National winks to Opportunity promising to review bottom trawling and create new Waiheke reserve

“The New Zealand seafood industry’s economic output is around $6.4 billion, our recreational fishers generate around $1.7 billion of economic activity each year, and the annual worth of the boating and marine industry is around $3 billion.

“All fishers, commercial and recreational, depend on the health of our waters, so that is an important part of our plan,” McClay said.

In government, National and NZ First have butted heads over the conflicting priorities of recreational fishers, who have found support within National, and commercial fishers, whose interests have long been supported by NZ First.

National promised to amend legislation the Government passed this term to strengthen protections for recreational fishers. The party’s policy promised to “ban commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf’s High Protection Areas by removing the exemptions for ringnet fishers”. These exemptions were included in the legislation that created the reserve last year.

Potaka said the policy supported “custodianship” of the ocean.

“We know the health of our ocean matters to every New Zealander. It is part of who we are, provides us food, recreation, wellbeing and a place for families and communities to connect,” Potaka said.

McClay said commercial fisheries supported “thousands of jobs” in coastal communities and earned $2b in export revenue.

“While some people catch their own fish, most New Zealanders enjoy seafood from their local supermarket or fish and chip shop. Ensuring the long-term sustainability of our fisheries is critical for both coastal communities and consumers,” McClay said.

“In National’s first term of government, we passed the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act 2025, the most significant expansion of marine protection in more than a decade.

“We also delivered five new marine reserves as part of the Southeast Marine Protection Network, Te Au Roao Te Rakihouia protecting 308 square kilometres of unique marine habitat and sea life,” he said.

National’s policy summary:

Establish a new marine reserve off Waiheke Island and further expand the size of Goat Island/Te Hāwere-a-Maki Marine Reserve.Support recreational fishers – ensuring fishers have a say in fishing reforms, ruling out a recreational fishing licence and preventing the commercial sale of marlin.Ban commercial fishing in Hauraki Gulf’s high protection areas and review designated trawl corridors.A $20 million Fish Tech Innovation FundKeep the ban on shellfish and marine species from rockpoolsIncrease the number of honorary fisheries officers to 200.Increase penalties and infringements for exceeding catch limits