Marine Protected Areas and Area-Based Management in New Zealand

New Zealand’s maritime zones cover a very large area. This article explores the extent to which these maritime zones are protected through marine protected areas and area based management. There are several different types of protection in New Zealand waters, from marine reserves that prohibit fishing to marine mammal sanctuaries and benthic protection zones. Māori play an important role in the establishment and management of many of these areas. However, in general the legislation that addresses marine protection is disjointed and there are important gaps in coverage. Attempts to reform the legislation have not yet succeeded.