Pāua Poaching Surges in Wellington

Pāua poaching is surging in Wellington, with 30% of people checked found breaking the law — triple the national average. Although the legal limit is five pāua per person, some are taking hundreds. On Good Friday, officers caught two divers near Red Rocks with 433 pāua. They returned from shore around 7:30 p.m., using darkness to avoid detection.

Fisheries officers caught more than 200 people in the nine months leading up to March. The high numbers have raised serious concerns about the future of the pāua population. Renee Randall, a diver from Te Ātiawa, warned that pāua could disappear without action. “The resource is outstanding, but it won’t last long if this continues,” he said.

Poachers are using pāua as currency, linking it to organised crime. Randall added that some people no longer see pāua as taonga, but as something to sell or trade. Fisheries NZ manager Phillip Tasker confirmed that some groups take pāua purely for profit.

Many poachers carefully plan their operations. They use lookouts and choose times when they expect no patrols, like early mornings or nights. Officers face threats during enforcement, and some situations require police support.

To stay safe, officers now wear stab-proof vests and body cameras. Authorities can also confiscate gear and vehicles from serious offenders.

Tasker urged the community to protect this resource. “We act under the Fisheries Act when people take large numbers,” he said. Officials encourage the public to report illegal activity by calling 0800 4 POACHER.