High protection area fishing and activity rules
This kind of protection aims to protect, restore, and enhance marine life in the depleted Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana by reducing human impacts on the environment.
You can
- Carefully anchor your boat.
- Snorkel, kayak, swim and boat, so long as you don't harm marine life.
- Take just a handful of shells or driftwood.
- Practise authorised customary fishing.
- Get a permit to actively restore the ecosystem.
Visit MPI Māori customary fishing for customary fishing authorisation.
You can't
- Go recreational or commercial fishing.
- Take any seafood, including by diving or collecting by hand.
- Discharge sewerage and waste.
- Land aircraft, including drones.
- Disturb sea life and habitats, such as through construction, destruction, drilling, vibrations, explosions or introducing living organisms.
A permit is required to carry out active restoration activities and other prohibited activities. Visit Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana permits for more information.
You risk
- Infringement fines ranging from $400 to $1,000. Fines for fishing start at $600.
- Seizure of fishing equipment and vessels.
- For serious offending, prosecution with fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to three months.
Exceptions
Limited commercial fishing is provided for in two of the 12 HPAs: Rangitoto and Motutapu HPA, and Kawau HPA. This is subject to review in three years' time.
This commercial fishing exception is limited to ring-net fishing by operators who ring-net fished in 2021, 2022 and/or 2023 and have an authorisation from DOC. It can only occur between 1 March and 31 August and can only target kahawai, grey mullet and/or trevally.
These regulations outline further conditions: Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection (Ring Net Fishing) Regulations 2025.
Seafloor protection area fishing and activity rules
This kind of protection aims to maintain and restore important seafloor habitats by removing activities that have an impact on the seafloor. It protects sensitive species such as sponges and corals.
You can
- Carefully anchor your boat.
- Do low-impact fishing, such as line fishing, spear fishing, diving and harvesting by hand, so long as you do not damage the seafloor.
- Snorkel, kayak, swim and boat, so long as you don't damage the seafloor.
You can't
- Operate high impact fishing methods, such as, bottom trawling, dredging, Danish seining.
- Discharge sewerage and waste.
- Disturb sea life and habitats, such as construction, destruction, drilling, vibrations, explosions and introducing living organisms.
A permit is required to carry out active restoration activities and other prohibited activities. Visit Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana permits for more information.
Mokohīnau Islands Seafloor Protection Area
Activities you also can't do:
- set netting
- potting
- bottom longlining.
You can apply for a permit to carry out these activities. Visit Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana permits for more information.
You risk
- Infringement fines ranging from $400 to $1,000.
- Seizure of fishing equipment and vessels.
- For serious offending, prosecution with fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to three months.
Marine reserve fishing and activity rules
You can
- Carefully anchor your boat.
- Snorkel, kayak, swim and boat, so long as you don't harm marine life.
You can't
- Fish, net, take or kill any marine life.
- Pollute, disturb or damage the marine environment.
- Remove any natural materials.
- Feed fish, as this disturbs their natural behaviour.
You risk
- An infringement fine of $600.
- Seizure of fishing equipment and vessels.
- For serious offending, prosecution with fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to three months.
More information
For the full legislation, see Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025.