Hākaimangō-Matiatia (Northwest Waiheke) Marine Reserve
DECISION: PENDING
Introduction
On 2 February 2022 the Department of Conservation advised that Friends of the Hauraki Gulf Inc. had applied for a marine reserve off the northwest coastline off Waiheke Island.
Marine reserves are areas fully protected from foreshore out encompassing sea surface to sea floor prohibiting any activity that harvests, alters, or disturbs marine life.
Proposal
On 23 April 2021, the Friends of the Hauraki Gulf Inc., gave formal notice of their intention to apply for an Order in Council to establish a new marine reserve, which was the agreed upon by the Director-General of DOC to work with them through the under the Marine Reserves Act 1971 process.
The proposal covers 2,350 ha off the north-western corner of Waiheke Island. It would span from Hākaimangō Point to Matiatia Point.
Map: Proposed Hākaimangō-Matiatia (Northwest Waiheke) Marine Reserve area. Source: Department of Conservation.
Submission
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea and other national representative organisations including NZ Angling & Casting Association and NZ Underwater Association, Yachting New Zealand, Outboard Boating Club of Auckland, Whakatakataka Bay Sportfishing Club, and Warkworth Gamefish Club to develop a submission in response to the application made to the Department of Conservation.
The Submitters rejected the marine reserve proposal on the basis it would not enhance marine biodiversity in the proposed area, temporary closures are already in place, community are not supportive of the application, and fundamentally that marine reserves do not solve inadequacies in fisheries management.
The submitters offered alternative solutions to marine reserves in our submission. All details below.
Relevant Information
2022
Updates
Update. Matiatia marine reserve. DOC. 2 Dec 2022
The Department of Conservation advise they are preparing advice for their Minister prior to a decision on the Hākaimangō-Matiatia (Northwest Waiheke) marine reserve. They are planning more engagement with tangata whenua before presenting their advice and recommendations to the Minister in 2023.
Submissions
Submission. Hākaimangō-Matiatia Marine Reserve. Joint recreational. 20 Mar 2022.
Joint recreational submission in response to the proposed Hākaimangō-Matiatia (Northwest Waiheke) Marine Reserve application. Rejecting the marine reserve proposal will give rise to opportunities for better protection measures. Submission by NZ Sport Fishing Council-LegaSea, NZ Angling & Casting Association and NZ Underwater. 20 March 2022.
Application
Application. Hākaimangō-Matiatia Marine Reserve. Friends of the Hauraki Gulf. Jan 2022.
Application by Friends of the Hauraki Gulf Inc. for a marine reserve that covers 2,350 ha off the north-western corner of Waiheke Island. The proposed area would span from Hākaimangō Point to Matiatia Point.