Blue Moki
Blue moki is a native reef fish that punches well above its profile in New Zealand's surf and rock fishing scene.
Found along the east coast of both islands and around Wellington, it's a genuine table fish — firm, fatty flesh that holds up to the pan — and a realistic target from shore for anglers willing to work foul ground.
Seldom the headline species, but regulars know it's worth chasing.
Scientific Name: Latridopsis ciliaris
Also known as Moki
- Blue-grey on top with light and dark vertical banding along the scale rows and a silvery underside — the stripes make it easy to pick from other reef species.
- Deep, compressed body with a high back and pointed snout; a strong notch separates the spiny and soft sections of the dorsal fin.
- Most fish run 40–63 cm; larger adults can reach 80 cm or more and weigh 3–6 kg, with occasional fish reported heavier.
- Not closely related to red moki (banded morwong) despite the shared name — the banding pattern and body shape are the quickest tell.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to New Zealand; found throughout mainland waters from the Three Kings Islands south to the Snares Shelf, including the Chatham Islands and Auckland Islands.
- Primarily an east coast species for shore anglers — from the Eastern Bay of Plenty down the length of both islands and around Wellington.
- Juveniles hold inshore around shallow rocky reefs; adults school offshore over open sandy or muddy bottom, with some solitary fish staying on reefs year-round.
- Reef-associated fish are found from the rocky shore down to around 100 m, most commonly over broken ground with kelp cover.
Key Locations
- Hawke's Bay east coast — a well-documented shore-fishing area for moki, with smaller fish through winter and larger fish in the warmer months.
- East Cape coastline — a known spawning aggregation area; fish migrate here from southern areas in August–September.
- Eastern Bay of Plenty south through the North Island east coast — the northern extent of the main shore-fishing range.
- Wellington and the Cook Strait coastline — southern limit of the regularly targeted shore-fishing zone.
- Kaikoura and Southland coasts — southern South Island populations managed under the MOK5 stock area.
Specific Spots
- Rocky reef edges and kelp beds are the core holding areas — moki work these zones for crabs, shellfish and worms along the bottom.
- Wharves and jetties with foul ground underneath concentrate fish the same way reefs do; the structure holds food and cover.
- Sandy or muddy patches immediately adjacent to reef provide feeding ground where moki suck up invertebrates — don't ignore the transition zone.
- Change of light (dawn and dusk) produces best results from shore; tides and swell conditions also influence which spots fish on a given day.
Blue Moki FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Blue Moki?
Fresh shellfish baits, mussel, pipi, kina (sea urchin roe) and crab, are the go-to, matched to what moki are already eating on the reef. Crayfish tail or whole small crab on a circle hook fished hard on the bottom accounts for larger fish; the tougher bait stays on the hook in surge and current.
When is the best time to fish for Blue Moki?
Autumn and early winter (April–June), fish move closer to shore and are reliably caught from rocky platforms and surf beaches. Winter (July–September), smaller fish remain inshore in areas like Hawke's Bay; spawning migration north to East Cape occurs during this period.
How do you catch Blue Moki?
Shore fishing from rocky platforms and surf beaches with bottom rigs baited with shellfish or crab is the primary method. Spearfishing is also popular, with divers working close to the bottom around reef edges and kelp.
What do Blue Moki eat?
Crabs, crayfish, mussels, limpets and other crustaceans and molluscs make up the bulk of the diet, bait that matches this forage (fresh crab, mussel, pipi or kina) is the standard approach from shore.
Where do Blue Moki live?
Native to New Zealand; found throughout mainland waters from the Three Kings Islands south to the Snares Shelf, including the Chatham Islands and Auckland Islands. Primarily an east coast species for shore anglers, from the Eastern Bay of Plenty down the length of both islands and around Wellington.
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