E haere kia kite i ngā motu o Tīkapa Moana Visiting the Hauraki Gulf islands

What to keep in mind when visiting Hauraki Gulf Islands.

The Hauraki Gulf islands provide a safe habitat for some of our most endangered animals and plants. Weeds and pests pose a threat to these species.

To protect our unique islands, the Regional Pest Management Plan – Islands section and the Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice 2020 restrict activities that can spread pests to islands.

​Get a copy of the documents

Visitors must check their belongings and gear to prevent accidentally taking weeds or pests to the islands.

Dirt transported on camping and tramping gear, including dirty footwear, may carry deadly kauri dieback disease or weed seed and pests.

Pack kai (food) into sealed containers to keep pests out. Do not use open bags or supermarket bags.

If you are camping, unpack and check your tents and bedding thoroughly. These are attractive and ideal items for pest animals.  Keep sleeping bags in separate zipped-up bags.

Download our guide to learn about the steps you can take to keep our Hauraki Gulf islands pest-free.

Clean dirty gear or footwear to remove all dirt and seeds.

Check all gear for pests such as mice, rats, ants, plague skinks and weeds. It is an offence to move any of these pests in the Hauraki Gulf.

Visit Pest Search for a list of pest plants and animals.

If you are taking your own boat or kayak, inspect it carefully before you leave. Consider potential 'shelters' like open lockers and dinghies. Look for signs of rodents, like droppings or gnawed wiring.

While you are checking your boat, look underneath at the hull to make sure no marine pests have attached themselves.

Read our guide on clean boating for more information.

What to do if you find a pest

Report pests on your vessel

If you find a pest like a rat or a mouse on your vessel:

• catch and secure it in a container
• email biosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or report it to the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Report pests on pest-free islands

Call DOC on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) if you find a pest on a pest-free island.

Report marine pests

Call 0800 80 99 66 to report marine pests.

How to control pests

Keep fresh rodent bait or set traps on your vessel.

Place rat guards on mooring ropes or anchor chains to prevent rats from coming on board.

Destroy any rats, mice, ants or skinks found in your gear or on your vessel correctly and humanely. Do not throw rats or mice overboard.

Marine pests and exotic caulerpa seaweed 

The pest seaweed, exotic caulerpa, has been found off Aotea / Great Barrier Island, Waiheke Island and Kawau Island.

If you are boating in the Hauraki Gulf, it is important you:

• report sightings
• keep your gear and the topside and bottom of your boat clean and pest-free to prevent marine pests from spreading
• know restrictions in the area for:
  • anchoring
  • movement of vessels
  • fishing
• know the restrictions in place for controlled and high-protection areas.

In the Auckland region there are legal controlled area notices in place for:

• Aotea / Great Barrier Island
• Waiheke Island
• Hauturu-o-toi / Little Barrier Island
• Ahuahu / Great Mercury Island.

Visit The legal rules for boating and fishing to stop the spread of exotic caulerpa to find out the rules in these areas.

For more information about marine pests and caulerpa seaweed, visit:

• Exotic caulerpa seaweeds in New Zealand
• Clean Below? Good to go.

Download our 'Boating in the Hauraki Gulf' guide

Find out more about boating in high-protection areas in the Hauraki Gulf.

Do the right things with pets

Many of our offshore islands are havens for native birds and lizards. Cats, dogs and other pets can easily cause harm to native wildlife in these sanctuaries.

In addition, it is an offence to take turtles and exotic parrots to offshore islands, especially Aotea / Great Barrier. Visit Pest Search for a list of pest animals.

If you are visiting the Hauraki Gulf, the safest choice is to leave your pet at home.

If you must take your pet cat or dog on holiday with you, obey all signage – many islands are free of cats and dogs and it is an offence to take pets onto or near these islands.

Cats that go on holiday with you around the Hauraki Gulf need to be microchipped so they can be returned to you if lost.

Do the right thing with plants 

Pests such as plague skinks, argentine ants and kauri dieback love to hitch a ride on pot plants.

If you are planning to do some planting on an island, ideally find plants that were grown on-island.

If you do have to bring plants from off-island, make sure they have been sourced from a supplier who is accredited with the Plant Pass scheme to reduce the risk of hitchhiker pests. Alternatively, you can bare root your plants, dunk them in water thoroughly, and repot them with completely new potting mix 24 hours before you go.

The Regional Pest Management Plan requires all commercial vessel and tourism operators to obtain and maintain a Pest-free Warrant (PFW) that assesses:

• how well you apply biosecurity measures
• how you communicate biosecurity best practice to your customers.

Pest-free Warrants are free and we will provide advice and support to businesses to phase-in their warrants between 2021-2024.

Visit Apply for a Pest-free Warrant to learn more about the benefits and how to apply for a warrant.

Make sure you travel on a Pest-free Warranted boat and look for the official logo.

These operators know how to keep our islands pest-free and havens for our indigenous biodiversity.

A list of Pest-free Warrant holders is available at the Department of Conservation website.

Some transported goods such as plants, rubble or rocks have a higher chance of moving pests. If you are moving a building, you will need to have an inspection to ensure that no pests are being transported.

Check Transporting items to the Hauraki Gulf islands for more information.