what new law has new zealand passed to help restore the health of the hauraki gulf?

New Zealand has recently passed the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill, a significant new law aimed at restoring the health of the Hauraki Gulf. This legislation nearly triples marine protection in the Gulf by establishing 19 new marine protection areas. Key features of the law include extending two existing marine reserves, creating 12 new high protection areas where most commercial and recreational fishing is prohibited, and establishing five seafloor protection areas that ban damaging activities like bottom trawling and dredging. The law also recognizes the role of mana whenua, supports customary Māori practices, and aims to restore vital marine habitats and biodiversity for future generations. Despite strong protections, some compromises were made, including a carve-out allowing commercial ring-net fishing in certain high protection areas. Overall, this law marks the largest marine protection increase in over a decade, targeting recovery of species like snapper, kōura (crayfish), seabirds, and fragile reefs, and helping to rebuild the Gulf's resilience against ecological decline and climate change.