National’s plan for healthy fisheries

National’s plan for healthy fisheries

National’s fisheries plan backs the health of the Hauraki Gulf, the right of recreational fishers to continue the Kiwi tradition of catching a feed, and provides for sustainable seafood to be caught for our fish and chip shops and exports, National’s Oceans and Fisheries spokesperson Todd McClay and Conservation spokesperson Tama Potaka, say.

The policy creates a new marine reserve in the Hauraki Gulf and further expands the size of the Goat Island Marine 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,” Mr McClay says.

If re-elected, National will:

• 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 seat at the table 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.
• Invest in innovation – with a $20 million Fish Tech Innovation Fund
• Increase protection of the EEZ and preserve our seamounts with an aim to increase protected areas from 32% to 50% by 2040.
• Keep the ban on shellfish and marine species from rockpools to support the recovery and impose higher penalties and strict enforcement.
• Increase the number of Honorary Fisheries Officers to 200.
• Increase penalties and infringements for exceeding catch limits

Tama Potaka says National's approach is custodianship.

“It’s about understanding the asset, managing it well, and handing it on in better condition than we found it.

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

Todd McClay says commercial fishing is an important part of New Zealand’s economy.

“It supports thousands of jobs in coastal communities and provides high-quality, locally caught seafood for New Zealanders and export markets alike, with close to $2 billion in annual export earnings. While some people catch their own fish, most New Zealanders enjoy seafood from their local supermarket or fish and chip shop. Ensuring the longterm sustainability of our fisheries is critical for both coastal communities and consumers.

“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 South-East Marine Protection Network, Te Au Roao Te Rakihouia protecting 308 square kilometres of unique marine habitat and sea life.

“This election will be tight and the choice is clear. A Labour coalition wants to tax everything from the family bach to the land it sits on. They will squander surpluses, hike debt and hit Kiwis with nine new taxes that will impact everyone.

“National will protect the things Kiwis care about and continue our plan to grow the economy, spend sensibly and get debt down, with no new taxes.”

National’s fishing policy HERE