An area of South Island coast and ocean that's three quarters the size of Stewart Island is being tagged for protection under a proposal supported by Minister of Fisheries Stuart Nash and Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. 

Mr Nash and Ms Sage decided to move forward with a marine protection network that would extend from Waipapa Point to Timaru.

Their respective organisations — Fisheries NZ and the Department of Conservation — plan to release a document for public submissions later this year.

The South-East Marine Protection Forum last year put forward two options. 

Mr Nash said after considering both, they decided to consult on progressing the larger Network 1 option, which covers 1267 square kilometres.

"This network was the option favoured by the science, environment, tourism, and community sectors of the forum, as well as one of the two recreational fishing representatives,'' he said.

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Ms Sage said they wanted to hear from tangata whenua, the community and stakeholders on how to progress Network 1 because it best met the objectives for protecting biodiversity under the Government's Marine Protected Areas Policy.

"We believe this option will create the best protection for important habitats and feeding areas for marine mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates."

In late 2016, the South-East Marine Protection Forum consulted the public, industry and stakeholders on 20 sites for possible inclusion in a network of marine protected areas.

The Forum received more than 2800 submissions on its proposals.

"We want to ensure that all views on implementing marine protection in this region are heard and considered," Ms Sage said.

The Ministers said they had instructed DOC and Fisheries NZ to continue working with Kai Tahu to explore their aspirations for establishing and managing marine protected areas in the region. 

This included what co-management of the proposed marine protected areas would look like.