Winter 2006 - Ministry of Fisheries

Hi Ika
Ka pu te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi
Mihi
Tënä koutou katoa. Ko tënei to
pänui Hi Ika. He pänui
whakamärama ki a koutou he aha
ngä mahi i mahi ai mätou kei roto
i Te Tautiaki i ngä tini o Tangaroa.
No reira kia ora mai ano tätou.
The future of freshwater fisheries – Story page 7
CONTENTS
2 Te Tai Hauauru walk together
3 New Year brings opportunities
4 Te Tau Ihu work to resolve issues
4 Customary gains for Ngäi Tahu
6 New Extension Services team members
7 The future of freshwater fisheries
Cover photo: Paul Morris
Hi Ika for current news and views on Customary Fishing
Winter 2006

Te Tai Hauauru walk together
Bringing together 13 iwi from a huge geographical area
known as Te Tai Hauauru is a feat in anyone’s terms.
But having them work together on common issues
and solutions is an even bigger accomplishment.
Taranaki Pou Hononga Sam Tamarapa says many cups of tea
were drunk in the course of achieving the first three hui-a-iwi
aimed at developing a Mäori fisheries forum for this region.
Getting the first hui off the ground involved meeting
individuals, rünanga chairs and CEOs of iwi from Mokau to Levin
– Ngäti Tama, Ngäti Mutunga, Te Atiawa, Taranaki, Ngä Ruahine,
Ngäti Ruanui, Ngäti Maru (inland iwi), Ngä Rauru Kiitahi, Te
Atihaunui a Paparangi, Ngäti Apa, Ngäti Hauiti, Rangitäne and
Muaupoko.
“We had a lot of mini hui before we tried getting them all
together,” Sam says. “Then I called a scoping hui in Hawera,
hosted by Ngäti Ruanui, to get them in one room. We had about
40 people from 12 of the iwi.”
Those involved could see the merit of establishing a collective
in which they met with each other, shared ideas and took the
opportunity to engage with the Ministry.
They voted unanimously to support a hui-a-iwi in New
Plymouth, hosted by Te Atiawa, in November 2005, and in Patea,
hosted by Ngä Rauru Kiitahi, in March 2006. The March hui saw
the appointment of chairman Mike Neho and secretary Wikitoria
Keenan.
Sam Tamarapa says getting the iwi together may have been
time-consuming but the way was smoothed by his previous good
relationships with many of them, dating back to 1999 when he
started as a fisheries officer. His role then involved talking about
customary regulations, identifying links with kaitiaki and with
marae, hapu and iwi.
“I had to tell everyone my role was changing and told them
what the forums were about,” Sam says. “At the suggestion of a
number of iwi representatives it was decided to build on what
was already in place and that was iwi meeting together to discuss
issues related to Te Ohu Kaimoana and the allocation process. It
made sense to tag in MFish issues and that enabled a lot of buyin.”
Forum secretary Wikitoria Keenan, who is also chair of Te
Atiawa Iwi Authority, says the hui-a-iwi are already proving

Above: Ministry of Fisheries chief executive John
Glaister and Taranaki forum chair Mike Neho share
ideas and kai at the March hui.
Left: Participants at the Patea hui. Wai-o-turi marae,
Patea.
useful, with much discussion about fisheries
issues, allocation and Treaty settlements.
“The forum provides very good networking,”
Wikitoria says. “There’s no other forum
where these iwi can get together - it’s
probably the first time these 13 iwi have.
This has led to being involved in the
freshwater hui in Rotorua.”
Forum chair Mike Neho will present a paper in the next few
months identifying major challenges and issues individual iwi
expect to face in the next five years. The critical few will be dealt
with as a collective.
“We want to get a positive outcome for building strategies for
going forward rather than fixing up what’s been broken in the
past,” Mike says. “We have to reaffirm that we are in this for the
long-term.
“We agree with the kaupapa that MFish can come to us as a
collective voice rather than having to deal with a whole lot of
different iwi. But we need to determine how we enter into this
relationship where we are still able to talk as individuals.
“We also need to ensure that what we discuss at that level
gets back to our hapu and marae.”
Sam says one of the main drivers of the forum is to implement
kaimoana customary fisheries regulations. The iwi are talking
about all sorts of issues that are useful.
“Participation is the key, enabling people to take part in
MFish processes. That’s the ultimate goal from my perspective
but in doing that we’re helping them understand what happens
with the Ministry. In turn, the Ministry is getting an insight into
particular issues of the area.”’
Now the group is working towards its next hui, to be hosted
by Te Atihaunui a Paparangi in Wanganui.
Tënä koutou katoa ngä mata
waka o ngä hau ë whä, he mihi
nui, he mihi aroha ki runga i te
ahüa o Matariki. Tënei Te pänui o
Hi Ika, kia whaka marama ai
koutou he aha ngä mahi i mahi ai
matou, anö he aha ngä mahi o
ëtahi iwi ränei.
Matariki the Mäori
New Year brings
new opportunities
Over the last 12 months we have experienced the birth
of a number of new iwi forums. Now there are 8
forums established, with others close to being set
up.
Some of these forums have now set up working groups,
specifically to work with the Ministry of Fisheries on fisheries
management issues. This model seems to give the best value for
everyone concerned in providing tangata whenua input into the
government’s fisheries management processes.
In the year ahead, I see new opportunities and challenges. In
particular, the opportunities of new unit-standard-based training
for Tangata Kaitiaki / Tiaki, and the opportunities and challenges
around the development of Fisheries Plans.
The new educational package for Tangata Kaitiaki / Tiaki has
been completed and registered with Seafood Industry Training
Organisation (SITO). Having this training unit-standard-based
means that anyone completing the course will now be able to
cross-credit towards a national diploma in fisheries management,
or some other NZQA-recognised qualifications.
Fisheries plans involve the Ministry working with tangata
whenua and stakeholders on how to get the best value from a
particular fishery, while meeting relevant standards. These have
begun with plans being developed for Foveaux Strait oyster,
Coromandel Scallop, and southern blue whiting fisheries. Plans
for other fisheries will be developed over the next few years.
Also this year, we will be working to further develop MFish/
iwi relationships in the Gisborne East Coast region. Towards this,
a new Pou Hononga has been appointed to work with Tom
Teneti, based out of our Gisborne office. We will be cover this
more in our next issue.
No reira ma te Atua koutou ë manaaki, ë tiaki i ngä wa katoa.
Carl Ross
Customary Relationship Manager

Te Tau Ihu work
to resolve issues
Just as it took Maui time, standing at the top of the South
Island, to fish up the North, so it is taking time for eight Top
of the South iwi to hook into the big one of implementing
the South Island customary fishing regulations.
Pou Hononga Judith MacDonald says implementing the
South Island customary regulations have not progressed in Te
Tau Ihu since their introduction in 1998. While rohe moana
applications were made to the Ministry of Fisheries, these
applications fell into the dispute resolutions process where they
remain.
“Now the eight iwi – Ngäti Kuia, Ngäti Apa ki te Ra To, Ngäti
Koata, Ngäti Toa Rangatira, Ngäti Rarua, Ngäti Tama ,Te Atiawa
and Rangitäne – are looking at ways to proactively resolve this
and implement the regulations together. Six have already given
their approval for a collective approach.”
The iwi have been meeting for about a year to discuss the
setting up of a Forum, sharing venues between Marlborough
and Nelson. In May, iwi representatives met with MFish Deputy
Chief Executive Stan Crothers in Blenheim for what, Judith says,
was a very productive hui with much agreement reached.
“The meeting helped resolve issues iwi wanted to progress
such as kaitiaki applications across the top of the South Island,
the implementation of the customary regulations, Pataka and
the need for better access to Ministry people and information.
The aquaculture settlement was also discussed.”
Judith says the Ministry acknowledges it has had a long and
good relationship with iwi at the Top of the South and is keen to
formalise its relationship with Te Tau Ihu Iwi and move it
forward.
“It is early days in the development of an appropriate vehicle
for iwi of Te Tau Ihu to have input and participation into the
management of the fisheries in their rohe.”
Meanwhile, the forum has developed a draft strategic plan
and is looking at how they would manage fisheries across the
top of the South Island. A Memorandum of Understanding is also
being developed with the Ministry.
Customary gains
Ngäi Tahu is steadily gaining
customary protection for their
iconic fisheries.
A
taiäpure-local fishery over most of Akaroa Harbour has
been established; progress has been made on mätaitai
reserve applications covering three important mahinga
kai areas in the Otago/Catlins area; and a draft
management plan for the established mätaitai reserve in Te
Whaka a Te Wera (Paterson Inlet), Stewart Island has been
developed.
It’s taken 14 years for the Akaroa Harbour taiäpure-local
fishery to be realised. The second established in the Ngäi Tahu
whänui takiwä, this local fishery covers 90 percent of the
harbour.
The remaining 10 percent at the harbour’s eastern entrance
– the long-disputed ‘Dan Rogers’ area, subject of a 1994 marine
reserve proposal – remains outside the taiäpure-local fishery
boundary for now. Ngäi Tahu environmental adviser (customary
fisheries) Nigel Scott says it is hoped the taiäpure-local fishery
will cover this remaining 10 percent in the future.
Nigel says the inner third of the harbour is polluted due to
the discharge of effluent. The middle third is significantly
depleted and the remaining third, the Dan Rogers area and the
western side of the harbour, is currently the major mahinga kai
area for local marae.
The Koukourarata, Onuku and Wairewa Runanga first
proposed a taiäpure-local fishery for Akaroa Harbour in 1992, six
years before a process was developed, under the South Island

for Ngäi Tahu
customary fishing regulations, to establish mätaitai reserves.
“Tangata whenua have worked incredibly hard to achieve
this taiäpure-local fishery. They have never given up in the 14
years it has taken to process the täiapure,” he says.
The runanga have nominated the management committee
members who will represent the three runanga, commercial
and recreational fishers, marine farming interests and the
tourism sector. The nominations are waiting to be approved by
the Minister of Fisheries – this requires consultation with the
Minister of Mäori Affairs.
An early focus of the management committee is expected to
be restoration and enhancement through shellfish reseeding
programmes, coupled with restrictions on shellfish and fish
takes.
Meanwhile, the consultation processes have been completed
for mätaitai reserve applications at Nugget Point and Waikawa
Harbour. It is proposed that the Puna-Wai-Toriki Mätaitai Reserve
(Nugget Point) cover 2.8 km of coastline and encompass 234
hectares. Recently the first step in the consultation process has
been completed on the Moeraki mätaitai reserve application.
“We are looking at ways to mitigate any potential impact on
paua and cray fishers. The plan is to get the top three areas in
the Paua 5D quota management area – Kaka Point, Waikawa
and Moeraki – covered with some form of customary protection.
Anything more than that is a bonus.”
Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island
photo Sean Cooper, Department of Conservation
“Obviously we are assessing the
cumulative effect of the three mätaitai
reserve applications on commercial fishers.
Mitigating action may be taken if it looks
obvious there’s too much effect on
commercial fishers, primarily because we
know the applications are unlikely to be
successful in that situation.”
“We want to get something
substantial, but need to find the middle
ground – an area that doesn’t prevent the
commercial guys from getting their quota
but also doesn’t defeat the purpose of a
mätaitai reserve. The design is important. If
the reserves are too small the restoration
objectives cannot be met.”
On Stewart Island, a draft plan has been released for Te
Whaka a Te Wera Mätaitai Reserve, and various bylaws have
been implemented for the taking of paua, rock lobster, mako
shark, blue cod and flatfish among others.
As part of looking holistically (Ki Uta Ki Tai – Mountains to
the Sea) at the fishery, the management plan also sets out various
actions for working with other agencies on environmental issues
– with Environment Southland to discourage boats discharging
any sewage into the mätaitai reserve, and with MAF Biosecurity
on the surveillance of existing pests like the invasive Japanese
seaweed Undaria pinnitifida.
Nigel Scott says Ngäi Tahu has planned a protection network
for the entire takiwä. The three Paua 5D areas are top of the list
at the moment. Other areas will follow in remaining quota
management areas.
“Having a range of tools is the key. We see recreational bag
limits, the quota management system and Tangata Tiaki
managing the customary harvest, along with tools such as
regional coastal plans, as the regional ‘macro’ fisheries tools. But
we still need the ‘micro’ management tools of mätaitai reserves,
taiäpure-local fisheries and, in appropriate circumstances,
marine reserves as part of the management mix. They are
important for managing icon areas within the macro system.”
“The main aim is to get the mix right. And that can only come
by working together with various resource management agencies
and fisheries stakeholders.”

Extension Services grows
Stella August
Pou Takawaenga
Ngäi Te Oatua, Ngäti Kurukuru
A career working with Tangaroa is
only natural for Stella who grew
up living and breathing the sea in
Hawke’s Bay.
Stella has completed a
Master of Science (MSc) with Honours on the ‘environmental
factors associated with the recruitment of glass eels into the
Tukituki River’.
“I am enthusiastic about working with whänau, hapu, iwi
and the Te Kupenga Whiturauroa a Maui Forum on issues relating
to the sustainable management of our fisheries,” she says.
Email: stella.august@fish.govt.nz
mobile 027 687 7379
Manihera Forbes
Pou Takawaenga
Kawhia Moana, Kawhia Kai,
Kawhia Tangata, Ngunguru
te po, ngunguru te ao.
Tainui te waka
Growing up with Tangaroa in my
life I am very pleased to be
working towards sustainability of our fisheries.
“Extension Services is the perfect opportunity to learn
customary management of fisheries and tikanga applied by
Mäori,” Mani says. “I am lucky to be working with my own Tainui
people on the west coast, and putting my Law Degree to good
use.”
Email: manihera.forbes@fish.govt.nz
mobile 027 600 7159
The Extension Services Team works to help iwi and hapü understand the customary
fisheries management tools, and how to use them. We also help these groups
work with the Ministry on wider fisheries management issues. In doing all this,
we build on the strong relationships developed by the Pou Hononga.
As the number of forums has increased, so have the demands on our team. So
I’d like to introduce our four new Pou Takawaenga who will help us help meet
these growing demands.
Jonathan Dick
Manager Extensions Services
Carl Baker
Pou Takawaenga
(Ngäti Porou, Ngäi Tahu,
Rangitäne, Rongomai
Wahine and Ngäti
Kahungunu)
Carl comes to the Pou
Takawaenga role with 18
years enforcement experience - eight of these being as a Fishery
Officer based in Nelson.
“My new role focuses mainly on Mäori fisheries management
objectives, and looks forward to the future,” Carl says. “I want to
help Mäori find solutions in their rohe moana and properly
involve them in fisheries management.”
Email: carl.baker@fish.govt.nz
mobile 027 229 0060
Tracey Kingi
Pou Takawaenga
Ngäti Whätua, Tainui
Tracey has a strong passion
for supporting Mäori to
achieve what they want,
and pursuing best future
options for whänau, hapu
and iwi. She holds three degrees, including a Masters Social
Sciences (Honours) in cultural geography.
Tracey is currently working with various whänau, hapu and
iwi in a number of areas. She is working with Te Taitokerau from
Whangarei to Te Hiku o Te Ika, and with the Freshwater Forum
(that includes all of the North Island hapu and iwi).
Email: tracey.kingi@fish.govt.nz
mobile 027 600 7160

Te Ika-a-Maui freshwater fisheries
Participants at the first Te Ika-a-Maui freshwater fisheries hui. Tangata Rua Marae, Rotorua.
Iwi from throughout the North Island are chipping away to
create a waka that will take them into the future of
freshwater fisheries.
“We’re still designing the waka to take us forward,” says
spokesman John Merito, “but there are a lot of positive
expectations of how this can be done.”
The general manager of Te Kotahitanga o Te Arawa Waka
Fisheries Trust Board says while the waka shape is yet to be
determined, it is expected to remain true to Mäori values.
“We’re looking at processes of how to collectively engage as
iwi and with the Crown,” John says.
“Eventually we will end up in a relationship with the Ministry
of Fisheries but the beauty of the freshwater forum is that it
provides North Island tribes with the ability to collectively look
at issues that are common to us all. These include customary
fisheries, commercial, compliance and environmental issues,
the degradation of streams and new problems arising such as
Didymo (‘rock snot’).
“Underpinning all of this is that the organisation seems to be
evolving as a ‘Mäori values’-driven organisation.
“We will be careful that we remain true to our inherent
values. I believe it will remain true to Mäori values. There is
enough good sound leadership to ensure it makes steady
progress.”
The group is working swiftly. The idea of setting up an iwi
forum group to deal specifically with freshwater fisheries such as
eel, whitebait, koura and lamprey was discussed at the initial
meeting in Rotorua in late March. In early June, the nominated
working group got together again to look at progressing this.
Both meetings were chaired by Te Arawa Trust Board chair
Anaru Rangiheuea. In between the two hui, four working party
meetings were held in Te Kuiti, Wanganui, Whakatane and
Rotorua. Teleconferencing was used at times to allow
geographically isolated groups to work together.
“We’re getting smart about new technology which proves
cost effective for meeting purposes,” Anaru says.
He says the development of a forum is timely considering the
Government is set to return the Waikato River to Tainui and that
the Te Arawa Lakes Settlement Bill is before the House.
“We can always interact directly with the minister in terms of
fisheries legislation but there is a need to gather appropriate
skills and communicate with each other.”
The outcome of the June hui was a formal motion to progress
an iwi fisheries forum. Two options were discussed – whether to
stay as an informal group or take on a more formal structure. A
merging of options was favoured.
“The forum is a communication tool. It will not be set up to
undermine any tribal relationships with the ministry,” Anaru
says. We didn’t want the forum to be seen to be speaking for iwi,
which could comprise our members, when our role is to bring
people together.”
The forum expects to engage with both MFish and Department
of Conservation regarding regulatory overlaps such as Section
27a for koura.
“We also have tribes going to legislation doing their own
customary regulations,” he says.
“Customary and commercial eel fisheries are two issues
facing us. Underpinning all that is sustainability and being able
to provide for customary needs such as eels for funerals. Anything
above that we need to work with MFish to ensure the commercial
take has sound science behind it.”
Pou Hononga operations manager Tom Teneti, who
represented the Ministry at the June hui, says the forum is still in
its early stages, but it looks promising.
“We’re working with the working group to look at objectives
and, long-term, a more formal arrangement,” Tom says. “A
number of iwi have shown interest and more are watching from
the periphery. The door is still open for other iwi to be at the
table.
“An interim working group has been developed to work
through the objectives and guidelines for engaging with the
ministry, and set priorities.
“Logistically, because of the number of iwi in the North
Island, arranging meetings is not easy. So much planning is
involved. Further ahead, it’s about providing a vehicle through
which the Ministry can engage with tangata whenua over
freshwater fisheries issues.”

Ministry of Fisheries Pou Hononga
Barney Anderson
(Maniapoto, Mahuta, Tüwharetoa)
Email: barney.anderson@fish.govt.nz
mobile: 027 553 2925
Mokohiti Brown
(Ranginui, Ngäi Te Rangi, Ngäti
Pukenga)
Email: mokohiti.brown@fish.govt.nz
mobile: 027 553 2921
Judith MacDonald
(Rangitäne, Ngäti Apa, Ngäti Kuia)
Email: Judith.macdonald@fish.govt.nz
mobile: 027 274 8454
Graeme Morrell
(Ngä Puhi Te Iwi. Hapu Ngäti
Kaharau, Ngäti Hau. Marae Ti Pi iti,
Te Moana Hokianga Whakapau.
Karakia)
Email: Graeme.morrell@fish.govt.nz
mobile: 027 274 7210
Rawiri Richmond
Ngäti Raukawa, Ngäti Tukorehe,
Ngäti Tüwharetoa ki Kawerau,
Whakatohea me Ngaitai oku iwi)
Email rawiri.richmond@fish.govt.nz
Mobile 027 243 3274
George Riley
(Te Tai Tokerau, Ngapuhi)
Email george.riley@fish.govt.nz
Mobile 027 435 0844
Wayne Ormsby
(Ngäti Kahungunu, Tainui, Maniapoto)
Email: wayne.ormsby@fish.govt.nz
mobile: 027 568 3432
Keni Piahana
(Ngäti Ranginui, Rangiwewehi, Ngäti
Ruahine)
E-mail: keni.piahana@fish.govt.nz
mobile: 027 274 8713
Tom Teneti
(Te Whänau ä Apanui, Ngäti Porou,
Rongomaiwahine)
Email: tom.teneti@fish.govt.nz
mobile: 027 276 6564
Raymond Necklen
Email: necklenr@fish.govt.nz
mobile: 027 499 4123
Samuel Tamarapa (Ngäti Ruanui, Ngä
Rauru,
Te Atihaunui a Paparangi)
Email Samuel.tamarapa@fish.govt.nz
Mobile 027 474 9211
Joe Wakefield
(Kai Tahu)
Email joseph.wakefield@fish.govt.nz
Mobile 027 286 4809