This paper will explore and critically analyse national strategies for oceans governance and protecting marine biodiversity from a transnational perspective. For example, during 2016 New Zealand launched a public consultation exercise regarding a new Marine Protected Areas Act,¹ and published statistical reports on the marine environment² and the marine economy³ and a biodiversity action plan.⁴ These policy developments have provided the catalyst for discussion about introducing a new Marine Protected Areas Act, and have provided a firm basis for participating in the United Nations process for a new international agreement for protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Looking at these New Zealand policy developments from a transnational perspective will firmly ground this paper in terms of considering how international environmental law obligations are implemented through both vertical comparison with the international legal order, and horizontal comparison between jurisdictions.