and protecting habitats and species, developing sustainable management and industry, and working together with mana whenua and local communities to deliver a healthier gulf for generations to come.
Revitalising the Gulf: Government action on the Sea Change Plan [PDF, 4.7 MB]
At a glance: Summary of Revitalising the Gulf [PDF, 2.1 MB]
Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan
One of the key actions in the Revitalising the Gulf strategy is the development of a fisheries plan for the Hauraki Gulf.
This is New Zealand's first area-based fisheries plan approved under section 11A of the Fisheries Act and is tailored to the needs and challenges of the Gulf and its communities.
It sets out new proposals for managing and sustaining healthy fisheries for customary, recreational, and commercial uses. This includes progressing an ecosystem-based fisheries management approach, which looks at understanding the bigger picture in managing a marine environment, including all the ways it is valued and the people that use it.
As part of this inclusive, unified approach, a monitoring and indicator framework is being developed, with tangata whenua and the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge
The fisheries plan will contribute to the following outcomes in the Hauraki Gulf:
- locally abundant fish stocks
- restoration of important habitats
- strengthened fisheries management
- improved understanding of stocks, fisheries, and ecosystems.
Fisheries New Zealand is working with tangata whenua and the Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan Advisory Group on implementation of the plan, including prioritisation of actions for each financial year.
Working with our Treaty partners and stakeholders
Many individuals, groups and communities have an interest in the Hauraki Gulf. The fisheries plan has been developed with input from a wide range of partners and stakeholders, including tangata whenua.
We heard a range of views from iwi during 2 rounds of engagement, between June 2019 and September 2020, and between October 2021 and June 2022, to help shape final proposals in the plan. Fisheries New Zealand will continue to work with our treaty partners on implementation of the plan.
Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan Advisory Group
This Group was established in May 2022 to support the development and implementation of The Fisheries Plan. Members have expertise in fisheries management, fisheries science and environmental policy and represent a range of fisheries management interests:
- Martin Cryer – Chair
- Mark Ngata (Moana NZ)
- Laws Lawson (Fisheries Inshore NZ)
- Raewyn Peart (Environmental Defence Society)
- Geoff Keey (Forest and Bird)
- Rowan Ashton (New Zealand Sports Fishing Council)
- Manuel Greenland (Good Fishing)
- Phil Clow (Whitianga and Coromandel Peninsula Commercial Fishermen’s Association)
- Mark Morrison (NIWA)
- Dave Allen (Auckland Council)
- Chris Staite (Waikato Regional Council)
Members are supported by representatives from Fisheries New Zealand and the Department of Conservation.
Who to contact
If you have questions about Revitalising the Gulf, email seachange@mpi.govt.nz
