Notice Type
Secondary Legislation
Notice Title

Fisheries (Ngāti Wheke Mātaitai Reserves Bylaws) Notice 2026 (Notice No. MPI 2008)

Publication Date
7 Jul 2026

Tags

Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations Bylaws Primary Industries

Notice Number

2026-sl3482
Title
View PDF
File Type and Size
PDF (86 KB)

1. Title

These bylaws are the Ngāti Wheke Mātaitai Reserves Bylaws.

2. Commencement

These bylaws come into force on 1 October 2026.

3. Revocation

These bylaws revoke and replace Fisheries (Lyttleton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve Bylaws) Notice 2020 (Notice No. MPI 1144) (New Zealand Gazette, 26 March 2020, Notice No. 2020-go1400).

These bylaws revoke and replace Fisheries (Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve Bylaws) Notice 2020 (Notice No. MPI 1282) (New Zealand Gazette, 19 February 2021, Notice No. 2021-go563).

4. Issue

These bylaws are issued under regulation 25 and published under regulation 26 of the Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations 1999.

5. Interpretation

(1) In these bylaws:

Act means the Fisheries Act 1996

Gollans Bay means the area of South Island fisheries waters in the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve within the following lines:

    1. from the starting point at mean high water springs (MHWS) at 172°741, 43°6043; then
    2. proceeds in a south following the boundaries of the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve around Battery Point to 172°741, 43°6045; then
    3. 172°741, 43°6046, then proceeds in a south southeast direction to 172°742, 43°6094; then
    4. east northeast to 172°7615, 43°6061 at the eastern boundary of the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve; then
    5. proceeds in a northwest direction along the eastern boundary to MHWS at the northeastern corner of the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve at 172°7573, 43°5994; and then
    6. proceeds back to the point of commencement along MHWS.

hoka means red cod

kahawai means a fish of the species Arripis trutta or Arripis xylabion

kōiro means a fish of the species Conger verreauxi

kūtai means mussel

length means in relation to:

    1. tuaki and pipi the measurement at the point of the shell that has the greatest diameter; and
    2. mussel the greatest overall length of the shell when measured on a plane parallel to the dorsoventral surface of the mussel.

Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve means the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve declared by the Fisheries (Declaration of Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve) Notice 2017 2017/126

Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve means the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve declared by the Fisheries (Declaration of Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve) Notice 2023 (MPI 1572)

Livingstone Bay to Godley Head means the area of South Island fisheries waters in the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve within the following lines:

    1. from the starting point at mean high water springs (MHWS) at 172°7573, 43°5994 the northwestern corner of the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve (adjacent to the northeastern corner of the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve); then
    2. proceeds in a southwest direction following the boundaries of the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve and Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve to a point at 172°7615, 43°6061; then
    3. proceeds in an east-northeast direction to a point offshore from Godley Head at 172°818, 43°5961 at the eastern boundary of the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve; then
    4. proceeds in a northwest direction along the eastern boundary of the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve to MHWS at Godley Head at 172°809, 43°5872; and then
    5. proceeds back to the point of commencement along MHWS.

Mārari means butterfish

Moki means blue moki

Northeast Otamahua/Quail Island means the area of South Island fisheries waters in the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve within the following lines:

    1. from the starting point at mean high water springs on the northwestern tip of Quail Island at 172°692, 43°6228, then proceeds offshore to a point at 172°692, 43°622; then
    2. proceeds in a southeasterly direction to a point offshore at 172°702, 43°6276, then 172°702, 43°6285; then
    3. proceeds in a south southwest direction to a point offshore at 172°701, 43°631; and then
    4. proceeds generally west to MHWS at 172°699, 43°6309 and then proceeds back to the point of commencement along MHWS.

pātiki means flatfish

pāua means paua

pioke means rig

Rapaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve means the Rapaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve declared by the Fisheries (Declaration of Mataitai Reserve) Notice 1998 (New Zealand Gazette, 17 December 1998, No. 200, page 4762) and Fisheries (Declaration of Mataitai Reserve) Notice 1998 Amendment Notice 2015 2015/210

rāwaru means blue cod

Rec Bay (Purau) means the area of South Island fisheries waters in the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve within the following lines:

    1. from the starting point at mean high water springs at 43°37.679′S and 172°45.244′E; then
    2. by a straight line in a south-southeasterly direction to mean high water springs at 43°37.852′S and 172°45.331′E; then
    3. by a line in a generally northerly direction along mean high water springs back to the starting point.

Regulations means the Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013

tuaki means cockle

Walkers Beach (Ōtamahua/Quail Island) means the area of South Island fisheries waters in the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve within the following lines:

    1. from the starting point at mean high water springs at 43°37.820′S and 172°40.998′E; then
    2. by a straight line in a south-westerly direction to 43°37.880′S and 172°40.945′E; then
    3. by a straight line in a south-easterly direction to 43°38.065′S and 172°41.316′E; then
    4. by a straight line in a north-easterly direction to mean high water springs at 43°38.006′S and172°41.363′E; then
    5. by a line in a generally north-westerly direction along mean water springs back to the starting point.

whairepō means skate

whata kaimoana means a structure used solely for the aquaculture activity of cultivating shellfish, and may be comprised of one or more lines, ropes, droppers, chains, drums, cages, baskets, or trays suspended in a water column from one or more surface buoys and secured to the seabed

(2) Terms or expressions used but not defined in these bylaws, but defined in the Act or Regulations, have the same meaning as in the Act or Regulations.

6. Vessel limits in Mātaitai Reserves

(1) Any vessel limit set in these bylaws applies when the value made from multiplying the relevant daily limit for a stock with the number of persons on that vessel, is greater than the vessel limit applicable to that area.

7. Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve

Daily Limits

    1. A person must not—
      1. take any shellfish (other than pāua, kūtai, tuaki and pipi) from the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any shellfish (other than pāua, kūtai, tuaki and pipi) taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve.
    2. A person must not, on any day, take from the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve more than—
      1. three pāua;
      2. thirty kūtai;
      3. fifteen tuaki; or
      4. fifteen pipi.
    3. A person must not, on any day, possess more than—
      1. three pāua;
      2. thirty kūtai;
      3. fifteen tuaki; or
      4. fifteen pipi;

taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve.

    1. A person must not take from the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve any—
      1. pāua less than a length of 130mm; or
      2. green-lipped mussel less than a length of 70mm; or
      3. tuaki less than a length of 40mm; and
      4. pipi less than a length of 40mm.
    2. A person must not possess any—
      1. pāua less than a length of 130mm; or
      2. green-lipped mussel less than a length of 70mm; or
      3. tuaki less than a length of 40mm; and
      4. pipi less than a length of 40mm;

taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve.

    1. A person must not—
      1. take any whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, and kōiro from within the Lyttelton Harbour/ Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, and kōiro taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve.
    2. A person must not, on any day—
      1. take more than ten finfish (other than whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, kōiro) from the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess more than ten finfish (other than whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, kōiro) taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve.
    3. A person must not, on any day, take from the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve more than—
      1. five pātiki; or
      2. five kahawai.
    4. A person must not, on any day, possess more than—
      1. five pātiki; or
      2. five kahawai;

taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve.

    1. A person must not—
      1. take any seaweed (other than Undaria pinnatifida) from the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any seaweed (other than Undaria pinnatifida) taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve.

Vessel Limits

    1. The master of a vessel must ensure that, on any day, there are no more than nine pāua on that vessel taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve.

Area Prohibition

    1. A person must not—
      1. take any pāua from Gollans Bay and Northeast Ōtamahua/Quail Island; or
      2. possess any pāua, taken from within Gollans Bay and Northeast Ōtamahua/Quail Island.
    2. A person must not—
      1. take any tuaki from Walkers Beach (Ōtamahua/Quail Island) and Rec Bay (Purau); or
      2. possess any tuaki, taken from within Walkers Beach (Ōtamahua/Quail Island) and Rec Bay (Purau).
    3. A person must not—
      1. take any shellfish from any whata kaimoana within the Lyttelton Harbour/ Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any shellfish taken from any whata kaimoana within the Lyttelton Harbour/ Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve.

8. Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve

Daily Limits

    1. A person must not—
      1. take any shellfish (other than pāua, kūtai, tuaki and pipi) from the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any shellfish (other than pāua, kūtai, tuaki and pipi) taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve.
    2. A person must not, on any day, take from the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve more than—
      1. three pāua;
      2. thirty kūtai;
      3. fifteen tuaki; or
      4. fifteen pipi.
    3. A person must not, on any day, possess more than—
      1. three pāua;
      2. thirty kūtai;
      3. fifteen tuaki; or
      4. fifteen pipi;

taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve.

    1. A person must not take from the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve any—
      1. pāua less than a length of 130mm; or
      2. green-lipped mussel less than a length of 70mm; or
      3. tuaki less than a length of 40mm; and
      4. pipi less than a length of 40mm.
    2. A person must not possess any—
      1. pāua less than a length of 130mm; or
      2. green-lipped mussel less than a length of 70mm; or
      3. tuaki less than a length of 40mm; and
      4. pipi less than a length of 40mm;

taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve

    1. A person must not—
      1. take any whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, and kōiro from within the Lyttelton Harbour /Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, and kōiro taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve.
    2. A person must not, on any day—
      1. take more than ten finfish (other than whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, kōiro) from the Lyttelton Harbour/ Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess more than ten finfish (other than whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, kōiro) taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve.
    3. A person must not, on any day, take from the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve more than—
      1. five pātiki; or
      2. five kahawai.
    4. A person must not, on any day, possess more than—
      1. five pātiki; or
      2. five kahawai;

taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve.

    1. A person must not—
      1. take any seaweed (other than Undaria pinnatifida) from the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any seaweed (other than Undaria pinnatifida) taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve.

Vessel Limits

    1. The master of a vessel must ensure that, on any day, there are no more than nine pāua on that vessel taken from within the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve

Area Prohibition

    1. A person must not—
      1. take any pāua from Livingstone Bay to Godley Head; or
      2. possess any pāua, taken from within Livingstone Bay to Godley Head.
    2. A person must not—
      1. take any shellfish from any whata kaimoana within the Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any shellfish taken from any whata kaimoana within the Whakaraupō Extension Mātaitai Reserve.

9. Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve

Daily Limits

    1. A person must not—
      1. take any shellfish from the Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any shellfish taken from within the Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve.
    2. A person must not, on any day—
      1. take more than ten finfish (other than whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, kōiro, pātiki, and kahawai) from the Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess more than ten finfish (other than whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, kōiro, pātiki, and kahawai) taken from within the Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve.
    3. A person must not—
      1. take any whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, pātiki, kahawai, pioke and kōiro from within the Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any whairepō, rāwaru, hoka, mārari, moki, pātiki, kahawai, pioke and kōiro taken from within the Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve.
    4. A person must not—
      1. take any seaweed (other than Undaria pinnatifida) from the Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any seaweed (other than Undaria pinnatifida) taken from within the Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve.

Area Prohibitions

    1. A person must not—
      1. take any shellfish from any whata kaimoana within the Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve; or
      2. possess any shellfish taken from any whata kaimoana within the Rāpaki Bay Mātaitai Reserve.

Dated at Wellington this 15th day of June 2026.

Hon SHANE JONES, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries.