Kina (Evechinus chloroticus) is a sea urchin endemic to New Zealand. This echinoderm belongs to the family Echinometridae and it can reach a maximum diameter of 16–17 cm. Kina have been a traditional component of Māori diet since pre-European times and has been fished commercially since 1986 in small quantities under the quota management system in restricted areas along the coast of New Zealand. Attempts to export E. chloroticus to Asian markets have been unsuccessful, so it may not be an economically attractive species for aquaculture development (James 2010). Evechinus chloroticus is distributed throughout New Zealand and in some northern and southern offshore islands. Habitat This sea urchin is found all around New Zealand in shallow waters and up to 12–14 metres deep, although there are also intertidal populations in the north of both the North and South Islands. Evechinus chloroticus prefers areas with moderate wave action. In the north of New Zealand it is found mostly on rocky seafloor areas but also in areas of sandy seafloor. In the South Island it is also found in abundant densities throughout the fiords. Individuals smaller than 1 cm of diameter are found attached under both intertidal and subtidal rocks, whereas individuals between 1–4 cm are found in intertidal and subtidal areas under the rocks, or within small depressions in rocks. After the sea urchins reach 4 cm they migrate to open areas. Diet Evechinus chloroticus is mainly herbivorous, feeding on large brown algae, red algae and encrusting substrate. If kina populations become out of control, kelp forest can be entirely eaten away, leaving bare rocks, also known as Kina Barrens. Larval stages can feed on different species of unicellular algae in a size range between 5 and 50 µm. Predators Molluscs such as the cymatiid gastropods Charonia capax and Charonia rubicunda, starfish, and benthic feeding fishes can feed on individuals of E. chloroticus. The most important predators are the eleven-armed sea star, Coscinasterias calamaria, the seven-armed prickly starfish Astrostole scabra, and the spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii. Reproduction Evechinus chloroticus has an annual breeding cycle. It becomes sexually mature between 3.5 and 7.5 cm in diameter, depending on the population. Gonads are ripe from October and individuals can spawn from November to February. Swimming larvae complete development in the water column between 4 and 6 weeks. Other studies related to larval development report development in the laboratory can take between 22 and