Major Congestion Alert: Hauraki Gulf Protest Convoy Snarls Auckland Motorways and Waterfront
Auckland, New Zealand – Saturday, November 22, 2025
A significant traffic warning is in place across Auckland today as a large convoy of recreational fishers, boat owners, and supporters take to the city’s motorways and key arterial routes to protest new Hauraki Gulf protection laws. The demonstration, dubbed the “One Ocean Protest,” is expected to cause major congestion, particularly on the Northern Motorway (SH1) and along the city’s waterfront.
The protest is organized by the recreational fishing community and is targeting aspects of the recently passed Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act. Organisers are particularly angered by a late amendment to the law which allows a small number of commercial ring-net fishing operators to continue fishing in two of the newly designated High Protection Areas (HPAs), zones from which recreational fishers are completely banned.
The Route of Disruption
The convoy, which includes vehicles towing numerous boats and jet skis, began gathering this morning at the Albany Park and Ride on the North Shore. The event is scheduled to follow a nearly 30-kilometre route that will directly impact some of Auckland’s busiest traffic corridors.
The planned route involves:
- SH1 Southbound: Entering the motorway via the Oteha Valley Road on-ramp, the convoy will travel south across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
- Central Motorways: They will then transition onto State Highway 16 and move through the port area.
- Waterfront Drive: The route proceeds onto Stanley Street and then follows the busy Tamaki Drive, before proceeding through to Mission Bay and looping back.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and Auckland Transport (AT) are closely monitoring the situation from their joint Auckland Traffic Operations Centre and have issued strong advice to motorists.
“This convoy is likely to cause heavy congestion in the Albany area, across the Harbour Bridge, and particularly along the Tamaki Drive waterfront,” an NZTA spokesperson warned. “We urge all Aucklanders planning travel this morning to check real-time traffic updates via the AT Mobile app or the NZTA Journey Planner before setting out.”
The Core of the Discontent
The protest, co-organised by fishing enthusiast Ben Chissell, stems from the belief that the new marine protection rules are inherently unfair and undermine conservation efforts.
“If the Hauraki Gulf is so badly depleted that areas need to be shut off for protection, then no-one—commercial or recreational—should be allowed to fish them,” Mr. Chissell stated ahead of the event.
The group, which mobilised quickly via social media, argues that allowing five commercial ring-net operators an exclusive, time-bound exemption within two HPAs sets a “dangerous precedent” that prioritises commercial interests over public access and conservation integrity. They emphasise that their protest is focused on achieving fair and consistent conservation rules for all parties.
Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has commented on the issue, suggesting the protesting groups are unhappy with policy their own leaders were involved in establishing some years ago. Seafood New Zealand has also defended the exemption, characterising it as a “just transition” for a small number of fishers using a low-impact method, and clarifying that the vast majority of the new HPAs are closed to all commercial activity.
Police are actively monitoring the protest route, having liaised with the organisers prior to the event. Their primary focus is ensuring public safety and minimising traffic disruption wherever possible during the movement of the large, slow-moving convoy.
