22/09/2026
Don't forget, meeting is Thursday night!
🏠 The Celtic Barn, 5 St Marys Road, Waipū
📆 Thursday 24 September 2026
⌚ 6pm
⚠️ The closing date has been extended and written submissions will now be accepted until 5pm, Friday 16 October 2026.
** Consultation update **
Fisheries New Zealand has extended the consultation period for two mātaitai reserve applications along the southern coastline of Whangārei Harbour, and Bream Bay, Northland.
• The Patuharakeke Rohe Moana Committee has applied for the Patuharakeke mahinga mātaitai reserve: Approximately 115 square kilometres of fisheries waters along the southern coastline of Whangārei Harbour, between the intersection of State Highway 1 and Springfield Road, near Oakleigh, south Whangārei, to the eastern end of Andersons Cove, Bream Tail, and includes Bream Bay, Northland.
• Te Rerenga Parāoa Rohe Moana Committee has applied for the Poupouwhenua mahinga mātaitai reserve: Approximately one square kilometres of offshore fisheries waters near Marsden Point, Whangārei Harbour, adjoining the proposed Patuharakeke mātaitai reserve.
The two committees and Fisheries New Zealand will hold a meeting with the local community to discuss the applications:
🏠 The Celtic Barn, 5 St Marys Road, Waipū
📆 Thursday 24 September 2026
⌚ 6pm
⚠️ The closing date has been extended and written submissions will now be accepted until 5pm, Friday 16 October 2026.
ℹ️ A mātaitai reserve is not the same as a marine reserve. A mātaitai reserve recognises the special relationship between tāngata whenua and their traditional fishing grounds. It's a tool that allows for localised fisheries management.
Recreational fishing rules do not change when a mātaitai reserve is established. However, future rule changes can be proposed to support fisheries sustainability. Any proposals are publicly consulted and subject to approval by the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries.
For more information on the mātaitai reserve proposals, consultation documents, and how to make a submission, visit www.mpi.govt.nz/fisheries-consultations
* Please note, comments made on this post do not count as submissions.
