Fisheries Infosite

Tarakihi South East (Coast) (TAR3)
Maori name
Scientific name
Nemadactylus macropterus, Nemadactylus sp. ("King Tarakihi")

Physical characteristics

Tarakihi are grey or silver with paler undersides and have a black band around the nape of the neck. They can grow to a maximum length of 70 cm.

Life cycle

Tarakihi have a maximum age of over 40 years and reach maturity at 25-35 cm length and 4-6 years. Spawning occurs from summer to autumn in three main areas: Cape Runaway to East Cape, Kaikoura to Pegasus Bay, and the west coast of the South Island near Jackson Bay.

Habitat

Tarakihi are found throughout New Zealand inhabiting depths of 100-500 m. They feed on worms, crabs, brittlestars and shellfish.

 
Key statistics
Recreational significance High
Customary significance High
Reported commercial catch1 (tonnes)
Quota value estimate2 (NZ$m)
Exports estimate2 (NZ$m)
1 Reported commercial catch is calculated for the 12 month period to 30/09/2025
2 Quota value and exports are calculated pro-rata to reported commercial catch for the 12 month period to 30/09/2025