Ngāti Awa Seeks Further Harvesting Closure to Support Mussel Regeneration at Ōhiwa Harbour

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa is leading a successful environmental restoration project at Ōhiwa Harbour, seeking a further two-year extension to a temporary green-lipped mussel harvesting closure to protect maturing stocks. As reported by RNZ on 15 July 2026, the iwi aims to extend the current rāhui, which was established in November 2024 over a 0.1-square-kilometre area near Harbour Road. Known as Te Kete o Tairongo (the food basket of Tairongo), the harbour was once a prolific source of kaimoana, and current efforts are showing promising signs of recovery. Ngāti Awa customary fisheries officer Charles Bluett noted that while mussel stocks were abundant several decades ago, they faced a sharp decline due to poor water quality, human predation, and an influx of the 11-armed sea star (Patakaroa). To combat this, the iwi launched an experimental work programme five years ago involving the physical extraction of hundreds of sea stars and the installation of spat lines woven from native materials. These efforts, supported by Professor of Marine Science Kura Paul-Burke and local volunteers, have successfully encouraged mussel spat to spread across the harbour. The proposed extension—Te rāhui kuku ki tua o Kanawa—is requested under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996. Mr Bluett explained that the closure is essential to protect juvenile mussels from human predation, giving them the necessary time to reach maturity and begin eggs production. While some ministry funding has been provided, the project relies heavily on iwi volunteers who manage the ongoing extraction of sea stars, which are then processed into natural fertiliser at a worm farm. Fisheries New Zealand has invited public submissions on the request until 21 August. The iwi remains committed to the long-term health of the harbour, ensuring the old mussel beds can once again reach sustainable levels for future generations.