A landmark aquaculture agreement between the Crown and Bay of Plenty iwi is being hailed as a major step towards unlocking economic opportunities while strengthening Māori leadership in the sustainable management of the moana.
The agreement fulfils obligations under the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004, providing Bay of Plenty iwi with access to significant aquaculture settlement assets that are expected to support long-term economic development, employment and environmental stewardship. The settlement forms part of the Crown’s commitment to ensure iwi receive assets equivalent to 20 percent of new aquaculture space created after 2011.
The agreement follows years of collaboration between iwi, the Crown, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Te Ohu Kaimoana, reflecting a collective commitment to developing a world-class aquaculture industry grounded in tikanga Māori and sustainable resource management.
The regional settlement will unlock around 5,000 hectares of authorised aquaculture space, with an estimated value of $35 million, alongside approximately $1 million in Crown support to assist with resource consenting and implementation. It is expected to create new opportunities for Māori-owned enterprises, regional employment, skills development and long-term intergenerational wealth.
Leaders involved in the agreement say its significance extends well beyond commercial returns.
The settlement recognises the enduring relationship between iwi and the moana while reinforcing the principles of kaitiakitanga, ensuring future aquaculture development balances economic growth with environmental protection and cultural responsibility.
The agreement is also seen as a model for collaborative development, with 12 iwi working together to achieve outcomes that would have been difficult to realise individually. Supporters say the spirit of kotahitanga demonstrated throughout the negotiations provides a strong foundation for future investment and shared prosperity.
Aquaculture is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing primary industries, with the Government aiming to significantly expand the sector over the coming decade. Māori are expected to play an increasingly important role in that growth, not only through ownership of marine farming space but also through processing, research, innovation, export development and environmental management.
For Bay of Plenty iwi, the agreement represents both the conclusion of a lengthy settlement process and the beginning of a new chapter.
Attention will now turn to securing resource consents, developing commercial partnerships and ensuring projects deliver benefits for whānau while protecting the health of coastal ecosystems.
As Māori continue to expand their presence across New Zealand’s primary industries, the Bay of Plenty agreement demonstrates how Treaty settlements can generate lasting economic opportunities while supporting cultural values, environmental sustainability and regional development.
For many involved, the agreement is not simply about aquaculture—it is about creating a legacy that future generations can build upon.
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