Red gurnard
Chelidonichthys kumu · Kumukumu / Pūwhaiau (Māori)
Red gurnard (te reo Māori: Kumukumu / Pūwhaiau), Chelidonichthys kumu. Fished from the shore and from a boat. In October it is in season in Auckland / Kermadec, Central, Challenger and South-East.
Season by fishing area
| MPI area | Months | Spawning |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland / Kermadec | All year · now | Sep–Feb |
| Central | All year · now | Sep–Feb |
| Challenger | All year · now | Sep–Feb |
| South-East | All year · now | Sep–Feb |
Spring and summer, peaking in early summer (MPI).
Size and bag limits
Minimum sizes, daily limits and closures depend on the area and change over time. Costaviva does not copy them: check MPI for each area.
- MPI fishing rules: Auckland / Kermadec
- MPI fishing rules: Central
- MPI fishing rules: Challenger
- MPI fishing rules: South-East
- NZ Fishing Rules app (MPI, free)
Rāhui (temporary closures placed by tangata whenua) can apply at any time and are not in any dataset: respect local signs and notices.
How it is fished
- Shore fishing
- Boat fishing
Where it lives
20–180 m, mostly on sand or mud shallower than 60 m.
Usual depth: 20–60 m (down to about 180 m).
Source: Fisheries New Zealand / MPI (CC BY 4.0).
When is red gurnard biting today?
- Hour-by-hour fishing index and the best window of the day
- Condition alerts and SOS with your location (dials 111 in New Zealand)
- Fishing log with the conditions of every catch
- Private groups to share spots and trips
No card needed. Then €3.99/month or €39.99/year, charged in euros.
Where to catch red gurnard
Northland
- Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua
- Ninety Mile Beach (Ahipara)
- Houhora Heads
- Whangaroa Harbour
- Paihia (Bay of Islands)
- Russell (Bay of Islands)
- Tutukaka
- Whangarei Heads
- Kaipara Heads (Pouto)
Auckland & Hauraki Gulf
- Mangawhai Heads
- Leigh
- Gulf Harbour (Whangaparaoa)
- Half Moon Bay (Bucklands Beach)
- Kawakawa Bay
- Muriwai
- Manukau Heads (Awhitu)