In January 2016, the Ministers for Primary Industries,
Conservation, and the Environment announced plans to improve the
management of New Zealand's oceans by implementing a revised
system of marine protected areas designed to improve and build upon
management systems which already exist.
Why Is Protection Necessary?
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are used to protect the marine and
coastal environment, and as a Party to the United Nations'
Convention on Biological Diversity, New Zealand is committed to
creating a network of MPAs.
The Ministers consider that the current framework of the Marine
Reserves Act is too restrictive when it comes to meeting its
international obligations and providing adequate protection. The
Ministers propose to repeal and replace the Marine Reserves Act
with the new Act. The Marine Reserves Act does not provide for the
establishment of a reserve, unless there is an intention to conduct
scientific studies.
