Date:  06 December 2024

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve protects an area of the central Hawke's Bay coast between Aramoana and Blackhead. Ngāti Kere holds mana moana over the area, and partnered with DOC on the review when it began in 2023.

This is the first in a series of marine protected area reviews DOC is undertaking, aiming to determine whether the marine protection measures currently in place are meeting their intended objectives, and whether these objectives reflect today’s conservation and community priorities.

Siobhan Quayle, DOC’s Director for Regulatory Systems Performance, says the review provides valuable data to inform where improvements can be made.

“The reserve provides a range of opportunities for recreation, educational programmes, and scientific studies,” says Siobhan.

“DOC needs to reinvigorate species monitoring at the reserve, and do more to connect with the community, and now we have the data to back up those efforts.”

David Tipene-Leach, Chair of Ngāti Kere Hapū Authority, says Te Angiangi Marine Reserve is an important part of contemporary Ngāti Kere history.

“Te Angiangi is a great fishing ground, given up a generation ago for the public good,” says David.

“This review gives us an excellent oversight of its progress over that time, as well as the effects of management gaps, natural disasters, and compliance problems.

“Most importantly, the review provides impetus for mana whenua and local community to input into how this pristine seacoast environment is maintained and managed, how we can create opportunities for recreational visitors, and how to better support the replenishment of fishing stocks along our coastline.”

DOC District Operations in Ahuriri/ Napier will lead implementation of the recommendations.

DOC’s District Operations team will seek input from key stakeholders and the local community to help develop the implementation plan.

Background information

Aotearoa New Zealand’s 44 marine reserves were established under the Marine Reserves Act 1971. These ‘Type 1’ marine protected areas preserve and protect marine life and habitat for scientific study, providing the highest level of protection from human activities. ‘Type 2’ marine protected areas provide a lower level of protection, and are intended to maintain or recover biological diversity at the habitat and ecosystem level to a healthy functioning state.

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