Ngā Hapū o Taiamai ki Te Marangai have established the 20 sq km Te Puna mātaitai within their rohe moana area in the western Bay of Islands (area chart below).
- Tangata whenua are authorised by the Minister of Fisheries under s.23 of the Kaimoana Customary Fishing Regulations 1998 to manage and control the non-commercial harvest of seafood through a local committee.
- Mātaitai reserves are permanent, though the bylaws can change over time.
- No commercial fishing is allowed within the area (unless recommended by the committee)
- The kaitiaki can set bylaws to manage the fishing in the area.
- Both Maori and non-Maori may fish in mātaitai reserves.
Download the Te Puna mātaitai boundaries boundaries here
Mātaitai reserves are created in areas of traditional importance to Maori for customary food gathering.
Read about other customary fisheries management areas in the Bay of Islands here
All of us with an interest and love of Tangaroa, let's work together and take on the challenge of marine protection for the Bay.