Rāhui: Tāwharanui Marine Reserve
- Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 24
Ngāti Manuhiri exercise mana motuhake over taonga and rohe
Tuia ki te rangi, Tuia ki te papa
Tuia ki te moana, Tuia tātou
E rongo te pō, E rongo te ao
Haumi e, Hui e, Tāiki e!
The Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust has placed a rāhui across the Tāwharanui Marine Reserve in response to the detection of exotic caulerpa in the area on Thursday 23 April 2026.
The rāhui will be in place for an initial period of two weeks, from 24 April 2026 to 8 May 2026. To prevent the possible spread of exotic caulerpa throughout the marine reserve, we ask that only those involved in the immediate response enter the area under rāhui while an immediate response to the infestation is developed and implemented.
A decision on whether this rāhui is extended will be made once further information is available.
What does this mean?
A rāhui (a physical and spiritual mechanism) sets a temporary prohibition around the rāhui area and restricts access for that period. The purpose of the rāhui is to prevent the spread of exotic caulerpa while this incursion is addressed.
Exotic Caulerpa
Exotic Caulerpa is an invasive seaweed that colonises the seabed by forming large dense mats, killing our native seaweeds that many of our kaimoana - like snapper and crayfish - feed off.
Exotic Caulerpa is easy to spread and hard to remove: a small fragment of the plant caught up in netting or on an anchor and released in another location is more than enough to help this invasive plant spread further.
How you can help
Our best tool against Exotic Caulerpa is awareness. Familiarise yourself with what it looks like, and share this knowledge with your friends and whānau.
Check your fishing and boating equipment for any pieces of Exotic Caulerpa that may have been caught up. If it looks like Exotic Caulerpa, treat it as Exotic Caulerpa, bag it, record the location, take it home to dispose of in the bin or compost, and report the location to MPI.
Sightings and locations can be reported to MPI by:
freephone on 0800 809 966, or
completing the online form at report.mpi.govt.nz
For more information, visit the Ministry for Primary Industries website here.
Ngā mihi
The Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust thanks you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
Contact Us
Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust
0508 MANUHIRI