Hastings kina poacher jailed after raid on Te Angiangi Marine Reserve

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve remains highly regarded by local people as a specially protected marine area.

A kina poacher has been jailed for stealing the spiky delicacy from a marine reserve.

Richard Harry Tai Timu, from Hastings, was sentenced to one month in prison for taking
kina and pūpū (common cat's eye) from Te Angiangi Marine Reserve in Hawke's Bay.

Department of Conservation (DoC) compliance officers had seen Timu in the reserve last December.

Timu and other offenders had ignored numerous signs indicating the area was a fully protected marine reserve, a DoC statement said.

Kina are protected if they are located within a marine reserve.

Timu pleaded guilty to taking marine life from the marine reserve and was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, to be served concurrently with other charges, in the Hastings District Court on Monday.

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve is in the central coastline of Hawke's Bay, between Aramoana and Te Parimahu (Blackhead).

It is part of a network of marine reserves managed by DOC across New Zealand. The Marine Reserves Act 1971 protects these areas and sets out penalties for anyone who flouts the rules within the reserves.

All plant and animal life, alive or dead, within marine reserves, are totally protected. No fishing, seaweed or shellfish gathering is allowed. Protection also extends to include reefs and the seafloor in marine reserves.

DoC Hawke's Bay Acting Operations Manager Carl Baker says that Te Angiangi Marine Reserve was "a special and unique marine area, the only marine reserve we have in Hawke's Bay, and we will always act promptly to protect this area from illegal activity".

DoC compliance officers patrol Te Angiangi regularly. Visitors to the area are encouraged to keep an eye out for illegal activity in Te Angiangi Marine Reserve.

Any suspicious or illegal activity observed along our coasts or in marine reserves can be reported to 0800 POACHER (0800 447 6224) or DOC's hotline 0800 362 468.

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve remains highly regarded by local people as a specially protected marine area.

The reserve was named by local hapū represented by Ngāti Kere to honour local history. People can visit the reserve but need to be aware of the rules. Signs at access points to Te Angiangi clearly indicate to visitors the reserve boundaries as well as rules.