Ngāti Awa Seeks Further Protection for Recovering Ōhiwa Harbour Mussel Beds

A proposal to extend protections for a recovering mussel bed in Ōhiwa Harbour has drawn attention from conservation advocates, iwi, and people with an interest in customary and recreational fishing.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa has applied for a further two-year closure of an area of Ōhiwa Harbour to mussel harvesting under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

The current temporary closure, known as Te rāhui kuku ki tua o Kanawa, came into effect on 13 November 2024 and prevents the taking of mussels from a defined area of the harbour.

It is due to expire at the end of 12 November 2026.

Fisheries New Zealand has invited public submissions on the proposed extension, seeking feedback from people with an interest in mussels, fisheries, or the effects of fishing in the area.

The current closure followed an iwi-led restoration programme aimed at rebuilding mussel beds that had declined significantly over previous decades.

In its submission, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa said Ōhiwa Harbour was historically a rich source of kaimoana for Tairongo, with mussels once widespread throughout the harbour.

“Mussels were once prolific with many beds scattered throughout the harbour. Sadly this isn’t the case today,” the submission said.

Ngāti Awa began a research and restoration programme about five years ago to investigate the causes of the decline and develop methods to rebuild mussel populations.

Research identified several pressures, including sedimentation, water quality issues, harvesting pressure, and predation by large numbers of sea stars.

The programme involved removing sea stars from restoration areas and developing a mussel reseeding programme using spat grown on lines made from native material.

Ngāti Awa said the programme had successfully produced mussel spat that was later transferred back onto the seafloor, helping establish new mussel beds.

The iwi said continued protection from harvesting was needed to allow the mussels to grow, reproduce and establish a stable population.

“The closure would protect the mussel from human predation for a period that will allow for growth in size and population,” the submission said.

Ngāti Awa described the Ōhiwa Harbour restoration work as one of the most successful mussel restoration projects in New Zealand, saying it had attracted international interest and recognition.

The project has received attention from restoration groups overseas and was recognised with awards, including the Supreme Award at the Ministry for Primary Industries awards ceremony in 2025.

The iwi said combining active restoration work with temporary fishing restrictions had been central to the recovery of the mussel bed.

“Now we have to protect them to ensure the bed is ecologically strong and stable for all of our collective mokopuna in the future,” the submission said.

The existing closure covers an area near the Port Ōhope Recreation Reserve and boat ramp, extending offshore into Ōhiwa Harbour.

Submissions on the proposed extension close at 5pm on Friday 21 August 2026.

A decision will then be made on whether the protection measures will continue for another two years.