A new marine reserve for the Hauraki Gulf?
– my letter to PM Christopher Luxon
As Aucklanders we know the Hauraki Gulf as one of New Zealand’s ‘jewels in the crown’. A scenic masterpiece, an unsurpassed recreational boating paradise and at the same time an economically significant fishery. But beneath the picture postcard surface, the Gulf’s marine ecosystems and life-supporting capacity are stressed, damaged and disrupted, especially from over-fishing. On the need to do something meaningful about this the general public has long been ahead of the politicians. The previous Labour government did make an attempt with its ‘Tīkapa Moana / Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Bill’, but unfortunately it was too little – and left so late the task was handed to the National-led coalition to pass it into law – likely sometime this year. But not before the new government’s ministers weakened its provisions even further.
The novel aspect of the Bill is 11 so-called ‘High Protection Areas’ (HPAs) and 5 ‘Seafloor Protection Areas’. The HPAs are not really ‘highly’ protected because they are also earmarked for Māori customary fishing. In October the Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka in response to back-door lobbying, opened up two of these so-called ‘High Protection Areas’ for commercial fishing. The move evidently blind-sided the prime minister who had to watch with dismay as the ensuing backlash from conservationists and Māori spoiled the opportunity for the government to take some much needed political credit.
Meanwhile, since early 2021 the Friends of the Hauraki Gulf Inc., a conservation group which I chair, has been working on parallel marine protection for the Hauraki Gulf. One that does not need any new, and in my view conflicted, legislation. I refer to our application for the Hākaimangō-Matiatia (NW Waiheke) Marine Reserve. This is a process, enabled under the Marine Reserves Act 1971, passed into law by the Holyoake National government. This was visionary legislation for its time and made New Zealand a world leader in marine conservation. A status it has since lost. Marine reserves are no-take and just like national parks and nature reserves, prohibitions against exploitation apply equally to everyone. Last November, 32 months after its public notification, we were advised that DOC had finally completed its review (evidently favourable) and had forwarded the application to the Minister of Conservation. Given recent events my committee decided I should write to Christopher Luxon. Here is the letter sent before Christmas:
”Dear Prime Minister
As a person with local connections you will be aware that there is a live application for a marine reserve off Waiheke Island.
The proposed Hākaimangō-Matiatia (NW Waiheke) Marine Reserve predates the Marine Protection Bill by 18 months. The application by a qualified community-based conservation group, the Friends of the Hauraki Gulf (Inc) was made under section 5 of the Marine Reserves Act 1971. This proposed marine reserve, the first new marine reserve application for the Hauraki Gulf this century, was publicly notified in January 2022 and drew c1300 submissions, 93% in support, (95% support from Waiheke-based submitters) and 70% support from submitters identifying as Māori. It was opposed by the Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust but supported by the Ngāti Paoa Trust Board.
After reviewing the application from April 2021, the Department of Conservation has finally submitted its report to the Minister of Conservation for his decision. I am writing to you as Prime Minister to ask you to engage with the Hon Tama Potaka to secure approval of this marine reserve.
The proposed marine reserve, as the results from the statutory public process revealed, is overwhelmingly popular with voters. North Shore MP Simon Watts is a strong supporter.
This new marine reserve will be an important step in turning around the ecological decline of the Hauraki Gulf. It is an important complement to the Marine Protection Bill, but it is not associated with any previous government, nor is it complicated by controversial, divisive, ‘customary fishing rights’ – the same no-take rules apply to everyone – and it is ready for immediate delivery by Order-in-Council.
The proposed marine reserve at 2350 ha would be the largest in the Hauraki Gulf and will almost double the size of the area of fully protected marine environment in the Gulf.
The enclosed leaflet explains the reserve and the fine (indeed visionary) legacy of National Party leaders from the time of Sir Keith Holyoake in the field of marine protection. You have an opportunity to add to this legacy, and I ask that you do this by pressing for the approval of the reserve.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Lee”
This article appeared in the February 2025 issue of Ponsonby News.
