Marine reserves of New Zealand


has over three dozen marine reserves spread around the North, the South Island, and neighbouring islands, and on outlying island groups. They are governed by the Marine Reserves Act 1971 and administered by the Department of Conservation with assistance from the Ministry of Fisheries, New Zealand Customs and the New Zealand Defence Forces.

History

The Marine Reserves Act was passed by the Parliament of New Zealand in 1971. In 2000 the Department of Conservation started a review of the Act resulting in a draft Marine Reserves Bill that was introduced into Parliament in June 2002, but has not yet been voted on.
The first marine reserve to be created was the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve. The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve was established next, although with only a partial ban on fishing; a full ban was implemented in 1998. The first two marine reserves in Fiordland were established at the request of New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen in 1993. An additional eight reserves were established in Fiordland on the recommendation of the Guardians of Fiordland in 2005. The Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve was established in 2006 with the active support of the students and faculty of nearby Kamo High School.

Effects

The abundance of fish within the reserves creates spillover, or larval export, that boosts catches in neighbouring areas. In general, the reserves tend to attract a lot of recreational divers and fishermen. The divers are attracted to the abundant fish, coral, etc. inside the reserves. The fishermen are attracted to the areas just outside the reserves – where spillover creates an abundance of large game fish not found in other areas.
The Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve, in particular, receives more than 200,000 visitors per year. It is a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba-divers, due to the abundance and diversity of fish now living within the reserve after over 30 years of protection. Species that can be found in the reserve include Australasian snapper and New Zealand sea urchin.

List of reserves

NameArea Date created
Akaroa Marine Reserve5122014
Auckland Islands - Motu Maha Marine Reserve498,0002003
Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve 5471975
Hautai Marine Reserve8532014
Hawea Marine Reserve4112005
Hikurangi Marine Reserve10,4162014
Horoirangi Marine Reserve9042005
Kahukura Marine Reserve4642005
Kahurangi Marine Reserve8,4192014
Kapiti Marine Reserve2,1671992
Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve748,0001990
Kutu Parera Marine Reserve4332005
Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve9801995
Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve6191993
Moana Uta Marine Reserve2,0072005
Motu Manawa-Pollen Island Marine Reserve5011995
Moutere Hauriri / Bounty Islands Marine Reserve104,6262014
Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island Marine Reserve290,0002014
Moutere Mahue / Antipodes Island Marine Reserve217,2872014
Parininihi Marine Reserve1,8442006
Piopiotahi Marine Reserve6901993
Pohatu Marine Reserve 2151999
Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve1,8901981
Punakaiki Marine Reserve3,5202014
Taipari Roa Marine Reserve6132005
Tapuae Marine Reserve1,4042008
Taputeranga Marine Reserve8552008
Taumoana Marine Reserve1,4662005
Tauparikākā Marine Reserve172014
Tāwharanui Marine Reserve3942011
Te Angiangi Marine Reserve4461997
Te Awaatu Channel Marine Reserve931993
Te Hapua Marine Reserve4492005
Te Matuku Marine Reserve6902005
Te Paepae o Aotea Marine Reserve1,2672006
Te Tapuwae o Hua Marine Reserve3,6722005
Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve2,4521999
Tonga Island Marine Reserve1,8351993
Tuhua Marine Reserve1,0601992
Ulva Island - Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve1,0752004
Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve4,5572014
Westhaven Marine Reserve5361994
Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve8401993
Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve2372006