Blue cod
Blue cod (rāwaru) live only in New Zealand. They sit on sand beside reefs, come to investigate a bait, and are among the best fish to eat. Because they stay close to home, they are easily overfished, and the rules for them are among the tightest and change most often.
Where they live
- All round New Zealand’s coast (NIWA), but far more common south of Cook Strait: Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Fiordland.
- Sandy patches beside rocky reefs, from a few metres to 200 m deep (NIWA).
When
- All year where the area is open; they spawn from late winter to early summer (NIWA).
- Some areas have had closures or special rules for blue cod: always check before you go.
Size and daily limits for each area: MPI’s NZ Fishing Rules app
How
- Bait by the reef
- A baited hook on a short trace just above a sinker, dropped on sand next to rocks. Bites come quickly if fish are there.
- Hooks
- Circle hooks hook a fish in the lip, which makes releasing undersized cod much safer.
Your first trip
- In the south, try a wharf or rock platform with reef nearby, in calm water.
- Check MPI’s rules for the exact area first: limits, sizes and closures for blue cod differ more than for any other fish.
- Release unwanted fish quickly and gently; brought up from deep water they can struggle.
From rocks: wear a lifejacket, watch the sea for ten minutes before you go near the edge, never turn your back on it, and fish with someone. Rock fishing safety
Places to start
Each region page lists wharves, boat ramps and shore you can reach on a legal road or public land, with whether today’s swell reaches each one.
Sources: NIWA for Fisheries NZ: New Zealand fishes, a field guide to common species · MPI: recreational fishing rules by area.