Nau mai haere mai
This is the first edition of our fisheries iKARERE. The growing frequency and complexity of the fisheries issues in which Te Ohu Kaimoana is involved requires that iwi are informed more regularly of the work we are undertaking on your behalf. The topics in the newsletter are those that are currently being worked on by Te Ohu Kaimoana’s advisers. We will provide updates on these issues each month or more often when required. If you want to know more, please contact the person named or use the addresses at the bottom of this newsletter.

Aquaculture
Te Ohu Kaimoana and iwi from Hauraki and Te Waipounamu are working to finalise a proposal to put to the Government for the early settlement of the Crown’s pre-commencement obligations to iwi under the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act. The Government recently put out for consultation proposals to settle the pre-commencement obligations under the Act. That paper suggested early settlement in regions may be possible. Following a request from Te Tau Ihu iwi, the Fisheries Minister invited iwi from Te Tau Ihu (and subsequently Hauraki) to submit proposals for early settlement and agreed to provide funding to the iwi groups and advisors to support this work. Ngai Tahu have joined this process in order to allow settlement of all Te Waipounamu. Te Ohu Kaimoana is working with iwi representatives and consultants to complete work allowing realistic valuations of the Crown’s obligation to be completed as part of the proposed early settlement of pre-commencement space. Updates in future iKARERE. For more information, contact Te Ohu Kaimoana Aquaculture Development Manager Simon Karipa
(simon.karipa@teohu.maori.nz).

Shared Fisheries
The Shared Fisheries Steering Group set up to resolve competing quota issues between the commercial, customary and recreational sectors has not completed its work at present. The Minister of Fisheries has also asked for an update.

Ministry Vision and Strategy
The Ministry of Fisheries is attempting to develop a vision and a strategy for the future of fisheries management to 2030. The Ministry has contracted Price Waterhouse Coopers to run a pre-consultation process with chosen stakeholder groups. Te Ohu Kaimoana has attended a workshop with industry where MFish clarified the intention and purpose of the vision and strategy. The Ministry says it will also be working with selected iwi and has developed a “Maori Reference Group”.

• Multi-Stakeholder Workshops: 11, 12 September
• Ministerial Discussions: Nov-Dec 2008
• Consultation from Feb 2009
• Vision and Strategy finalised: June-July 2009
  

Ministry Treaty Strategy
The Ministry of Fisheries is consulting over a “Treaty Strategy”. Submissions are due at the end of October. This does not appear to be directly connected to the Vision and Strategy outlined above. Our Fisheries Management staff members are discussing this with MFish. Contact Senior Fisheries Policy Analyst Tania McPherson (Tania.McPherson@teohu.maori.nz).

Marine Protected Areas
The Government is working on creating MPAs in the New Zealand sovereign waters of the sub-Antarctic area and on the West Coast of Te Waipounamu. While Te Ohu Kaimoana believes that MPAs are not required for conservation purposes, our advisers have been working with the industry to identify areas that will have the least impact on commercial fishing interests. Further updates in iKARERE. Contact Senior Fisheries Policy Analyst Tania McPherson (Tania.McPherson@teohu.maori.nz).

Maui’s and Hector’s Dolphins
The fishing industry is considering taking judicial review proceedings over the Minister of Fisheries decision to close the west coast of the North Island, South Island south coast, South Island east coast and South Island west coast to set netting. The key legal matter to be considered is whether the Minister balanced the risks to dolphin sustainability against utilisation of the fisheries. SeaFIC advised CSOs that it was unable to fund the legal challenge on its own and was reserving its decision until hearing from CSOs on this matter. No decision has been made yet.

Pataka Kai
Work continues on developing a pilot pataka kai programme where iwi will be able to catch fish under the customary fisheries entitlement and store it for future hui, tangi, etc. Te Ohu Kaimoana is working with Taranaki and Bay of Plenty iwi. These iwi are working to develop the finer details of how this plan would work before we jointly approach the Ministry of Fisheries. For more information on how this works, contact Senior Fisheries Policy Analyst, Tania McPherson (Tania.McPherson@teohu.maori.nz).

MIO Approval
Only nine iwi are left to achieve Mandated Iwi Organisation (MIO) status. One of those iwi, Ngati Kuri, is now ready to engage with Te Ohu Kaimoana to complete the MIO process since the iwi completed their recent trustee elections. Other iwi still to complete the MIO process are: Ngati Maru (Taranaki), Ngati Tama (Taranaki), Ngati Manawa, Muaupoko, Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngati Whare, Ngati Toa and Te Whanau a Apanui. For more information, contact Senior Policy Analyst, Allocation & Transfer, Maru Samuels(Maru.Samuels@teohu.maori.nz).

End of Financial Year
30 September 2008 marks the end of the financial year for Te Ohu Kaimoana. The yearly auditing process will soon be underway and we will endeavour to have an annual report to you around December or January.