25 Jul 2011

Hapu says rahui will be extended

9:05 pm on 25 July 2011

A Far North hapu that placed a rahui on a reef in 2010 says it is working so well they will reaffirm it in spring.

Te Rarawa hapu from Ahipara declared a six-month ban on taking kaimoana from 1km stretch of coastline near Tauroa Point because paua stocks were dwindling.

The unofficial ban attracted widespread support from marae in the Far North, the local pakeha fishing fraternity, and the Ministry of Fisheries.

Spokesperson for the organisers Patau Tipene says, after just six months, paua stocks were growing again, crayfish had moved back in, and fish were becoming more plentiful in the surrounding areas.

He says everyone has agreed to extend the rahui for five years and, because it has universal support, everyone is policing it.

The hapu recently reseeded another part of their coastline with 20,000 baby paua from a NIWA breeding project, financed by the Runanga o Te Rarawa.