February 16th, 2006
Kahawai Campaign
Exciting developments for the public awareness campaign to support the Kahawai Legal Challenge include the coverage of the issue on television. The first of several programmes covering the topic is on Maori TV Sunday 19th March at 8pm. The Tangaroa programme is the 5th in a series of 13 and features the first hui attended by the Challenge team at Whitiora marae, Te Tii, Northland. Kitefishing on Muriwai Beach including comic Pio Terei interviewing Paul Barnes, project leader of option4, is a highlight.
News of further television coverage will be notified as soon as we have confirmed the dates but make sure you mark it in your diary to be watching Tangaroa on the 19th March.
Fundraising Booklets
The last of the Kahawai Campaign Booklets are being distributed now. If you still have your Booklet and feel you have done your best to raise funds for the Challenge please return the Booklet in the envelope provided in the support pack. If you need any help or more information please call 0800 KAHAWAI (0800 52 42 92) for assistance.
Thank you to all those who have already returned Campaign Booklets, your support is greatly appreciated.
Tee shirts
Sales of tee shirts and wrist bracelets are still going well. We still have plenty in stock, at $20 each the tee shirts are great value and look good too. With the fishing contest season in full swing many people are purchasing the shirts and wearing them as the team uniform. An excellent way to make a statement while having some fun.
Kahawai Legal Challenge
The Kahawai Legal Challenge is a test case brought by the NZ Recreational Fishing Council and the NZ Big Game Fishing Council. They hope to obtain a High Court decision, which will better define the public’s right to fish. The case is backed by option4 and supported by Ngapuhi. As reported last month, the commercial fishing industry has issued a counterclaim against the Minister of Fisheries.
This case is very important because it is the first time recreational fishers have sought a declaratory judgment. The main goal is to clarify how fisheries are allocated between commercial and non-commercial fishers. It is expected the outcome will have an impact well beyond kahawai and strike at the core issue of allocation and who has what rights to our fisheries.
Mr. Keith Ingram, President of the New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council said “this case is not just about the humble kahawai, it is about how the Minister takes into account the public’s right to fish under the fisheries legislation”.
Mr. Jeff Romeril, President of the New Zealand Big Game Fishing Council, says “our club members have reported a huge decline in the availability of kahawai from the late 1980's. I believe it is unfair that recreational fishers are made to suffer because commercial companies continually fish to extract the maximum possible yield in shared fisheries”.
option4 project leader Paul Barnes says “when fisheries need rebuilding the commercial sector demand proportional cuts are also made to recreational catches or they want compensation. These proportional cuts are often unfair because recreational fishers are being ‘punished’ for problems caused by excessive commercial fishing”.
Mr. Sonny Tau, chairman of Ngapuhi, said, “the vast majority of the time Maori go fishing, it is to feed our whanau (families). When we do this we are categorised as recreational fishers. This is why we have joined the legal action”.
Both Fishing Councils believe excessive commercial fishing has obviously caused the decline of kahawai. The Councils have decided to bring the proceedings as a test case to clarify the legal situation, and in the hope that the proceedings will result in fairer decision-making process in future.
The Kahawai Legal Challenge is a worthy cause. If you would like to help win this critical case please get involved, there are many ways you can help.
option4 has been managing the fundraising aspects of the campaign supporting the Kahawai Legal Challenge.
The primary fundraising tool is the Kahawai Booklet. If you want to get involved and raise donations please call our help team on 0800 KAHAWAI (52 42 92).
A snappy navy Kahawai Challenge t-shirt is available for $20 by calling
0800 KAHAWAI (52 42 92). Most sizes available.
If you require assistance or would like to know more please call our team on
0800 KAHAWAI (52 42 92).
A quick $20 donation can be made by dialling 0900 KAHAWAI (52 42 92).
This will be debited to your phone account.
Visit the website www.kahawai.co.nz to order your Booklet online and make a secure online donation.
Please send your Booklets and/or donations to:
Kahawai Challenge Fund
c/o NZ Fishing News, Freepost 131323, PO Box 12-965, Penrose, Auckland. |
