Hauraki Gulf – Great Barrier Island News

Over time, the gulf was dredged of green-lipped mussels, leading to their complete disappearance. Photo / NIWA / Rebekah Parsons-King

Environment & Ecology

Massive Mussel Drop Targets Hauraki Gulf Restoration

Over time, the gulf was dredged of green-lipped mussels, leading to their complete disappearance. Photo / NIWA / Rebekah Parsons-King Seven million kūtai (green-lipped mussels) will be deployed into the Hauraki Gulf, Te Moananui-ā-Toi, Tīkapa Moana to reverse the impacts…

Miner's Head: Remnants of Great Barrier Island's first copper mine, a glimpse into the island's industrial past. Photo / LawrieM / CC

Environment & Ecology

Ministry Declines to Confirm or Deny Fast-Track Mining Applications on Great Barrier Island

Miner’s Head: Remnants of Great Barrier Island’s first copper mine, a glimpse into the island’s industrial past. Photo / LawrieM / CC The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has refused to confirm or deny whether fast-track mining applications have been…

More than 100 tonnes of caulerpa washed up in this Great Barrier Island Bay after Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo / Sid Ware / Ministry for Primary Industries

Environment & Ecology

Authorities Extend Caulerpa Control Measures

More than 100 tonnes of caulerpa washed up in this Great Barrier Island Bay after Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo / Sid Ware / Ministry for Primary Industries / FILE The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has extended the exotic Caulerpa Controlled…

Snapper showing signs of Milky White Flesh Syndrome, a condition linked to climate change and food scarcity in the Hauraki Gulf. Photo / Fishing NZ

Environment & Ecology

Climate Change to Blame for Malnourished Snapper – NIWA

Fisheries New Zealand has pinpointed a combination of climate-related factors as the likely cause of Milky White Flesh Syndrome in snapper, according to a new report. Skinny snapper with mushy, white flesh instead of the usual firm and translucent texture…

This bright-green invasive caulerpa seaweed is smothering the delicate marine ecosystem on Great Barrier Island. Photo / Glenn Edney

Environment & Ecology

Caulerpa Found in Leigh, Raises Concerns Over Spread from Great Barrier Island

Has Caulerpa's arrival in Leigh confirmed the fears of marine biologists, previously dismissed by MPI in their report on the controversial Aotea crayfishing permits?

The cutting-edge VS-9 is currently undergoing testing in the Hauraki Gulf and will be fitted with a cabin top once trials are complete. Photo / Supplied

Environment & Ecology

Cutting-Edge Electric Hydrofoiling Ferry Hits the Hauraki Gulf

Fullers' latest ferry technology could reduce the journey to Great Barrier Island to under two hours.

Crayfish pots aboard the Crusader. Photo / Toitū Fishing NZ

Environment & Ecology

MPI Justifies Controversial Crayfishing Permits, Accepts Consultation Failures

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has defended its controversial decision to permit commercial fishing within Controlled Area Notice (CAN) regions on Aotea Great Barrier Island, where locals and recreational fishermen have been banned for years. Despite MPI defending the…

Abandoned and Overgrown: A home in Akapoua, under DoC's stewardship, stands neglected while awaiting a stalled treaty settlement. Photo / Will Trafford

Community News

Disarray and Denial: The Uncertain Future of DoC on Aotea

Residents and DoC insiders are questioning the Department of Conservation's commitment to Aotea. They point to empty, decaying houses and shuttered tracks as signs of neglect. Additionally, there are doubts about whether the department has sufficient funding and a clear…

Aotea's Coast Braces for Incoming Storm. Photo / AoteaGBI.news FILE

Community News

Aotea Braces for Severe Weather

Residents should prepare for a period of heavy rain and potential thunderstorms starting this afternoon. The MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Watch for Great Barrier Island, in addition to Auckland, from 9 PM on Monday, 20 May, until 6…

Great Barrier's Medlands white sand beach with New Zealand native toi toi fauna and mountain view. Photo / Mark Russell

Environment & Ecology

Can Legal Personhood for Nature Halt Biodiversity Loss?

Great Barrier Island’s Medlands Beach: Pristine white sands, native toi toi fauna, and stunning mountain views. Photo / Mark Russell By Viktoria Kahui, University of Otago Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we…