A two-year ban is now in place on taking kuku/mussels from Ōhiwa Harbour.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa requested the closure, Te rāhui kuku ki tua o Kanawa, to support its traditional rāhui and an area of the harbour where mussel beds have been reseeded.

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said the closure would support local efforts to restore mussel beds in the area.

“It will ensure the mussels have the best opportunity to mature, reproduce, and contribute to a bigger population in the harbour,” he said.

Kuku/mussels are a taonga species for iwi that play a pivotal role in maintaining the ecological balance and mauri of Ōhiwa Harbour.

“I congratulate Ngāti Awa and the local community for their ongoing mahi and commitment to restoring wild mussels in their harbour. This important work will help ensure the area has healthy mussel populations to be enjoyed by future generations.”

The 0.1 square-kilometre closure, which encompasses an area around the Port Ōhope Boat ramp towards the spit, came into force yesterday and will be in place until November 12, 2026.

It will be enforceable by Fishery Officers.

More information on the temporary closure, including a map of the closed area, can be found on the Fisheries New Zealand website.