Autumn 2005 - Ministry of Fisheries

Mihi
Hï Ika
Ka pü te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi
Tena koutou katoa. Ko tenei to
panui Hi Ika. He panui
whakamarama ki a koutou he
aha nga mahi i mahi ai matou
kei roto i Te Tautiaki i nga tini o
Tangaroa.
No reira kia ora mai ano tatou.
Hï Ika for current news and views on Customary Fishing
New Mataitai Reserve
keeps the “kete” full – story overleaf.
CONTENTS
3 Bay of Plenty forum going strong
3-4 New appointments aid iwi envolvement
in fisheries management
5 Aquaculture settlement brings
opportunities for iwi
6 Uniting the footprints of Rongokako
7 South Hokianga Regional Hui
Cover image: Phillip Smith and Maureen Jones, two of the tangata tiaki for Te Whaka a Te Wera mataitai reserve, gather kai moana on the shores of their new reserve.
Autumn 2005

New Mataitai Reserve
keeps the "kete" full
The new Te Whaka a Te Wera mätaitai reserve in
Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island reflects the
philosophy of the customary fishing regulations
and fulfils fisheries aspirations of the local
community.
Established by the Rakiura Mäori Land Trust last year, the
mätaitai reserve 1 will use tools available under the customary
fishing regulations to manage the local community’s kete
kaimoana (seafood basket).
“This is a hands-on fisheries management tool you can use at
a community level,” says Phillip Smith, one of the mätaitai
reserve’s four Tangata Tiaki. “I’ve always looked at the inlet as a
resource that’s there for all of us. So this is a good way of looking
after our own doorstep.”
As far back as the 1970s, community concerns were raised
over localised depletion, particularly of the scallop beds in
Paterson Inlet.
Back then, the trust proposed a taiapure-local fishery. That
failed to gather enough community support; but they
immediately began looking for other ways to protect the inlet’s
fisheries.
When mätaitai reserves became available as a management

Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island
(photo Sean Cooper, Department of Conservation)
tool, as a result of the fisheries settlement, the trust latched onto
the idea. This time they had no problem selling the concept to
the local community.
“We thought this was probably a better way of managing
through a mätaitai reserve, rather than taiapure,” Phillip says.
“We take the advice of experts on fisheries management and
need to go through the right consultations. But if you want to do
something in relation to fisheries management, you can do it a
lot quicker with a mätaitai.
“And with mätaitai you can actually have what you want
from protection – ie rähui – but not protection forever.”
“Support from the island for this is very strong. Total
support, really. We’ve got a pretty good group voted onto
the mätaitai committee – people who make the community
tick. So in that case it should go well.”
The Te Whaka a Te Wera mätaitai reserve advisory
committee is made up of five representatives from iwi and
five from the Stewart Island community: Phillip Smith,
Maureen Jones, Richard Squires, Peter Goomes, George
Ryan, Margaret Hopkins, Gordon Leask, Jim Barrett, Martin
Peppers, and William Hamilton. These appointments are
“This is a hands-on fisheries
management tool you can use
at a community level”
supported by the four Murihiku runanga.
Raymond Necklen, MFish customary appointments
manager for Te Kahui Pou Hononga, believes the formation
of this mätaitai reserve is an excellent local solution to that
age-old problem of too many people chasing too few fish.
“The customary fishing regulations have increased iwi
Mäori involvement in the management of their fisheries,
which in turn has helped the community here develop this
local solution to a local problem,” he says.
“It’s all about empowering whänau hapü iwi and, as a
consequence, their communities.”
Phillip Smith, one of the four tangata tiaki for Te Waka a Te Wera Mätaitai
reserve.
1 FOOTNOTE: Before a mätaitai reserve is approved by the Minister of
Fisheries, the Minister has to be convinced that the area is a traditional
fishing-ground and that there is a special relationship between the tangata
whenua making the application and the proposed reserve.

Taking up the Challenge
John Glaister was attracted to New Zealand
from his home in Queensland, Australia by the
prospect of running one of the world’s bestmanaged
fisheries.
John started as the Ministry of Fisheries’ new chief
executive in December, and has spent his time since
then out and about, meeting people. Discussing their
concerns, their visions for their fisheries, and their
thoughts on fisheries management in general.
Being an Aussie, a major part of all this has been his
coming to grips with Maori fisheries and the Crown’s
obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.
“Helping the Crown deliver on its obligations to iwi is
in fact a key focus of my job,” says John.
“This involves better relationships between the
Ministry and its iwi partners, and we need to level those
barriers that stopped iwi getting involved in fisheries
management in the past.
“The Ministry has already done well in planting the
seed of this partnership; my job is to make sure it gets
well tended and watered, so it grows strong.”
John Glaister, Ministry of Fisheries’ CEO
BoP Forum going strong

Te Manutaki: What an awesome concept
New Customary Relationship Manager Carl Ross
has a vision for fisheries management and is
helping lead his Pou Hononga to deliver it.
Carl (Ngapuhi – Ngatirangi, Te Uri Taniwha)
previously worked for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
as a General Manager (Maori Provider Development & Support)
and was persuaded to take over the Ministry of Fisheries’ job by
the former Customary Relationship Manager John Bishara.
“I was looking forward to returning to Auckland with my
family, after completing my goal with NZQA,” Carl says. “But
John was very persuasive. Our fisheries are hugely important,
and I have made a personal commitment to staying down here
in Wellington and working for our people on this.
“And anyway, the paua are bigger and fatter down here,”
Carl adds, cheekily.
His passion for iwi development dates from the old Maori
Affairs trade training days, when he was inspired by people like
Toby Curtis and Albie Prior - who challenged young Maori to
become educated and take up management positions in
organisations that impacted on social and iwi development.
On December 6, the Bay of Plenty Regional
Fisheries Forum ( Mai I Nga Kuri A Wharei ki
Tihirau) representatives met for the last time
in 2004.
Also attending the meeting were representatives from the
Tainui Coastal Forum(Nga Hapu o Te Uru) as well as
representatives from the new Ngati Kahungunu Forum(Te
Kupenga o Whitirauroa).
BoP Forum Chairperson Turingi Mokomoko indicated that
it had been a busy year for the forum which now meets every
2nd month, with forum working party meetings in between as
required. “From the agenda and tasks assigned to the working
party, I anticipate that 2005 will be just as busy” he says.
Pou Hononga Mokohiti Brown says “that since late 2002,
when the Forum was first established, Forum representatives
have been dealing with a significant number of BoP wide
issues as well as providing support for local iwi to advance
issues in their individual rohe.
“It was also good to see Tainui and Kahungunu
representatives at the meeting. This indicates good networking
and idea/information sharing between the Forum groups.”
Indications from the meeting suggest that several iwi
would be notifying under the Kaimoana Regulations early in
2005 and join Tauranga Moana and Ngai Tai Iwi with gazetted
rohe and appointed kaitiaki.
Carl Ross, Ministry of Fisheries’ Customary Relationship Manager.
Now the government is putting more resources into helping
tangata whenua become more involved in fisheries management,
Carl says.
Part of this involves using Pou Hononga (relationship
managers), to help build relationships between the Ministry and
tangata whenua at a regional level.
“I see our Pou Hononga as the “manutaki”, leading Maori
issues for the Ministry. And their office - Te tari o te kähui Pou
Hononga - as a centralised place for Maori issues, ensuring the
Ministry delivers a consistent message and gives timely and
appropriate responses to customary development issues.
“Pou Hononga know their rohe, its people and their tikanga.
But they also know the people and the tikanga of the Ministry.
They act as translators, bridging the gap between these two
world-views and helping the two parties understand each other
and work together.”
Carl says a key part in the process involves establishing
regional forums, where iwi and the Ministry can discuss
management of their region’s fisheries. “The forums are for
Ministry to hear the aspirations of iwi, and to discover how best
we are able to support them, and for the Ministry to share our
strategic direction.”
Carl is married to Donna Ross of Te Rarawa, and they have
four children – Peter Radford, Te Kooti Pairama, Manuao
Waimarino Marama, and McKennah-Leigh.

Mussels
Aquaculture settlement
brings opportunities for iwi
“If there’s an opportunity for iwi to do it and it’s viable
then go for it.” That’s the aquaculture development
message from Whakatohea Maori Trust Board
Secretary, Tahu Taia (Whakatohea and Te Arawa).
“The sea is the huge new development area, and aquaculture
is going to be a huge development opportunity,” Tahu says. “The
recent aquaculture reforms bring a new opportunity for iwi that
wasn’t there before. With that opportunity before them, then
they should look seriously at becoming involved.”
The Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act
2004 gives iwi the right to apply for a marine farming resource
consent over 20 percent of the space created in new Aquaculture
Management Areas (AMAs). Iwi must of course go through the
normal Resource Management Act planning process to get this
consent. Then they must develop the farm itself.
And to ready themselves for these stages, they must have
already agreed with neighbouring iwi over how their region’s
aquaculture settlement space or cash will be shared between
them. So they need to be thinking ahead.
“Iwi need to be talking with the other iwi in their region and
collectively working out how they are going to deal with the
allocation process,” says Kirsty Woods (Ngati Hauiti) from Te Ohu
Kai Moana Trustee Limited. “They are better to do this sooner
rather than later; even before any new AMAs are created, because
it’s going to be an advantage for iwi to be involved from day
one.”
“The sea is the huge new
development area, and
aquaculture is going to be a
huge development
opportunity,” says Tahu Taia.
(Whakatohea and Te Arawa)
Tahu Taia reminds iwi groups that aquaculture is a business
opportunity. And like any other business opportunity, it should
be approached from a position of knowledge.
“Talk to the experts. Because there’re some huge issues in
front of any iwi who want to get into aquaculture - not least of
all being the money.
“Take this mussel farm project Whakatohea are involved in.
There are some substantial costs to be undertaken. Once our

consents are through, we’re committed to
funding the development of the project; on the
scale we’re doing it, that cost is very large.
“We’re committed and enthusiastic about
the project for Whakatohea iwi and for the wider
“Iwi need to be talking
with the other iwi in
their region and
collectively working out
how they are going to
deal with the allocation
process,” says Kirsty
Woods (Ngati Hauiti)
from Te Ohu Kai Moana
Trustee Limited.
Bay of Plenty. But we couldn’t have done this on
our own. You have to have the experts with you,
and the commitment. And always remember
that at the end of the day, this is a business
opportunity.”
Harry Mikaere (Ngati Pukenga) is a mussel
farmer in Hauraki. Over the past quarter century,
he has expanded his growing operations from
sheltered inshore waters to the more open
waters of the Hauraki Gulf. And during this time
he has maintained a strong relationship with the
local market.
Harry agrees that iwi should consider their
relationships with commercial interests.
“Iwi need to look now at their future
relationships in respect to their 20 percent
distribution and how they will access that and
how they will develop their relationships with
industry,” he says.
“I think we are in a very good position to start
moving forward on these issues, as Maori are
already a massive stakeholder in the seafood
industry.
“The reforms have given farmers certainty,
protected their investment and have provided
for future access. And as we’ve all worked our
way through the hard times together, it has
brought Maori and industry closer together.”
Now Harry says iwi need to fully understand
the reforms and the allocation, and he
encourages “a lot of face-to-face discussions”
between Crown agencies and iwi to help this
process.
The Maori Aquaculture Settlement Act settles Maori claims for
aquaculture space developed since 1992, and does so on a
region-by-region basis, with some space broken down by
specific harbour. The Act obliges the Crown to provide Maori
with the equivalent of 20 per cent of all aquaculture space created
between 21 September 1992 and 31 December 2004, including any
pre-moratorium applications that are approved and brought into the
new regime.
The Crown can do this in one or a combination of three ways:
1 It can order councils to deliver up to 20 per cent of a newly created AMA
for Maori settlement purposes. However, this only applies to AMAs
created through a Council-initiated (rather than Private) Plan Change.
2 It can buy existing aquaculture space for Maori settlement purposes on
a willing-buyer, willing-seller basis, after 2007.
3 It can pay Maori the financial equivalent. However, this option can only
be taken if settlement is still outstanding eight years after the Act’s
commencement
The Act also sets aside for Maori 20 per cent of any new area a Regional
Council zones as appropriate for marine farming, from 1 January 2005. Such
aquaculture zones are called Aquaculture Management Areas (AMAs).
However, before Maori (or anyone else) can begin farming in an AMA, they
must get the appropriate resource consents from the council - thus ensuring
their farming operations comply with council standards for that AMA.
The Act sets a 10-year goal for the Crown to complete the settlement.
As happened with the fisheries settlement of 1992, regional aquaculture
space and settlements will be initially given to a trustee, who will later
allocate to the region’s iwi based on either an agreement between local iwi,
or failing agreement the basis of coastline.
However, before the trustee can allocate space, iwi must first meet all
allocation requirements, including having appropriate representative and
management bodies in place, plus coastline agreements with other iwi in
the region, if appropriate. This involves establishing their own Iwi
Aquaculture Organisations and reaching agreement with neighbouring iwi
over how the region’s settlement will be divided.
The Act provides for a dispute resolution process in relation to issues
between the trustee and the Iwi Aquaculture Organisations.
While awaiting final allocation, iwi can request an initial allocation from
the trustee or can talk with them about how they would like the settlement
assets managed in the interim.
Maori claims for pre-1992 aquaculture development must go through
the normal Treaty of Waitangi claims process.
After three years, the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) will review the Crown’s
progress towards completing the settlement. It will then consult with iwi
and develop a plan detailing how further progress will be made
For more details, contact Roland Daysh at
the Ministry of Fisheries:
Phone 04 494 2368 or
email roland.daysh@fish.govt.nz.
Or visit our website: www.fish.govt.nz/current/aquaculture

Uniting the footprints of
Rongokako
Inaugural Kaitiaki Forum
As the tupuna Rongokako pursued his dream
girl across the land, his footprints in the sand
(nga tapuwae) marked out a vast territory of
coastland from South Wairarapa to Mahia.
Late last year, the people of his region held their inaugural
regional kaitiaki hui in Masterton. The forum discussed the
establishment of a strategic management plan for rohe
moana within the district, and the progression of kaitiaki for
the many hapu.
Hi Ika talked with interim forum chair Tom Paku, “Our
mission is to retain the mana of this forum by safe guarding
and preserving - nga toanga o te iwi, he says. "We have to
strengthen our ability to determine our own future… without
compromising our tikanga, our values or our aspirations.”
Tom believes one of the major outcomes for the forum
has been its ability to come together under the principles of
“wakawhanaungatanga”. “It has taken some time, but in the
end, all our individual rohe are connected through whakapapa,
which in itself creates a sense of kotahitanga,” he says. “Add
to this the pressures being put on our hapu from the depletion
of the fish stocks within our rohe moana, and it has made it
easy to come together with aroha and respect for each other,
to build a sound kaitiaki model for the whole region.”
The inaugural forum hui produced a draft operational
manual for the group, outlining their terms of reference;
vision, mission and strategic direction. A strong emphasis

was given to developing a partnership between tangata
whenua and the Crown, with a desire to ensure that whanau
are nurtured and included in the management process, and
that the results are beneficial on a whanau level.
Rangi Spooner from Ahuriri in Napier, described his
peoples’ concept of kaitiaki as being “Mai i te maunga ki te
moana” (From the mountain to the sea).
“The role has a spiritual impact on our people, as it is part
of our whakapapa to Tangaroa.” Rangi adds. “We need to
educate the government on our values and ethics. Who we
are and how we see our role as Maori and kaitiaki.”
Representatives from Mahia presented their Mahia
Customary Management Strategy (MCMS), securing widespread
backing from the hui. The forum moved to support the MCMS
and the Rongomaiwahine Kaitiaki permit forms as a model
for the protection and enhancement of mataitai, customary
fisheries and the overall protection of fisheries stock
throughout the region.
The forum then asked the Ministers of Fisheries and Maori
Affairs to carry out the following:
1. Support for the MCMS and Rongomaiwahine Kaitiaki
permit forms:
2. Support the selection and training of a Rongomaiwahine
fishery compliance officer (with full powers under the
Fisheries Act) to protect the fisheries within the
Rongomaiwahine rohe / district:
3. Support and resource other hapu and iwi to achieve an
equivalent to the MCMS Rongomaiwahine Kaitiaki permit
form and compliance with the Fisheries Act and
regulations.
Tom Paku stressed the need for real support, “There is a very
deep concern from this forum that these kaitiaki need to be
resourced. We are very serious and passionate about this
kaitiaki role . Everybody in New Zealand is going to benefit."
On 29 October 2004, the Associate Minister
of Fisheries Hon Parekura Horomia
appointed 55 Kaitiaki for the gazetted
rohe of Tauranga Moana Iwi.
Pou Hononga Mokohiti Brown said “This is a major
step forward for the local iwi of Ngai te Rangi, Ranginui
and Ngati Pukenga to become fully involved in local
management and customary fishing processes”.
“Training for the 55 Kaitiaki commenced during
November 2004 and will be continued in early April 2005
and there will be ongoing training opportunities” said
Mokohiti Brown. Initial training consists of Kaitiaki roles,
responsibilities, completion of customary authorisations
and reporting forms.
Top: Tom Paku of Tumapuhiaarangi hapu ki Wairarapa, who was elected
Chairperson of Te Kupenga Forum.
Above: Rangi Spooner - Kaitiaki a Moremore from Napier who was
instrumental in establishing the regional forum.
Opposite Page: Representatives from Rongomaiwahine of Mahia and
Rakaipaka of Nuhaka. From left: Grace Ormond, Kaumatua Mita Ngaitai &
wife Pani Ngaitai, Johnina Symes, Aaron Raureti (rear). Grace and Aaron are
spearheading the Mahia Coastal Management Strategy.
Tauranga Moana Iwi Kaitiaki Appointed
The gazetted rohe of Tauranga Moana Iwi

South Hokianga Regional Hui
‘Ma Nga Mokopuna’
Ministry of Fisheries’ Pou Hononga Mokohiti Brown (left) and Barney
Anderson (right) stand with Gabriel Morrell on the north head of Hokianaga
Harbour. This point marks the boundry for Waimamaku.
On 19th November 2004, at Waimamaku Marae
in Waimamaku, the first major hui was called
to discuss local rohe moana for South
Hokianga and the establishment of kaitiaki
for the district.
The hui was initiated by local Waimamaku kaumätua and
kuia, Whetu Naera and Goff and Mei Rawiri.
Hi Ika asked Whaea Mei, about the work that has been
done prior to the hui. “We started in July 2003, with our first
Te Rohe Moana a Kupe, Kaimoana/Kaitiaki Management hui.
Since then we have consulted with Te Roroa and all our local
marae, and we’ve had a great response. Te Roroa Kaumatua
Maiti Nathan has told us that we must work together, which
is exactly what all our local kaumätua want.
Matua Goff added, “In the past, our problem has been
that anyone could write a permit for our coastline. Now
we’ve registered all our kaitiaki from Koutu through to the
Waipoua. The next step is to empower the kaitiaki through
gazetting our rohe moana, creating a strong network, securing
support resources for them, and coming up with a sound
management plan.
Resource Management consultant, Piripi Grimshaw, has
helped develop a draft fisheries management plan for
Waimamaku. Piripi has also helped to train our local divers
to undertake research on our fisheries stocks, giving us the
first insights into how poor our fish stocks are looking.”
Ministry of Fisheries' Pou Hononga Graeme Morrell
presented the proposed new management model outlined by
The Deed of Settlement, and the role of iwi kainga in managing
the fisheries resource. Graeme told Hi Ika, “This model
for our mokopuna sake, there’s no time to
waste in coordinating our efforts to protect
our moana.
provides for much greater input into management decisions
for iwi kainga. The Waimamaku people realize the need for
better systems of monitoring and managing the fish stocks,
along with the customary take from their beaches.” The
process to gazette rohe moana was also discussed at the hui
along with the roles and responsibilities of kaitiaki.
Local Kaumatua Fraser Toi stressed the need to empower
the local hapu with resources and management tools to help

protect the moana. “As a child those rocks (along the
Waimamaku coast) were covered with kaimoana. You’d be
standing on them. Today it’s difficult to find a single kina in
some areas of the beach… I believe we need to be able to
put a rähui on the taking of kaimoana… to give the kaimoana
time to recover.”
Matua Whetu stressed an urgency to protect the existing
fish stocks, “It would be easy to put this kaupapa on the back
burner with everything else that’s happening in our rohe.
There’s always big issues to deal with… but for our mokopuna
sake, there’s no time to waste in coordinating our efforts to
protect our moana. Waimamaku isn’t prepared to sit by for a
minute longer while our kaimoana dwindles away. It would
be neglectful of us.”
The hui resolved to coordinate a number of marae hui
within the rohe, particularly throughout Te Roroa. A follow
up regional hui will be called back at Waimamaku once these
hui have been completed.
Matua Whetu believes that with the right focus, a regional
network of kaitiaki can be established in South Hokianga, “We
all want the same thing… an improved, sustainable fishery.
Recent commercial fishing
closures on some key North
Island rivers and lakes will result
in more adult eels migrating to
sea to breed and enhance some customary
fisheries of special significance.
Closures of the Motu and Mohaka
River catchments, and much of the
Whanganui River catchment to
commercial fishing, came into effect on
January 13th. The Ministry of Fisheries
will likely bring in further commercial
closures, once researchers have worked
out how to best boost the numbers of
migrating adult eels.
Other recent commercial eeling
closures have been made to recognise
and provide for customary Maori fisheries
of special significance. These include:
Taharoa lakes (Kawhia); Whakaki Lagoon
(Wairoa); Lake Poukawa (Te Hauke) and
the Pencarrow Lakes and tributaries
(Wellington).
All our marae rely on our rohe moana to manaaki our
manuhiri, and support the kaupapa on our marae. If we
don’t act now, things will just continue to get worse, before
they get any better. Waimamaku is going to start making
things better right now, and our hope is that everyone else
will want to join in too.”
Guests attending the hui
Commercial ban boosts
eel fisheries and customary take

Closures build on rahui
The Ministry of Fisheries recently extended
its support of customary rähui in the Firth of
Thames, and in Pukerua Bay, just north of
Wellington.
Local runanga requested the fishing closures
in these two areas be extended for a further two
years, to allow their respective fisheries to
continue rebuilding. After considering the state of
these fisheries, as well as public submissions, the
Ministry agreed and the closure extensions were
applied late last year.
The Hauraki Maori Trust Board instigated the
closure of pipi and cockle fisheries between
Wilson and Ngarimu Bays in the Firth of Thames
over four years ago, in response to declining
stocks there. While Pukerua Bay’s shellfish, setnet
and long-line closure was instigated by Te
Runanga o Toa Rangitira over two years ago, for
the same reasons.
While the decline of both these fisheries has
been largely because of fishing pressure, it is
thought that environmental conditions may also
be playing a role in the case of Hauraki’s pipi and
cockle fisheries.
Mihi Translation
Greetings to everyone. This is Hi Ika, a publication
that keeps you abreast of the work being done by the
Ministry of Fisheries.
Ministry of Fisheries Pou Hononga
Barney Anderson
(Maniapoto, Mahuta and Tuwharetoa)
Email: barney.anderson@fish.govt.nz,
mobile: 021 532 925.
Mokohiti Brown
(Ranginui, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Pukenga)
Email: mokohiti.brown@fish.govt.nz,
mobile: 021 532 921.
Judith MacDonald
(Rangitaane, Ngati Apa, Ngati Kuia)
Email: Judith.macdonald@fish.govt.nz,
mobile: 027 274 8484
Graeme Morrell
(Nga Puhi Te Iwi. Hapu Ngati Kaharau,
Ngati Hau. Marae Ti Pi iti,
Te Moana Hokianga Whakapau. Karakia)
Email: Graeme.morrell@fish.govt.nz,
mobile: 027 274 7210
Wayne Ormsby
(Ngati Kahungunu, Tainui, Maniapoto)
Email: wayne.ormsby@fish.govt.nz,
mobile: 021 683 4324
Keni Piahana
(Ngati Ranginui, Rangiwewehi, Ngati
Ruahine)
E-mail: keni.piahana@fish.govt.nz,
mobile: 027 274 8713
Tom Teneti
(Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngati Porou,
Rongomaiwahine)
Email: tom.tëneti@fish.govt.nz,
mobile: 027 276 6564
Raymond Necklen
Email: necklenr@fish.govt.nz,
mobile: 027 499 4123