The health of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park depends on the vast, unprotected high seas where local species like the Oceanic Manta Ray feed. Because migratory wildlife doesn't recognise borders, ratifying the High Seas Treaty is essential for New Zealand to turn global intentions into local protection, ensuring our coastal restoration is supported by a healthy, connected ocean.
How would you react to finding a leopard seal lazing on your local marina pier or a seal pup out for a day on the town at the local KFC?
Matt Rayner explains that allowing some fishing in proposed High Protection Areas overlooks the complex interdependencies in Gulf ecosystems.
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The arrival of H5N1 avian influenza in Aotearoa is a reminder of how vulnerable our seabirds are.
In the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, seabirds are already facing significant pressures from habitat loss, predators, fisheries impacts and climate change.
If you're out in the Gulf and see three or more sick or dead wild birds together, please do not touch or move them. Instead, report them immediately to MPI's Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66 and provide the location and, if possible, photos. Early reporting helps authorities monitor and respond to potential outbreaks.
Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi is an internationally-recognised seabird hotspot. Protecting them is a responsibility we all share. By staying alert and reporting sick or dead birds, you can help safeguard the wildlife of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
Find out more on the Ministry for Primary Industries website: www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity-in-nz/dont-let-bird-flu-take-flight
📸: an icon of the Marine Park, the Tākapu | Australasian gannet, credit: Shaun Lee ... See MoreSee Less
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Recovery is not accidental, it is a result of sustained, deliberate care.
On Rakitū Island, tīeke (saddlebacks) have returned after more than 50 years.
And, on Tiritiri Matangi Island, hihi (stichbird) are breeding in record numbers. There are over 40 pest-free islands across the Marine Park.
In this eighth State of our Gulf Report, the Hauraki Gulf Forum Tīkapa Moana Te Moananui-ā-Toi celebrates the return of forest birds to the islands, acknowledging the leadership and actions by mana whenua and communities on pest-free projects. It demonstrates what can be achieved by long-term thinking and investment.
The Marine Park is also the seabird capital of the world, and 86% are threatened or at risk. What more could we be doing for these incredible manu? The Gulf is an interconnected system and restoration on islands cannot substitute for restoring the broader marine environment.
This year's State of our Gulf report includes three films with a focus on those who know the Gulf best... and who are not holding back.
The films match the report's structure around three key pou: Ki Uta Ki Tai (Mountains to the Sea), Te Kanorau Koiora (Biodiversity), and Tiakina Te Pātaka Kai (Preserving the Food Basket), providing an integrated view of the Gulf's interconnected system.
The films, along with a summary of findings and the full State of our Gulf Report 2026, can be found on our website: www.haurakigulfforum.org.nz
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou, Jenny Holmes , Miranda Andrews, Tilde Sorensen Te Korowai o Waiheke, Makere Jenner m Tū Mai Taonga , Lisa Tolich Auckland Council, Lydia Green Manta Watch New Zealand, Fin Buchanan Thames Coast Kiwi Care, Elizabeth (Biz) Bell Wildlife Management International, Benjamin Brooking
#biodiversity #nature #haurakigulf #conservation
Nicola MacDonald Warren Maher Charmaine Bailie Councillor Sarah Paterson-Hamlin Councillor Victoria Short - Albany Ward Christine Fletcher Chris Ollivier Robyn Sinclair - councillor for Thames Dean Ogilvie Bianca Ranson Alex Rogers Sam Hill Beth Rose ... See MoreSee Less
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Steering Rakitu towards pest-free status and securing Tū Mai Taonga have been deeply rewarding and inspiring as the island now flourishes and the programme continues forward in strength. Ka rawe!
Awesome to see Mayor Wayne Brown getting behind Revive Our Gulf as part of his 100 Days of Tech Start-ups! (And T-shirts) campaign.
Snoopy, the underwater drone, is a crucial piece of tech developed by Revive our Gulf, used for monitoring work and checking in on mussel reef restoration projects.
Credit to Jesse Thompson for Wayne’s “Dude, where’s my mussels?” T-Shirt. It’s an important question as they used to be the Gulf’s core strength. We need them back! ... See MoreSee Less
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Shining a light on those who have long cared for the Gulf, and who tirelessly defend it, is a key component of the State of our Gulf 2026.
Forum Co-Chair Nicola MacDonald spoke to RNZ’s Morning Report about the reasons for the Marine Park’s decline and the hope that comes from mana whenua and communities who are compelled to act:
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Te Korowai o Waiheke Manta Watch New Zealand We are Ngāti Manuhiri Waiheke Marine Project Friends of Awa Matakanakana Live Ocean Waiheke Resources Trust & Sustainability Centre Wildlife Management International Southern Seabirds Northern New Zealand Seabird Trust - NNZST Kaipātiki Project ... See MoreSee Less
Hauraki Gulf Marine Park faces increasing pressure from ecological threats
www.rnz.co.nz
A new report is warning the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is under increasingly intense pressure from ecological threats.1 CommentComment on Facebook
Such a taonga if only we could see it as a treasure to be cared for!
The Hauraki Gulf Forum today (08 July) releases its triennial State of our Gulf 2026 report.
The report confirms that the Marine Park is under increasingly intense ecological pressure. Communities and mana whenua are defending pockets of reef, shoreline, and catchment, but their efforts continue to being overwhelmed by the scale of decline. The Forum is calling for a more courageous response from central and regional decision-makers.
This year’s report, the eighth since monitoring began over 25 years ago, intentionally lifts the stories of mana whenua and communities to the surface through three short films. Presenting people's lived experience and motivation to tackle issues impacting Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi / the Hauraki Gulf.
Everything is connected. This film, Ki uta ki tai | Mountains to Sea, shows how pressures from activities on land impact the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
The State of our Gulf report is published every three years by the Hauraki Gulf Forum.
These are some of the people working to regenerate Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi / the Hauraki Gulf from where they live.
Read the report: www.haurakigulfforum.org.nz
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Nicola MacDonald Warren Maher Charmaine Bailie Councillor Sarah Paterson-Hamlin Robyn Sinclair - councillor for Thames Councillor Victoria Short - Albany Ward Christine Fletcher Bianca Ranson Alex Rogers Beth Rose ... See MoreSee Less
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Huge mihi to Te Korowai o Waiheke Michael Maahs and Love our Wetlands - Waiheke, Wildlife Management International Southern Seabirds Waiheke Marine Project Katina Conomos and Revive Our Gulf Department of Conservation - Auckland Auckland Council Friends of Awa Matakanakana Waikato Regional Council Kaipātiki Project Thames Coast Kiwi Care Manta Watch New Zealand We are Ngāti Manuhiri Shaun Lee and many more for all your support and involvement in the report and films. 🙏
A sombre read, but something we can all see with our own eyes. “Communities and mana whenua are defending pockets of reef, shoreline, and catchment, but their efforts continue to be overwhelmed by the scale of decline. “ This is further compelling evidence for an Auckland-wide shellfish harvesting ban. Things are getting away from us and quickly. Without rapid action and an urgent ‘reset’ of all things marine - limits and quotas, strict penalties and enforcement, broad education and nationwide protection - we’ll lose something that is quintessentially New Zealand. International eyes are on us and they’re not impressed with our response. Shane Jones Jenny Marcroft MP
They are self serving eco nazis.After gifting all the best fishing spots to customary of course they want more you pathetic losers.wake up govenance not co govenance.