Stunning mural celebrates Tonga Island Marine Reserve

Date:  16 April 2025

The mural, which celebrates the reserve turning 30 years old in 2023, shows a stunning underwater scene representing the iconic marine reserve that runs along 11 km of the Abel Tasman Coastline.

Featured on the mural are taonga species such as kekeno/NZ fur seal, tāmure/snapper, koura/crayfish and rāwiri/blue cod, alongside other species and habitats. It also educates boaties and the public about the rules of the reserve.

DOC Marine Reserves Ranger Stew Robertson says the mural is a real joint venture, with the concept design coming from working with artist Mat Tait.

“Mat is a national treasure in his own right, famous for his art, illustrations and award-winning books. A huge thanks to Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve which funded Mat’s time, and Dulux which provided the paint through its partnership with DOC.”

The Tonga Island Marine Reserve was established in 1993 to reverse declining populations and a degrading marine ecosystem along the Abel Tasman Coast. It’s been a spectacular success, with significant increases in size and abundance of species like rāwiri, kōura and blue moki.

Stew says, “nature thrives as an interconnected system and we need to work together to protect it”.

“Diving and boating are encouraged in our reserves but fishing is strictly prohibited. The rules are simple: no fishing, taking, damaging or polluting of marine life inside a marine reserve.

“Ignorance of the rules is no excuse. The default penalty for breaking marine reserve rules is a $600 infringement fine up to prosecution and imprisonments for serious, commercial or repeat offending.”

The reserve’s boundaries run from Mosquito Bay reef in the south to Awaroa Head in the north, to one nautical mile (1.8 km) out to sea. There are yellow triangular markers on land and yellow buoys with crosses and lights at sea along each end out to the corners. CCTV cameras are installed to detect illegal fishing, and rangers and locals often patrol the reserve at any time of the day or night.

All NZ marine reserves are marked on modern vessel chart plotters. If you don’t own a chart plotter, you can download the Marine Mate App which will tell you the local rules and regulations wherever you are in the country.

“Marine protection allows areas to have intact food webs which builds ecosystem resilience and benefits the surrounding areas.”

“Aside from protecting fragile habitats and increasing their resilience, marine reserves give us a glimpse into the marine world without the influence of fishing.

Background information

Tonga Island Marine Reserve

Tonga Island Marine Reserve is known for its crystal-clear water and thriving marine ecosystem – both below and above the waves. This includes fish, shellfish and crustaceans, seabirds, several dolphin species, seals, and seaweeds.

DOC and Dulux

DOC and Dulux have had an official partnership since 2013. This partnership supports the restoration and maintenance of the vast visitor infrastructure that DOC manages, including backcountry huts.

As a result, hundreds of DOC huts and buildings and other community facilities have been protected and enhanced.

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