Blackfoot Pāua (Haliotis iris) & Yellowfoot Pāua (Haliotis australis)

Best Spots to Target Them

• Blackfoot Pāua (Haliotis iris): These are the more common species, found in shallow, cool waters at depths of 0 - 15 meters. They’re widespread around mainland New Zealand, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands.

• Yellowfoot Pāua (Haliotis australis): These are typically found on wave-exposed rocky reefs at depths of 0 - 10 meters. Yellowfoot pāua are less common than blackfoot pāua and have a distinctive, more corrugated shell.

Recognising the Species

• Blackfoot Pāua: Recognized by their smooth, iridescent black foot and relatively flatter, smoother shell. They tend to have a more consistent shape and are generally smaller than yellowfoot pāua.
• Yellowfoot Pāua: These pāua are larger, with a more pronounced, corrugated shell. Their foot is bright yellow, which gives them their name. Yellowfoot pāua are less common but can be found in wave-exposed areas.

Size and Legal Limits

• Blackfoot Pāua: Minimum legal size is 125mm.

• Yellowfoot Pāua: Minimum legal size is 80mm.

• Daily Limit: The daily limit for pāua collection is 10 per person, but some areas may have different limits.

Gathering Pāua in Kaikōura, NZ

• Season: The pāua season in Kaikōura runs from April 15 to June 15.

• Daily Limits:

• Marfells Beach to Conway River: 3 blackfoot pāua and 3 yellowfoot pāua per person per day.

• Oaro-Haumuri Taiāpure: 2 blackfoot pāua (minimum size 135mm) and 2 yellowfoot pāua (minimum size 80mm) per person per day.

• Permits: No specific permits are required for recreational pāua gathering, but you must adhere to the daily limits and size regulations.

For more detailed regulations, visit the  Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website . 

Collecting Pāua is a dive that takes patience, skill, and a good eye for detail. Here’s how to up your game:

• Freediving: Pāua can only be collected by freediving. The use of underwater breathing apparatus (UBA) is prohibited except around the Chatham Islands.
• Tools: Use a pāua knife with a blunt chisel end to minimise damage. Ensure your knife has an integrated measure to check the size of each pāua.
• Handling: Be gentle to avoid injuring the pāua, as they can bleed to death from even small cuts. 

Species: Blackfoot Pāua (Haliotis iris) & Yellowfoot Pāua (Haliotis australis)

Average Size: Blackfoot Pāua 150mm - 180mm, Yellowfoot Pāua 80mm - 100mm

Habitat: Shallow, subtidal, rocky reef habitats, typically at depths of 0 to 10 meters, along the coast but sometimes up to 20 meters deep

Diet: Herbivores - primarily feeding on algae, seaweeds, and kelp

**Be sure to check out the MPI site to see the legal take size for your area.

Pāua is delicious, and with the right preparation, it makes for a perfect meal. Here’s a simple way to enjoy your catch:

• Grilled Pāua: Remove the meat from the shell and tenderize it with a meat mallet. Sauté it in butter with garlic and herbs for a simple, flavorful dish.

• Pāua Fritters: Mix chopped pāua with flour, egg, and seasonings, then fry into crispy fritters for a tasty treat.

• Enjoy your catch by grilling, frying, or even serving raw as sashimi for a true New Zealand delicacy!

Whether you’re diving for dinner or just enjoying the hunt, pāua is one of the best species to target in New Zealand’s waters. Just remember to check local regulations and dive responsibly!