Hikurangi Marine Reserve
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| Hikurangi Marine Reserve | |
|---|---|
 Dusky dolphins near coast | |
 Interactive map of Hikurangi Marine Reserve | |
| Location | Canterbury, New Zealand |
| Nearest city | Kaikōura |
| Coordinates | 42°27′41″S 173°32′33″E / 42.4612763°S 173.5424247°E |
| Area | 10,416 hectares (25,740 acres) |
| Established | 2014 |
| Governing body | Department of Conservation |
Hikurangi Marine Reserve is a marine reserve off the coast of the Kaikōura District, in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand's South Island.[1] It is the largest and deepest marine reserve in New Zealand.[2]
The reserve is covers an area of 10,416 hectares south of the township of Kaikōura.[3] It includes part of the Kaikōura Canyon, a 1000 metre deep side branch of the Hikurangi Trough. It includes a rocky coastline of greywacke boulder and bedrock reefs. Panau Island and two smaller islets are located offshore.[1]
The marine reserve is only available for limited passive recreation.[1] No fishing, harvesting or mining is allowed.[2] However, whales, dolphins and sea birds can be viewed in large numbers.[4]
The park was established in 2014.[3][2]
In November 2016, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake caused submarine mudslides and sediment flows that devastated the deep-sea life in the canyon.[5] Road access to the coast was also affected.[6]
In September 2017, a National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research expedition found species were recovering faster than expected.[7]
A subsidiary of Talley's Group was convicted and fined for trawling in the marine reserve in March 2019.[8] The company denied the charge,[9] and Talley's denied responsibility.[10]
In October 2023, two divers were caught with 486 pāua collected illegally from the reserve.[11]