Marine protected areas help ensure New Zealand's marine environment remains healthy in the future. Find out how they're classified, protected and developed, who manages them, and about reforms.
The Government is reforming marine protected area (MPA) legislation. We'll update this web page when there are changes.
A marine protected area (MPA) is an area where you're not allowed to fish.
They're protected because of:
Because our seas are so isolated and we have a broad range of habitats, a high number of species are found only in New Zealand waters.
The Government is creating a network of MPAs to protect examples of our rare, outstanding, and different marine habitats and ecosystems.
Other ways to protect areas include:
Each way has a slightly different purpose.
Download an MPA overview, which explains how the MPA network has been developed.
The process for establishing MPAs is in the MPA classification, protection standard, and implementation guidelines.
This process will ensure that future marine protection is properly planned and integrated.
Fisheries New Zealand will be working with the Department of Conservation and:
If you have questions about marine protected areas, email info@mpi.govt.nz