Our report for Q3 is now available 31 Hōngongoi 2020               The third quarter was different from most, as level 4 and level 3 lockdown changed both the way we worked and priorities of our work. In this report, we share the highlights and focus from the quarter - supporting Iwi in their COVID responses, and continuing engagement work on important policy matters. It's no surprise that supporting [...]

Our response for the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Post-2020 global biodiversity framework 27 Hōngongoi 2020               We have had ongoing engagement in the Convention of Biological Diversity process. On July 23, we provided our response to the Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity on the draft documents for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Our response builds on previous feedback to the Secretariat in April 2019 and to [...]

Ngāti Tamatera place rāhui in west Coromandel 27 Hōngongoi 2020                 On 10 July, a rāhui was placed on Te Mata and Waipatukahu, west Coromandel, to the harvest of pipi, cockles, mussels and oysters. The closure, requested by Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust, is the continuation of a rāhui that was placed in December 2019. It comes in response to the pressure placed on kaimoana during the [...]

Keep an eye out for tohorā 24 Hōngongoi 2020             Over the next few months tohorā, southern rights whales, are moving through our waters and can be seen from anywhere along the coastline of Aotearoa. Scientists from University of Auckland and Live Ocean are calling on public sightings to help improve knowledge about distribution and movements. Tohorā, once an endangered species, are now believed to number 30,000. Report any [...]

Whakatōhea realise 20 year effort for mussel farm 23 Hōngongoi 2020               Chariman of Whakatōhea Trust Board, Robert Edwards, spoke with RNZ about the story behind their 20 year effort to establish a mussel farm. This open ocean mussel farm is now in operation 12 km off the coast of Ōpōtiki, thanks to the vision, perseverance and investment of Iwi leaders and the local community. In time, this [...]

Our feedback on COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020 8 Hōngongoi 2020               The government has recently enacted the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020. The Act significantly reforms RMA processes for projects and activities that are considered likely to result in employment growth and that will assist New Zealand’s economic recovery from COVID-19. At the same time, the Act seeks to promote the sustainable management of natural [...]

Kaimoana exports expected to dive 30 Piripi 2020               Iwi Collective Partnership general manager Maru Samuels says that Māori business, particularly kaimoana, could expect to see sales suffer. This is largely due to the changes in exports to China. A report released from Stats NZ demonstrated the value of Māori business, $741 million in 2019 up $46million from the year prior. Kaimoana made up almost half of all [...]

Rāhui at Marsden Point, Whangārei 23 Piripi 2020                 In late May, the Minister of Fisheries approved Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust's request to close Mair Bank and Marsden Bank in Whangarei to shellfish gathering. This closure formalises the rāhui which was put in place in December 2018.  The area is closed until 28 June 2022 to allow for restoration. Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust are monitoring the environment, [...]

Quarter Two report now available 24 Piripi 2020                 It seems like a long time ago - pre COVID lockdown - but we managed to squeeze a lot into the second quarter. Over January and February 2020, the policy team provided responses on nine different policy matters to four different government departments and two specialist groups (the Environment Select Committee and the Resource Management review panel). The advice we provided [...]

Collaborative effort helps whānau impacted by COVID-19 26 May 2020               Iwi organisations have joined forces with Māori fishing companies Sealord and Moana New Zealand to help whānau in need in response to COVID-19. The fishing companies are providing seafood and ready-to-eat meals to iwi organisations at less than cost price. Sealord, 50% owned by iwi, has contributed more than 8 tonne of battered and crumbed seafood portions [...]