A report recommending co-governance of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park has been rejected,
thanks largely to the work of Auckland group Democracy Action.

However, the Hauraki Gulf Forum has yet to vote on the "Sea Change" Marine Spatial Plan (Tai Timu Tai Pari) which proposes the establishment of 'ahu-moana' zones around the entire Gulf coastline (including offshore islands) extending 1km out to sea. The Sea Change plan also proposes management by 50% tribal trust appointees and 50% community representatives, with no mention of how community representatives would be appointed. Under Sea Change, governing committees would have the power to prohibit recreational and commercial fishing wholly or partially over any area of "their" zone, and over any or all fish species, based on "cultural values" (with no need for scientific evidence). 

As tribal groups tend to vote "en bloc" the introduction of the Sea Change plan will, in effect, amount to tribal rule of the entire Hauraki Gulf coastline.