The passing of the Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill has been hailed as a “huge milestone” for one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most ecologically significant marine regions, nearly tripling marine protection across the area.
Long-anticipated, the legislation introduces a swathe of 19 new marine protected areas across the Gulf, a biodiversity hotspot that has been facing environmental decline for decades.
“For years, communities and people across the political divide have despaired at the effects of the Gulf’s long-standing ecological decline leading to desolate kina barrens and habitat loss,” said New Zealand’s Conservation Minister, Mr Tama Potaka.
Original Article: Hauraki Gulf Protection Act ushers in 'bold new era for marine life'
