The Fiordland Marine Guardians will mark the 20th anniversary of the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005 at a celebration in Te Anau on Wednesday, 26 November.

The Guardian’s, who were established under the Act, will be joined by people who have contributed to, or supported, their work over the past two decades.

Attendees will include many of the original community members who initiated an innovative approach to caring for Fiordland’s marine environment.

Background to the Act

Community concerns about the degradation of Fiordland’s marine environment first prompted action in the 1990s. While the initial focus was fisheries, discussions soon widened to include the broader marine ecosystem and on-water experiences.

A group representing a range of local interests developed a conservation strategy to address the risks they had identified.

The group – the Guardians of Fiordland - realised that many of their proposed solutions did not fit under existing legislation and that bespoke legislation was needed that reflected both Fiordland’s special nature, and the unique management solutions the community had designed.

A strategy was provided to Government in 2003, and this became the basis for the Act.

The FMM Act

The Act was hailed as a national first when it was passed in April 2005.

“When the Act became law in 2005, it set a new benchmark by combining strong marine protection with a collaborative, locally led approach that drew on the deep knowledge of the Fiordland community,” Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says.

“Twenty years on, I am pleased to celebrate the Guardians and all those who have contributed to its success, helping secure positive outcomes for Fiordland’s extraordinarily diverse and significant marine environment.”

Fiordland Marine Guardians

The first eight Fiordland Marine Guardians appointed in July 2005 were Alan Key; Professor Sir Alan Mark; Ian Buick; John Steffens; Dr Ken Grange; Laurel Teirney; Malcolm Lawson; Stewart Bull.

All had already served with the original Guardians of Fiordland’s Fisheries and Marine Environment, ensuring the new statutory body began its work with deep experience and strong relationships.

Implementation of the Act took time, including establishing eight new marine reserves, introducing new fishing rules, and protecting particularly fragile places—known as China Shops—from damage.

The eight Guardians provide advice to central and local government on risks to the Fiordland Marine Area and promote the integrated management by encouraging collaboration among the central and local government management agencies.

The Guardians have been involved with a wide range of activities under the act, including implementation of 10 marine reserves, innovative fishing and anchorage rules, coordinating collaborative approaches to compliance and marine biosecurity and bespoke coastal resource management rules.

Guardians Chairperson Dr Rebecca McLeod says the enduring success of the Act reflects the strength of the original community-led vision.

“Twenty years on and the legacy continues, which is testament to the vision, trust and determination that shaped the Act, and to the passion and commitment of those who join the Guardians in safeguarding Fiordland’s marine area for those who will come after us.

“Our work is currently focused on fisheries sustainability, marine biosecurity and resource management, but at the heart of all these issues is human behaviour, so a big part of our mahi involves building relationships, storytelling and education.”

This year the Guardians have been recognised for their contribution to marine protection, receiving the Ocean Guardians Award at the New Zealand Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards.

In October, Chairperson Dr McLeod was also honoured with the Kaitiaki Tohu Pou at Environment Southland’s Community Awards.

26 November event

The Guardians will be joined at celebratory events in the region on November 26 and 27 by mana whenua, and representatives from central and local government, and various organisations that have supported their work.

Current and former ministers and dignitaries attending include: the Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Penny Simmonds, the Minister for Biosecurity Hon Andrew Hoggard; Hon Marian Hobbs (the then Minister of the Environment that saw the Act through Parliament in 2005); Hon Pete Hodgson (the then Minster of Fisheries that saw the Act through Parliament in 2005); Dean Whaanga (Kaupapa Taiao Kaiwhakahaere, Te Ao) Mārama Inc.