25 signatures reached
To: Department of Conservation
Protect What’s Left: Expand Marine Reserves in NZ
.We are calling on the Department of Conservation to take urgent action to protect our oceans by:
- Creating new fully protected marine reserves in Aotearoa — especially in areas like the Hauraki Gulf, West Coast, and South Island, working with hapū, iwi and local communities to protect important marine life areas.
- Updating the Marine Reserves Act so it fits with today’s science, climate change, and Māori values.
- Increasing New Zealand’s protected ocean areas to meet the goal of at least 30% of coastal and marine areas by 2030.
Why is this important?
“If we want to protect the future of our oceans, we need action now not when it’s too late.”
We’re a group of young people from Ocean Youth, asking DOC to be a kaitiaki (guardian) for Papatūānuku and protect what can’t protect itself.
Right now, only 0.4% of Aotearoa’s ocean are fully protected that is one of the lowest rates in the whole world! Every year, more marine species are threatened by overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Our beautiful coastal waters, home to taonga like dolphins, crayfish, pāua and coral, are under serious risk.
If we don’t act now, we risk losing what makes NZ’s oceans so special.
We care about this because the ocean is not just water it’s life. It gives us food, oxygen, joy, and connection. It’s part of our identity as New Zealanders. Yet, we’re not doing enough to protect it.
We’re a group of young people from Ocean Youth, asking DOC to be a kaitiaki (guardian) for Papatūānuku and protect what can’t protect itself.
Right now, only 0.4% of Aotearoa’s ocean are fully protected that is one of the lowest rates in the whole world! Every year, more marine species are threatened by overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Our beautiful coastal waters, home to taonga like dolphins, crayfish, pāua and coral, are under serious risk.
If we don’t act now, we risk losing what makes NZ’s oceans so special.
We care about this because the ocean is not just water it’s life. It gives us food, oxygen, joy, and connection. It’s part of our identity as New Zealanders. Yet, we’re not doing enough to protect it.
The effects of the problem:
- Fish populations are shrinking
- Coral and kelp habitats are disappearing
- Coastal ecosystems are getting polluted
- Future generations might not experience the ocean like we have
Why now?
Because climate change is speeding things up, and once species are gone, they’re gone. We still have time but we’ll have to act fast.
The better future we’re fighting for:
A future where our oceans are thriving. Where marine life is safe. Where we can swim, fish, and dive in clean, living waters. A future where people, planet, and Papatūānuku are in balance.
This campaign is our way of standing together as ocean lovers, and as people who believe we still have a chance to protect what matters.
We might be young, but our voices are strong and together, we can change our oceans for the better.
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