The Government wants to bring forward a total ban on shark finning to October this year.
British performance artist Alice Newstead hangs from shark fishing hooks to protest shark finning in 2008. Photo: AFP
The ban will make it illegal to catch a shark, kill it, remove its fins and dump the carcass at sea.
The Government had earlier announced the ban would be phased in until it came into full effect in 2016.
Conservation Minister Nick Smith said the Government had worked with the fishing industry to come up with a more rapid implementation.
It was vital the 113 species of shark in New Zealand waters survived, as they were an important part of the marine ecosystem, Dr Smith said.
Green Party MP Gareth Hughes urged the Government not to cut corners when it came to banning shark finning in New Zealand waters, saying it must also require dead sharks to be brought back to shore in one piece.
"It's good there's a desire to ban shark finning. It's good the timelines have been moved forward.
"But the devil's always in the detail and it's important the Government commits to best practice, which protects the shark species in our waters."
The Government will consult with stakeholders on the proposal over the next month.