WELLINGTON/KAPITI Things to remember Marine reserves are special places that protect the environment, plants and animals within them. Under the Further information Taputeranga Marine Reserves Act 1971 it is illegal to: Kapiti Wellington Visitor Centre fish, or gather marine life of any kind (including 18 Manners Street, Marine Reserve Te Aro, Wellington 6011 attempting to gather or fish) PHONE: 04 384 7770 damage or take natural things, including shellfish, EMAIL: [email protected] seaweed and shells www.doc.govt.nz litter or pollute, dump fish waste or discharge toxic substances interfere with marine life. Penalties under the Act include confiscation of fishing equipment, vessels or vehicles, fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 3 months. Penalties also apply to the owners of dogs that disturb wildlife. Protect our wildlife. Your dog is dangerous to native marine life – the smallest dogs have killed penguins! If taking dogs into the reserve, remember that seals are sensitive to disruption and will try to escape to sea if they feel threatened. Keep your dog on a lead, stay at least 20 m away and don’t feed seals or try to get a selfie with them. No unauthorised drones. Drones can: Cover image: disturb, injure or kill native birds Taputeranga Marine Reserve. disturb marine mammals Photo: Leon Berard disturb other visitors. Published by: An authorisation is required from DOC to use drones Department of Conservation PO Box 5086, on public conservation land or near marine mammals for Wellington 6145, any reason, including private use. To apply, visit New Zealand www.doc.govt.nz/drones Editing and design: Te Rōpū Ratonga Auaha, Te Papa Atawhai DOC Creative Services If fishing outside the reserve April 2020 Catch and size limits apply for fishing outside the reserve This publication is produced using boundaries. Visit or text ‘app’ to paper sourced from well-managed, www.fisheries.govt.nz renewable and legally logged forests. to check the rules before heading out. 9889 R173722 Lyall Bay H A P P Y V A L L E Y D R R D E Y D A A B R N A O P T E H H G T U O Houghton H Island Bay Bay Island Bay Marine Ōwhiro Bay Education Centre E y D A Houghton a R B A Island P s Te Kopahou Y Bay s 41° 20.83' S A Bay e 41° 20.75' S B y c Visitor O a Island Bay in 174° 44.67' E IR B r 174° 47.37' E H P Centre W o Snorkel Ō ir THE ESPLANADE Te Raekaihau h w Trail Ō Pariwhero / The Sirens Rocks Red Rocks ‘Shark's Tooth’ Taputeranga Island F69 Frigate Dive Site E ' E 7 ' m 3 . k 7 m 7 6 3 . k 4 . 4 2 2 ° 4 . ≈ 4 2 ° 7 ≈ 4 1 7 1 TAPUTERANGA MARINE RESERVE ! ! ! ! ! 41° 22.00' S 41° 22.00' S 174° 44.67' E 41° 22.00' S 174° 47.37' E ≈3.8 km Porirua 0 200 400 600 m Lower Stokes Tawa Hutt WGS84. Imagery: GeographX Valley No removal of marine life, including: Wellington Marine reserve marker Boat ramp Information Toilet ! No fishing with a net ! No fishing from shore Marine reserve I Dive site Parking ! Do not remove crayfish ! No fishing from a boat 4WD track ! Do not remove shellfish Education centre Snorkel trail Welcome Animals of Taputeranga Divers will enjoy the submerged wrecks – the HMNZS Wellington (F69) navy frigate near Taputeranga Taputeranga Marine Reserve occupies part of Marine Reserve Island, and the Taiwanese fishing vesselYung Pen Wellington’s south coast, between Lyall Bay and The reserve’s location at the confluence of several water in shallow water near Ōwhiro Bay – note that coastal Te Kopahou Reserve to the west of Ōwhiro Bay. currents and its complex topography help it support a sea conditions are fickle. There are other dive sites in The picturesque coastline is a popular walking and unique mixture of plant and animal species in a small the reserve, too. Pop in to Dive Wellington at 432 The area. The number and sizes of species in the marine running area, and its rockpools are great places for Esplanade/ divewellington.co.nz to find out more. children to learn about marine life. Snorkellers and divers reserve area have increased since the reserve was formed On the coast can explore shipwrecks off the coast or spot the reserve’s – Taputeranga is home to over 180 species of fish, crayfish marine animals and landscapes. (kōura/rock lobster), kina (sea urchin), pāua, starfish, The reserve shoreline is a scenic place to explore crabs, sponges and octopus. The mararī/butterfish and rockpools and to exercise. It is close to Te Kopahou Reserve boundaries pākirikiri/blue cod are now less wary of divers, and large Reserve, which has walking routes along the coast and The eastern and western reserve boundaries are marked crayfish are often seen in the open. over nearby hills for a great view of the south coast. Visit by large yellow triangles on shore. The landward There is a variety of birdlife in the reserve too, such as Te Kopahou Visitor Centre or the Te Kopahou Reserve (northern) boundary is at the mean high-water mark. oystercatchers and reef herons close to shore, white- page of wellington.govt.nz for more information. The southern boundary is unmarked. For your location fronted terns just off the coast, and large albatrosses The coast’s windy weather makes in relation to marine reserve boundaries around Variab le oy soaring above the waves out to sea. Little blue penguins it ideal for spotting seabirds and ster New Zealand, download MarineMate, a free app catc breed on the south coast, protected from predators by marine mammals. Grab a her for smartphones. traps and custom-built nest boxes. guidebook and binoculars or Getting there camera and see what’s around! Taputeranga Marine Reserve is about 6 km from Look for fur seals lazing on the rocks or sunning themselves on the water surface. From the shore you may on Wellington city. Buses run regularly from the city centre hit C to Island Bay and Houghton Bay, both next to the reserve. also see dolphins, orca, leopard seals and even whales. Visit for bus information. metlink.org.nz fi n a le u ip ā Tr P Spotties e les on Barnac nem Red droplet a R o ug h biscuit star S weep K e l C p u f p o s r p e s o t n g e Finger sponge The reserve is named after Taputeranga Island in Island Bay. P o t Photo: Julian Butler Photography - b e l l i e d s e a Why we have marine reserves Things to do h o r s e Marine reserves are the ‘national parks’ of the sea, On the water s seabed and foreshore, in which all natural features, u On a warm day the bays in the reserve are very p o t including marine life, are legally protected. They provide c refreshing. There is a dive platform at Island Bay in O E l K ev places for scientific research and for the recovery of in s en summer, and space to lay out a towel at Princess Bay. a ta -a rfi rm marine life by reducing or eliminating threats associated Kayaking around Taputeranga Island is popular on a calm sh ed with human activities. day, and Houghton Bay is enjoyed by surfers. As these are protected ‘no take’ areas, our taonga Under the waves (treasured) plant and animal communities can flourish for all to enjoy, now and in the future. Taputeranga Marine The reserve offers wonderful opportunities for snorkelers Reserve protects species and habitats that are also present and divers to discover the underwater scenery and wildlife. r ste lob at other marine reserves around New Zealand. It is part of The snorkel trail near Island Bay is a great cod ck ue Ro Bl the marine reserve network that enables species to move place to explore the underwater world. The between reserves and that acts as a backup if a major sign at the beginning of the trail (see map) has event (like an earthquake or landslide) wipes out large more information. areas of habitat. History How you can help Get involved The Wellington south coast’s early inhabitants relied Join the groups and organisations that support the DOC is responsible for managing Taputeranga Marine on its abundant seafood; narrow boat ramps from early marine reserve and work to keep it a special place. Reserve. You can help keep the reserve as a special place European fishers can still be seen carved into rocky reefs. by reporting illegal or suspicious activity. A marine reserve here was proposed in 1987 to protect culturally important sites, diverse plants and animals, Call 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362 468) immediately if: undersea reefs and biological oddities for restoration, • you see anyone fishing or taking marine life from recreation and study. Taputeranga reserve was officially the reserve MountainsToSeaWellington.org opened in 2008. The local community played a major • marine animals are in danger or are being harassed. role in the application process and is still involved with the reserve. If possible and safe to do so, take photographs of illegal activities, the people involved and vehicle licence plates. To report pollution, oil spills, navigation hazards octopus.org.nz and dangerous boating, contact Greater Wellington Regional Council’s environment hotline – 0800 496 734. Take all rubbish with you or place it in the bins provided.