National Party Unveils $20 Million Fisheries Fund and New Marine Protections for Tīkapa Moana

The National Party has revealed a comprehensive fisheries and marine protection policy aimed at restoring fish stocks and safeguarding the cultural and economic importance of Aotearoa’s oceans. Announced on 11 October 2026, the plan includes the creation of a $20 million Fish Tech Innovation Fund to support sustainability and technological advancements within the seafood industry. National’s Oceans and Fisheries spokesperson Todd McClay and Conservation spokesperson Tama Potaka stated the policy is designed to balance the interests of customary, recreational, and commercial fishers. A key feature of the proposal is the establishment of a new marine reserve off Waiheke Island and the expansion of the Te Hāwere-a-Maki/Goat Island Marine Reserve. These measures are intended to strengthen marine biodiversity and support the recovery of fish populations in Tīkapa Moana, the Hauraki Gulf. Under the proposed plan, commercial fishing would be banned within designated High Protection Areas in the Hauraki Gulf, and existing trawl corridors would be reviewed. The party emphasizes that fisheries management should ensure stocks are maintained at healthy and abundant levels rather than merely meeting minimum sustainability thresholds. This approach acknowledges the vital role of the ocean in New Zealand’s cultural identity and environmental health. For Māori, the policy recognizes the significant economic and cultural weight of fisheries, including iwi interests and Treaty settlement arrangements. To ensure compliance with fishing rules, National intends to increase the number of Honorary Fisheries Officers to 200 and introduce tougher penalties for those exceeding catch limits. The party also committed to protecting customary and recreational access by ruling out recreational fishing licenses and maintaining the ban on the commercial sale of marlin, ensuring that the practice of gathering seafood remains viable for future generations.