Species and Habitats
Information, tips for management, research links and sources for further reading are provided for the main habitats and kai species within Taiāpure, Mātaitai and Temporary Closures
Habitats
Estuaries
Estuaries are mahinga kai (food gathering) sites, and provide significant habitats for a range of culturally important species including fish, tuna (eel), birds and plants used for weaving, medicine and carving.
Kai Species
Kina (Evechinus chloroticus)
The New Zealand Kina is endemic to New Zealand and its offshore islands and can grow to be as large as 190 mm diameter, making it arguably, the largest sea urchin in the world...
Pāua – Abalone (Haliotis sp.)
Pāua is the Māori term for the mollusk known elsewhere as Abalone. Pāua were first described by Aristotle, while the first commercial fishery was established 1500 years ago in China...
Toheroa (Paphies ventricosa)
Toheroa are clam-like shellfish endemic to New Zealand. Considered one of the finest seafoods New Zealand has to offer they are of very limited supply and need careful management....
