Covering 191 square miles, the reserves are expected to benefit species including yellow-eyed penguins, albatrosses and sea lions. Known collectively as Te Au Roa o Te Rakihouia, the protected areas honour ancestral voyages of the local Kāi Tahu iwi.

Credits: Unsplash; Author: Milos Prelevic;

The reserves encompass a range of habitats, including kelp forests, offshore canyons and deepwater coral ecosystems. They will be jointly managed by the Kāi Tahu iwi and the government and operate as strict no-take zones where fishing is prohibited. Supporters say the network could help increase biodiversity while strengthening the long-standing relationship between local communities and the ocean.