Cape Rodney-Okakari Point (Goat Island): Marine reserve report card

Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island)

Image: Darren Foreman | Creative Commons

Introduction

This report card assesses the health of the marine reserve according to a range of selected measures. The status and trend over five years are reported for each measure.

This was New Zealand's first marine reserve, created in 1975. It is also known as Goat Island or Leigh marine reserve.

The ecosystems within Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve are healthier and in a more natural state than those outside its boundaries. The reserve is, however, influenced by the health of the marine environment outside its boundaries – it has no walls.

Larger-scale factors in the Hauraki Gulf such as changing climate patterns, urban development and overfishing affect the health of this marine reserve.