Location
Key Information
| 5,005 km2 | MARINE AREA |
| 5,032 km2 | TOTAL AREA i |
Boundary: Ministry for the Environment (Unmodified)
2.0
July 2023
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Purpose
To conserve and protect the Auckland Islands which are the largest of New Zealand’s subantarctic islands with the richest flora, the largest number of subantarctic invertebrates and some of the rarest birds on earth. In 1998, the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands Area was designated a World Heritage Site and the Auckland Islands - Motu Maha Marine Reserve was established in 2003. To protect the marine mammals around the Auckland Islands which are the breeding grounds for New Zealand sea lions and southern right whales. The main benefit of the marine mammal sanctuary was to stop commercial fishing in the area, thereby protecting all other species from harvest.
Species of Concern: yellow-eyed penguin, white capped mollymawk, Gibson's wandering albatross, sooty shearwater, Auckland shag, Auckland Island snipe, Auckland Island teal, Auckland rail, tomtit, red-fronted and yellow-crowned parakeet, tūī, New Zealand bellbird, New Zealand pipit, Auckland Island dotterel, Auckland Island falcon, weta, New Zealand sea lion, Southern right whale.
Regulations Summary
Restrictions
1. Taking of fish or aquatic life near Auckland Islands is prohibited.
2. To reduce the risk of disturbance to the Southern right whale during breeding season, all commercial tourism at the Auckland Islands is prohibited between April and October.
Allowed
1.You can visit the Auckland Islands - Motu Maha Marine Reserve as part of a guided trip. Several ecotourism operators offer cruises to the Auckland Islands. These are controlled by permit and restricted to a certain number of passengers each year. You must have a permit, and strictly adhere to the minimum impact code.
2. The salvage or recovery operation of a shipwreck may be undertaken in the marine reserve if the Director-General of Conservation has given approval.
3. Whale watching is allowed between the months of November to February.