An 854 hectare marine reserve has opened on the south coast of Wellington to mark the start of Conservation Week.
The Taputeranga Marine Reserve extends 2.3km out to sea and 3.3km along the coast, encompassing Owhiro, Island and Houghton Bays.
Rongotai MP, Cabinet Minister Annette King, declared the reserve officially open at Island Bay on Sunday.
The South Coast Marine Reserve Coalition says it's been a long process: the Royal New Zealand Forest & Bird Society began campaigning for a reserve 17 years ago.
It is the 17th marine reserve to be opened since 2000 and includes more than 550 species of sea life.
