The resolution was confirmed by the High Court on 12 December 2025.

ORLIA filed a judicial review in June 2024 challenging decisions made by former Ministers in relation to the marine reserves with a particular focus on Te Umukōau Marine Reserve.

As part of the agreed resolution, decisions by former Ministers to establish Te Umukōau Marine Reserve will be subject to a limited reconsideration regarding its boundary, following additional targeted consultation with ORLIA and other relevant commercial rock lobster fishing objectors.

The other participants in the proceedings – Environmental Defence Society (EDS), Forest and Bird, Worldwide Fund for Nature New Zealand (WWF) and Fish Mainland – will also be consulted, as well as Kāi Tahu.

The five other marine reserves are no longer affected by the court proceeding and will now be implemented following an Order in Council and gazettal process, likely to be completed in the first half of 2026.

New marine reserves for the southeast of the South Island

View related documents:

• DOC welcomes resolution of judicial review of marine reserve decisions
• High Court judgement on SEMP marine reserves judicial review, 12 December 2025 (PDF, 2,458K)
• Statement of Claim (PDF, 801K)
• Statement of Defence dated 30 July 2024 (PDF, 206K)