Whitebait Fishing Regulations 2021 (LI 2021/180).

These Regulations provide rules relative to fishing for whitebait in New Zealand. They establish prohibitions on: fishing outside open season, fishing in non-tidal waters, fishing from vessels and bridges, from or near structures and in specific closed areas listed in schedule 2. They also set limitations in fishing hours and restrictions to what concern gear and methods. For instance they regulate whitebait nets, drag nets, fishing gear, and the use of screens and diversions.
The Regulations further prohibit the possession of whitebait together with any whitebait net that is not permitted to be used (Section 17). Section 23 provide that the regulations do not apply to whitebait taken for a hui or tangi (This regulation does not apply to the West Coast).
Whitebait taken unlawfully shall be returned to the waters from which they have been taken. Offences and penalties are also listed. Nothing in these regulations permits a person fishing for whitebait to interfere with, alter, or modify the natural bed or banks of any river, stream, estuary, or channel.