Kia ora Friend,
Labour Weekend always feels like the start of summer - the unofficial kick-off to fishing season across NZ. The days get longer, the water warms up, and Kiwis start planning those early missions out wide. Before it all gets into full swing, it's worth taking a moment to check your gear. Make sure your lifejackets and gas canisters are in good nick, your engine's serviced, your EPIRB and flares are functional and up to date, and your first aid kit's ready to go. A bit of prep now makes for a much safer summer on the water.
It's shaping up to be a big season, not just for fishing, but for the fights that matter off the water too. This month, we've seen the Waikato Regional Council step up where our Minister for Oceans and Fisheries won't, pushing to restrict bottom trawling and protect local reef systems. We've also shared new polling results showing growing public frustration with political spin over genuine reform. And while we're out there enjoying the catch, we're celebrating Recycling Week with our mates at Phoenix Recycling Group and the Kai Ika Project - saving cans and fish heads from waste streams.
So as you get ready for the summer months ahead, take care, fish smart, and stay safe out there. Tight lines! |
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Waikato Regional Council stands up to Bottom Trawling |
You know things are upside down when our local and regional councils are leading the charge in marine protection while our Minister for Oceans and Fisheries is still standing behind the starting line.
The Waikato Regional Council has just announced plans to restrict bottom trawling, Danish seining, and dredging along the east coast of their region. It's a massive step towards protecting fragile reef systems and restoring life to the seafloor.
The Council's experts agreed that mobile bottom-contact fishing methods have significant adverse effects on marine biodiversity. Yet instead of national government leadership, it's the locals doing the heavy lifting.
And now, conveniently, Shane Jones is campaigning to strip regional councils of the very powers that made this possible.
When the central government won't act, communities will. This is what genuine care for our ocean looks like.
Read our Media Release. |
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Quick Facts about the Waikato Regional Council Coastal Plan |
🎏 What is the Waikato Regional Council Coastal Plan?
In 2022, the Waikato Regional Council reviewed its Coastal Plan to enhance marine biodiversity within the Council's coastal water boundaries. The Plan sets out how the Regional Council will manage the marine waters covering the inner Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel down to Waihi, and the west coast from Waiuku to Mokau. Once finalised, it will be operative for 10 years.
LegaSea and the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council have been actively participating throughout this process, attending hearings, presenting evidence and making multiple submissions advocating for public interests and healthy marine ecosystems. You can see our record of process here.
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🎏 What fishing methods will be prohibited under the Coastal Plan?
In October 2025, the Waikato Regional Council (WRC) agreed to prohibit destructive mobile bottom-contact commercial fishing methods including bottom trawling, Danish seining and dredging across most of the Coromandel's coastal waters. These methods will only be permitted in select areas (see the grey area pictured above). |
🎏 Why is a regional Council restricting bottom trawling and not the Fisheries Minister?
Earlier in 2025, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones announced that he will not progress proposals to restrict destructive fishing methods including bottom trawling within the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. A lack of action from the central government led the Waikato Regional Council to look for solutions within their control under the Resource Management Act and restrict destructive mobile bottom-contact fishing methods across the Coromandel Peninsula and Firth of Thames. |
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Radical changes not in our interests |
Photo by Mark Mitchell / AP
None of us voted for it, but the Coalition agreement has become the excuse for a wave of reforms that put private interests first - even when the public overwhelmingly disagrees.
Fisheries reforms are being pushed under the banner of "unlocking the potential of the seafood sector." What that's actually meant is longer aquaculture permits, commercial fishing allowed in so-called High Protection Areas, and a wishlist of regulatory rollbacks designed by the seafood industry and championed by Minister Shane Jones.
Public fishing has been banned in safe family areas around Kawau and Motutapu Islands — yet ring netting is still allowed under "protection". The message is clear: commercial gain over public good. Recent Horizon polling shows 70 percent of Kiwis support fisheries reforms to 'ensure there is an abundant fishery". But the government keeps stripping away the guardrails protecting our fishery.
Quota owners don't just want their share - they want every piece of it they can get their hands on. And they'll take it unless we speak up. If ever there was a time to stand together to protect our marine environment, it's now. Read article here. |
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Why not 100 percent protection? |
Click map to see full version
The government's new law to "protect" the Hauraki Gulf only safeguards 6 percent of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, when we could have had 100 percent of the seabed protected if politicians were brave enough.
Sam Woolford, from LegaSea, says it's a huge missed opportunity. "The Gulf is so degraded we needed a bold decision, not more lip service. The government has failed to tackle the two biggest threats – bottom trawling and dredging."
Trawl corridors have been scrapped, and scallop dredging is on hold, but there's nothing stopping it from returning. And while recreational dredging is banned, commercial dredging could still resume the moment the fishery reopens.
To make matters worse, two of the twelve new 'High Protection Areas' will still allow commercial fishing – areas that once offered safe, family-friendly fishing grounds.
We've been sold a headline, not a solution. Real recovery in the Hauraki Gulf will only come when we protect the entire seabed from destructive fishing, rebuild depleted fish stocks, and stop pretending that closing small patches of ocean will fix a system collapsing under political compromise.
Read article here. |
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This Recycling Week, we're celebrating the simple power of connection - how one small action can feed into something much bigger.
Through our Cans for Kai initiative, aluminium cans collected from across Tāmaki Makaurau, Northland, and Wellington are being recycled to help fund The Kai Ika Project. Together, with the help of our mates at Phoenix Recycling and countless supporters, we're closing the loop - saving valuable aluminium while feeding whānau in need. It's circular thinking in action.
Cans that might otherwise end up in landfill are repurposed to support the recovery of fish heads and frames that would also go to waste. Nothing wasted and everything valued. It's a win-win - saving cans and fish heads and frames from waste streams.
To date, we've collected more than 34,000 kilograms of aluminium cans and 3,200 kilograms of batteries, creating meaningful funds to keep our kaupapa growing. With almost 600,000 kilograms of fish now redistributed to communities, this small, sustainable idea is making a big impact. Every can counts. Every fish counts. Every person who joins in helps turn waste into nourishment and care.
Ngā mihi to everyone who's part of the journey - together, we're proving that recycling really can feed communities. |
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Big thanks to our mates at Daiwa for standing with us in the push for more fish in the water.
Daiwa aren't just known for creating beautiful, quality gear – they also put their weight behind the next generation of Kiwi fishers. As proud supporters of the NZ Sport Fishing Council Inc's Youth Nationals, they get their DAIWA pros involved to mentor and encourage young anglers. It's all about backing best-practice fishing techniques and setting up the future of recreational fishing in Aotearoa. We're stoked to have Daiwa on board as a partner. Their commitment to healthier fisheries and their passion for recreational fishing make them a perfect fit for what LegaSea is all about.
"At Daiwa NZ, we see LegaSea as our frontline advocates for recreational fishers — fighting the good fight to protect our fisheries, championing sustainable practices, and providing vital education on fisheries management. This small but passionate team is tireless, highly knowledgeable, and deeply connected to both the recreational and commercial sectors." - Chris Sharland, Daiwa |
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Tony Orton: My letter of resignation
In April 2022 Tony Orton, from Offshore Adventures, was nominated to be a part of the Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan Advisory Group. In February 2023 he resigned in disgust. You can read his resignation letter here with details of his experience. Tony Orton, LegaSea website, February 2023. |
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LegaSea is proudly supported by its Gold and Platinum partners: |
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