The Friends of Te Whanganui-O-Hei Marine Reserve Trust

Te Whanganui-O-Hei became a marine reserve in 1992 and is New Zealand’s sixth marine reserve, the first for the Coromandel. With no recreational or commercial fishing allowed inside the reserve, marine plants and animals are free to return to their natural balance. Marine reserves have been hugely successful in restoring marine ecosystems, including fish stocks, in other parts of New Zealand. The reserve covers nine square kilometres and is administered by the Department of Conservation in partnership with the Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve Committee.

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The Friends of Te Whanganui-O-Hei Marine Reserve Trust was established in 2010, primarily to raise funds for the marine reserve. The Trust receives funds through grants and donations. Members of the Trust are made up of two representatives appointed by Ngati Hei, one from the Te Whanganui-O-Hei Marine Reserve Committee and four representatives from the community. One of the main reasons for setting up the Trust was so that funds could be raised to develop the educational potential of the reserve. We are extremely pleased to be able to help with the funding needed to deliver The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust’s programme Experiencing Marine Reserves free to local area schools. The focus of the EMR programme (www.emr.org.nz) is to provide quality education opportunities, increasing awareness, and encouraging action and support for marine conservation in New Zealand. The Trust will also raise funds for other projects within the marine reserve and Cathedral Cove.

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