Media release
Ngati Whatua receives fisheries assets
30 March 2006| Download as PDF - 216kb
Taitokerau tribe Ngati Whatua will receive the first share of its fisheries settlement assets from the Maori Fisheries Trust this week after completing the requirements of the Maori Fisheries Act.
Ngati Whatua has reached Mandated Iwi Organisation (MIO) status, which enables it to receive the first part of its share of the Maori Fisheries settlement assets, amounting to approximately $7.4 million.
The Maori Fisheries Trust, Te Ohu Kaimoana, congratulated Ngati Whatua on its achievement in implementing the management structure, constitution and register of members that are all required under the Maori Fisheries Act.
‘Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua 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 by iwi in reaching consensus and meeting the requirements of the Act.’
Recognition this week of Ngati Whatua as an MIO, along with Ngati Porou, 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 Whatua 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.
Naida Glavish, Chairperson of Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua, and Allan Pivac, Chief Executive Officer, said that all the trials and tribulations experienced in this process will fade and the work will now begin.
For more information, contact:
Ngati Whatua – Naida Glavish 021 722 086 or Allan Pivac 09 438 2870
Maori Fisheries Trust – Brenda Wallace 021 490 701