Eight Iwi sign Boundary Memorandum
Eight iwi who share fishstocks in Southern Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 8 between Manawatu and Wellington have taken a significant step towards the transfer of fisheries assets under the Maori Fisheries Act 2004.
In September, iwi from Wanganui to Titahi Bay signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai marae providing an agreement over their respective shares in some fishstocks that could be used to determine final asset allocation from Te Ohu Kaimoana.
The agreement outlines the percentage of inshore fisheries each iwi would receive through allocation as well as their respective shares of the 25% of each deepwater fishstock that abuts the coastline of southern FMA 8. Rather than draw a line in the sand determining their perceived boundaries, the eight iwi have agreed on a “percentage split” for the assets that are determined on an iwi's length of coast.
The MOU relates only to allocation and non-fisheries issues are not included.
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| Te Runanga o Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai representatives, from left, Hariata Mei Higgott and Gabrielle and Paddy Rikihana |
The area covered comprises 162km of coastline stretching from Kai Iwi Stream to the northern end of Titahi Bay, which is the southern area of Fisheries Management Area 8. The eight iwi involved in the MOU are Whanganui, Ngati Apa, Ngati Hauiti, Rangitane, Muaupoko, Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngati Toa and Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai.
Te Runanga o Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai operations manager, Damian Parata, said the agreement heralded a new era for iwi.
“I would challenge anyone to think why this cannot be the norm,” he said. “There should be a degree of optimism that this level of co-operation will prevail. As an example, Ngati Hauiti is landlocked but they have always been part of the conversation.”
Mr Parata said this was one step towards allocation readiness. “From here, there is a fairly clear process set out before us. We will be getting our registers, databases and organisational structure up to the status of becoming a Mandated Iwi Organisation, and from that point we'll be looking to receive our allocation assets.”
Executive director of Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira, Matiu Rei, said that despite being non-binding, the MOU was a honourable agreement and should carry considerable weight.
“We tried a number of times over the years to get agreement among the tribes but it never really happened until people realised we had to focus on getting an outcome. It gave negotiations an impetus. But there is a different criteria for fisheries allocation, for example, negotiating a treaty claim is quite different; it's very different from having to become an MIO.”
A number of iwi representatives acknowledged the work of Ken Mair of Whanganui for getting the eight iwi to agree the percentages. Mr Mair said that although the agreement did not suit everybody, it was the logical step in order to receive settlement assets.
Te Ohu Kaimoana Cheif Executive Peter Douglas added his thanks to Ken Mair "I am very grateful for the paitence way Ken has helped us all through this process."
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Protecting Māori fisheries assets for future generations