UPDATED: 9.36AM Government legislation introduced to create the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary has been met with a wave of applause from environmental groups.

The more than 600 thousand square kilometre area of sea north-east of the Bay of Plenty contains around six million seabirds, 35 different species of dolphin, and the largest submarine volcanic arc in the world.

Forest and Bird marine advocate Anton Van Helden said they've been campaigning for its protection for up to six years.

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"It represents the largest no-take marine protected area in the world.

"There are other large protected areas but this one you can't go mining, you cant' go fishing, they've even made extra provisions around dumping. I mean, it's an extraordinary achievement".

Van Helden said the legislation protects both deep water habitats and species.

He said the area contains unfished populations of kingfish, Galapagos sharks and other marine species.

"Geologically a truly significant part of our oceans, part of our planet and one of the most complex deep-water environments on Earth. With that, a whole lot of different of ecosystems that are well worth protecting".

Van Helden said it's a huge win for the environment.

The World Wide Fund for Nature said the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary legislation is making waves in marine conservation.

WWF campaigner Alex Smith said they've campaigned for more than eight years, and the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill is a major victory.