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

*CONSULTATION* We’re inviting feedback on a proposed temporary closure of shellfish fisheries along the western coastlin...
06/08/2026

*CONSULTATION* We’re inviting feedback on a proposed temporary closure of shellfish fisheries along the western coastline of Taranaki.

The closure would prohibit the taking of all shellfish (except rock lobster), all seaweeds (excluding beach cast seaweed), all anemones, all stingrays, and both conger eel species under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

Fisheries New Zealand invites submissions from people who have an interest in the stocks concerned or in the effects of fishing in the area concerned.

To find out more or have your say, visit: https://bit.ly/4bwPrz6

The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Wednesday 16th September 2026.

Please note that comments on this post will not count as submissions.

Fishing with a drone or kontiki is a great way to get your bait out beyond the breakers. But it comes with a few extra r...
22/07/2026

Fishing with a drone or kontiki is a great way to get your bait out beyond the breakers. But it comes with a few extra responsibilities, and a little planning helps keep everyone safe while protecting our moana.

Before you send your line out:
🚩 Put up a clearly visible flag to let other know there is a line in the water and help prevent accidents.
🌧️ Check the weather and sea conditions. Keep well clear of swimmers, surfers, boats, and other beach users.
🎣 Stay with your gear and don't leave fishing lines unattended.
🦭 Give wildlife the space it needs
📱 Check the NZ Fishing Rules app before you fish to make sure that you're following the latest size limits, bag limits, and local fishing rules

Manaaki te tangata, manaaki te moana - care for people, care for the ocean.

Kia haumaru. Respect others, follow the rules, and help keep Aotearoa's beaches safe and enjoyable for everyone.

*CONSULTATION* Have your say on sustainability settings for 22 fish stocks as part of Fisheries New Zealand’s twice-year...
02/07/2026

*CONSULTATION* Have your say on sustainability settings for 22 fish stocks as part of Fisheries New Zealand’s twice-yearly review to ensure the ongoing sustainability of New Zealand’s fisheries resources.

The proposals include options for catch limit increases and decreases across a range of inshore and deepwater species, including snapper, trevally, tarakihi, butterfish and ling.

Full details, including on how to make a submission, can be found at https://bit.ly/4vcZHUj

📅 Submissions close 5m on Friday, 24 July.

Please note that comments on this post to not count as submissions.

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

Address

40 Bouverie Street
Petone
5012

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+64800476224

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