Commerical fishing will be banned across most of Lyttelton Harbour as part of the extension of the Lyttelton Harbour/WhakaraupMtaitai Reserve, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Rachel Brooking announced today. "Mtaitai reserves recognise traditional Mori fishing grounds that are important for customary food gathering," Rachel Brooking said at Rapaki Marae, where she was joined by Te Tai Tonga MP Rino Tirikatene. Just over 30 square km of the harbour was already covered by two mtaitai. This increase, of 11.1 square km, was requested by Te Hap o Ngti Wheke (Rpaki), one of four Ngi Tahu Papatipu Rnanga on Banks Peninsula. The extension means the whole harbour except the Port of Lyttelton will be covered by mtaitai. All commercial fishing in the mtaitai area will be banned, and guardians appointed by the rnanga will have the ability to put bylaws in place to manage recreational fishing. "After substantial public consultation and feedback from the local community and fishing inte