Following consultation, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries David Parker said the recreational pāua fishing season will take place from April 15 to June 15.
"This is a quieter time of year that will still provide good harvest opportunities as warmer sea temperatures and calm conditions do occur around this time," Parker said.
The delayed start to the new season followed a review after pāua were over-fished last summer.
Last December, the fishery opened for the first time in five years since the 2016 earthquake. It is estimated about 40 tonnes of pāua were harvested by recreational fishers during the three-month period.
The community expressed concerns during the last Christmas/New Year period when hundreds of vehicles were seen parked along State Highway 1 near Kaikōura, with large groups of people in the water, gathering pāua.
''The decision is based on the best available information and science, as well as feedback from tangata whenua and throughout the community, including the Kaikōura Marine Guardians, commercial and recreational fishers,'' Ministry of Primary Industries fisheries management director Emma Taylor said.
''We received nearly 300 submissions on the proposals, which is a testament to the importance of the fishery."
The majority of submissions supported recreational fishing "taking place in a quieter part of the year", Taylor said.
The commercial pāua fishing season will start on January 5.
There was widespread support for a year-round reopening of the commercial fishery, which targeted pāua in deeper water and in areas away from popular recreational spots.
The fishery suffered extensive damage in the 2016 earthquake. While it has been allowed time to recover, caution was needed to ensure it would be there for future generations to enjoy, Taylor said.
''We'll continue to closely monitor recreational take during the season to ensure catch settings remain appropriate, and work with all interested parties on longer-term strategies for maintaining and protecting the fishery.''
Catch settings for recreational pāua fishing will be announced ahead of the season in April. The commercial fishery will be constrained to 23 tonnes.
''In the meantime, we'd like to remind people that recreational pāua fishing is prohibited,'' Taylor said.
''The majority of customary management areas also remain closed to commercial and recreational pāua fishing.''
- Anyone who sees suspicious fishing behaviour can report it to 0800 476 224.
