Red Gurnard
Red gurnard are a staple of New Zealand's inshore saltwater fishery — bottom-dwellers that turn up from harbour flats to offshore grounds right around the country. Kiwi anglers call them 'carrots' for their bright orange-red colour.
They're not big fish, but they're reliable, accessible from shore or boat, and widely regarded as one of the best-eating fish in the sea.
Scientific Name: Chelidonichthys kumu
Also known as Carrots, Kumukumu, Pūwhaiau, Pūwhaiau, Sea perch, Grunter
- Long, carrot-shaped body; reddish-pink to orange-red on top, white below — the colour that earns them their nickname among Kiwi anglers.
- Enormous pectoral fins open like wings, patterned with blue, white and black spots including a prominent dark eye-spot with a bright blue edge.
- Boxy, heavily armoured head with backward-facing spines; three modified fin rays under the pectorals act as 'legs' for walking the seafloor.
- Most fish run 35–50 cm and 0.5–1.4 kg; the upper end is around 65 cm and 2.8 kg, though anything over 1.5 kg is a good fish.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to New Zealand waters; found right around the country from shallow harbours and sandy bays out to about 180–200 m depth.
- Prefer sandy or shell-grit seabeds where they can walk and probe for prey — muddy harbour floors also hold fish, especially in winter.
- Juveniles tend to stay in shallow coastal bays and estuaries; larger adults push into deeper offshore water, particularly during summer spawning.
- Widespread across both islands — the Hauraki Gulf, Manukau and Kaipara Harbours, and the Mahia Peninsula are all well-known recreational grounds.
Key Locations
- Manukau and Kaipara Harbours (Auckland west coast) — sheltered from prevailing winds and reliable for winter harbour gurnard.
- Hauraki Gulf — widespread across sandy bottom areas; caught year-round from boat and kayak.
- Mahia Peninsula (south of Gisborne) — inshore sandy grounds known for high concentrations of fish.
- Sandy surf beaches and breakwaters around both islands — accessible shore fishing wherever sandy bottom meets structure.
Specific Spots
- Channel edges and drop-offs in harbours are productive — gurnard hold where the bottom transitions from flat sand to deeper water, especially near the tide turn when current eases.
- Sandy bays and open flats adjacent to structure hold fish year-round; look for shell-grit bottom rather than bare mud for the best concentrations.
- Shore anglers find them at breakwaters, sandy beaches and wharves — the container wharf breakwater in Auckland and surf beaches like Muriwai have all produced fish.
- During summer spawning, fish concentrate in 40–50 m of water offshore; in winter they push shallower into harbours and closer to shore.
Red Gurnard FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Red Gurnard?
Fresh bait is the go-to: strips of squid, pilchard, or fresh fish flesh on a bottom rig account for the majority of gurnard caught recreationally in New Zealand.
When is the best time to fish for Red Gurnard?
Winter and early spring (June–September) is prime time in harbours and shallow inshore grounds, fish concentrate in accessible water and feed reliably. Spring and early summer (October–December) sees fish move offshore to spawn, typically in 40–50 m of water, boat anglers follow them out.
How do you catch Red Gurnard?
Most Kiwi anglers target gurnard from an anchored boat or kayak over sandy or shell-grit bottom, fishing fresh bait hard on the bottom with a running sinker rig. Timing the session around the tide turn, a couple of hours either side of slack water, lets you fish lighter gear and stay in contact with the bottom.
What do Red Gurnard eat?
Small crabs (especially paddle crabs), shrimp and prawns make up the bulk of the diet, they use their 'leg' fins to stir the seabed and flush out prey, so baits fished hard on the bottom in the strike zone work best.
Where do Red Gurnard live?
Native to New Zealand waters; found right around the country from shallow harbours and sandy bays out to about 180–200 m depth. Prefer sandy or shell-grit seabeds where they can walk and probe for prey, muddy harbour floors also hold fish, especially in winter.
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