Conservation Group Welcomes Marine Protection Pledge for Waiheke and Tīkapa Moana

Waiheke Island environmental campaigners have welcomed a new pledge by the National Party to establish a marine reserve off the island’s coast, signaling a significant step toward the restoration of Tīkapa Moana (the Hauraki Gulf). As reported by Waatea News on 13 October 2026, the commitment includes the creation of the Hākaimangō-Matiatia Marine Reserve and the expansion of the existing Goat Island / Te Hāwere-a-Maki Marine Reserve. Friends of the Hauraki Gulf, the group behind the proposal, congratulated the National Party on its fisheries and marine conservation policy. The group noted that the Hākaimangō-Matiatia proposal, which covers approximately 2,350 hectares between Hākaimangō Point and Matiatia Point, received overwhelming public support during its consultation phase. More than 90 percent of submitters backed the reserve’s establishment when the Department of Conservation notified the application in 2022. The proposed area aims to provide full protection for marine life while still allowing low-impact activities like swimming and diving. The policy announcement also includes a ban on commercial fishing in High Protection Areas of the Hauraki Gulf and a $20 million investment in fisheries technology. These measures are designed to address environmental pressures such as overfishing, sedimentation, and habitat loss that have impacted the health of the gulf. National stated that the approach seeks to balance necessary environmental protections with the needs of the seafood industry and recreational boaters. While celebrating the commitment, Friends of the Hauraki Gulf has urged the Government and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to take immediate action rather than waiting until after the upcoming election on 7 November. The group highlighted that the Department of Conservation completed its formal advice to the Minister in late 2024, and they believe the information required for a final decision is already available to help restore the biodiversity of these vital coastal waters.