Pursuant to section 186Q(1)(b) of the Fisheries Act 1996, the chief-executive, after complying with section 186Q of the Fisheries Act 1996, gives the following notice.

Notice

1. Title

This notice is the Fisheries (Exemption for the Purpose of section 186P(1)(b) of the Fisheries Act 1996) Notice 2025.

2. Commencement

This notice comes into force on the day after its notification in the New Zealand Gazette.

3. Interpretation

In this notice:

“Marae-based aquaculture activities” means aquaculture activities with the following attributes (as defined in the Northland Regional Council Proposed Regional Plan 2024):

1. the purpose of the aquaculture activities is to improve traditional customary kaimoana provision for marae; and
2. the farmed kaimoana is not for sale; and
3. the area of occupation is no more than one hectare per marae; and
4. the area of occupation is within the area traditionally harvested by the marae.

4. Exemption for the Purpose of Section 186P(1)(b) of the Fisheries Act 1996

A person may undertake fish farming in accordance with this exemption where:

1. the person holds a coastal permit for marae-based aquaculture issued by the Northland Regional Council;
2. the person undertakes fish farming in accordance with the coastal permit; and
3. the person undertakes “marae-based aquaculture activities”.

Dated at Wellington this 8th day of October 2025.

MONIQUE ANDREW, Director Verification and Operations, Fisheries New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries (Acting under delegated authority of the Director-General).