New Zealand opens five marine reserves with groundbreaking Māori co-management

Five new marine reserves now protect 308 square kilometres of Otago coastline (Image: Edward Carver/Mongabay) Along New Zealand’s Otago coast, a new approach to marine conservation is putting Indigenous knowledge and government authority side by side. On July 1, 2026, five new marine reserves came into force across 308 square kilometres of coastal waters, creating the country’s first group of marine reserves to be jointly managed by Māori and the government. The network, known as Te Au Roa o Te Rakihouia, was developed through more than a decade of work involving Kāi Tahu and government agencies. The reserves provide full no-take protection for important marine habitats, including rocky reefs, kelp forests, seabed environments and offshore canyons. What makes the initiative particularly significant is its governance model: Kāi Tahu and New Zealand’s Department of Conservation share decision-making responsibilities and work alongside a joint marine ranger team. As reported by Ocean Economist, the model represents a different way of approaching marine protection, combining formal conservation systems with Indigenous stewardship and local knowledge.Five new marine reserves now protect...