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Oceans Legally protected areas
Territorial sea protected by marine reserves
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Current situation
Thirty-three marine reserves now cover 7.06 per cent (12,792 square kilometres) of New Zealand’s territorial sea.
While this protection is high by international standards, most of this area (97 per cent) is in two offshore marine reserves – the Kermadecs Marine Reserve and Auckland Islands Marine Reserve. Less than 3 per cent of the total area protected by marine reserves is contained in mainland marine reserves.
Did you know?
- The total area of New Zealand’s 33 marine reserves is similar in size to New Zealand’s largest national park on land (Fiordland National Park).
- The total marine area protected by mainland marine reserves (ie, excluding the two offshore island groups) is equivalent to around one-and-a-half times the area of New Zealand’s smallest national park on land (Abel Tasman National Park).
Map of New Zealand's marine reserves
Long term trend
New Zealand’s first marine reserve (Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve) was established in 1975.
There have been two significant increases in the area of marine reserves within the territorial sea due to the establishment of marine reserves in two remote offshore island groups (see the dark blue line in the figure below). In 1990, 7480 square kilometres were protected around the Kermadec Islands, and in 2003, 4980 square kilometres were protected around the Auckland Islands.
Percentage of New Zealand’s territorial sea in marine reserves, 1975–2008
Data (text description) for above figure
Data source: Department of Conservation.
There are now 33 marine reserves in New Zealand’s territorial sea, with 17 established since 2000. As a result, the area designated as marine reserve has increased by 68 per cent, from 7634 square kilometres in 2000 to 12,792 square kilometres in 2008.
Recent trend
In 2007, almost 12,769 square kilometres of New Zealand’s territorial sea were protected by marine reserves. By 2008, this area had increased by 22.59 square kilometres (or 0.18 per cent).
The increase is attributed to the 2008 establishment of two small mainland marine reserves: the Tapuae Marine Reserve on the west coast of the North Island and the Taputeranga Marine Reserve on the south coast of the North Island.
What can you do?
- Poaching is theft. Stop people stealing our natural resources – call 0800 4 POACHER if you see someone taking marine life from a marine reserve, or anything you think is suspicious.
- Rubbish can be harmful to wildlife – 90 per cent of marine rubbish found on coasts is beverage packaging. Don't litter.
- Spend some time collecting rubbish from a nearby beach.
Find out more about marine reserves at www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/marine-and-coastal
Case study
Learn about Cape Rodney-Okakari Point (Goat Island) Marine Reserve, near Auckland.
The above information has come from the latest environmental report card on marine areas with legal protection.
To move to next variable: Coastal Biogeographic Regions protected by marine reserve
Last updated: December 2008
