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Sweet
and Sour Hui Reception for Ministry's Chief
by
the Hokianga Accord
October 2008
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This article was originally
written for the New Zealand Fishing News November 2008 edition.
Wayne
McNee, Chief Executive for the Ministry of Fisheries, received
a controversial but warm welcome when he visited the Bay
of Islands for his first Hokianga Accord hui in early September.
Originally scheduled
for Waitangi, the two-day fisheries hui moved to Paihia's
Scenic Circle Hotel after objections to having the Crown's
representatives at Te Tii Marae.
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MFish staff joined their leader and more than 40 customary
and amateur fishing representatives from Northland, Auckland,
the Manawatu and Great Barrier Island (Aotea).
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This was the
twelfth meeting of the Accord, the mid north iwi fisheries
forum, and included representatives from Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua,
Ngati Hine, option4, the NZ Big Game Fishing Council and local
fishing clubs.
Chairman for Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngapuhi, Raniera (Sonny) Tau
welcomed the Ministry team to the mid north while signalling
a continuation of the forum’s objective of working together
with amateur fishing interest groups to achieve a healthy
marine environment and abundant fisheries. |
“We have
tried working with the Ministry of Fisheries for the past
three years to establish a forum to discuss non-commercial
fishing interests.
"This has
been unsuccessful due to the Ministry’s reluctance
to have both customary and amateur fishing representatives
in the same room.
Despite
that, we are determined to continue discussion amongst ourselves
because our non-commercial interests in having plenty of
fish in the sea extends to both Maori and Pakeha.”
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range of issues was discussed during the hui, including the
contentious proposal to amend section 13 of the Fisheries
Act 1996 (as covered in Update
#13).
No
satisfactory resolution was forthcoming so discussion soon
moved onto how low fish stock levels in Area 1, from North
Cape to East Cape, affects local fishermen and their ability
to catch enough fish to provide for their social and cultural
wellbeing. |
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It is important
to clarify what stock levels are required to satisfy both
the environmental and food-access needs of the local population
because the Minister of Fisheries has a statutory obligation
to ‘allow for’ these non-commercial interests,
both customary and recreational, before he sets commercial
catch limits in any fishery.
Accord co-chairman, Judah Heihei, is also the leader of
Taiamai Ki Te Marangai Roopu Kaitiaki. They are kaitiaki/guardians
of the northern Bay of Islands, from Kerikeri north to coastal
Takou Bay. He explained the group’s frustration over
the past twelve years in attempting to have meaningful local
fisheries management and a mataitai established in the northern
Bay area.
“Our fourteen hapu have faced local racism and a dictatorial
attitude from Ministry staff in trying to get the mataitai
underway. We look forward to having the support of the Ministry
when we have our local, public meetings soon to discuss
the plans.”
Wayne assured the hui he would do his best to ensure Ministry
staff would implement the correct mataitai process. A public
meeting to discuss the mataitai proposal was set down for
Monday, October 6th, at Whitiora Marae, Purerua Peninsula,
Kerikeri.
A full report
of the hui will be posted online on its completion.
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