Pursuant to Regulation 15 of the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992, and pursuant to an instrument of delegation dated 9 September 2015 from the Director-General of Conservation, I, Michael Slater, Deputy Director-General, Operations, Department of Conservation, hereby declare that no new permits shall be granted for commercial operations to view dolphins or whales and/or swim with dolphins along Northland’s eastern coast (being all those New Zealand fisheries waters (as defined by the Fisheries Act 1996) between the Mangawhai Harbour (174°36′E, 36°05′S) and Cape Reinga (172°41′E, 34°25′S), until 30 June 2026.

This declaration does not apply to:

1. any applications to renew existing commercial marine mammal tourism permits for interaction with whales and dolphins along Northland’s eastern coast;
2. any minor amendments such as changes in a pilot, master, or guide, or a change of vessel; or
3. any transfer of permit which is approved.

Dated at Wellington this 21st day of June 2016.

MICHAEL SLATER, Deputy Director-General, Operations, Department of Conservation.