Hauraki Gulf shellfish bans extended two years

Shellfish harvesting closures across parts of the Hauraki Gulf have been extended for two years from Friday 7 August. The bans cover mussels, pāua, cockles, oysters, pipi and packhorse rock lobster at sites including Waiheke Island, Umupuia Beach and Coromandel's Te Mātā and Waipatukahu. Minister Shane Jones approved the extension at the request of three iwi to let local shellfish populations recover.