Ngapuhi finds bar in fisheries reform plan

Photo: Waatea Image Database.

With a new Government meaning changes to the Māori Fisheries Act may now move forward, Ngāpuhi is trying to block one of the reforms it unleashed.

Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-Ō-Ngāpuhi and the Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company Limited have asked Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash for a chance to discuss a proposed amendment that could result in Te Ohu Kaimoana’s cash reserves being shared out among iwi.

During a 10-year review of Māori fisheries settlement structures conducted in 2016, Ngapuhi joined with other large iwi pushing for the raid on the trust’s cashbox.

But those iwi were caught out by an amendment passed at the annual meeting that the money be shared not on the basis of population or coastline but with each iwi large or small getting the same amount.

Ngāpuhi Rūnanga Group chair Mere Mangu and Jason Witehira say the amendment would create further inequity among Māori and undo a key component of the original distribution model in the Māori Fisheries Act.

There was no movement on the reform under the previous Government because of opposition from New Zealand First which was concerned it would undermine the settlement.

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