MPI Fisheries - Northland

MPI Fisheries - Northland This page is run by MPI for recreational fishers and the local community to bring you information about managing and protecting 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 update ** Fisheries New Zealand has extended the consultation period for two mātaitai reserve applicatio...
01/09/2026

** Consultation update **

Fisheries New Zealand has extended the consultation period for two mātaitai reserve applications along the southern coastline of Whangārei Harbour, and Bream Bay, Northland.

• The Patuharakeke Rohe Moana Committee has applied for the Patuharakeke mahinga mātaitai reserve: Approximately 115 square kilometres of fisheries waters along the southern coastline of Whangārei Harbour, between the intersection of State Highway 1 and Springfield Road, near Oakleigh, south Whangārei, to the eastern end of Andersons Cove, Bream Tail, and includes Bream Bay, Northland.

• Te Rerenga Parāoa Rohe Moana Committee has applied for the Poupouwhenua mahinga mātaitai reserve: Approximately one square kilometres of offshore fisheries waters near Marsden Point, Whangārei Harbour, adjoining the proposed Patuharakeke mātaitai reserve.

The two committees and Fisheries New Zealand will hold a meeting with the local community to discuss the applications:
🏠 The Celtic Barn, 5 St Marys Road, Waipū
📆 Thursday 24 September 2026
⌚ 6pm

⚠️ The closing date has been extended and written submissions will now be accepted until 5pm, Friday 16 October 2026.

ℹ️ A mātaitai reserve is not the same as a marine reserve. A mātaitai reserve recognises the special relationship between tāngata whenua and their traditional fishing grounds. It's a tool that allows for localised fisheries management.

Recreational fishing rules do not change when a mātaitai reserve is established. However, future rule changes can be proposed to support fisheries sustainability. Any proposals are publicly consulted and subject to approval by the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries.

For more information on the mātaitai reserve proposals, consultation documents, and how to make a submission, visit www.mpi.govt.nz/fisheries-consultations

* Please note, comments made on this post do not count as submissions.

*CONSULTATION* We’re inviting feedback on two mātaitai reserve applications at Whangārei Harbour and Bream Bay, Northlan...
09/07/2026

*CONSULTATION* We’re inviting feedback on two mātaitai reserve applications at Whangārei Harbour and Bream Bay, Northland:

📍Patuharakeke mahinga mātaitai reserve: Approximately 115km2 of fisheries waters along the coastline between the intersection of State Highway 1 and Springfield Road, near Oakleigh, south Whangārei, to the eastern end of Andersons Cove, Bream Tail, and includes Bream Bay, Northland.

📍Poupouwhenua mahinga mātaitai reserve: Approximately 1km2 of offshore fisheries waters near Marsden Point, Whangarei Harbour, adjoining the proposed Patuharakeke mātaitai reserve.

The Patuharakeke Rohe Moana Committee, Te Rerenga Parāoa Rohe Moana Committee and Fisheries New Zealand will hold a local community meetings to discuss the applications:

📍Marsden Yacht and Boat Club, One Tree Point Boat Ramp, One Tree Point Road, Ruakaka
📅 6pm on Thursday 30 July 2026

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

📅 The closing date for submissions is 5pm, Friday 21 August 2026.

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

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗮̄𝘁𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀:
Mātaitai reserves do not change the recreational fishing rules. However, the Tangata Kaitiaki/Tiaki for a mātaitai reserve may propose changes to the rules at a later date. These are called mātaitai reserve bylaws. Any proposed bylaws will be consulted on separately with the public and relevant stakeholders. They need to be approved by the Minister of for Oceans and Fisheries.

Commercial fishing is prohibited in a mātaitai reserve but can be reinstated at the request of the Tangata Kaitiaki/Tiaki for the mātaitai reserve for specified species, quantity or time period.

*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.

From Monday, 29 June 2026, a further two-year temporary shellfish closure will be in place at Marsden Bank and Mair Bank...
27/06/2026

From Monday, 29 June 2026, a further two-year temporary shellfish closure will be in place at Marsden Bank and Mair Bank. This closure supports the protection and recovery of local kaimoana.

The closure prohibits all shellfish gathering except p**i, scallop, and spiny rock lobster – due to these three fisheries already being closed in this area.

The closed area starts at the end of the Marsden Point Marine Terminal jetty, along the Whangārei Harbour main channel (buoys 18, 16 and 14), and west to the shoreline. See map below.

Fishery Officers will be enforcing these rules through patrols.

Further information about these rule changes can be found https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/fishing-rules/auckland-kermadec-fishing-rules

A two-year fisheries closure and net prohibition at Tutukaka Harbour, Ngunguru Bay, Ngunguru River, Horahora River and s...
24/06/2026

A two-year fisheries closure and net prohibition at Tutukaka Harbour, Ngunguru Bay, Ngunguru River, Horahora River and surrounding areas (Rehuotane Ki Tai), in Northland starts on Friday, 26 June 2026.

The closure prohibits fishing for cockle, garfish, mussel, octopus, pāua, p**i, packhorse rock lobster, rock oyster, sea cucumber, seahorse, starfish, tuatua and several species of crab and sea snail. The closure does not include spiny rock lobster, as a separate closure is already in place for this species.

The use of fishing nets is also banned at Tutukaka Harbour, Ngunguru River and Horahora River (including the estuaries), from 26 June 2026.

For more info, visit:: https://bit.ly/4gAB5AW

Come and see us at stand  #540 at the Boat Show 🛥️🎣 It’s that time of the year again – the 2026  The Hutchwilco New Zeal...
14/05/2026

Come and see us at stand #540 at the Boat Show 🛥️🎣

It’s that time of the year again – the 2026 The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show is on from today.

If you’re at the show or heading there, come and visit our friendly Fisheries New Zealand folks on stand number 540. We’re there from 10am to 6pm from Thursday to Saturday, and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

Have a chat with our local Fishery Officers and staff about fishing rules for your area, current fisheries consultations, and much more.

We look forward to seeing you there.

CONSULTATION: We are seeking feedback on a request for a further two-year shellfish closure at Mair Bank and Marsden Ban...
13/04/2026

CONSULTATION: We are seeking feedback on a request for a further two-year shellfish closure at Mair Bank and Marsden Bank, Marsden Point, Whangārei.

The proposed area starts at the end of the Marsden Point Marine Terminal jetty, proceeding to the Whangārei Harbour main channel port-hand buoys no. 18, no. 16, and no. 14, then proceeding in a westerly direction to the mean high-water mark.

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

To find out more or have your say: https://bit.ly/3OwXVOm

The closing date for submissions is 5pm, Monday 18 May 2026.

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

🦞Fisheries closure and catch limit changes🦞 The eastern portion of Northland’s spiny rock lobster fishery (CRA 1) and pa...
31/03/2026

🦞Fisheries closure and catch limit changes🦞

The eastern portion of Northland’s spiny rock lobster fishery (CRA 1) and parts of the Auckland fishery (CRA 2) close from tomorrow, 1 April 2026.

The closure prohibits commercial and recreational harvest of spiny rock lobster from Ohao Point, including Pārengarenga Harbour, to the Hauraki Gulf at Cape Rodney.

The daily recreational catch limits for spiny rock lobster in the Northland fishery, and packhorse rock lobster around the country, will also change on 1 April.

The new daily bag limits mean fishers can take:
🦞 two spiny rock lobster per person in the open areas of the CRA 1 fishery, and
🦞 three packhorse rock lobster per person nationwide (PHC 1).

Fishery Officers will be checking peoples’ catch and anyone caught breaking the rules could face a fine of up to $100,000, and risk having any items used in the offending seized.

With the Easter long weekend coming up, make sure you know the rules for wherever you are planning to fish and check your NZ Fishing Rules app every time.

You can find out more about restrictions and closures and download the free NZ Fishing Rules app at: https://fisheries.govt.nz/rules

Anyone who sees any suspected illegal fishing should report it to Fisheries New Zealand by phoning 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224) or email [email protected]

Address

121-127 Port Road
Whangarei
0110

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Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

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+64800476224

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