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Visit marine reserves

Marine reserves are our national parks of the sea - places where the coastal and marine landscapes and all marine life are protected by law. You are welcome to visit them but you must not take marine life or harm the natural habitats in any way.

Plant and animal communities thrive in marine reserves and they are wonderful places to swim, dive, snorkel, kayak, paddle, take photos and have picnics.

Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve

Beneath the waves at the Poor Knights, the caves, arches, tunnels and sheer cliffs provide a great variety of habitats to explore.

Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve

The marine environment in the Whangarei Harbour is of distinctive quality, and two marine areas are set aside for protection around Motukaroro (Passage) Island and at Waikaraka.

Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island)

New Zealand's first marine reserve, Cape Rodney-Okakari Point was established in 1975. It is also known as Goat Island or Leigh marine reserve.

Te Matuku Marine Reserve

The 690-hectare Te Matuku Marine Reserve protects one of Waiheke Island's largest and least disturbed estuaries, along with an area outside Te Matuku Bay in the Waiheke Channel.

Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve

Just 20 km north of Auckland lies the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve. The reserve protects a variety of coastal habitats: sandy beaches, rocky reefs, estuarine mudflats and mangroves.

Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve

Te Whanganui-A-Hei/Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve protects the marine habitats around Motueka, Mahurangi, Motukorure, Moturoa islands.

Tuhua (Mayor Island) Marine Reserve

Located north of Tauranga, Tuhua (Mayor Island) Marine Reserve covers about three square nautical miles and five kilometres of coastline from Tumutu Point east to Turanganui Point.

Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve

Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve lies about 16 kilometres north of Gisborne. The reserve contains eight marine habitat types including inshore reef, rocky intertidal platforms, sediment flats and more.

Parininihi Marine Reserve

The 1800ha Parininihi Marine Reserve is a "classic" section of the wild Taranaki coastline. Pariokariwa Reef, in the reserve area, has been rated as one of the top sponge spots in the world.

Tapuae Marine Reserve

The 1404ha Tapuae Marine Reserve is on the rugged Taranaki coast close to New Plymouth and adjoins the Sugar Loaf Island Marine Protected Area. It hosts a diverse and flourishing range of sea life.

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve protects a piece of the central Hawke's Bay coast.

Kapiti Marine Reserve

The underwater scenery, exceptionally clear waters, and rich animal and plant life attract many visitors to Kapiti Marine Reserve.

Taputeranga Marine Reserve

The 854ha Taputeranga Marine Reserve is located 6 kilometres from the city centre on Wellington's south coast, providing easy access to study, interact with and record marine life and habitats.

Tonga Island Marine Reserve

Find out about recreation opportunities in Tonga Island Marine Reserve in Abel Tasman National Park.

Westhaven reserves

Learn what awaits visitors to Westhaven, the first estuary in New Zealand to be protected by a combination of marine and wildlife reserve.

Long Island - Kokomohua Marine Reserve

Accessible only by boat, Long Island - Kokomohua Marine Reserve offers visitors the chance to explore an environment typical of the Marlborough Sounds.

Pōhatu Marine Reserve

At Pōhatu Marine Reserve, picnicking, swimming, boating, diving and photography are encouraged, as are educational and scientific activities, providing the reserve's plants and wildlife are not disturbed.

Fiordland's marine reserves

Fiordland's ten marine reserves range in size from 93 to 3,672 hectares, and in total include over 10,000 hectares of inner fiord marine habitat. The reserves border the Fiordland National Park and are a fantastic example of protected natural environments.

Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve

By adjoining the Ulva Island Open Sanctuary, the 1075-hectare Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve extends the protection of this area from land to sea.

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