Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill:A New Fully-Protected Marine Sanctuary

A new ocean sanctuary in the Kermadec region of the South Pacific Ocean is being considered by Parliament’s Local Government and Environment Committee. Public submissions are now open and everyone is invited to share their thoughts on the proposed sanctuary.

The Bill seeks to:

• Create a fully-protected marine sanctuary in 620,000 square kilometres of New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone. This area is home to a wide variety of marine species such as whales, dolphins, and sea turtles.

• Prohibit all fishing and mining-related activities in the area. The only allowable activities would be for the passage of ships and planes, seismic surveying for marine scientific research, and the laying of submarine cables and pipelines.

• Establish a new Conservation Board that would develop a conservation management strategy for the sanctuary. Two northern iwi with connections to the Kermadec Islands—Ngāti Kuri and Te Aupōuri—would each have the opportunity to nominate a board member.

The Department of Conservation would manage the sanctuary.

Chair of the Local Government and Environment Committee, Scott Simpson MP, said: “At twice the size of New Zealand, this sanctuary would be a real treasure, and something we could all be proud of creating. We’re looking forward to hearing what New Zealanders think about setting up what should be a very special place.”

Submissions to the Local Government and Environment Committee are due by midnight on 28 April 2016. For regular updates, check out the committee’s Facebook page.

To find out more about the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill visit:

• Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill

• What’s been said in Parliament about the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill

See how to make a submission, visit:

• The Local Government and Environment committee’s Facebook page

• The Parliament’s website – Make a submission on the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill

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