The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries says iwi have a chance to be at the forefront of open ocean aquaculture.

Rino Tirikatene was at Te Rau Aroha Marae in Bluff yesterday for the signing of the Southland aquaculture agreement which gives Ngāi Tahu exclusive rights to a 16.6 hectare marine space off the northern edge of Rakiura Stewart Island.

He says new technologies make it feasible to develop the space.

“It’s really important Māori are participating, we’re not just spectators, we want to be involved in that, and that’s what the Aquaculture Settlement does. We as government with iwi Māori, we look forward, we project future growth, and then 20 percent of that projected growth is secured for iwi in each region around the motu,” Mr Tirikatene says.

The space is next to Hananui Aquaculture project which Ngāi Tahu Seafood is seeking consent for.