New Zealand · Spearfishing zone
Open coastal waters of New Zealand (general)
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at Open coastal waters of New Zealand (general).
Free-diving spearfishing for finfish and rock lobster is generally permitted in open coastal sea waters outside marine reserves and other no-take protected areas, subject to the same daily bag limits, minimum size limits, protected-species rules and method restrictions as other recreational fishing. No saltwater fishing licence is required.
What applies here
Restrictions
Specific rules and limits that apply within this area.
Rock lobster may not be speared (reg 29); paua may not be taken with scuba/UBA (reg 48); marine reserves and many regional closures/bylaws apply; size and bag limits apply per Fisheries Management Area.
When it applies
Seasons
Time-of-year periods that affect spearfishing in this zone.
Generally open year-round for finfish; some species/areas have closed seasons.
Source
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for New Zealand
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.