Customary Management Brochures

1. Rahui (Closed Area) - Mount Maunganui Closure Notice 2004

The taking of green-lipped mussels in the area between Moturiki (Leisure Island) and Motuotau (Rabbit Island) is PROHIBITED. 

Please refer to the Recreational Fishing section for more details

2. Rapaki Mataitai Reserve

Mataitai Reserves are part of the Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations and are identified as traditional fishing grounds.

The Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations allow Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki (Area Managers) to administer and manage customary food gathering by using bylaws that apply to all individuals.

The bylaws can change over time depending on the state of the fishstocks in the Ma-taitai Reserve and the management provisions that are administered by the Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki (Area Managers).

However, the Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations do not provide for Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki to manage commercial and recreational fishing outside of Ma-taitai Reserves.

 Download Rapaki Mataitai Reserve brochure (PDF 330kb)

3. Te Whaka ä Te Wera Mätaitai Reserve

From earliest time Te Whaka ä Te Wera/ Paterson Inlet has held spiritual significance to tangata whenua and provided a rich food basket for mahinga kai to sustain Ngäi Tahu Whänui and later mixed Mäori and Pakeha communities, who settled the bush clad shores of Rakiura/Stewart Island.

For centuries Te Whaka ä Te Wera/ Paterson Inlet has provided safe haven for mariners seeking shelter and replenishment from the often tempestuous waters of Te Ara a Kiwa/ Foveaux Strait. One of the largest sheltered harbours in Southern New Zealand, Paterson Inlet’s ancient submerged river valley basin extends 16 kilometres inland from its seaward entrance between Ackers and Bullers Points to the tidal mudflat deltas of the Freshwater and Rakeahua Rivers.

In recognition of Te Whaka ä Te Wera/ Paterson Inlet’s continuing special importance, Rakiura Mäori, together with support from the Stewart Island Community, successfully sought and secured legislation protection with the establishment of Te Whaka ä Te Wera/ Paterson Inlet Mätaitai Reserve in December 2004.

 Download Te Whaka ä Te Wera Mätaitai Reserve brochure (PDF 436kb)