Taputeranga Marine Reserve
Located in the Wellington/Kapiti region
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Introduction
Taputeranga Marine Reserve is only 6 km from Wellington’s city centre. This picturesque coastline offers easy access for snorkelling, diving, tide pooling, and walking opportunities. Explore the reserve through the unique Snorkelling Trail through the waterway.This marine reserve was established in 2008 and is 855 hectares.
Image gallery
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Dahlia anemone Image: Helen Kettles | DOC
![Dahlia anemone.]( "Dahlia anemone.")
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Banded wrasse Image: Helen Kettles | DOC
![Banded wrasse.]( "Banded wrasse.")
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Blue cod Image: Helen Kettles | DOC
![Blue cod.]( "Blue cod.")
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Variable nudibranch Image: Helen Kettles | DOC
![Variable nudibranch.]( "Variable nudibranch.")
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Variable triplefin Image: Helen Kettles | DOC
![Variable triplefin]( "Variable triplefin")
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Wandering anemone Image: Helen Kettles | DOC
![Wandering anemone.]( "Wandering anemone.")
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Tapu Te Ranga Island in the marine reserve Image: Helen Kettles | DOC
![Tapu Te Ranga Island.]( "Tapu Te Ranga Island.")
Find things to do and places to stay Taputeranga Marine Reserve
Boat ramps
There are boat launching ramps within the reserve at Island Bay and Owhiro Bay. Care should be taken to avoid damaging marine life by dragging anchors.
More information about visiting Taputeranga Marine Reserve.
Beach landings on the island are not permitted without permission from local iwi
Weather conditions
Wellington's south coast has changeable weather and strong currents. Sea conditions can quickly become treacherous. The eastern and western boundaries of the reserve are marked by large, bright yellow triangular signs (transit beacons) on shore. Navigational aids like a compass, chart, or GPS are required to determine the outer boundaries as they are not marked by buoys.
Divers and snorkellers should explore reefs extending into Cook Strait. The calmer waters encourage forests of kelp, where the big-belly seahorse finds shelter.
The Island Bay Snorkel Trail is an ideal place to investigate the marine life in the reserve. It's conveniently located just a few minutes’ walk from the last Island Bay bus stop. Divers can explore the wreck of the RNZN F69 Wellington frigate, which was scuttled in 2005 east of Taputeranga Island.
Taputeranga Marine Reserve is approximately 6 km from Wellington City centre. Buses run regularly from central Wellington to Island Bay, Houghton Bay, and nearby Lyall Bay.
Fishing and the removal or disturbance of any living or non-living marine resource is prohibited, except as necessary for permitted monitoring or research. If you come across any research equipment, do not disturb it.
There are also penalties for:
- discharging toxic substances or pollutants
- disturbing wildlife such as marine mammals and birds
- wilfully damaging marine life or the natural features of the reserve
- building an unauthorised structure
- ittering.
If you see people taking anything from the reserve, report the activity to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). Also report pollution, oil spills, navigation hazards and dangerous boating to Greater Wellington Regional Council's Environmental Protection Hotline (0800 496 734).
Other regulations
- Swing moorings are permitted within the reserve provided all other legal requirements related to the swing mooring are met.
- With the implementation of the reserve, if a contaminant is being discharged within or into the marine reserve, the discharge of the contaminant may continue provided all other legal requirements are met.
- Existing structures may remain and be maintained within the reserve.
- Rock lobster caught in the wild outside of the reserve may be held temporarily in holding cages in a specified area in Island Bay.
Dogs
Dogs are prohibited on the beaches of Princess Bay and eastern Island Bay. There are dog exercise areas at Houghton Bay and Island Bay west of the pier.
Visit wellington.govt.nz/dogs to find out more.
Several water currents and its unique underwater landscape help support of a diverse and thriving ecosystem.
Taputeranga is home to over 180 fish species recorded along the south coast. Octopus, rock lobsters, crabs and starfish are common. Anemones, sea sponges and sea squirts thrive. There's plenty of beaches and rocky shores to explore at low tide.
No two days are the same at Taputeranga. The weather is changeable and the water churns through Cook Strait, creating a moody and complex undersea environment.
The reserve lies along Wellington's exposed southern coastline. It is swept by strong tidal currents bringing nutrients from Cook Strait, and pounded by swells from the southern ocean. This creates ideal growing conditions for seaweeds, particularly the large browns.
Kelp forests thrive in sheltered places such as Island Bay and have been known to grow up to 20 m in length. About 400 species of seaweed have been recorded within the reserve.
Drifting in and out of the seaweeds you will see
- butterfish
- blue moki
- marblefish
- and smaller pickers such as spotty, banded and scarlet wrasse.
Long finger reefs separated by gravel filled channels run offshore.
There is a variety of birdlife in the reserve too, such as:
- oystercatchers and reef herons close to shore
- whitefronted terns just off the coast
- large albatrosses soaring above the waves out to sea.
Little blue penguins breed on the south coast, protected from predators by traps and custom-built nest boxes. Look for fur seals lazing on the rocks or sunning themselves on the water surface. From the shore you may also see large pods of dolphins, orcas, seals and even whales.
The abundance of species in the marine reserve area have increased since the reserve was formed in 2008.
Community groups, research institutes, and organisations are key to keeping this reserve clean and connecting people to nature.
The Wellington south coast’s early inhabitants relied on its abundant seafood. When European fishers arrived, they built narrow boat ramps that can still be seen carved into rocky reefs.
A marine reserve here was proposed in 1987 to protect culturally important sites, diverse plants and animals, undersea reefs and biological oddities for restoration, recreation and study. Taputeranga reserve was officially opened in 2008. The local community played a major role in the application process and is still involved with the reserve.
Protect our marine reserves
- No fishing of any kind.
- Don't take or kill marine life.
- Don't remove or disturb any marine life or materials.
- Don't feed fish - it disturbs their natural behaviour.
- Take care when anchoring to avoid damaging the sea floor.
Contacts
| Department of Conservation | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0800 275 362 |
| info@doc.govt.nz | |