The tangata tiaki/kaitiaki of Te Puna Mātaitai reserve in the Bay of Islands have noticed a significant depletion of mussels in their mātaitai. They consider the disappearance of the sacred kūtai to be a crisis, and have requested a new bylaw to prohibit collection of 3 mussel species within the mātaitai reserve boundaries. This will help to restore the mussel beds and ensure the sustainability of the population, supporting future recreational and customary harvest.

For more information see the Fisheries New Zealand website.