Te Māta closure application 2019-2024
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 17 December 2019 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised the Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust, on behalf of Ngāti Tamaterā, were seeking urgent submissions on an application for a 2-year temporary closure along the Thames coastline.
The closure was for a total ban on the taking of mussels (kūtai), pipi, and cockles (tuangi) from Te Māta and Waipatukahu (Tapu) Mahinga Mātaitai, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.
On 20 May 2022, a further 2-year extension on the temporary closure was sought, adding oysters (tio) onto the list of shellfish banned for harvest.
On 6 July FNZ advised the 2-year temporary closure extension had been approved, effective from 10 July 2022.
Update
On 23 April 2024 FNZ advised several applicants had jointly applied for a temporary closure of several areas around the Hauraki Gulf, including Te Mātā and Waipatukahu, Umupuia Beach and Waiheke Island. The NZSFC jointly submitted in support of the application, which was approved by the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries on 5 August. Effective 7 August 2024 for two years.
Submission
On 20 December 2019 the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council-LegaSea and the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association jointly submitted in support of the request for closure.
On 10 June 2022, the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, LegaSea and the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association jointly submitted in support of the request for the extension of the closure.
Decisions
On 6 January 2020 Fisheries New Zealand advised the Minister of Fisheries, Stuart Nash, had approved a 6-month closure of Te Mata and Waipatukahu to the harvesting of pipi, cockles and mussels. The closure is effective from 10 January to 9 July 2020.
On 8 January we requested the Minister’s decision letter. FNZ advised there is no decision letter as these are not required for temporary closure decisions.
On 13 July 2020 Fisheries New Zealand advised the Minister had approved the 2-year temporary closure of Te Mata and Waipatukahu, west Coromandel, to the harvest of pipi, cockles, mussels and oysters. The closure is effective from 10 July 2020 until July 2022.
A decision to extend the temporary closure was made 6 July 2022. The closure runs from 10 July 2022, to 9 July 2024.
Relevant information
2024
Decision
Gazette notice. Te Mātā and Waipatukahu. 5 Aug 2024
Gazette notice confirming a section 186A 2-year temporary closure to the harvest of pipi, cockles, mussels and oysters from the Te Mātā and Waipatukahu coastline, Firth of Thames. Effective 7 August 2024. Minister Shane Jones. 5 August 2024.
s186A Te Mātā and Waipatukahu temporary closure map. FNZ. Aug 2024
Map of area around Te Mātā and Waipatukahu closed to the harvest of cockles, mussels, oysters and pipi. Closure applies for 2 years, from 7 August 2024. Fisheries New Zealand. 5 August 2024.
2022
Decision
Gazette notice. Te Māta and Waipatukahu (Tapu) Mahinga Mātaitai temporary closure.
Gazetted on 6 July 2022. Approval of temporary extension of Te Māta and Waipatukahu (Tapu) Mahinga Mātaitai, starting 10 July 2022, ending 9 July 2024.
Submission
Submission. Joint Recreational. 10 June 2022.
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, LegaSea and the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association jointly support the request for a 2-year extension to the temporary shellfish harvest closure.
Proposal
Section s186A closure extension application. 3 May 2022
Request by Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust for a renewal/extension of a 2-year closure of the Te Māta and Waipatukahu (Tapu) Mahinga Mātaitai on the Thames coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. The temporary closure means no harvest by any person of mussels, pipi, oysters and cockles, for two years.
2020
Approval
Gazette notice. 2 July 2020
Gazette notice confirming a section 186A temporary closure to the harvest of pipi, cockles, mussels and oysters from Te Mata and Waipatukahu area from 10 July 2020 until July 2022. Fisheries New Zealand. 2 July 2020.
Proposal – 2 year closure
Concern at pillage of kaimoana. Interview. Te Ao Maori news. 5 June 2020
Ngāti Tamaterā spokesperson Koro Ngapo expresses concern about the state of shellfish stocks and the excessive harvest by visitors to the area. Interview and article on Te Ao Maori News. 5 June 2020.
Section s186A closure application. Ngāti Tamaterā. 19 May 2020
Ngati Tamatera request a renewal of the existing s186A closure for a further two years. The closure would apply to the harvest of oysters as well as pipi, cockles and mussels. Ngāti Tamaterā. 19 May 2020.
OIA request. Te Mata closure. 8 Jan 2020
Request to Fisheries New Zealand under the Official Information Act, for the advice provided to the Minister on the Te Mata closure application. Request dated 8 January 2020. Request was made to better understand the reasons why the Minister chose to close the applicant area for six months rather than the two years, as per original application. FNZ replied on 13 February 2020.
2019
Submission
Submission. Joint recreational. 20 Dec 2019
Submission. The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council-LegaSea and the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association jointly support the request for a 2-year closure.
Proposal
Advice to Minister. FNZ. 19 Dec 2019
Fisheries New Zealand advice to the Minister in regards to the request for a 2-year closure of coastal waters around Te Mata and Waipatukahu, western Coromandel Peninsula, to the harvest of pipi, cockles and mussels. Advice received under the Official Information Act 1982, on 13 February 2020.
Application for Te Māta closure. 12 Dec 2019
Request for a 2-year closure of the Te Māta and Waipatukahu (Tapu) Mahinga Mātaitai on the Thames coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. The temporary closure means no harvest by any person of mussels, pipi and cockles, for two years.
2004
Closure extension
Coromandel coast 186A temporary closure. 2004
A record of the 2004 process to extend a temporary closure to the harvest of cockles and pipi under s186A of the Fisheries Act. Closure to apply to the Thames coast between Ngarimu and Wilson’s Bay. The Minister announced approval for the extension in December 2004.
Resources
FAQ. Temporary customary closures. Fisheries NZ. July 2022
Questions and answers about temporary closures, method restrictions and other Māori customary management tools. Fisheries New Zealand. July 2022.
FAQ. Temporary closures, customary management tools. FNZ. Aug 2018
Fisheries New Zealand answers to questions about method restrictions, what are temporary closures and what other management tools are available to mana whenua to manage areas and/or species. August 2018
Section 186A Fisheries Act
Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996. Temporary closure of fishing area or restriction on fishing methods.
