Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Helen Clark and Kayla Kingdon-Bebb

New Zealand is failing to protect its vast ocean resources. We owe it to the world to act

Tail Of Sperm Whale Against Scenic Mountain Range And SkyPhoto taken in Kaikoura, New Zealand
New Zealand claims one of the largest ocean territories in the world. But less than 1% of its ocean is highly protected despite its commitment to protecting 30% by 2030. Photograph: EyeEm Mobile GmbH/Getty Images

It’s a remarkable feat that a small, isolated island nation of just five million people has managed to stake a claim to one of the largest ocean territories in the world.

New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) spans more than 4m square kilometres – an area 15 times the size of our landmass.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.