Iwi and Local Officials Urge Government Intervention to Protect Decimated Kōura Populations on Aotea

Ngāti Rehua and the local board meet with Oceans and Fisheries officials to propose a management plan protecting decimated kōura populations on Aotea.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 3:23 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

High Level Consultations on Marine Conservation

Oceans and Fisheries under secretary Jenny Marcroft traveled to Aotea/Great Barrier Island in April 2026 to engage in a series of critical meetings with local iwi and board members. The discussions focused on the alarming decline of the kōura or rock lobster population, which local residents fear has been decimated by sustained overfishing. The meeting involved the Ngāti Rehua - Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust Board and the Tai Tū Moana conservation project team, who are advocating for immediate regulatory shifts to prevent a total ecosystem collapse. Marcroft described the dialogue as productive, noting that the unique environmental challenges of the island require a tailored approach from the central government.

Proposed Management Plan and Local Regulations

The Tai Tū Moana Steering Group, led by member Glenn Edney, has presented a comprehensive set of local rules developed during the Ahu Moana pilot project. This plan seeks to drastically reduce the pressure on marine resources through several specific interventions. Key proposals include lowering the daily bag limit for both Spiny Red Rock Lobster and Packhorse Rock Lobster to just two per person. Furthermore, the plan calls for a total ban on the accumulation of daily limits, the introduction of a maximum size limit to protect breeding stocks, and the establishment of a closed mating season. Additionally, the group is pushing for certain coastal zones to be designated as recreational only areas to mitigate industrial scale extraction.

Legislative Pathways for Marine Protection

Government officials are currently evaluating the legal mechanisms required to implement these requested changes. Under secretary Marcroft confirmed that her team is examining how the proposals align with existing legislation, specifically Section 186A of the Fisheries Act, which allows for iwi led closures, and Section 11, which provides for broader sustainability measures. While Marcroft is facilitating the gathering of information and providing advice, the final decision making authority rests with Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. The process involves ensuring that all technical data from the island visits is accurately captured before formal recommendations are presented for a ministerial signature.