# Marine reserves of New Zealand

New Zealand has 44 marine reserves (as of August 2020) that are spread around the North, the South Island, and neighbouring islands, and on outlying island groups. They are governed by the Marine Reserves Act 1971 and administered by the Department of Conservation with assistance from the Ministry for Primary Industries (formally the Ministry of Fisheries), New Zealand Customs Service and the New Zealand Defence Forces.

## History

The Marine Reserves Act was passed by the Parliament of New Zealand in 1971. In 2000, the Department of Conservation started a review of the Act, resulting in a draft Marine Reserves Bill that was introduced into Parliament in June 2002, but has not yet been voted on.
The first marine reserve to be created was the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve. The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve was established next, although with only a partial ban on fishing; a full ban was implemented in 1998. The first two marine reserves in Fiordland were established at the request of New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen in 1993. An additional eight reserves were established in Fiordland on the recommendation of the Guardians of Fiordland in 2005. The Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve was established in 2006 with the active support of the students and faculty of nearby Kamo High School.

## Effects

The abundance of fish within the reserves creates spillover, or larval export, that boosts catches in neighbouring areas. In general, the reserves tend to attract a lot of recreational divers and fishermen. The divers are attracted to the abundant fish, coral, etc. inside the reserves. The fishermen are attracted to the areas just outside the reserves – where spillover creates an abundance of large game fish not found in other areas.
The Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve, in particular, receives more than 200,000 visitors per year. It is a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba-divers, due to the abundance and diversity of fish now living within the reserve after over 30 years of protection. Species that can be found in the reserve include Australasian snapper and New Zealand sea urchin (kina).

## List of reserves

List of marine reserves in New Zealand :
| Name | Area (ha) | Date created | Notes |
| Akaroa Marine Reserve | 512 | 2014 | Covers an area around the eastern side of the entrance to Akaroa Harbour, known for marine mammals including Hector's dolphins, whales, and seals. |
| Auckland Islands - Motu Maha Marine Reserve | 498,000 | 2003 | Covers a range of marine environments in the water around the Auckland Islands. |
| Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve | 547 | 1975 | The first marine reserve to be established in New Zealand. |
| Hautai Marine Reserve | 853 | 2014 | Located in a remote corner of New Zealand's West Coast, making it the most remote marine reserve on New Zealand's main archipelago. |
| Hawea (Clio Rocks) Marine Reserve | 411 | 2005 | Covers the inner reaches of Hāwea / Bligh Sound. |
| Hikurangi Marine Reserve | 10,416 | 2014 | Deepest marine reserve around the mainland of New Zealand, covering a large area of the Kaikōura Canyon and Hikurangi Trough. |
| Horoirangi Marine Reserve | 904 | 2005 | Also known as the Glenduan Marine Reserve, covers the eastern side of Tasman Bay and protects a unique transition zone with a range of reef-dwelling species. |
| Kahukura (Gold Arm) Marine Reserve | 464 | 2005 | Protects the entirety of the Gold Arm of Taiporoporo / Charles Sound, which includes a range of red and black corals |
| Kahurangi Marine Reserve | 8,419 | 2014 | |
| Kapiti Marine Reserve | 2,167 | 1992 | |
| Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve | 748,000 | 1990 | |
| Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve | 433 | 2005 | |
| Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve | 980 | 1995 | |
| Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve | 619 | 1993 | |
| Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm) Marine Reserve | 2,007 | 2005 | |
| Motu Manawa-Pollen Island Marine Reserve | 501 | 1995 | |
| Moutere Hauriri / Bounty Islands Marine Reserve | 104,626 | 2014 | |
| Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island Marine Reserve | 290,000 | 2014 | |
| Moutere Mahue / Antipodes Island Marine Reserve | 217,287 | 2014 | |
| Parininihi Marine Reserve | 1,844 | 2006 | |
| Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve | 690 | 1993 | |
| Pohatu Marine Reserve (Flea Bay) | 215 | 1999 | |
| Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve | 1,890 | 1981 | |
| Punakaiki Marine Reserve | 3,520 | 2014 | |
| Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve | 613 | 2005 | |
| Tapuae Marine Reserve | 1,404 | 2008 | |
| Taputeranga Marine Reserve | 855 | 2008 | |
| Taumoana (Five Finger Peninsula) Marine Reserve | 1,466 | 2005 | |
| Tauparikākā Marine Reserve | 17 | 2014 | |
| Tāwharanui Marine Reserve | 394 | 2011 | |
| Te Angiangi Marine Reserve | 446 | 1997 | |
| Te Awaatu Channel (The Gut) Marine Reserve | 93 | 1993 | |
| Te Hapua (Sutherland Sound) Marine Reserve | 449 | 2005 | |
| Te Matuku Marine Reserve | 690 | 2005 | |
| Te Paepae o Aotea (Volkner Rocks) Marine Reserve | 1,267 | 2006 | |
| Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound) Marine Reserve | 3,672 | 2005 | |
| Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve | 2,452 | 1999 | |
| Tonga Island Marine Reserve | 1,835 | 1993 | |
| Tuhua (Mayor Island) Marine Reserve | 1,060 | 1992 | |
| Ulva Island - Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve | 1,075 | 2004 | |
| Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve | 4,557 | 2014 | |
| Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve | 536 | 1994 | |
| Whanganui A Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve | 840 | 1993 | |
| Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve | 237 | 2006 | Protects two separate areas within Whangārei Harbour: an intertidal mudflat and mangrove forest at Waikaraka, and the waters around Motukaroro / Passage Island. Was established following efforts by students from Kamo High School. |