Auckland’s coastal protest demands urgent protection for depleted rock pools
Residents along Auckland’s Whangaparaoa coastline are preparing for a peaceful protest this weekend. They aim to highlight the severe decline in marine life caused by excessive harvesting in rock pools. The gathering at Army Bay’s boat ramp will call for stronger protections and a ban on collecting shellfish and seaweed from the area.
The protest follows years of damage to the intertidal zone, where tools like chisels and hammers have been used to strip rock pools of mussels, kina, and other marine life. Army Bay, in particular, has faced heavy pressure, with both families and organized tours contributing to the problem over the past two years. Mark Lenton, a local resident and member of the Protect Whangaparaoa Rockpools group, has raised concerns about the lack of safeguards for the bay’s fragile ecosystem.
Local iwi, Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust, have taken formal action by applying for a two-year legal ban on harvesting under the Fisheries Act. The request now rests with Tama Tonga, New Zealand’s Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, who will decide by 17 February 2026. Hibiscus and Bays Local Board chairperson Alexis Poppelbaum has also reported drastic depletion in Army Bay’s rock pools, reinforcing calls for urgent intervention. The protest forms part of a broader campaign to halt all shellfish and seaweed collection along Auckland’s eastern coastline. Supporters hope the demonstration will pressure both gatherers and the government to act before further damage occurs.
The Minister’s decision on the proposed ban is expected next month. If approved, the two-year restriction would cover mussel and kina harvesting in the affected rock pools. Meanwhile, residents continue to push for stricter measures to restore the coastline’s dwindling marine life.
