NZ fishing rules
Size and daily limits change from one part of the coast to the next. Pick your area to see the limits for snapper, kingfish, blue cod, shellfish and crayfish.
Checked against MPI on 28 October 2026. Always check the free NZ Fishing Rules app before you keep a fish.
Auckland, Northland and Bay of Plenty · Auckland and Kermadec area
Northland, Auckland, Waikato, the Bay of Plenty and the Kermadec Islands.
Snapper 7 / 10 / 15 a day by zone
Wellington, Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki · Central area
The lower and central North Island, from Cape Runaway around to Tirua Point, including Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Taranaki.
Snapper 10 a day, min 27 cm · Blue cod 2 / 20 a day by zone, min 33 cm
Nelson, Marlborough and Golden Bay · Challenger area
The top of the South Island, from the West Coast north of Awarua Point around Golden Bay, Tasman Bay and the Marlborough Sounds to Clarence Point.
Snapper 10 / 3 a day by zone, min 25 cm · Blue cod 2 / 10 / 15 a day by zone, min 33 cm
Kaikōura
The Kaikōura coast from Clarence Point to the Conway River, out to 12 nautical miles.
Snapper 10 a day, min 25 cm · Blue cod 6 / 2 / 10 a day by zone, min 33 cm
Canterbury and Otago · South-East area
The east coast of the South Island from Clarence Point to Slope Point in the Catlins, including Canterbury and Otago (Kaikōura has its own rules).
Snapper 10 a day, min 25 cm · Blue cod 2 / 10 a day by zone, min 33 cm
Southland and Stewart Island · Southland area
Southland from Awarua Point in South Westland to Slope Point in the Catlins, including Bluff, Foveaux Strait and Stewart Island (Fiordland has its own rules).
Blue cod 10 a day, min 33 cm
Fiordland
The Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area, from Milford Sound / Piopiotahi to Preservation Inlet.
Snapper 5 a day · Blue cod 10 a day, min 33 cm
Chatham Islands · Chatham Rise area
The Chatham Rise, including the Chatham Islands, out to the edge of the exclusive economic zone.
Snapper 5 a day, min 25 cm · Blue cod 5 a day, min 33 cm