Caulerpa covers rocks in Okipu Bay, on Great Barrier Island. Photo: Luka Forman
All anchoring around Auckland's Little Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf has been stopped immediately after an invasive seaweed was discovered.
Caulerpa has spread across northern New Zealand since it was first discovered four years ago.
Biosecurity New Zealand's director of pest management John Walsh said the discovery of patches of the weed on the north and east coasts of the island was disappointing.
The ban, known as a Controlled Area Notice or CAN, is to stop its spread further.
He said the weed could be inadvertently moved when small pieces were caught on anchors, anchor chains, and fishing/dive equipment.
Ngāti Manuhiri is placing a rāhui over the area.
Meanwhile, Local Democracy Reporting reported the government was throwing more than $6 million at developing world-first industrial-scale technology to fight caulerpa as it was confirmed in the Bay of Islands for the first time earlier this year.
It was found at six sites, Northland Regional Council confirmed in March.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
