Agenda:
- Strategy
- Letter to
the Minister
- Submission
Review Process
- Funding
Scott Macindoe
opened the meeting with a brief report on a recent discussion had
between himself and Stan Crothers. Stan confirmed that the consultation
with iwi was not yet complete but it is apparent that iwi do not
recognise or acknowledge a public right to harvest seafood. It was
also noted that there was poor attendance at the iwi meetings in
the North Island but a very strong attendance in the South Island
Submission Delivery
It was agreed by the option4 group to also request, under the
Official Information Act, the minutes from all public and iwi meetings
regarding the Soundings process as this would allow option4 to
gain some insight as to how the Ministry views the issues. A request
will also be made for Soundings process dates, deadlines, a list
of the persons involved in the process, where and when the meetings
will take place and also copies of submissions made to the Rights
Working Group.
Letter to the Minister
A letter appeared in the January issue of the N.Z. Fishing News
magazine from Minister of Fisheries, Pete Hodgson. A statement from
the Minister in this particular letter that "option4 is not the
answer" caused some concern for the option4 group.
Paul Barnes
raised the point that such a statement made by the Minister could
demonstrate that the Minister has predetermined the outcome of the
Soundings process.
Paul Barnes
and Bob Burstall will draft a letter to Minister Pete Hodgson replying
to the letter in the January issue of N.Z. Fishing News.
Strategy
A second letter will be drafted by Paul and Bob requesting an
option4 meeting with the Minister with the objective of explaining
the four principles of option4.
It was agreed
by the group to also send a one page non political letter, to all
Ministers in parliament to ensure they are aware of option4 and
invite them to visit the option4 website. This letter should also
emphasise that option4 is not just an anti licensing ginger group.
Bob Burstall
will draft the one page letter and have it ready to distribute to
the Ministers by early March.
The point was
raised that urban Maori are potentially at risk of being disenfranchised
through the Soundings process. While iwi have a defined right in
legislation to harvest seafood by applying for special permits,
urban Maori do not have these rights and are confined to fish under
the recreational bag limits, hence urban maori face the same risks
to their rights as the rest of us and could be strong allies. option4 will attempt to contact John Tamahere to discuss these issues
.
Submissions
As of February 2, 2001 the number of individual submissions in support
of option4 is 69, 719 which does not include online submissions,
clubs and groups which have submitted their own response to soundings
in support of option4.
option4 has
an obligation to all those who supported the principles of option4 and will continue to write the option4 update in the N.Z. Fishing
News magazine.
It was agreed
that many of the public are still unaware of the Soundings process.
A campaign will begin through the website and the N.Z. Fishing News
to get to the wider public and gather e-mail addresses in order
to keep the public as well informed as possible with the minimum
of expense.
A questionnaire
will also go out to all those who have demonstrated an interest
in assisting option4 with the goal of developing a list of committed
individuals prepared to assist in sharing the workload.
Funding
Closing
balance as of 08 January, 2000 $4,189.40
Deposit
10/01/01 $2,322.55
Deposit 30/01/01 $
825.00
Current funds available $7,336.95
Next option4 meeting will be held
February
9, 2001 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
N.Z. Fishing News
274 Church Street
Penrose
Agenda: Marine
Reserves
e-mail : kites@ihug.co.nz
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