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August 21, 2023
Kermadecs off the table before election
Claudette Hauiti
Posted On August 21, 2023
Download AudioPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has ruled out legislation to establish a Kermadec ocean sanctuary before the election.
The proposed sanctuary announced by former PM John Key in 2015 has been held up by fierce opposition from Iwi and Māori organisations, with a special meeting of Te Ohu Kaimoana in June rejecting a proposed solution.
Environment Minister David Parker said Māori opposition was unexpected and disappointing.
Mr Hipkins says the Government will continue working with Māori.
“We’re not progressing the Kermadec legislation before the election, we’ll go back and speak with Iwi and speak with Māori to try and find a way forward,” he says.
Iwi have objected that creating the 620,000sq km ocean sanctuary would overturn part of the Maori Fisheries Settlement which gave them development rights to the area’s fisheries.
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