Mai i ngā iwi
New mātaitai reserve for Rakiura
The new Te Whaka a Te Wera mātaitai reserve in Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island reflects the philosophy of the customary fishing regulations and fulfils fisheries aspirations of the local community.
The reserve which was established by the Rakiura Māori Land Trust last year will use tools available under the customary fishing regulations to manage the local community's ‘kete kaimoana'. (See photo of Tangata Tiaki Phillip Smith and Maureen Jones at Te Whaka a Te Wera).
Ministry of Fisheries' Pou Hononga Raymond Necklen says this reserve is an excellent local solution to that age-old problem of too many people chasing too few fish. “The customary fishing regulations have increased iwi Māori involvement in the management of their fisheries, which in turn has helped the community develop a local solution to a local problem,” he says.
You can find out more about mātaitai and other customary fishing management tools at fish.govt.nz
Ngāi Tahu Seafood awards scholarship
Matthew Whitfield (Ngāi Tahu) is the first recipient of Ngāi Tahu Seafood Deep Sea Fishing Scholarships. To gain his cadetship, Matthew successfully completed two trips at sea on a trawling vessel.
Ngāi Tahu Seafood has offered Matthew an all-expenses training package at the Westport Deep Sea Fishing School which includes mentoring by key personnel at Ngāi Tahu Seafood and a guaranteed job as a permanent crew member with the company when he graduates.
Matthew will work towards completing a Level 2 National Certificate in Vessel Operations and Seafood Processing during his 12 week training stint before continuing on-the-job training when he works back on the trawler. Matthew's mother says the scholarship has literally turned his life around and set him on an excellent career path.
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Tiakina ngā rawa hi ika, a tātou kaimoana mo ngā uri whakaheke
Protecting Māori fisheries assets for future generations