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June 5, 2023 Quote

Customary Fishing in New Zealand — Your Complete Guide to Rights, Regulations & Rules

Understanding Customary Fishing in Aotearoa New Zealand

Customary fishing is a vital part of New Zealand's cultural heritage and marine management. Whether you're a recreational fisher, a tangata whenua exercising your rights, or simply want to understand how customary fisheries work alongside recreational and commercial fishing in NZ — this guide covers everything you need to know.

At Action Outdoors, we supply fishing nets and gear to fishers across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Understanding customary fishing rules helps every Kiwi fisher respect the regulations and fish responsibly.

What Are Customary Fisheries?

Customary fisheries are the recognised fishing rights of tangata whenua (people of the land with authority in a particular place). These rights are rooted in the relationship between Māori and the marine environment, allowing for the ongoing use, enjoyment, and management of fisheries resources according to tikanga Māori (Māori custom).

Customary fishing rights cover two key areas:

  • Traditional and customary practices — including the traditional management of a fishery and customary non-commercial food gathering
  • Rohe moana fishing — customary fishing takes place within a rohe moana, which is a defined customary fishing area belonging to the tangata whenua of that region

How Are Customary Fishing Rights Protected by Law?

Customary fishing rights are guaranteed to tangata whenua under Te Tiriti o Waitangi — the Treaty of Waitangi. These rights are protected by two key pieces of legislation:

  • The Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act 1992
  • The 1992 Deed of Settlement

Under the Deed of Settlement, the government has specific obligations to Māori, including providing for customary fisheries management practices and traditional gathering of fish.

📖 Read the Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act 1992 — NZ Legislation

Customary Fishing Regulations by Region

Different regulations apply depending on where you're fishing in New Zealand:

  • North Island & Chatham Islands — The Fisheries (Kaimoana Customary Fishing) Regulations 1998
  • South Island & Stewart Island — The South Island Customary Fishing Regulations 1999
  • Specific iwi areas — Additional regulations relating to Deeds of Settlement for particular iwi (tribes)

Tangata Kaitiaki / Tangata Tiaki — The Guardians

Under the regulations, guardians known as tangata kaitiaki (or tangata tiaki) can be appointed for a specific rohe moana. Here's how it works:

  1. Tangata whenua notify the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries of proposed guardians
  2. The Minister confirms their appointment
  3. Tangata kaitiaki/tiaki then authorise and manage customary activities within the rohe moana

These guardians are the only people who can authorise customary fishing in their rohe moana. They also report customary catch regularly so that sustainability measures like catch limits can be set appropriately.

Types of Customary Management Areas

There are four main types of customary management areas in New Zealand:

1. Mātaitai Reserves

Areas closed to commercial fishing. Mātaitai reserves may have bylaws that also affect recreational and customary fishing. These reserves are designed to protect areas of special significance to tangata whenua.

2. Taiāpure

Local fisheries of special significance that may have additional fishing rules beyond the standard recreational regulations. Taiāpure are established to recognise the special relationship between tangata whenua and particular fishing grounds.

3. Temporary Closures

Issued under sections 186A or 186B of the Fisheries Act 1996. These are temporary measures to allow fish stocks to recover or to address specific management needs.

4. Customary Bylaw Areas

Currently only applies in the Waikato-Tainui area.

What Every Recreational Fisher Needs to Know

Before heading out with your fishing nets or tackle, make sure you check:

  • ✅ Whether you're fishing near any customary management areas (mātaitai reserves, taiāpure, temporary closures)
  • ✅ Any local rules for recreational fishing in the area
  • ✅ The general rules you need to follow — including not selling any fish you catch recreationally
  • ✅ Net specifications for your area — mesh sizes, net lengths, and permitted net types vary by region and species

🗺️ Check local restrictions for recreational fishers — MPI

Customary Fishing Area Maps

Fisheries New Zealand provides maps for all customary management areas, including:

  • Mātaitai reserves
  • Taiāpure
  • Temporary closures (sections 186A/186B)
  • Rohe moana boundaries
  • South Island Fisheries Waters

You can view all of these using the NABIS (National Aquatic Biodiversity Information System) interactive online mapping tool. Select "Customary Areas" in the NABIS layer list to see all customary management areas near you.

🗺️ Create a map on NABIS

Key Legislation & Resources

Questions About Customary Fisheries?

For any questions about customary fishing rights, regulations, or management areas, contact Fisheries New Zealand:

Fish Responsibly with the Right Gear

Whether you're fishing recreationally or exercising customary fishing rights, having the right equipment makes all the difference. Action Outdoors is New Zealand's largest fishing net manufacturer and supplier, offering:

📍 Based in Auckland — shipping nationwide across New Zealand and to the Pacific Islands.

👉 Browse our full range of fishing nets

Filed in: customary fishing, fishing nets, fishing regulations, Māori fishing rights, mātaitai, NZ fishing, recreational fishing, taiāpure
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