Media release
Ngati Apa receives fisheries assets
30 March 2006
Ngati Apa is to receive the first part of its fisheries assets. After completing the requirements of the Maori Fisheries Act and the Maori Fisheries Trust, Ngati Apa has reached Mandated Iwi Organisation (MIO) status, enabling it to receive fisheries assets.
The Maori Fisheries Trust, Te Ohu Kaimoana, congratulated Ngati Apa on its achievement in implementing the management structure, constitution and register of members that are all required under the Maori Fisheries Act.
‘Ngati Apa 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.’
Ngati Apa 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.