New Zealand sea lion mother & pup, Auckland Islands
The reserve covers an area of about 484,000 ha in the Southern Ocean surrounding the Auckland Islands. It extends out to deep sea ecosystems at 3,000 m depth covering breeding grounds of the Southern Right whale, NZ sea lion and yellow-eyed penguin.
The location of the new marine reserve is between latitude 50’ 16” south and 51’ 19” south and longitude 165’ 32” to 166’ 39” east, approximately 460 kilometres south of the South Island of New Zealand. The reserve stretches for 12 nautical miles around the islands and not only protects relatively shallow inshore areas up to 100 m deep but also deep ocean environments down to 3,000 m deep.
Learn about the wildlife and the historic and cultural significance of the reserve.
Find out how you can help with conservation efforts at Auckland Islands Marine Reserve.
Review information and results from DOC's monitoring programme at Auckland Islands/Motu Maha Marine Reserve.
Tikanga are the customs and traditions that have been handed down through the passages of time.
Watch a video about New Zealand sea lion, which was hunted to almost extinction and is now the world’s most endangered sea lion.
View a map of the Auckland Islands/Motu Maha Marine Reserve and Marine Mammal Sanctuary.
Review of the Marine Reserves Act 1971
Marine reserve information
Marine reserves monitoring results
Marine reserve research permits
Further information on this marine reserve is available from:
