Fisheries New Zealand has opened a public submission process on a proposal to establish the Puketeraki mātaitai reserve near Karitāne, a coastal settlement just north of Dunedin. The application has been lodged by Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, who regard the area as a traditional fishing ground of cultural significance to local tangata whenua.
The proposed reserve would cover 47.5 square kilometres of coastal waters, with boundaries stretching from Cornish Head (Ōhineamio) to Purehurehu Point and extending seaward to the East Otago Taiāpure–Local Fishery boundary. The southern edge follows the mean high-water mark between Potato Point and Purehurehu Point.
Mātaitai reserves ordinarily prohibit commercial fishing, though this application proposes several exceptions to that general rule. Anchoring, fish processing, and the commercial harvest of rock lobster, paddle crab, Undaria seaweed, and some finfish species would all be permitted to continue. Blue cod, butterfish, and moki would be subject to an outright commercial fishing ban.
Recreational fishing rules would remain unchanged under the proposal. Local Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki may put forward new bylaws to manage the area at a later stage, though any such changes would require a separate consultation process and approval from the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries before coming into effect.
Fisheries New Zealand is seeking submissions from anyone who fishes in the area or holds quota that could be affected by the reserve's creation. Submissions close at 5 pm on Friday, 5 December 2025, and can be sent by email to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz or posted to Fisheries Management – Spatial Allocations, Fisheries New Zealand, PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140.
