Last year, when the Hauraki Gulf/Tikapa Moana Marine Protection Bill was debated in Parliament, Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka emphasised that the legislation preserves customary fishing rights independent of the biodiversity objectives and removes the ability to regulate customary non-commercial fishing. Those statements raised more questions than they answered, prompting closer scrutiny.
As ‘High Protection Areas’ continue to expand exponentially in both number and size, public concern is growing. Under these zones, while all other fishing is banned, two types remain permitted: Māori customary fishing and commercial ring-net fishing in two specific ‘high protection’ areas.
With shared marine resources under increasing pressure, many New Zealanders are asking a simple but vital question: Are our fisheries being managed fairly, sustainably, and transparently for everyone?
This edition of the Hauraki Gulf Users’ Group newsletter dives into the transparency gap surrounding customary fishing and asks why the data remains hidden. We also cover the new consultation on shellfish harvesting rules in the Auckland–Coromandel region.
Something Fishy in Customary Fishing? A Call for Clarity
Research into regulatory provisions has highlighted a significant gap in oversight, reporting, and transparency regarding the volume of customary fishing.
A common belief is that customary permits are restricted to purposes such as tangi, hui, and cultural events. But this is not always the case - accounts from a former MPI fisheries inspector and an interview with the spokesperson of ‘Protect Piha Rockpools’ show that current practices can be much wider.
Listen to the interview that reveals how one iwi is granting special permission to tourists to gather protected species and provides a concerning update on the ongoing stripping of rock pools.
Click here: One Iwi Giving Permission To Tourists To Gather Protected Shellfish | The Platform
The Transparency Gap
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) provides detailed public reporting on commercial fisheries (around 350,000 tonnes annually) and recreational fisheries (approximately 5,500 tonnes in 2023). In contrast, little information is available on the total volume of fish taken under customary fishing provisions.
Māori rights to take fish are protected under several regulatory frameworks.
Kaitiaki (who manage and authorise customary fishing in their local area) keep records and provide quarterly summaries to MPI, so the data exists — or should exist. To better understand this, an Official Information Act request was made seeking the aggregated total of customary permits issued over a single year. This request was deliberately limited to aggregated data only and did not seek to identify any individual, iwi, or issuing authority.
However, MPI declined to release this information. The refusal was upheld on appeal to the Ombudsman, citing confidentiality, Māori data sovereignty, and that release would not be “in the public interest.”
Why the Refusal?
In the absence of transparency, the public is left to form its own conclusions from limited information.
Why can’t we see the numbers?
We believe New Zealanders deserve full, transparent information about a public resource that belongs to all of us. Full disclosure of customary catch data is essential to enable informed decision-making. Releasing this information would enable an open, evidence-based conversation, build public trust, and provide everyone with a clearer understanding of how customary, recreational, and commercial fishing work together in New Zealand’s fisheries system.
What You Can Do
If you share these concerns, please:
Contact Details:
Draft Letter
[Date]
Hon. [Minister’s Name]
Parliament BuildingsWellington Dear Minister,Re: Request for Greater Transparency on Customary Fishing Catch DataI write to you about the lack of transparency around customary fishing, particularly in relation to the Hauraki Gulf/Tikapa Moana. As High Protection Areas expand under the Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection legislation, I am seeking reassurance that our shared fisheries are being managed fairly and sustainably for all New Zealanders. While the Ministry for Primary Industries publishes detailed annual data on commercial and recreational catches, very little information is available on the total volume taken under customary fishing provisions — despite the requirement for kaitiaki to provide quarterly summaries to MPI. An Official Information Act request for aggregated national customary catch totals was declined on the grounds of confidentiality, Māori data sovereignty, and that release would not be “in the public interest”. I find this refusal difficult to understand. Therefore, I respectfully ask that your office:
Greater transparency will strengthen public trust, support evidence-based fisheries management, and help ensure customary, recreational, and commercial fishing can continue sustainably. I would welcome your response and any steps your Ministry intends to take to shed light on this issue. Thank you for your attention.Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
Feedback sought on Auckland and Coromandel shellfish gathering
Have your say!
We have been invited to make submissions on a major new consultation by Fisheries New Zealand reviewing recreational shellfish harvesting rules in the Auckland–Coromandel region.The review follows growing concern from local communities and fisheries officials about the sustainability of shellfish and other marine species in intertidal areas around the region. Concern has been expressed about increasing pressure on shellfish beds and on marine life in rock pools and shoreline habitats.According to the Government announcement released on 6 May 2026, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said the proposals are intended to better safeguard intertidal species.The consultation follows the recent two-year ban on gathering sea life from rock pools and intertidal areas in the northern Hauraki Gulf, which came into effect on 12 March 2026.
Proposed Measures
Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback on four management options:· Option 1: Full intertidal closure prohibiting recreational take of shellfish and other invertebrates within a defined area.· Option 2: Partial intertidal closure allowing harvest of specified shellfish species within daily limits.· Option 3: Full closure plus a combined recreational daily limit of ten shellfish for species without existing limits outside the closure area.· Option 4: Partial closure plus the same combined daily limit outside the closure area.The proposed closure area would extend from the mean high-water mark to 200 metres offshore along mainland and Waiheke Island coastlines, covering both intertidal and some subtidal habitats.
Figure 3. Proposed intertidal closure area showing existing area closures within the Auckland Coromandel area. The indicative intertidal closure area is shaded yellow and extends seaward from the high-water mark to approximately 200 m offshore along the mainland and Waiheke Island coastline.The consultation also seeks feedback on education and monitoring initiatives to support implementation.
Why This Matters
The proposals could have significant implications for recreational fishers, public access to coastal resources, and long-term marine sustainability throughout the Auckland–Coromandel region and the wider Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. We recommend reviewing the consultation document and making submissions to ensure a wide range of community views is considered. (A summary is available HERE.)
Have Your Say - Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 12 June 2026.
Submissions can be emailed to: FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nzFurther information, consultation documents, maps, and a submission template are available on the MPI website: Review of measures for shore-based shellfish harvesting in the Auckland Coromandel area
N.B. When making a submission, you should include:· Your name and contact details· Whether you support or oppose any of the proposed measures· Any alternative approaches you would like considered..
