Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025
Version updated on 24 October 2025 to make an editorial change to section 2.
Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025
Public Act |
2025 No 54 |
|
Date of assent |
10 October 2025 |
|
Commencement |
see section 2 |
Contents
The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:
1 Title
This Act is the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025.
2 Commencement
This Act comes into force on 25 October 2025.
Section 2: editorial change made by the PCO, on 24 October 2025, under sections 86(1) and 87(m) of the Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 58).
Part 1 Preliminary provisions
3 Purpose of this Act
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the restoration of the health and mauri of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana by—
(a)
establishing new marine reserves, seafloor protection areas, and high protection areas within the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana; and
(b)
acknowledging customary rights within seafloor protection areas and high protection areas.
4 Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi
(1)
This Act must be interpreted and administered so as to give effect to the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi.
(2)
Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), in order to provide for the Crown’s intention to give effect to the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi,—
(a)
section 10(2) provides that nothing in this Act (except subpart 1 of Part 2) limits or otherwise affects the ability of an applicant group to obtain recognition of protected customary rights or customary marine title under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011:
(b)
section 11(1) provides that any person performing or exercising functions, duties, or powers under this Act must act in a manner that is consistent with obligations arising under existing Treaty settlements:
(c)
section 22(1) provides for customary fishing within high protection areas:
(d)
section 26(a) provides that the prohibitions in sections 17, 18, and 21 do not apply to the exercise of protected customary rights or customary marine title rights under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011:
(e)
section 32(1)(b) provides that, if the New Zealand Geographic Board determines to alter an official geographic name established by this Act and that name is a Māori name, the Board must consult iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the relevant area:
(f)
in relation to an application made under section 34 for a permit to undertake a prohibited activity within a seafloor protection area or a high protection area,—
(i)
section 36 provides that the Director-General must consider the anticipated effects of the activity on the rights and interests of iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the relevant area when considering the application:
(ii)
section 37(1) provides that the Director-General may grant a permit if satisfied that the applicant will take reasonable steps to avoid, remedy, or mitigate any adverse effects of the activity on the rights and interests of iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the protected area:
(iii)
section 37(4) provides that the Director-General must notify their decision on a permit, and the reasons for it, to iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the protected area and that have engaged with the application:
(iv)
section 38 provides for additional requirements that apply if any of sections 55, 62A, 66, and 71 of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 apply to the activity:
(g)
section 40 provides that the Director-General may revoke a permit, or amend any condition of the permit, if the Director-General considers that the activity to which the permit relates is inconsistent with the rights and interests of iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the relevant area in a manner not anticipated at the time the permit was granted:
(h)
section 73 provides that, before making a recommendation to the Governor-General to make regulations for biodiversity objectives and associated restrictions, the Minister must be satisfied that the proposals for regulations were developed in consultation with iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the relevant area:
(i)
section 75 provides that, when undertaking a ministerial review of the operation, effectiveness, and management of seafloor protection areas and high protection areas, the Ministers responsible for the review must ensure that there is a reasonable opportunity for interested persons, including iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in any area subject to the review, to make submissions.
5 Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
aircraft has the same meaning as in section 5 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023
aquaculture activity means any activity carried out for the purpose of breeding, hatching, cultivating, rearing, or ongrowing fish, aquatic life, or seaweed for harvest
aquatic life has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Fisheries Act 1996
biodiversity objectives has the meaning given in section 6
bottom longlining—
(a)
means the use of a line—
(i)
to which 7 or more hooks (whether baited or not) are attached; and
(ii)
that is sunk using weights; but
(b)
does not include the use of a handline
commercial fisher has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Fisheries Act 1996
customary fishing means fishing carried out in accordance with—
(a)
regulations made under section 186 of the Fisheries Act 1996; or
(b)
regulations made under section 297 of the Fisheries Act 1996 for the purpose of section 10 of the Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act 1992
customary marine title has the same meaning as in section 9(1) of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011
Danish seine net means a net or part of a net (including a warp, rope, chain, material, or device used in conjunction with, or attached to, the net) that—
(a)
has a buoyancy system on the top edge; and
(b)
is weighted on the bottom edge; and
(c)
is operated without the use of a horizontal net-opening device by surrounding fish and being drawn over the seabed, or through waters, to 1 or more vessels
Danish seining means use of a Danish seine net
department means the department of State that, with the authority of the Prime Minister, is responsible for the administration of this Act
Director-General means the Director-General of the department
dredge—
(a)
means a device towed on or over, or capable of being towed on or over, the seabed; and
(b)
includes a box dredge or ring device
dredging means use of a dredge
exploration has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Crown Minerals Act 1991
fish has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Fisheries Act 1996
fishing has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Fisheries Act 1996
grey mullet means a fish of the species Mugil cephalus
Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana—
(a)
means the coastal marine area on the east coast of—
(i)
the Auckland Region, as constituted by the Local Government (Auckland Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette Vol III 1989, p 2247; and
(ii)
the Waikato Region, as constituted by the Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette Vol III 1989, p 2460; and
(b)
includes estuaries and the tidal parts of rivers and creeks on the east coast of the Auckland Region and the east coast of the Waikato Region
high protection area means an area declared to be a high protection area under section 20
infringement fee, in relation to an infringement offence, means the infringement fee for the offence specified in the regulations
infringement offence means an offence identified in this Act or the regulations as being an infringement offence
kahawai means a fish of the species Arripis trutta
London Convention means the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (1972)
marine reserve means an area declared to be a marine reserve under section 13
mining has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Crown Minerals Act 1991
mining activity means mining, exploration, or prospecting
Minister means the Minister of the Crown who, under the authority of a warrant or with the authority of the Prime Minister, is responsible for the administration of this Act
permit means a permit granted under section 37 authorising a person to undertake a prohibited activity within a seafloor protection area or high protection area
permit holder, in relation to a permit, means the person who has been granted a permit under section 37 or to whom a permit has been transferred under section 42
potting—
(a)
means the use of any pot, whether baited or not, that is capable of catching fish or aquatic life; and
(b)
includes the use of any other device capable of catching, holding, or storing rock lobsters
prospecting has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Crown Minerals Act 1991
protected customary right has the same meaning as in section 9(1) of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011
purse seine net or lampara net means a net that is operated from a vessel to encircle fish and that is drawn together at the bottom to enclose the fish
ranger means a ranger appointed or treated as if they were appointed under section 43 or 44
regulations means regulations made under any of sections 72 to 74
ring net—
(a)
means a net that—
(i)
is operated from a vessel in the following manner:
(A)
a net is laid to surround (whether fully or partially) a school of fish; and
(B)
once the fish are surrounded, a vessel or some other means is used to scare the fish into the net; and
(ii)
has a buoyancy system on the top edge and is weighted on the bottom edge; but
(b)
does not include—
(i)
a Danish seine net:
(ii)
a purse seine net or lampara net:
(iii)
a trawl net
ring net fishing means use of a ring net for fishing
sand extraction means the taking or extraction of sand from the seabed or subsoil
seafloor protection area means an area declared to be a seafloor protection area under section 16
seaweed has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Fisheries Act 1996
set net—
(a)
includes a gill net, ring net, or other sort of net that acts by enmeshing, entrapping, or entangling fish; but
(b)
does not include a fyke net or hīnaki
set netting means use of a set net
ship has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Maritime Transport Act 1994
structure—
(a)
means any building, equipment, or device; and
(b)
includes an offshore installation, an artificial island, a floating platform, or a submarine pipeline
submarine cable has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Submarine Cables and Pipelines Protection Act 1996
trawl net means any net or part of a net (including any warp, rope, chain, material, or device used in conjunction with or attached to the net, but not including a Danish seine net) that—
(a)
has a buoyancy system on the top edge; and
(b)
is weighted on the bottom edge; and
(c)
is operated by being drawn over the seabed or through any waters by 1 or more vessels underway
trawling means use of a trawl net
Treaty settlement means—
(a)
a Treaty settlement Act; or
(b)
a Treaty settlement deed
Treaty settlement Act means—
(a)
an Act listed in Schedule 3 of the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975; or
(b)
any other Act that provides redress for Treaty of Waitangi claims, including Acts that provide collective redress or participation arrangements for claimant groups whose claims are, or are to be, settled by another Act, including—
(ii)
the Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act 1992 and secondary legislation that gives effect to section 10 of that Act and is made under Part 9 of the Fisheries Act 1996
Treaty settlement deed—
(a)
means a deed or other agreement that—
(i)
has been signed by or on behalf of a Minister of the Crown and representatives of a group of Māori; and
(ii)
is in settlement of the claims of that group or in express anticipation, or on account, of that settlement; and
(b)
to avoid doubt, includes a deed or other agreement of the kind described in paragraph (a) that relates to the claims of a collective or combination of Māori groups; but
(c)
does not include an agreement in principle or any document that is preliminary to a signed and ratified deed
trevally means a fish of the species Pseudocaranx dentex (previously known as Caranx georgianus).
6 Meaning and purpose of biodiversity objectives
(1)
In this Act, biodiversity objectives means the biodiversity objectives for seafloor protection areas and high protection areas established by regulations made under section 73(1)(a).
(2)
The purpose of biodiversity objectives is to set objectives for seafloor protection areas and high protection areas that are—
(a)
appropriate to the characteristics of the particular area; and
(b)
consistent with the purposes of seafloor protection areas and high protection areas (see sections 15 and 19).
7 How this Act applies biodiversity objectives
(1)
This Act applies biodiversity objectives in the following ways:
(a)
in relation to an application made under section 34 for a permit to undertake a prohibited activity within a seafloor protection area or a high protection area,—
(i)
section 36(b) provides that the Director-General must consider the anticipated effects of the activity on the biodiversity objectives for the seafloor protection area or high protection area when considering the application; and
(ii)
section 37(1)(a)(i) provides that the Director-General may grant the permit if satisfied that the activity is consistent with any biodiversity objectives for the seafloor protection area or high protection area:
(b)
section 40 provides that the Director-General may revoke a permit, or amend any condition of the permit, if the Director-General considers that the activity is inconsistent with the biodiversity objectives for a seafloor protection area or high protection area in a manner not anticipated at the time the permit was granted, or is inconsistent with any new or amended biodiversity objectives established after the permit was granted:
(c)
section 73(1)(b) provides for the making of regulations that regulate activities occurring within a high protection area as reasonably necessary to give effect to the biodiversity objectives for the area.
(2)
Subsection (1) is only a guide to the application of biodiversity objectives in this Act.
8 Transitional, savings, and related provisions
The transitional, savings, and related provisions (if any) set out in Schedule 1 have effect according to their terms.
9 Act binds the Crown
This Act binds the Crown.
10 Application of other enactments
(1)
Except as otherwise specified in this Act,—
(a)
any person performing a function or exercising a power under this Act must comply with any other legislation that applies to that function or power; and
(b)
the requirement to obtain a permit under this Act does not limit or otherwise affect the requirement to obtain a permit, consent, or other permission necessary under any other legislation.
(2)
Nothing in this Act (except subpart 1 of Part 2) limits or otherwise affects the ability of an applicant group to obtain recognition of protected customary rights or customary marine title under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011.
11 Obligations relating to Treaty settlements
(1)
Any person performing or exercising functions, duties, or powers under this Act must act in a manner that is consistent with the obligations arising under existing Treaty settlements.
(2)
To avoid doubt, subsection (1) does not apply to a court or a person exercising a judicial power or performing a judicial function or duty.
(3)
In this section, existing Treaty settlements means Treaty settlements that exist at the time the relevant function, duty, or power is performed or exercised (rather than only those that exist at the commencement of this Act).
12 Immunities of warships, etc, not affected
Nothing in this Act limits the immunities of the following:
(a)
any foreign warship:
(b)
any other foreign governmental ship operated for non-commercial purposes:
(c)
any foreign military aircraft:
(d)
members of the crew of a ship or an aircraft to which any of paragraphs (a) to (c) apply.
Part 2 Marine reserves, seafloor protection areas, and high protection areas
Subpart 1—Marine reserves
13 Marine reserves declared
(1)
The areas described in Schedule 2 are declared to be marine reserves.
(2)
The marine reserves have the names given to them in Schedule 2.
14 Effect of marine reserve declarations
The marine reserves declared by section 13—
(a)
are to be treated as if they were declared by an Order in Council made under section 4(1) of the Marine Reserves Act 1971; and
(b)
are subject to any enactment that applies to such marine reserves.
Subpart 2—Seafloor protection areas and high protection areas
Seafloor protection areas
15 Purpose of seafloor protection areas
The purpose of seafloor protection areas is to maintain indigenous benthic habitats within the seafloor protection areas and, if those habitats are degraded, restore them.
16 Seafloor protection areas declared
(1)
The areas described in Schedule 3 are declared to be seafloor protection areas.
(2)
The seafloor protection areas have the names given to them in Schedule 3.
17 Activities prohibited in seafloor protection areas
(1)
A person must not undertake any of the activities described in subsection (2) in a seafloor protection area, unless—
(a)
section 24 or 26 applies to the activity; or
(b)
the activity is undertaken in accordance with a permit granted under section 37.
(2)
The prohibited activities are—
(a)
aquaculture activities:
(b)
dumping, depositing, or discharging, whether directly or indirectly, in or into a seafloor protection area, waste or other matter that is likely to have a more than minor adverse effect on aquatic life:
(c)
dredging:
(d)
trawling that makes contact with the seabed:
(e)
Danish seining:
(f)
sand extraction:
(g)
mining activity.
18 Additional activities prohibited in Mokohīnau Islands Seafloor Protection Area
(1)
In addition to the prohibitions set out in section 17, a person must not undertake any of the activities described in subsection (2) in the Mokohīnau Islands Seafloor Protection Area unless—
(a)
section 24 or 26 applies to the activity; or
(b)
the activity is undertaken in accordance with a permit granted under section 37.
(2)
The prohibited activities are—
(a)
set netting:
(b)
potting that occurs within Area A on Survey Office Plan 604785, shown as the area with diagonal lines on the indicative map of the Mokohīnau Islands Seafloor Protection Area:
(c)
bottom longlining that occurs within Area A on Survey Office Plan 604785, shown as the area with diagonal lines on the indicative map of the Mokohīnau Islands Seafloor Protection Area.
(3)
See Schedule 3 for the indicative map of the Mokohīnau Islands Seafloor Protection Area.
High protection areas
19 Purpose of high protection areas
The purpose of high protection areas is to protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity within the high protection areas and, if that biodiversity is degraded, restore it.
20 High protection areas declared
(1)
The areas described in Schedule 4 are declared to be high protection areas.
(2)
The high protection areas have the names given to them in Schedule 4.
21 Activities prohibited in high protection areas
(1)
A person must not undertake any of the activities described in subsection (2) in a high protection area, unless—
(a)
section 22, 23, 24, or 26 applies to the activity; or
(b)
the activity is undertaken in accordance with a permit granted under section 37.
(2)
The prohibited activities are—
(a)
fishing:
(b)
aquaculture activities:
(c)
removing sand, shingle, non-living shell, or other non-living natural material (within the meaning of section 24(3)):
(d)
dumping, depositing, or discharging, whether directly or indirectly, in or into a high protection area, waste or other matter that is likely to have a more than minor adverse effect on aquatic life:
(e)
introducing any living organism:
(f)
constructing, altering, extending, removing, or demolishing a structure (including a ship):
(g)
causing vibrations (other than vibrations caused by the propulsion of a ship), in or into a high protection area, in a manner that is likely to have a more than minor adverse effect on aquatic life:
(h)
disturbing aquatic life, habitats, or the water column (including by excavating, drilling, tunnelling, or dredging) in a manner that is likely to have a more than minor adverse effect on aquatic life:
(i)
destroying or damaging the seabed and subsoil in a manner that is likely to have an adverse effect on the seabed and subsoil:
(j)
landing an aircraft:
(k)
causing an explosion:
(l)
mining activity.
Activities to which prohibitions do not apply
22 Customary fishing in high protection areas
(1)
Despite section 21, a person may undertake customary fishing within a high protection area if—
(a)
the person is authorised to undertake customary fishing under—
(i)
regulations made under section 186 of the Fisheries Act 1996; or
(ii)
regulations made under section 297 of the Fisheries Act 1996 for the purpose of section 10 of the Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act 1992; and
(b)
the person does not utilise any of the following fishing methods:
(i)
dredging:
(ii)
trawling that makes contact with the seabed:
(iii)
Danish seining.
(2)
To avoid doubt, this section—
(a)
applies only to customary fishing within high protection areas; and
(b)
does not apply to the activities prohibited by sections 17 and 18 in seafloor protection areas.
23 Ring net fishing for authorised persons in certain high protection areas
(1)
Despite section 21, a person may undertake ring net fishing within the high protection areas specified in subsection (2) if—
(a)
the person is authorised to undertake ring net fishing by the Director-General in accordance with subsections (3) to (5); and
(b)
the person complies with any restrictions and conditions prescribed by regulations made under section 74 that apply to persons undertaking ring net fishing.
(2)
The high protection areas are—
(a)
Kawau Bay High Protection Area:
(b)
Rangitoto and Motutapu High Protection Area.
(3)
The Director-General may, in writing, authorise a person who meets the requirements of subsection (4) to undertake ring net fishing.
(4)
The Director-General may authorise a person to undertake ring net fishing only if—
(a)
the person is a commercial fisher; and
(b)
the person has, before the commencement of this Act, undertaken ring net fishing in 1 (or both) of the following high protection areas:
(i)
Kawau Bay High Protection Area:
(ii)
Rangitoto and Motutapu High Protection Area; and
(c)
the ring net fishing described in paragraph (b) was undertaken in any of the following fishing years:
(i)
the year beginning 1 October 2021:
(ii)
the year beginning 1 October 2022:
(iii)
the year beginning 1 October 2023.
(5)
The Director-General’s written authorisation must—
(a)
specify the authorised person’s fisheries client number; and
(b)
set out the restrictions and conditions prescribed by regulations made under section 74 that apply to the authorised person undertaking ring net fishing; and
(c)
contain any other information prescribed by the regulations.
(6)
A person undertaking ring net fishing in accordance with this section must also comply with the Fisheries Act 1996 and any secondary legislation made under that Act.
(7)
This section does not limit the application of section 22.
(8)
In this section, fisheries client number means the unique identification number assigned by the chief executive for the time being of the Ministry responsible for the administration of the Fisheries Act 1996 to a person who is included in any class listed in section 189 of that Act.
24 Small-scale removal of natural material in seafloor protection areas and high protection areas
(1)
If a person complies with subsection (2), the person may do the following:
(a)
despite section 17(2)(f), remove sand from a seafloor protection area:
(b)
despite section 21(2)(c), remove sand, shingle, non-living shell, or other non-living natural material from a high protection area.
(2)
A person who removes sand, shingle, non-living shell, or other non-living natural material from a seafloor protection area or high protection area—
(a)
may remove only a small quantity of the material; and
(b)
may do so only for non-commercial purposes; and
(c)
must not use a method of collection that involves the use of machinery or cutting equipment.
(3)
In this section,—
other non-living natural material—
(a)
includes driftwood; but
(b)
does not include aquatic life
small quantity means no more than a person can carry on their person, in a single trip, in 1 day.
25 Anchoring in seafloor protection areas or high protection areas
(1)
A person may anchor a vessel in a seafloor protection area or a high protection area if the person does so in a manner that is unlikely to have a more than minor adverse effect on aquatic life.
(2)
This section is to avoid doubt.
26 Other activities to which prohibitions do not apply
The prohibitions in sections 17, 18, and 21 do not apply to—
(a)
the exercise of protected customary rights or customary marine title rights under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011:
(b)
any activity for which resource consent has been granted under the Resource Management Act 1991 at the time this Act commences, until the expiration of that consent:
(c)
any activity carried out under the Biosecurity Act 1993:
(d)
any activity that is expressly allowed, without obtaining resource consent, under regulations made under section 360(1)(a) and (ha) to (hh) of the Resource Management Act 1991 that relate to the regulation of marine pollution:
(e)
the discharge of stormwater, if that discharge is a permitted activity for the purposes of the Resource Management Act 1991:
(f)
any activity undertaken by the department in the performance of its functions under this Act:
(g)
any activity for which, at the time this Act commences, an approval has been granted under any legislation administered by the department, until the expiration of that approval:
(h)
any of the following activities undertaken by or on behalf of a local authority:
(i)
monitoring or enforcement of a regional coastal plan or resource consent:
(ii)
any activity undertaken in relation to state of the environment reporting:
(iii)
any activity undertaken in relation to scientific research or conservation:
(i)
any work or activity of the Crown that the Minister of Defence certifies is necessary for reasons of national security:
(j)
training activities undertaken by the New Zealand Defence Force:
(k)
the placement, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of a submarine cable:
(l)
any action necessary in an emergency relating to human safety or the protection of the environment:
(m)
any other action taken in response to marine oil spills or other pollution:
(n)
transit shipping that complies with the London Convention.
Functions of department and reporting requirements for seafloor protection areas and high protection areas
27 Functions of department
(1)
The department has the following functions under this Act:
(a)
to manage and administer the seafloor protection areas and high protection areas in accordance with this Act:
(b)
to mark the boundaries of seafloor protection areas and high protection areas:
(c)
to undertake or commission research, monitoring, and reporting in relation to the seafloor protection areas or high protection areas:
(d)
to perform any function or duty provided under any other legislation administered by the department, to the extent that the function or duty is consistent with the purpose of the seafloor protection area or high protection area:
(e)
to perform any other function conferred on the department under this Act.
(2)
The Director-General has all the powers that are reasonably necessary or desirable to carry out the functions conferred on the Director-General or the department under this Act.
28 Director-General must report on research and monitoring
(1)
The Director-General must, at least once every 5 years, report to the Minister on any research or monitoring undertaken in relation to seafloor protection areas and high protection areas.
(2)
The first report must be completed no later than 5 years after the commencement of this Act.
(3)
The Director-General’s report—
(a)
must summarise any information that can be reasonably obtained relating to research or monitoring undertaken in relation to seafloor protection areas and high protection areas; and
(b)
must be made publicly available on an internet site maintained by or on behalf of the department.
(4)
See section 75 for requirements for ministerial review at 25-yearly intervals.
Subpart 3—Official geographic names
29 Interpretation
30 Official geographic names
The names given to each of the following are official geographic names for the purpose of the New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Act 2008:
(a)
marine reserves declared by section 13 and listed in Schedule 2:
(b)
seafloor protection areas declared by section 16 and listed in Schedule 3:
(c)
high protection areas declared by section 20 and listed in Schedule 4.
31 Publication of official geographic names
(1)
The Board must, as soon as practicable after commencement of this Act, give public notice, in accordance with section 21(2) and (3) of the New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Act 2008, of each official geographic name specified under section 30.
(2)
The notice must state that each official geographic name became an official geographic name on the date on which this Act commenced.
32 Subsequent alteration of official geographic names
(1)
In making a determination to alter the official geographic name established by this Act, the Board—
(a)
must consult the Director-General; and
(b)
if the name is a Māori name,—
(i)
must consult iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the relevant area; and
(ii)
must ensure that the names use standardised orthography; but
(c)
need not comply with sections 27 to 31A of the New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Act 2008.
(2)
To avoid doubt, the Board must give public notice of a determination made under subsection (1) in accordance with section 21(2) and (3) of the New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Act 2008.
Part 3 Permits, enforcement, and regulations for protected areas
33 Interpretation of this Part
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—
effect—
(a)
includes, irrespective of the scale, intensity, duration, or frequency of the effect,—
(i)
any positive or adverse effect; and
(ii)
any temporary or permanent effect; and
(iii)
any past, present, or future effect; and
(iv)
any cumulative effect arising over time or in combination with other effects; and
(b)
also includes—
(i)
any potential effect of high probability; and
(ii)
any potential effect of low probability that has a high potential impact
protected area means a seafloor protection area or a high protection area.
Subpart 1—Permits
34 Application for permit
(1)
A person may apply to the Director-General for a permit authorising the person to undertake a prohibited activity within a protected area.
(2)
An application for a permit must be made in a form approved by the Director-General and include—
(a)
the applicant’s name and contact details; and
(b)
a description of the proposed activity; and
(c)
the anticipated effects of the proposed activity.
(3)
The Director-General may reject an application for a permit on the basis that inadequate information has been provided.
35 Director-General may seek further information
When considering an application for a permit made under section 34, the Director-General may do all or any of the following:
(a)
request further information from the applicant:
(b)
consult any person or group that the Director-General considers appropriate:
(c)
commission any report that the Director-General considers appropriate:
(d)
require the applicant to provide any report that the Director-General considers appropriate.
36 Matters to be considered by Director-General
Before making a decision on an application for a permit, the Director-General must consider—
(a)
whether, and to what extent, the activity is consistent with the purpose of the protected area; and
(b)
the anticipated effects of the activity on the protected area and its biodiversity objectives; and
(c)
the anticipated effects of the activity on the rights and interests of iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the protected area; and
(d)
if the anticipated effects of the activity are negative, reasons why the activity—
(i)
is necessary; and
(ii)
can only occur within the protected area; and
(e)
any measures that can be undertaken to avoid, remedy, or mitigate any adverse effects of the activity.
37 Decision of Director-General
(1)
After considering an application for a permit and any further information, the Director-General may—
(a)
grant the permit, if satisfied that—
(i)
the activity is consistent with the purpose of the protected area and any biodiversity objectives for the protected area; and
(ii)
the applicant will take reasonable steps to avoid, remedy, or mitigate any adverse effects of the activity on the rights and interests of iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the protected area; or
(b)
grant the permit, if satisfied that—
(i)
the activity is necessary; and
(ii)
the activity can only occur within the protected area; and
(iii)
the applicant will take reasonable steps to avoid, remedy, or mitigate any adverse effects of the activity on the rights and interests of iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the protected area; or
(c)
decline the application, in the Director-General’s discretion.
(2)
However, subsection (1)(a) and (b) is subject to section 38.
(3)
When granting a permit under subsection (1)(a) or (b), the Director-General—
(a)
may impose any conditions on the permit that the Director-General considers appropriate (including any condition that gives effect to the permit holder’s obligations under subsection (1)(a)(ii) or (b)(iii)); and
(b)
must provide for the expiry date of the permit.
(4)
The Director-General must—
(a)
notify the following persons of the decision and the reasons for it:
(i)
the applicant:
(ii)
iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the protected area and that have engaged with the application; and
(b)
publicly notify the decision on an internet site maintained by or on behalf of the department.
38 Additional requirements if Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 applies to activity
(1)
This section applies if any of sections 55, 62A, 66, and 71 of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 apply to the activity.
(2)
Before granting a permit under section 37(1)(a) or (b), the Director-General must be satisfied of the following:
(a)
if section 55 of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 applies to the activity, that the relevant protected customary rights group has given its written approval for the activity in accordance with section 55(2)(a) (unless section 55(3) applies to the activity):
(b)
if section 62A of that Act applies to the activity, that the applicant has met the information requirements of that section to the satisfaction of the relevant consent authority:
(c)
if section 66 or 71 of that Act applies to the activity, that the applicant has obtained permission from the relevant customary marine title group in accordance with the applicable section.
39 Amendment to permit conditions
(1)
The Director-General may amend the conditions of a permit—
(a)
in accordance with any condition in the permit; or
(b)
to correct a minor or technical error; or
(c)
with the permit holder’s agreement; or
(d)
on 1 or more of the grounds specified in section 40; or
(e)
in accordance with an application by the permit holder under subsection (2).
(2)
The permit holder may apply to the Director-General for any conditions of the permit to be amended.
(3)
An application must be accompanied by any information required by the Director-General to assess the application.
(4)
After making any amendment to the conditions of a permit, the Director-General must—
(a)
notify the permit holder within a reasonable time; and
(b)
allow the permit holder a reasonable opportunity to comply with any amended conditions.
40 Revocation of permit or amendment to permit conditions due to adverse effects and other grounds
The Director-General may, at any time, revoke a permit granted under section 37, or amend any condition of the permit, if the Director-General considers that the activity to which the permit relates—
(a)
is causing adverse effects to the protected area that are greater than those anticipated at the time the permit was granted; or
(b)
is inconsistent with the biodiversity objectives for the protected area in a manner that was not anticipated at the time the permit was granted; or
(c)
is inconsistent with any new or amended biodiversity objectives for the protected area set after the permit was granted; or
(d)
is inconsistent with the rights and interests of iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the protected area in a manner that was not anticipated at the time the permit was granted.
41 Appeal to High Court on question of law
(1)
The following persons may appeal to the High Court against the decisions of the Director-General specified in subsection (2):
(a)
the applicant:
(b)
the permit holder:
(c)
iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the protected area.
(2)
The decisions that may be appealed against are—
(a)
the decision to grant or decline an application for a permit:
(b)
the decision to impose any conditions on the granting of a permit:
(c)
the decision to make any amendment to the conditions of a permit:
(d)
the decision to grant or decline an application to amend permit conditions:
(e)
the decision to revoke a permit.
(3)
An appeal brought under this section may be only on a question of law.
42 Permit may be transferred
A permit may be transferred to another person if—
(a)
the permit holder applies to the Director-General for the permit to be transferred; and
(b)
the Director-General agrees to the transfer.
Subpart 2—Monitoring and enforcement
Appointment and powers of rangers
43 Rangers appointed under other enactments
The following persons are to be treated as if they were appointed by the Director-General to exercise the powers and perform the duties of a ranger under this Act:
(a)
a person appointed as a warranted officer under section 59(1) or (9) of the Conservation Act 1987:
(b)
a person appointed as a fishery officer under section 196 or 197 of the Fisheries Act 1996:
(c)
every officer in command of any vessel or aircraft of the New Zealand Defence Force:
(d)
every constable.
44 Appointment of honorary rangers
(1)
The Director-General may appoint any suitable person to be a ranger in an honorary capacity to perform the duties of a ranger under this Act.
(2)
The Director-General may appoint the person to—
(a)
perform the duties of a ranger in 1 or more of the protected areas; and
(b)
exercise all of the powers specified in sections 45 to 48, or only some of those powers.
(3)
The Director-General must supply each ranger with a warrant that—
(a)
states the full name of the person; and
(b)
includes a summary of the powers conferred on the person under this Act.
(4)
A ranger exercising a power under this Act must have their warrant with them and must produce it if required to do so.
(5)
A ranger—
(a)
is appointed for a term specified by the Director-General (not exceeding 3 years), and may be reappointed; and
(b)
may be removed from office at any time by the Director-General for incapacity, neglect of duty, or misconduct.
(6)
A ranger must surrender their warrant to the Director-General on the termination of their appointment.
(7)
A person appointed as a ranger under this section is not, by virtue of the appointment, deemed to be employed for the purposes of the Public Service Act 2020.
45 General powers of rangers
(1)
A ranger who believes on reasonable grounds that a person is committing, has committed, or is about to commit, an offence against this Act may—
(a)
order the person to refrain from or stop offending; and
(b)
require the person to provide their full name, date of birth, and address, and evidence of those particulars.
(2)
For the purposes of exercising their powers under this Act, a ranger may, without warrant, pursue and stop a person if the ranger believes on reasonable grounds that the person is committing or has committed an offence against this Act.
46 Power to question persons and require production of documents
(1)
A ranger may exercise the powers in this section for the purposes of monitoring compliance with any requirements imposed under this Act, including any permit conditions.
(2)
A ranger may require any person—
(a)
to stop, or to stop any vessel, vehicle, or other conveyance in their control; and
(b)
to answer any question reasonably necessary to enable the ranger to establish whether the person is complying with this Act, any regulations made under this Act, or any conditions of a permit; and
(c)
to produce any permit, consent, authority, licence, or document issued under this Act or any other legislation and related to the person or vessel.
(3)
(4)
Section 60 of the Evidence Act 2006 applies in relation to a requirement under subsection (2)(b) and (c).
47 Powers of entry, search, and seizure
(1)
A ranger may exercise the powers in this section if the ranger believes, on reasonable grounds, that a person is committing, or has committed, an offence under this Act.
(2)
The ranger may—
(a)
stop, enter, and search any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or structure in the control of the person; and
(b)
open and search any parcel, package, container, or luggage in the control of the person.
(3)
The ranger may seize any item, document, or thing (including a vessel or vehicle) that the ranger believes, on reasonable grounds,—
(a)
is being or has been used in the commission of an offence under this Act; or
(b)
is evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act.
48 Powers to seize and release or dispose of fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material
(1)
This section applies if a ranger exercising their powers under this Act finds or sights any fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material that the ranger believes on reasonable grounds was removed from a protected area in contravention of this Act.
(2)
The ranger may seize—
(a)
the fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material; and
(b)
any fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material with which the fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material has been intermixed.
(3)
Any fish, aquatic life, or seaweed seized by a ranger that is alive and likely to survive must be returned—
(a)
to the protected area; or
(b)
to any part of the sea, if it is not practicable to return the fish, aquatic life, or seaweed to the protected area.
(4)
Any fish, aquatic life, or seaweed seized by a ranger that is dead or unlikely to survive, and any natural material, may be—
(a)
returned to the protected area or to any part of the sea, if the ranger considers that it is appropriate to return the fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material to the protected area or to the sea; or
(b)
dealt with in the manner provided in subpart 6 of Part 4 of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012.
Offences
49 Offence to undertake prohibited activity within protected area
(1)
A person commits an offence if the person undertakes a prohibited activity within a seafloor protection area contrary to section 17 or 18.
(2)
A person commits an offence if the person undertakes a prohibited activity within a high protection area contrary to section 21.
(3)
A person who commits an offence referred to in subsection (1) or (2) is liable on conviction—
(a)
to a fine not exceeding $100,000; or
(b)
to a sentence of community work.
(4)
A person who commits an offence referred to in subsection (1) or (2) for a commercial purpose is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $200,000.
(5)
For the purposes of this section, a court may find that a person has a commercial purpose if the court is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that—
(a)
the offence was committed for the purpose of commercial gain or reward (whether or not any gain or reward is realised); or
(b)
in the case of a prohibited activity that involves fishing, the person is in possession of a number of fish that exceeds 3 times the amateur individual daily limit.
50 Offence to knowingly undertake prohibited activity within protected area
(1)
A person commits an offence if the person knowingly undertakes a prohibited activity within a seafloor protection area contrary to section 17 or 18.
(2)
A person commits an offence if the person knowingly undertakes a prohibited activity within a high protection area contrary to section 21.
(3)
A person who commits an offence referred to in subsection (1) or (2) is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 months, or to a fine not exceeding $250,000, or both.
51 Other offences
(1)
A person commits an offence if the person is in possession of, or disposes of, any fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material that the person knows was removed from a protected area in contravention of section 17, 18, or 21.
(2)
A person commits an offence if the person, knowingly and without reasonable excuse,—
(a)
fails to comply with an order or a requirement of a ranger issued under section 45, 46, or 47; or
(b)
refuses to provide a ranger with information requested under section 46; or
(c)
pretends to be a ranger, by their words, conduct, or demeanour, in circumstances likely to lead another person to believe that the person is a ranger; or
(d)
obstructs or threatens a ranger acting in the course of duty.
(3)
A person who commits an offence referred to in subsection (1) or (2) is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 months, or to a fine not exceeding $100,000, or both.
52 Prosecution and defence for strict liability offences
(1)
In a prosecution for an offence against section 49, it is not necessary to prove that the defendant intended to commit the offence.
(2)
The defendant has a defence if the defendant proves—
(a)
that the defendant did not intend to commit the offence; and
(b)
that,—
(i)
in any case where it is alleged that anything required to be done was not done, the defendant took all reasonable steps to ensure that it was done; or
(ii)
in any case where it is alleged that anything prohibited was done, the defendant took all reasonable steps to ensure that it was not done.
53 Liability of director or manager of body corporate
(1)
This section applies when a body corporate is convicted of an offence against this Act.
(2)
A director or manager of the body corporate is also guilty of the offence if it is proved that the director or manager—
(a)
authorised, permitted, consented to, or participated in the act or omission that constituted the offence; or
(b)
knew, or could reasonably be expected to have known, that the offence was to be or was being committed and failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent or stop it.
54 Time for filing charging document
Despite section 25 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011, no charging document may be filed in respect of an offence under this Act after the date that is 12 months after the date on which the offence was committed.
Infringement offences
55 Infringement offences
(1)
A person must not—
(a)
undertake a prohibited activity within a seafloor protection area contrary to section 17 or 18; or
(b)
undertake a prohibited activity within a high protection area contrary to section 21; or
(c)
use, dispose of, or be in possession of, any fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material that has been removed from a protected area in contravention of section 17, 18, or 21.
(2)
A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an infringement offence and is liable to—
(a)
an infringement fee of the amount prescribed in the regulations; or
(b)
a fine imposed by a court not exceeding the amount prescribed in the regulations.
56 Proceedings for infringement offences
(1)
A person who is alleged to have committed an infringement offence may—
(a)
be proceeded against by the filing of a charging document under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011; or
(b)
be issued with an infringement notice under section 58.
(2)
Proceedings commenced in the way described in subsection (1)(a) do not require the leave of a District Court Judge or Registrar under section 21(1)(a) of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957.
(3)
See section 21 of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957 for the procedure that applies if an infringement notice is issued.
57 Who may issue infringement notices
The Director-General may, in writing, authorise a ranger to issue infringement notices under this Act.
58 When infringement notice may be issued
A ranger authorised under section 57 may issue an infringement notice to a person if the ranger believes on reasonable grounds that the person is committing, or has committed, an infringement offence.
59 Revocation of infringement notice before payment made
(1)
The ranger may revoke an infringement notice before—
(a)
the infringement fee is paid; or
(b)
an order for payment of a fine is made or deemed to be made by a court under section 21 of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957.
(2)
The ranger must take reasonable steps to ensure that the person to whom the notice was issued is made aware of the revocation of the notice.
(3)
The revocation of an infringement notice before the infringement fee is paid is not a bar to any further action as described in section 56(1)(a) or (b) against the person to whom the notice was issued in respect of the same matter.
60 What infringement notice must contain
An infringement notice must be in the form prescribed in the regulations and must contain the following particulars:
(a)
details of the alleged infringement offence that fairly inform a person of the time, place, and nature of the alleged offence:
(b)
the amount of the infringement fee:
(c)
the address of the enforcement authority:
(d)
how the infringement fee may be paid:
(e)
the time within which the infringement fee must be paid:
(f)
a summary of the provisions of section 21(10) of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957:
(g)
a statement that the person served with the notice has a right to request a hearing:
(h)
a statement of what will happen if the person served with the notice neither pays the infringement fee nor requests a hearing:
(i)
any other matters prescribed in the regulations.
61 How infringement notice may be served
(1)
An infringement notice (or a copy of it) may be served on the person who the ranger believes is committing or has committed the infringement offence by—
(a)
delivering it to the person; or
(b)
sending it to the person by prepaid post addressed to the person’s last known place of residence or place of business.
(2)
An infringement notice (or a copy of it) sent by post to a person under subsection (1)(b) is to be treated as having been served on the person when it was posted.
62 Payment of infringement fees
All infringement fees paid for infringement offences must be paid into a Crown Bank Account.
63 Reminder notices
A reminder notice must be in the form prescribed in the regulations and must include the same particulars, or substantially the same particulars, as the infringement notice.
Removal of structures
64 Removal of structures
(1)
This section applies if the owner or occupier of a structure within a high protection area—
(a)
constructs, alters, extends, removes, or demolishes the structure, or part of the structure, in contravention of this Act or the conditions of a permit granted under this Act; and
(b)
in relation to a contravention specified in paragraph (a),—
(i)
commits an offence under this Act; or
(ii)
is convicted of an offence under this Act; or
(iii)
pays an infringement fee or pleads guilty or is found guilty of an infringement offence under this Act.
(2)
The Director-General or a ranger may, by notice in writing, require the owner or occupier of the structure to remove it or alter it at the owner’s or occupier’s cost within a period specified in the notice (being not less than 30 working days).
(3)
If the owner or occupier of the structure fails to comply with the notice issued under subsection (2), the Director-General or ranger may give the owner or occupier 5 working days’ notice in writing of their intention to remove or alter the structure.
(4)
On the expiry of the 5-working-day period the Director-General or ranger may, without further notice, remove or alter the structure.
(5)
The cost of the removal or alteration of the structure is a debt due to the Crown and may be recoverable by the department in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Forfeiture
65 Forfeiture of property on conviction
(1)
If a person is convicted of an offence against this Act, the following may be forfeited to the Crown by order of the court:
(a)
any property used in the commission of the offence, including any vessel, vehicle, or other conveyance:
(b)
any fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material retained under section 48(4) to which the offence related:
(c)
any proceeds from the sale of any fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material retained or disposed of under section 48(4) to which the offence related.
(2)
A person must not be discharged without conviction for an offence against this Act unless the court considers that, in the circumstances of the offending, it would be unjust to make an order of forfeiture under subsection (1).
(3)
Items that are forfeited to the Crown under subsection (1)—
(a)
are forfeited to the Crown absolutely and without encumbrance; and
(b)
may be disposed of as the Director-General thinks fit.
66 Forfeiture for infringement offence
(1)
If an infringement notice is issued to a person for an infringement offence, any fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material in respect of which the infringement offence is committed, and any proceeds from the sale of any fish, aquatic life, seaweed or natural material under section 48, is forfeited to the Crown when the earliest of the following occurs:
(a)
the infringement fee for the offence is paid:
(b)
a copy of a reminder notice for the infringement offence is filed, or a reminder notice is deemed to have been filed, in a court under section 21 of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957 before the close of the date that is 6 months after the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed:
(c)
the Director-General and the person enter into an arrangement under section 21(3A) of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957 allowing the person to pay the relevant infringement fee by instalments:
(d)
the person is found guilty of, or pleads guilty to, the infringement offence.
(2)
A court may order that any property used in respect of the commission of an infringement offence (including, without limitation, a vessel or vehicle) be forfeited to the Crown if—
(a)
proceedings for an infringement offence are commenced by the filing of a charging document under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011; and
(b)
a person is found guilty of, or pleads guilty to, the infringement offence.
(3)
Items that are forfeited to the Crown under this section—
(a)
are forfeited to the Crown absolutely and without encumbrance; and
(b)
may be disposed of as the Director-General thinks fit.
67 Interpretation of provisions relating to forfeited property
In sections 68 to 71, unless the context otherwise requires,—
forfeited property means anything forfeited to the Crown under section 65 or 66
interest means a legal or an equitable interest in that forfeited property that existed at the time of the forfeiture, but does not include an interest (including ownership) in a foreign vessel or foreign-owned New Zealand fishing vessel or foreign-operated fish carrier.
68 Application for relief
(1)
Within 10 working days after the date of any forfeiture under section 65 or 66, the Director-General must publicly notify—
(a)
the details of the forfeited property; and
(b)
the rights of persons to apply under this section.
(2)
A person claiming an interest in any forfeited property may, within 35 working days after the date of the forfeiture, apply to the District Court for relief from the effect of forfeiture on that interest.
(3)
An application under subsection (2) must include—
(a)
a description of the forfeited property in which the interest is claimed; and
(b)
details of the interest claimed, including whether it is—
(i)
legal or equitable; or
(ii)
by way of security, including details of the security arrangement; or
(iii)
noted on any register; and
(c)
an estimate of the value of the forfeited property and the claimed interest in it.
69 Matters to be considered and determined by court
(1)
The court must hear all applications in respect of the same property together, unless it considers that it would not be in the interests of justice to do so.
(2)
Before making a decision in respect of an application made under section 68, the court must—
(a)
determine the matters set out in subsection (3); and
(b)
have regard to the matters set out in subsection (4).
(3)
The court must determine—
(a)
the value of the forfeited property, which is the amount that the property would realise if sold at public auction in New Zealand; and
(b)
the nature, extent, and, if possible, value of the applicant’s interest in the property; and
(c)
the cost to the department of—
(i)
the prosecution of the offence or the pursuance of the infringement offence which resulted in the forfeiture; and
(ii)
the seizure and holding, and anticipated cost of disposal, of the forfeited property; and
(iii)
any court proceedings in respect of the seizure, holding, and disposal.
(4)
The court must have regard to—
(a)
the purpose of this Act; and
(b)
the effect of the offence from which the forfeiture arose on—
(i)
the seafloor protection area or high protection area; and
(ii)
the people who use the seafloor protection area or high protection area; and
(c)
the type of offending from which the forfeiture arose, including—
(i)
the prevalence of the offending; and
(ii)
the effect of the type of offending on the seafloor protection area or high protection area; and
(iii)
the effect of the type of offending on the people who use the seafloor protection area or high protection area; and
(d)
any history of offending of the persons from whose convictions (if any) the forfeiture arose; and
(e)
the social and economic effects on the owner of the forfeited property, and their employees, of non-release of the forfeited property; and
(f)
any economic benefits, actual or potential, to the owner of the forfeited property through the commission of the offence; and
(g)
the costs determined under subsection (3)(c); and
(h)
any other matters the court considers relevant.
70 Decision of court on application
(1)
The court may make an order or orders providing relief (in whole or in part) from the effect of forfeiture on any of the interests determined under section 69(3).
(2)
However, the court may make an order under subsection (1) only if it is necessary to avoid manifest injustice.
(3)
An order made under subsection (1) may, without limiting that subsection, order 1 or more of the following:
(a)
the retention of the forfeited property by the Crown:
(b)
the return of some or all of the forfeited property to the owner at the time of forfeiture, with or without the prior payment to the Crown of a sum of money:
(c)
the sale of some or all of the forfeited property, with directions as to the manner of sale and dispersal of proceeds:
(d)
the delivery of some or all of the forfeited property to a person with an interest in the property, with or without directions as to payment of a sum of money to specified persons (including the Crown) before that delivery:
(e)
the reinstatement (despite the forfeiture) of any interest that was forfeited or cancelled as a result of a forfeiture.
71 Other matters relating to forfeiture
(1)
Sections 68 to 70 do not require the Crown to pay, or secure the payment of, any sum of money to any person claiming an interest in forfeited property, other than the net proceeds of sale of forfeited property under a court order made under section 70.
(2)
For the purpose of assisting the court in determining any application for relief, the Director-General and any employee or agent of the department are entitled to appear before the court and be heard.
(3)
Any forfeiture under section 65 or 66, or any payment of a sum of money or delivery of property under section 70(1) to persons claiming an interest, must be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other penalty that may be imposed by the court or by this Act.
Subpart 3—Regulations, review, and consequential amendments
Regulations
72 General regulations
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
(a)
providing for anything this Act says may or must be provided for by regulations:
(b)
providing for the management of protected areas, including (without limitation) regulating—
(i)
access to protected areas:
(ii)
visitor effects on protected areas:
(iii)
anchoring within protected areas:
(iv)
health and safety matters within protected areas:
(c)
prescribing penalties for infringement offences under this Act, which,—
(i)
in the case of infringement fees, must not be more than $1,000; and
(ii)
in the case of maximum fines, must not be more than twice the amount of the infringement fee for the offence:
(d)
prescribing offences for a breach of the regulations and maximum fines for those offences not exceeding $2,500:
(e)
prescribing infringement offences for a breach of the regulations and prescribing for those offences—
(i)
infringement fees, which must not be more than $1,000; and
(ii)
maximum fines, which must not be more than twice the amount of the infringement fee for the offence:
(f)
providing for anything incidental that is necessary for carrying out, or giving full effect to, this Act.
(2)
Before recommending the making of regulations under subsection (1)(b), the Minister must be satisfied that, if consultation with any person affected by the proposed regulations is appropriate, sufficient consultation with that person or their representative has occurred.
(3)
Regulations made under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114 | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
73 Regulations for biodiversity objectives and associated restrictions
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations that provide for—
(a)
the setting of biodiversity objectives for each seafloor protection area and high protection area; and
(b)
the regulation of activities occurring within high protection areas (except the regulation of customary fishing) as reasonably necessary to give effect to the biodiversity objectives.
(2)
The Minister must not make a recommendation under subsection (1) unless the Minister is satisfied that—
(a)
the proposals for regulations—
(i)
were developed in consultation with iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in the relevant seafloor protection area or high protection area; and
(ii)
are based on the best available information, including mātauranga Māori; and
(b)
if consultation with any person affected by the proposed regulations is appropriate, sufficient consultation with that person or their representative has occurred.
(3)
Regulations that set biodiversity objectives for each seafloor protection area and high protection area must be made under subsection (1)(a) no later than 2 years after the commencement of this Act.
(4)
Regulations made under subsection (1)(b) may provide for all or any of the following:
(a)
restrictions relating to when activities may occur:
(b)
restrictions relating to how activities may occur:
(c)
reporting requirements relating to activities:
(d)
any other restrictions or requirements that the Minister considers necessary to give effect to the biodiversity objectives.
(5)
Regulations made under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114 | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
74 Regulations for restrictions and conditions that apply to authorised persons undertaking ring net fishing
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister and the Minister responsible for administration of the Fisheries Act 1996, make regulations that prescribe restrictions and conditions that apply to an authorised person undertaking ring net fishing in accordance with section 23.
(2)
Regulations made under subsection (1)—
(a)
must provide for—
(i)
restrictions relating to the period when an authorised person may undertake ring net fishing, which may be any period of time during the period starting on 1 March and ending on 31 August of each year only; and
(ii)
restrictions relating to the species of fish that an authorised person may target, which may be all or any of the following species only:
(A)
kahawai:
(B)
grey mullet:
(C)
trevally:
(b)
may provide for any other restrictions or conditions that apply to an authorised person undertaking ring net fishing that the Ministers consider necessary.
(3)
Regulations made under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114 | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Review of seafloor protection areas, high protection areas, and ring net fishing provisions
75 Ministerial review of seafloor protection areas and high protection areas
(1)
The Minister and the Minister responsible for the administration of the Fisheries Act 1996 must review the operation, effectiveness, and management of each of the following that are in place at the time of the review:
(a)
the seafloor protection areas declared under section 16:
(b)
the high protection areas declared under section 20.
(2)
A review must be initiated—
(a)
before the expiry of 25 years after the commencement of this Act; and
(b)
every 25 years after that; and
(c)
at any other time that the Ministers consider appropriate.
(3)
The Ministers must ensure that, as part of the review, there is reasonable opportunity for interested persons (including iwi that exercise kaitiakitanga in any protected area subject to the review) to make submissions on the operation, effectiveness, and management of the seafloor protection areas and high protection areas specified in subsection (1).
(4)
The Ministers must, within 2 years of the review being initiated,—
(a)
prepare a report on the review; and
(b)
present the report to the House of Representatives.
76 Ministerial review of ring net fishing provisions
(1)
In this section and section 77, the ring net fishing provisions are—
(a)
section 23; and
(b)
section 74, and any secondary legislation made under that section.
(2)
The Minister and the Minister responsible for the administration of the Fisheries Act 1996 must initiate a review of the operation of the ring net fishing provisions before the expiry of 3 years from the commencement of this Act.
(3)
The review must—
(a)
assess—
(i)
the costs and benefits of the ring net fishing provisions and, to the extent practicable, the fishing undertaken in reliance on those provisions; and
(ii)
the effect of the ring net fishing provisions on the relevant high protection areas and any biodiversity objectives for those areas; and
(b)
recommend whether the ring net fishing provisions should be—
(i)
retained; or
(ii)
amended; or
(iii)
repealed.
(4)
The recommendation under subsection (3)(b) must be made within 1 year of the initiation of the review under subsection (2).
(5)
The Ministers must ensure that, as part of the review, there is reasonable opportunity for interested persons (including Te Ohu Kai Moana) to make submissions on the operation of the ring net fishing provisions.
(6)
The Ministers may initiate 1 or more subsequent reviews of the operation of the ring net fishing provisions at any time after the conclusion of the review initiated under subsection (2).
(7)
Subsections (3) to (5) apply, with all necessary modifications, to a subsequent review initiated under subsection (6).
(8)
In this section, Te Ohu Kai Moana has the same meaning as in section 5(1) of the Maori Fisheries Act 2004.
77 Order in Council repealing ring net fishing provisions
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister and the Minister responsible for the administration of the Fisheries Act 1996, repeal the ring net fishing provisions.
(2)
The Ministers must not make a recommendation under subsection (1) unless—
(a)
the ring net fishing provisions have been reviewed in accordance with section 76; and
(b)
the Ministers have considered the recommendation presented to them under that review.
(3)
An order that repeals the ring net fishing provisions may consequentially repeal the following sections:
(a)
(b)
this section.
(4)
An order made under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114 | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Consequential amendments
78 Consequential amendments
Amend the legislation specified in Schedule 5 as set out in that schedule.
Schedule 1 Transitional, savings, and related provisions
Part 1 Provisions relating to this Act as enacted
There are no transitional, savings, or related provisions in this Act as enacted.
Schedule 2 Marine Reserves
Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Extension Marine Reserve
Name of marine reserve
Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Extension Marine Reserve
Description of marine reserve
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604787.
Indicative map
For reference, the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Extension Marine Reserve is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Te Whanganui-o-Hei / Cathedral Cove Extension Marine Reserve
Name of marine reserve
Te Whanganui-o-Hei / Cathedral Cove Extension Marine Reserve
Description of marine reserve
Area A and Area B on Survey Office Plan 604795.
Indicative map
For reference, the Te Whanganui-o-Hei / Cathedral Cove Extension Marine Reserve is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Schedule 3 Seafloor protection areas
Cradock Channel Seafloor Protection Area
Name of seafloor protection area
Cradock Channel Seafloor Protection Area
Description of seafloor protection area
Area B on Survey Office Plan 604786.
Indicative map
For reference, the Cradock Channel Seafloor Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Cape Colville Seafloor Protection Area
Name of seafloor protection area
Cape Colville Seafloor Protection Area
Description of seafloor protection area
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604789.
Indicative map
For reference, the Cape Colville Seafloor Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Mokohīnau Islands Seafloor Protection Area
Name of seafloor protection area
Mokohīnau Islands Seafloor Protection Area
Description of seafloor protection area
Area A, Area B, Area C, and Area D on Survey Office Plan 604785.
Indicative map
For reference, the Mokohīnau Islands Seafloor Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Kawau Bay Seafloor Protection Area
Name of seafloor protection area
Kawau Bay Seafloor Protection Area
Description of seafloor protection area
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604788.
Indicative map
For reference, the Kawau Bay Seafloor Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Tiritiri Matangi Seafloor Protection Area
Name of seafloor protection area
Tiritiri Matangi Seafloor Protection Area
Description of seafloor protection area
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604790.
Indicative map
For reference, the Tiritiri Matangi Seafloor Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Schedule 4 High protection areas
Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604786.
Indicative map
For reference, the Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Slipper Island / Whakahau High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
Slipper Island / Whakahau High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604798.
Indicative map
For reference, the Slipper Island / Whakahau High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Motukawao Islands High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
Motukawao Islands High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604794.
Indicative map
For reference, the Motukawao Islands High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Pakatoa and Tarahiki / Shag Island High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
Pakatoa and Tarahiki / Shag Island High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604793.
Indicative map
For reference, the Pakatoa and Tarahiki / Shag Island High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Rangitoto and Motutapu High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
Rangitoto and Motutapu High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604792.
Indicative map
For reference, the Rangitoto and Motutapu High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Cape Colville High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
Cape Colville High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area B on Survey Office Plan 604789.
Indicative map
For reference, the Cape Colville High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Mokohīnau Islands High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
Mokohīnau Islands High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area E on Survey Office Plan 604785.
Indicative map
For reference, the Mokohīnau Islands High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Aldermen Islands / Te Ruamahua (north) High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
Aldermen Islands / Te Ruamahua (north) High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604796.
Indicative map
For reference, the Aldermen Islands / Te Ruamahua (north) High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Aldermen Islands / Te Ruamahua (south) High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
Aldermen Islands / Te Ruamahua (south) High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604797.
Indicative map
For reference, the Aldermen Islands / Te Ruamahua (south) High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Kawau Bay High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
Kawau Bay High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area B on Survey Office Plan 604788.
Indicative map
For reference, the Kawau Bay High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Tiritiri Matangi High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
Tiritiri Matangi High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area B on Survey Office Plan 604790.
Indicative map
For reference, the Tiritiri Matangi High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
The Noises High Protection Area
Name of high protection area
The Noises High Protection Area
Description of high protection area
Area A on Survey Office Plan 604791.
Indicative map
For reference, The Noises High Protection Area is indicated on the map, but the description overrides the map if they conflict.
Schedule 5 Consequential amendments
Part 1Amendments to Acts
Crown Minerals Act 1991 (1991 No 70)
In Schedule 4, after item 14, insert:
15
All high protection areas declared by section 20 of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025.
16
All seafloor protection areas declared by section 16 of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025.
Environment Act 1986 (1986 No 127)
In the Schedule, insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:
Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025
Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012 (2012 No 72)
After section 7(2)(g), insert:
(gaaa)
Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025:
Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 (2000 No 1)
After section 33(2)(h), insert:
(i)
all high protection areas declared by section 20 of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025:
(j)
all seafloor protection areas declared by section 16 of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025.
In section 37(1), replace “marine reserve,”
with “a marine reserve, a high protection area, a seafloor protection area,”
.
After section 40(a), insert:
(aa)
remove any seafloor protection area or high protection area from the Park; or
In Schedule 1, insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:
Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025
Search and Surveillance Act 2012 (2012 No 24)
In Schedule 2, after the item relating to section 95 of the Geographical Indications Registration Act 2006, insert:
| Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025 | 46(2) | Ranger may, for the purposes of monitoring compliance with the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025 and any requirements imposed by that Act, require a person to stop, or to stop any vehicle, vessel, or conveyance in that person’s control, to answer any questions reasonably necessary to establish whether the person is complying with that Act, and to produce certain documents | All (except subpart 3) | |||
| 47(2) and (3) | Ranger may stop, enter, and search any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or structure, or open and search any parcel, package, container, or luggage, in the control of a person, and may exercise certain powers of seizure, if the ranger reasonably believes that the person has committed an offence against the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025 | All (except subpart 3) | ||||
| 48(2) and (4) | Ranger may exercise certain seizure powers in relation to fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material if the ranger sights or finds any fish, aquatic life, seaweed, or natural material that the ranger believes on reasonable grounds was removed from a protected area in contravention of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025 | All (except subpart 3) |
Summary Proceedings Act 1957 (1957 No 87)
In section 2(1), definition of infringement notice, after paragraph (ih), insert:
(ii)
section 58 of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025; or
Part 2Amendments to secondary legislation
Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 (SR 2004/427)
After rule 8.5(1)(ab)(iii), insert:
(iv)
a ranger (as defined in section 5 of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025) to exercise a power to stop conferred on the ranger under section 46 or 47 of that Act; or
Resource Management (Marine Pollution) Regulations 1998 (SR 1998/208)
After regulation 11(2)(e), insert:
(f)
more than 200 metres (1.108 nautical miles) from a high protection area declared by section 20 of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025.
Legislative history
22 August 2023 |
Introduction (Bill 282–1) |
|
29 August 2023 |
First reading and referral to Environment Committee |
|
20 June 2024 |
Reported from Environment Committee (Bill 282–2) |
|
18 December 2024 |
Second reading |
|
21 August 2025 |
Committee of the whole House (Bill 282–3) |
|
7 October 2025 |
Third reading |
|
10 October 2025 |
Royal assent |
This Act is administered by the Department of Conservation.