It’s make or break time for Te Ohu Kaimoana today as it tries to strike a deal with the Government over the Kermadec ocean sanctuary.
The Maori fisheries settlement trust is trying to find a way to protect treaty fishing rights without having to go to court.
The Government wants to close off the 620,000 square kilometres of ocean north of New Zealand without paying compensation for the fishing quota it is ripping up in the process.
Iwi want their treaty rights to be acknowledged in some way.
Environment Minister Nick Smith says there are philosophical differences between the parties, as the Government was still committed to a complete ocean sanctuary.
Negotiations on Monday ended with the crown making a proposal which has been considered by iwi over the past 48 hours.
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