My wife and I will be flying into Auckland for a week in October. We're looking to find an area to stay that would have good shore diving access nearby.
I'm not looking to trophy hunt, just looking to get a sample of things we don't have access to. The plan is to just spear/collect enough for each evening's meal. My list of things I want (more or less in order): paua, john dory, scallops, and crays. Again, I'll never be collecting near limits of anything. I'd rather be near a location that has a good chance at finding some of each of those than bunches of any one thing.
From what I've been able to research, it looks like the Army Bay area or Coromandel might be good locations to stay. We'll either be at a motel or VRBO. Anybody care to share other ideas for places to stay? And if Coromandel peninsula is a good area, what would be a good town to stay in?
I also had some questions about the laws/rules for spearing:
1. Is the New Zealand Fisheries website usually current with laws? Only ask because where I am (Florida), the website is almost always outdated.
2. I have a float with a red and white dive flag. Is that recognized in NZ or should I get an alpha flag?
3. Are there any special rules regarding shore dives? Other than obviously not jumping fences or going onto private property or reserves.
A little about me: I'm 48 and have been spearing for about 40 years. I live on the Gulfcoast of Florida. I'm comfortable hunting bottom fish down to about 25m. We deal with sharks every trip so no worries there,
Thanks again for any help.
Matt