Astrolabe reef (Ōtāiti) is located approximately 7km north of Motiti Island and 25km northeast of the entrance to Tauranga Harbour in the Bay of Plenty.

The reef is recognized as an “Area of Significant Conservation Value” due to its complex ecological communities, its significance as a haul-out area for New Zealand fur seals and is known as a nationally significant scenic dive site.

It is also part of the Motiti Protection Area which means that you cannot take marine life from the reef and the surrounding area. You can anchor and you can dive in the area so long as you follow the guidelines in the Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan.

After the grounding of the MV Rena in October 2011 and the extensive clean-up of the area over the following four years, the Astrolabe Community Trust was granted resource consent to leave what remained of the wreck on Ōtāiti. The Astrolabe Community Trust is responsible for upholding the conditions of the consent.

Latest Video

Rena Shipwreck Physical Environment Monitoring Feb and Mar 2023