You are here: Environmental reporting 
Oceans Legally protected areas
What are marine protected areas?
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are places in the marine environment that are set aside to conserve the plants and animals that live within them. A formal definition has not yet been agreed in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s MPA policy aims to protect marine biodiversity by establishing a comprehensive network of marine protected areas that is representative of New Zealand’s marine habitats and ecosystems within the territorial sea and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Once established, the MPA network will use a variety of tools to fully represent New Zealand’s marine environment. The exact mix of tools is yet to be determined but will likely include three broad types of protection: ‘no-take’ areas and two other types of marine protected areas that allow some extractive activities.
New Zealand’s marine environment has been classified into 14 broad biogeographic regions. These will form the basis for classification and implementation of the MPA policy.
Protected areas included in the MPA network will be inventoried. Their size and location will be compared against the range of habitats and ecosystems identified by the classification system, and gaps in protection will be identified.
Implementation of MPA policy will focus first on New Zealand’s territorial sea where it is considered the greatest risks to marine biodiversity exist. Planning will then begin for marine protection in the EEZ. The MPA process has already begun in the West Coast South Island and Subantarctic Islands Biogeographic Regions. Once this work is complete, the MPA policy will be implemented throughout the country.
Return to marine areas with legal protection page
Last updated: December 2008
