50684 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister of Conservation

50684 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister of Conservation: What is the expected timeframe, if any, for decisions on the six southeast South Island marine reserves?

Hon Tama Potaka: Decisions on the six marine reserves under the Marine Reserves Act were made in August 2023 (by the former Ministers of Conservation and Transport) and September 2023 (by the former Minister for Oceans and Fisheries). In June 2024, the Otago Rock Lobster Industry Association (ORLIA) initiated judicial review proceedings challenging the decisions made by former Ministers to establish the SEMP marine reserves. The Government is currently responding to the judicial review claim. As a result, the reserves have not yet come into force and the timing for gazettal is dependent on the outcome and timing of these proceedings.