Media release
Ngati Porou receives fisheries assets
30 March 2006| Download as PDF - 216kb
Influential North Island tribe Ngati Porou will receive the first part of its fisheries assets from the Maori Fisheries Trust, having completed the requirements of the Maori Fisheries Act. Te Runanga o Ngati Porou has this week reached Mandated Iwi Organisation (MIO) status, enabling it to receive fisheries assets amounting to approximately $35 million.
The Maori Fisheries Trust, Te Ohu Kaimoana, congratulated Ngati Porou on its achievement in implementing the management structure, constitution and register of members that are all required under the Maori Fisheries Act.
‘Ngati Porou is a large, powerful North Island tribe and is to be commended for all its hard work,’ Maori Fisheries Trust CEO Peter Douglas said. ‘The process to become an MIO involves a lot of groundwork in reaching consensus. The Runanga has carried out an exhaustive round of hui with its people to confirm support for this development.’
Recognition this week of Ngati Porou as an MIO, along with Ngati Whatua, is also a first for Maori Trust Boards and an important step along the path of fisheries assets transfers.
‘Maori Trust Boards are ultimately responsible to the Minister of Maori Affairs,’ Mr Douglas said. ‘However, the Maori Fisheries Trust and the Runanga worked together to overcome any potential difficulties so that the Runanga holds the fisheries assets on behalf of its tribal members. This approach will show the way for the further 10 or so Trust Boards facing similar circumstances.’
Ngati Porou will initially receive ownership of some deepwater quota, shares in Aotearoa Fisheries Limited and cash. The balance of its fisheries assets will be allocated once agreements have been reached with adjacent iwi.
Te Runanga o Ngati Porou Chief Executive, Amohaere Houkamau, said the Runanga was very pleased with the clear mandate it had received to establish the Ngati Porou Mandated Iwi Organisation. ‘We are looking forward to receiving our share of the fisheries assets from the Maori Fisheries Trust.’
‘This is vindication of all the effort and investment that Ngati Porou and other iwi have made over the past 14 years to secure the fisheries assets in the first instance and then to ensure allocation to respective iwi in a timely and efficient manner,’ said Runanga Chairman Api Mahuika.