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September 20, 2016
Aotearoa-style conservation needed for Kermadecs
Waatea Team
Posted On September 20, 2016
The chief executive of Te Ohu Kaimoana, Dion Tuuta, has welcomed the entry of Deputy Prime Minister Bill English into talks on getting the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary bill back on to parliament's timetable.
He replaces Environment Minister Nick Smith, whose hard-line position that only a no-take sanctuary was acceptable led to the collapse of talks with the Maori fisheries settlement trust.
That led to the Maori party withdrawing its support for the bill, and Dr Smith says the switch is a question of confidence and supply.
Mr Tuuta says a solution is possible if the Government is prepared to consider a Maori conservation model that is appropriate for Aotearoa.
"This is not about Maori being anti conservation. It is about us asserting our view of what conservation is. It is more about sustainable use. It is not a case of us having a right to develop into the future, means we are anti-conservation. It is possible for people to be pro-conservation and opposed to someone coming in and just taking away your rights," he says.
Mr Tuuta says the Government would not be in this position if it had talked with its treaty partner, instead of trying to impose a conservation philosophy promoted by overseas groups.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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