Media release
Ngati Koata receives fisheries assets
31 March 2006| Download as PDF - 210kb
Ngati Koata is to receive the first part of its share of the Maori Fisheries settlement assets. After completing the requirements of the Maori Fisheries Act and the Maori Fisheries Trust, Ngati Koata has reached Mandated Iwi Organisation (MIO) status, enabling it to receive its fisheries assets.
Ngati Koata Trust chairperson, Roma Hippolite, said that while the process involved in becoming a MIO was exacting, the twin benefits of gaining access to the settlement assets and having a recognisably improved iwi register made the work worthwhile. Mr Hippolite was particularly pleased with the requirement to protect these assets for future generations.
‘Ngati Koata has a long and proud tradition of being kaitiaki of fisheries. We as a generation have benefited from the words of wisdom of our tupuna. In similar manner, we want to ensure that our mokopuna will benefit from this taonga we are able to pass down to them.’
Ngati Koata 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.
The Maori Fisheries Trust, Te Ohu Kaimoana, congratulated Ngati Koata on its achievement in implementing the management structure, constitution and register of members that are all required under the Maori Fisheries Act.
‘Ngati Koata 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 Koata CEO Caron Paul said the iwi trust is working with other iwi of Te Tau Ihu and other parts of Aotearoa to amalgamate their quota packages to gain higher values from ACE leasing.