New Zealand’s first marine reserve (Cape Rodney – Okakari Point Marine Reserve) was established in 1975 and was one of the world’s first no-take marine reserves. There are now over 30 marine reserves established in New Zealand waters.
Over half of these marine reserves were external applications lodged by interest groups including tangata whenua, conservation groups, fishers, divers and marine science interest groups.
Collectively, these reserves protect 7.6% of New Zealand’s territorial sea. However, 99% of this is in two marine reserves around isolated offshore island groups (Auckland and Kermadec), and very little, in fact less than the area of our smallest National Park (Abel Tasman), in our mainland territorial sea.
Of New Zealand’s total marine environment, just 0.3% is protected in marine reserves. Currently the highest level of protection outside of our Territorial Sea is through fisheries closures on trawling for 18 seamounts. The inclusion of these closures brings the area of marine protection in New Zealand’s marine environment to just over 3%.
The Auckland Islands/Motu Maha Marine Reserve covers about 484 000 hectares in the Southern Ocean, providing breeding grounds for southern right whales, NZ sea lions and yellow-eyed penguins.
Find out about New Zealand's first marine reserve -Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve. Located north of Auckland, the reserve is also known as Goat Island or Leigh marine reserve.
Explore Fiordland's ten marine reserves that extend from Milford Sound in the north to Preservation Inlet in the south.
The 904-hectare Horoirangi Marine Reserve lies just north of Nelson city. Learn about the reserve and the environment it protects.
Kapiti Marine Reserve protects a rare and special marine environment. It links Kapiti Island Nature Reserve and Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve on the adjacent mainland shore.
New Zealand's largest marine reserve, Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve, extends 12 nautical miles from the cliffs and boulder beaches of the various Kermadec Islands and rocks out to the edge of the territorial sea.
The Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve protects a stretch of coastline just north of Auckland.
Located in the Marlborough Sounds, Long Island - Kokomohua Marine Reserve was the South Island's first marine reserve. Learn about the conservation work being done there.
The Motu Manawa Marine Reserve protects 500 hectares of the inner reaches of Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.
Located in the southern most reaches of the Taranaki Bight the 1800ha Parininihi Marine Reserve is a “classic” section of the wild Taranaki coastline.
Pōhatu Marine Reserve is centred on Flea Bay on the south-east side of Banks Peninsula. Learn about the conservation values of the reserve.
The ocean surrounding the Poor Knights Islands, off the east coast of Northland, was established as New Zealand's second marine reserve in 1981.
Tapuae Marine Reserve is on the rugged Taranaki coast close to New Plymouth.
Taputeranga Marine Reserve on Wellington's south coast is on the doorstep of our capital city, protecting a unique collection of natural values.
Te Angiangi Marine Reserve is located on the Central Hawke's Bay coast, approximately 30 km east of Waipukurau and Waipawa.
The 690-hectare Te Matuku Marine Reserve protects one of Waiheke Island's largest and least disturbed estuaries and an area outside Te Matuku Bay in the Waiheke Channel.
Te Paepae o Aotea (Volkner Rocks) is a unique volcanic and oceanic environment in the Eastern Bay of Plenty that has been recognised as worthy of preservation.
Located 16 kilometres north of Gisborne, Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve contains eight marine habitat types.
Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve in the Coromandel covers nine square kilometres. The reserve features a snorkel trail and excellent diving opportunities.
The Nelson/Marlborough region's Tonga Island Marine Reserve covers an area of 1835 hectares and is adjacent to Abel Tasman National Park. View conservation information on the reserve.
Tuhua (Mayor Island) Marine Reserve, north of Tauranga, includes about five kilometres of coastline from Tumutu Point east to Turanganui Point.
Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve provides a safe haven for a wealth of underwater life and extends the protection of Stewart Island's/Rakiura’s largely pristine environment from land to sea.
The Westhaven Estuary is protected by Westhaven Inlet-Te Tai Tapu Marine Reserve and Westhaven (Whanganui Inlet) Wildlife Management Reserve. Learn about the conservation of this ecosystem.
The Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve protects 253.7 hectares or 2.54% of the Whangarei Harbour.
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Review of the Marine Reserves Act 1971
Learn how to carry out your own marine survey
Marine reserve information
Marine reserves monitoring results
Marine reserve research permits
