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A protest led by Protect Whangaparāoa Rockpools (PWR) has sparked a nationwide discussion about protecting New Zealand’s coastline from overharvesting.
PWR organiser Mark Lenton estimated about 500 people from across Auckland attended the protest, held on Saturday, January 17, at Army Bay.
Speaking at the event, Lenton said the protest was about safeguarding the coastline.
“We represent Whangaparāoa, and we are at Army Bay because it is one of the most impacted beaches, but this is a national problem. Every day I have people from across New Zealand asking me for help. They are similarly impacted, but they don’t know what to do. Today is a blueprint for the rest of New Zealand to make a stand and to send a message that stripping our coastline is not the Kiwi way.”
“We’re sending two clear messages today,” Lenton said. “We need the government to protect our coastline. Secondly, we want the gatherers to respect our land, to respect our coast, and to respect New Zealand.”
Lenton and the group have been advocating for more than a year to have a Section 186A ban and rāhui put in place to stop overharvesting. Ngāti Manuhiri have lodged an application with the Ministry of Fisheries, which is currently under review by Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. However, Lenton says PWR will continue advocating for further action.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft also earlier travelled to Whangaparāoa Peninsula accompanied by Fisheries staff and met with PWR, as well as Ngāti Manuhiri representatives.
Lenton said the growing concern and awareness is welcome news.
He encourages people in other areas to form their own coastal protection groups.
“The worst thing they can do is nothing. The first thing they should do is phone a friend and start a group. From there, momentum grows very quickly, but it needs one person to take action.”
Lenton said once a ban is in place the long-term solution lies in working with communities to change attitudes towards overharvesting so it doesn’t just resume once bans are lifted.
“That comes through education, and migrant communities taking responsibility to influence attitudes and behaviours within their groups. Longer term, we also need government and authorities to recognise that population growth has increased demand for marine life, and rules and enforcement must respond to that.
“New Zealand is a beautiful country. It is unique, and one of our standout features is our marine life, our conservation attitude and the desire of Kiwis to protect it for our children. People come to New Zealand because it’s beautiful. Let’s keep it that way. Every one of us is a guardian of the ocean.”
Following the protest, Jones asked Fisheries New Zealand officials to provide advice with urgency given the situation at Army Bay and elsewhere.
