# Bottom Trawling Policy Divides New Zealand Politics

> Opportunity Party demands end to bottom trawling in sensitive areas before next government forms.
- Title: Bottom Trawling Policy Divides New Zealand Politics · RNZ
- Summary: Opportunity Party demands end to bottom trawling in sensitive areas before next government forms. Opportunity Party requires a ban on bottom trawling in…
- Keywords: opportunity party, bottom trawling, hauraki gulf, national, labour, chris hipkins, christopher luxon, sealord, fisheries, new zealand, politics, news
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1798139/why-bottom-trawling-could-be-a-top-issue-in-forming-the-next-government
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-08T15:44:53+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: opportunity party, bottom trawling, hauraki gulf, national, labour, chris hipkins, christopher luxon, sealord, fisheries, new zealand, politics, news
## Opportunity Party's Policy Demand
Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong requires an end to bottom trawling in sensitive areas including the Hauraki Gulf immediately.

> Opportunity will require an end to bottom trawling in sensitive areas, including the Hauraki Gulf, immediately. And we'll begin work to progressively phase it out completely
## Commercial Fisheries Concerns
Seventy percent of New Zealand's fish volume comes from bottom trawling, with industry leaders calling the ban proposal irresponsible.

> Seventy percent of all of the volume that is caught in New Zealand is by bottom trawling. I just think it's irresponsible for any political party to propose effectively shutting down an entire industry through a single, blanket policy
## Greenpeace's Stance
Greenpeace says bottom trawling causes ocean destruction and needs phased, targeted bans rather than immediate nationwide closures.

> This is like widespread bulldozing of our oceans, and it needs to stop. We need to start a transition away from it
## Labour and National Positions
Both Labour's Chris Hipkins and National's Christopher Luxon now support phasing out bottom trawling but acknowledge economic challenges.

> The challenge is balancing the two billion dollars and 9000 jobs associated with bottom trawling, and 70 percent of our fish coming from that source
## Industry Leader's View
Sealord CEO Doug Paulin says a ban would be a populist move but government would likely reconsider after assessing economic impacts.

> It's all very well to say we're going to phase it out, but there's no technique globally you can use to catch those fish economically
## Key takeaway

Opportunity Party requires a ban on bottom trawling in sensitive areas like the Hauraki Gulf to form coalition, despite industry concerns about economic impact.