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Rules and regulations
Te Matuku Marine Reserve is managed by the Department of Conservation in Auckland. Its rangers watch over the area and enforce the "no take" restrictions.
The success of this reserve also depends on the local community and visitors caring for it. If you see people taking fish or other marine life within the marine reserve please report this to the Department of Conservation as soon as possible. Ph 0800 DOC HOT (0800 36 24 68).
Please remember
All marine life, both plant and animal, and all sand, rocks and shells are protected in the marine reserve. The following are offences under the Marine Reserves Act:
- Fishing of any kind
- Taking or disturbing any marine life, including shellfish and seaweeds
- Feeding the fish - it disturbs natural behaviour
Please take your rubbish away with you.
A place to look and learn
Kayakers in Te Matuku Bay
People are welcome to visit the Te Matuku Marine Reserve to picnic, swim, snorkel, dive, take photos, kayak and watch birds. Water within the tidal bay is often murky and not great for underwater viewing.
Te Matuku Bay is home to a variety of bird life, some of which is very sensitive to disturbance. The endangered New Zealand dotterel breeds on the shell spits. Breeding pairs are easily disturbed and may abandon their nests and young if people approach. Dogs are not allowed on the shell spits as they put groundnesting birds, like the New Zealand dotterel, at risk.
Boating
Boats are allowed within the marine reserve but care should be taken to avoid damaging marine life by dragging anchors. No waste or ballast water should be discharged within the reserve boundaries. Passage Rock is an important navigation aid and boats commonly pass between it and Te Matuku Bay through the marine reserve. Navigation within the reserve is not restricted.