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.
"Without a step change in speed and scale, the effort already underway will struggle against the weight of pressures driving decline. Left unaddressed, the next report will not describe pressure, it will describe collapse."
This is the opening message from Hauraki Gulf Forum / Tīkapa Moana Co-Chairs Nicola MacDonald and Warren Maher in this year's State of our Gulf Report.
Mana whenua have long understood the health of the moana cannot be separated from the health of the whenua and freshwater that feeds it. Mātauranga Māori continues to guide localised action. Grounded in responsibilities that do not shift with political cycles.
Communities are restoring streams, protecting coastlines, and rebuilding habitats; getting on with the mahi. In this year's report, we look more closely at those people - the ones who know the Gulf best and are not holding back.
Their determination should be both encouraging and confronting.
Hear their stories in their own words through film, or read the report: www.haurakigulfforum.org.nz
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🙌A big step forward for healthier streams and harbours.. resilient, capable infrastructure; so very needed in Tāmaki Makaurau. Well done Watercare and Auckland Council. ... See MoreSee Less
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The health of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park determines what it can provide. For generations, mana whenua have relied on healthy moana and ngahere for food, cultural connection and wellbeing. Today, fisheries closures and long recovery timeframes remind us how challenging it can be to restore abundance once it is lost.
Our third and final State of Our Gulf 2026 short film, Tiakina Te Pātaka Kai / Preserving the Food Basket, explores the connection between ecosystem health and the future of the Gulf’s food basket.
Highlighted in this year’s report are the many rāhui laid by mana whenua to protect taonga species such as kōura, tipa, tuangi and many other intertidal shellfish across the Gulf. Rāhui are an important tool in the marine protection kete, alongside the legislation that came became law last year.
“Rāhui are adaptive and localised and are playing a crucial role in lifting pressure from taonga species that have been over harvested and are experiencing layers of stress from climate change effects and sedimentation.
“The necessity of integrating indigenous leadership into the statutory protection of the Gulf has never been clearer. We are continuing to move toward a model where guardianship is increasingly placed at the heart of governance," says Haruaki Gulf Forum Co-Chair Nicola MacDonald
Mihi to Tessa O'Shea, Emily Griffith and Mitchell Thorburn from Waiheke Marine Project, Warren Maher at Waikato Regional Council and Charmaine Bailie from Kaipātiki Project for giving their kōrero and supporting this film.
#MarineProtection #conservation #kaitiakitanga #haurakigulf
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Councillor Sarah Paterson-Hamlin Robyn Sinclair - councillor for Thames Councillor Victoria Short - Albany Ward Bianca Ranson Christine Fletcher Chris Ollivier Dean Ogilvie Ataria MacDonald Sam Hill Beth Rose ... See MoreSee Less
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So why did hauraki collective give everything up in the seabed deal and go away from the treaty thats not kaitiakitunga are they still reading the treaty with there eyes closed today 🤔 I think so dont listen to those kaumatua they dont know shit
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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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