Plans for a massive kingfish farm in the Hauraki Gulf have taken a significant step forward after securing approval from the Ministry of Primary Industries.

The aquaculture farm will cover nearly 300 hectares between the Coromandel and Waiheke. It will comprise five separate blocks, three of which will farm kingfish in pens, while the others will farm green-lipped mussels, sea cucumbers, sponges and seaweeds.

The company behind the farm, Pare Hauraki Kaimoana, is owned by the Hauraki Māori Trust Board, representing the interests of 12 local iwi.Consent was given despite the Department of Conservation and MPI raising concerns about mitigation of environmental impacts, and environmental groups such as Protect Our Gulf and Forest & Bird were opposed on the grounds the food used in intensive fish farming and the waste produced could risk further damaging the already strained area of the Hauraki Gulf.

MEDIA COVERAGE

Newsroom. Hauraki Gulf kingfish farm clears final regulatory hurdle (newsroom.co.nz)