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Territorial sea protected by marine reserves, 1975 - 2008

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. In 1990, 7480 square kilometres were protected around the Kermadec Islands, and in 2003, 4980 square kilometres were protected around the Auckland Islands. These two offshore marine reserves make up 97 per cent of the total area protected by marine reserves in New Zealand’s territorial sea.

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.

Percentage of New Zealand’s territorial sea in marine reserves (including mainland and offshore marine reserves), 1975–2008

Established

Percentage of mainland marine area in marine reserve

Percentage of offshore marine area in marine reserve
1975
0.0030
0
1976
0.0030
0
1977
0.0030
0
1978
0.0030
0
1979
0.0030
0
1980
0.0030
0
1981
0.0163
0
1982
0.0163
0
1983
0.0163
0
1984
0.0163
0
1985
0.0163
0
1986
0.0163
0
1987
0.0163
0
1988
0.0163
0
1989
0.0163
0
1990
0.0163
4.1279
1991
0.0163
4.1279
1992
0.0388
4.1279
1993
0.0566
4.1279
1994
0.0596
4.1279
1995
0.0677
4.1279
1996
0.0677
4.1279
1997
0.0702
4.1279
1998
0.0702
4.1279
1999
0.0849
4.1279
2000
0.0849
4.1279
2001
0.0849
4.1279
2002
0.0849
4.1279
2003
0.0849
6.8761
2004
0.0909
6.8761
2005
0.1472
6.8761
2006
0.1706
6.8761
2007
0.1706
6.8761
2008
0.1831
6.8761

 Data source: Department of Conservation.

 

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Last updated: December 2008