MPI Fisheries - Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa/Wellington/Taranaki

MPI Fisheries - Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa/Wellington/Taranaki This page is run by MPI for recreational fishers and the local community to bring you information about managing and protecting our local fisheries.

Our job is to help sustainably manage fisheries by working with communities to educate the public and enforce the fishing rules.

*Know the rules*
• Download the FREE NZ Fishing Rules App (the app works without signal or data)
• Find your local fishing rules on our website: www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/fishing-rules/
• Pick up a brochure from the office or a local fishi

ng supplies store
• Free text the name of a species to 9889 to get size and bag limits texted to you
• Ring us at the office: www.mpi.govt.nz/contact-us/mpi-fisheries-offices/

*Report illegal fishing*
If you’re out and about and you think that something is happening that shouldn't be, call free on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24). Your calls DO make a difference.

*Community guidelines*
We want to make sure our social media pages are safe for everyone so ask that you please follow our community guidelines. Be respectful
• Don’t make comments that contain offensive, profane, defamatory, threatening, or inappropriate language or intent. This includes language that is racist, sexist, discriminatory, contains potentially harmful advice, or is not accurate.
• Differences of opinion are okay, but comments containing personal attacks towards others, including our employees, will be hidden or deleted.
• If you notice any inappropriate activity, or you're being personally harassed, let us know by direct messaging us. Don’t spam us
• Making the same point repeatedly across the same or different posts is considered spam. If this happens, we may hide your repeated content. Stay on topic
• Only make comments that are relevant to the topic or theme of the post.
• If you disagree with something and make the same point every time we post, or repeatedly post irrelevant content, your comments will be considered spam.
• Don’t post advertisements or solicitations, or use fake accounts or bots to troll our pages. If you have something that you think we might want to share, you can direct message us instead. Protect your own and others’ privacy
• Never post comments containing personal, identifying, sensitive or confidential information. This includes written information as well as photos and videos.
• If we need any details from you, we’ll ask you to direct message us. Personal information shared publicly will be moderated to protect your privacy and the privacy of others.
• By making any contribution to our social media channels – including comments, photos or videos – you’re granting us permission to reuse this content on our channels (e.g., sharing/retweeting a picture). If you have any issues about copyright, you need to talk to us about it as soon as possible. Be aware of the law
• Participating in, suggesting, or encouraging any illegal activity will result in being blocked and you may be reported to the New Zealand Police.
• You are prohibited from posting any videos, images or text referencing criminal activity, or anything that breaches any court orders.
• You are prohibited from posting content that breaches legislation, copyright or intellectual property rights beyond what is protected as fair use.
• You are prohibited from impersonating or leading us to falsely belief that you are someone else or represent a company or brand which you do not. Moderation policy
We encourage feedback, questions and discussion on our social media accounts but ask that you please respect others. We may at our discretion:
• Determine what constitutes inappropriate content;
• Inform you if we remove or edit inappropriate content and give you the opportunity to post revised comments; and
• Block users who breach our community guidelines or Facebook’s terms and conditions of Facebook. If you think behaviour or activity needs to be brought to our attention, we would be grateful if you direct message us. If we block you from our social media channels and you think we’ve made a mistake, contact us on [email protected]

Disclaimer
The content provided on this page is intended to provide accurate information about our work and events in the space that the Ministry for Primary Industries operates in. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information set out on its page is accurate. However, visitors to this page are advised that:
• The information provided does not replace or alter the laws of New Zealand and other official guidelines or requirements;
• MPI does not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever, whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise, for any action taken, or reliance placed, as a result of reading any part, or all, of the information on its page or for any error, inadequacy, deficiency, flaw in or omission from the information provided;
• All links, shared content, and references to other products, websites or organisations are provided for convenience only and are not, and should not be taken as, endorsement of those products, websites or any information contained in those websites; and
• MPI does not necessarily endorse any website or organisation, which has links to any of our websites. Liking, favouriting or sharing information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Biosecurity advice
Advice given through our social media channels is not a guarantee that your goods will be cleared. It’s a guide only and is based on the details you provide and New Zealand’s current import requirements which are subject to change. MPI denies any and all responsibility for any inaccuracy, error, or any other deficiency in this information, and also fully excludes any and all liability to the maximum extent permitted by law of any kind to any person or entity that chooses to rely upon the information. For more information on importation requirements please visit www.biosecurity.govt.nz

Kina Closed Season Now in Effect at Toka Tāmure Mātaitai Reserve, Māhia Peninsula. A reminder for anyone gathering kaimo...
25/02/2026

Kina Closed Season Now in Effect at Toka Tāmure Mātaitai Reserve, Māhia Peninsula.

A reminder for anyone gathering kaimoana in the Toka Tāmure Mātaitai Reserve: the existing protections for this area remain in place, and the kina closed season runs from 1 March to 31 July. No kina may be taken during this period.

These long standing rules (in place since 2016) help protect and restore local kaimoana, supporting the health of our moana for future generations.

Key rules to be aware of in the reserve:
🐟 A number of species are now fully protected and must not be taken, including pāua, p**i, tuatua, mussels, cockles, karengo, packhorse rock lobster, sea cucumber, seahorses and others.
🐟 Kina is in its closed season (1 March - 31 July) - no kina may be taken during this period.
🦞 Spiny rock lobster is limited to 3 per person per day, and loops must not be used to take them.
🤿 Underwater breathing apparatus (e.g. scuba) must not be used to take fish, shellfish or seaweed within the reserve.

If you’re heading out, please make sure you’re up to date with the rules and share this information with others who fish in the area.

Together we can protect our moana and support the future of our fisheries.

19/02/2026

Brendan enjoys taking people out boating and while the fishing’s good, it’s not all about that.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

02/02/2026

Kim loves to take her kids out for an after-school boating adventure and get their friends out fishing.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

22/01/2026

Sailing is international racer Brad’s big interest in life. “We’re unbelievably lucky” with the boating opportunities we have here.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, https://bit.ly/49FNyiW

04/01/2026

David has been mad about fishing since he was a kid. He enjoys taking family and friends out – and he wants to protect that for the future.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

26/12/2025

A reminder for anyone harvesting under a customary permit – please make sure you follow all the conditions set out on the permit.

This includes:
🐟 The species
🧮 The quantity
⚓The area where you’re gathering
🧑The names of people partaking in the gathering. Your name MUST be listed on the permit if you plan on helping with the gathering

These rules are there to protect both our kaimoana and our people. Let’s respect the kaupapa and support sustainable, lawful gathering practices.

23/12/2025

For many of us, the sea is our happy place, listen to these kiwi boaties talk about, what they love to do when they’re out boating and why our New Zealand marine environment is worth protecting.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

Heading out to pull a feed of crays this season? Make sure your gear’s set up right before you hit the water.Here are th...
23/12/2025

Heading out to pull a feed of crays this season? Make sure your gear’s set up right before you hit the water.

Here are the key legal requirements for taking rock lobster (crayfish), to stop you from catching a fine, gear seizure or prosecution:

🦞 Each pot must have approved escape apertures so undersized rock lobsters can get out.

🦞 You can use up to three pots per person per day.

🦞 If there are two or more people on a boat, a maximum of six pots may be used from that vessel — but each person’s name must be on their pots, and no one can use more than three.

🦞 Each pot and surface float must be clearly and permanently marked with your surname and initials.

🦞 Undersized, soft-shell, or berried (egg-carrying) females must be returned to the sea immediately.

🦞 Regional rules may differ, including size limits, daily bag limits, and area closures — so always check before you go. Download the free NZ Fishing Rules app - it uses your phone’s GPS to show the exact rules for your area and updates automatically with any changes. https://bit.ly/47fcaxV

Let’s keep it fair, legal, and sustainable - for today’s kai and tomorrow’s fishers.

** Know your fishing rules **Many Kiwis enjoy their kaimoana - and pāua is often top of the menu. If you’re planning on ...
16/12/2025

** Know your fishing rules **

Many Kiwis enjoy their kaimoana - and pāua is often top of the menu. If you’re planning on gathering pāua over the summer and during the festive season, be sure you know the legal daily limit and size that you can take.

It's important to note that the rules can vary depending on where you’re gathering pāua, and in some cases an area may be closed.

Fishery Officers work hard to protect our shared fisheries and keep them sustainable into the future. If you’re unsure of the rules, download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app: https://bit.ly/47fcaxV

It will provide you with the latest rules, including closures and restrictions. By following these rules, you’ll have nothing to worry about during a Fisheries New Zealand inspection or roadside checkpoint.

Catch a feed, not a fine.

📢 Quiz time: When must you legally measure your catch? A: On the beach after you've filled your bagB: On the boat after ...
11/12/2025

📢 Quiz time: When must you legally measure your catch?

A: On the beach after you've filled your bag
B: On the boat after a day of diving or fishing
C: Immediately, before it’s been placed in your bag, bucket or container.

ANSWER: C – When you take fish or pāua, you must measure it immediately. A fish or shellfish is legally taken once it’s placed in your bag, bucket, or container. Being caught with undersized catch results in fines and even gear confiscation.

Always carry a pāua gauge or fish ruler and measure on the spot.

If you’re unsure of rules – such as minimum size or daily limit – make sure you’ve downloaded the NZ Fishing Rules app, so always have the latest rules at your fingertips.

Let’s keep it fair, legal, and sustainable - for today’s kai and tomorrow’s fishers.

Fishery Officers will be inspecting your seafood catch on the beaches, wharfs, at sea, and at roadside checkpoints durin...
05/12/2025

Fishery Officers will be inspecting your seafood catch on the beaches, wharfs, at sea, and at roadside checkpoints during summer.

We’re reminding you to stop at these roadside checkpoints or risk prosecution, as happened to a Taranaki fisher who was fined $1500 in the Hāwera District Court this week and had his vehicle forfeited to the Crown.

The 33-year-old man was approaching a checkpoint in February in Opunake, which is within the Western Taranaki Temporary Closure Area. He was directed to stop, but instead swerved off the road and accelerated past the checkpoint.

Fishery Officers work hard to protect our shared fisheries and keep them sustainable for the future. If you’re unsure of the rules, download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app. It will provide you with the latest rules, including closures and restrictions.

📲 Download here: https://bit.ly/47fcaxV

By following these rules, you’ll have nothing to worry about at a Fisheries New Zealand roadside checkpoint.

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