Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. Photo: RNZAfter a public outcry, the government is imposing a two-year ban on taking shellfish from rockpools north of Auckland - and the minister in charge is blaming migrant communities. Fisheries worked with the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, Jones said, to enact a traditional rāhui. "My decision excludes some of the species and areas requested by Ngāti Manuhiri where existing closures and restrictions apply." The closure did not apply to any aquaculture activities such as marine farming or the collection of spat (small juvenile shellfish), Jones and Marcroft said.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 14, 2026 22:58 UTC