Who We Are
Te Ohu Kaimoana (the Māori Fisheries Trust) is the representative organisation that works to protect Iwi and Māori customary and commercial interests in fisheries and the marine environment.
Our organisation, which gives effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori rights contained within it, was created ultimately out of the Māori Fisheries Settlement 1992 between Māori and the Crown. Te Ohu Kaimoana is the successor to the Māori Fisheries Commission (1989 – 1992) and the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission (1992 – 2004).
Te Ohu Kaimoana provides advice to and is guided by the 58 mandated iwi organisations that represent all Māori in Aotearoa.
While our focus is on fishing and fisheries-related activities, our kaupapa extends to scientific and environmental policy matters and political issues that affect iwi and Māori rights in exercising tino rangatiratanga over traditional fisheries.
Settlement History
Te Ohu Kai Moana Trust and Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Limited were created ultimately out of the Māori Fisheries Settlement 1992 between Māori and the Crown. Te Ohu Kaimoana is the successor to the Māori Fisheries Commission (1989 – 1992) and the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission (1992 – 2004).
Te Ohu Kaimoana was established to advance the interests of Māori in fishing and fisheries-related activities and to return valuable fisheries assets and funds from the Settlement to iwi organisations. The Trust is managed by a corporate trustee, Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Limited which is central to administering, protecting and enhancing the Fisheries Settlement to ensure that funds are delivered to iwi and ultimately all Māori.
The Settlement restored Māori property rights and established commercial enterprises, such Aotearoa Fisheries Limited (trading as Moana New Zealand), which in turn is the sole or joint shareholder of a number of New Zealand commercial fishing companies. Through Te Ohu Kaimoana and various Iwi charitable organisations, the fisheries settlement has contributed to the establishment of a sustainable development system for the delivery of economic and social benefits to all Māori. Iwi and Māori have become empowered to develop their own fishing enterprises and activities, as well as contribute to improving the health, welfare and education of communities in their own rohe now and in the future.
Te Ohu Kaimoana has a further role of advocating on behalf of Māori in respect of fisheries matters and the marine environment.
Who are we
Policy Advisory Services
Te Ohu Kaimoana provides fisheries advisory services to iwi, the Māori Fisheries Settlement entities and industry groups. Our policy team includes analysts with many years’ experience in fisheries and public policy, as well as enthusiastic and motivated university qualified staff.
Aquaculture
Te Ohu Kaimoana has responsibilities under the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Settlement Act, where iwi organisations are to receive 20 percent of designated Aquaculture Management Areas. We have statutory obligations to work with iwi in the allocation of the Māori share of AMAs in the development of aquaculture in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Allocation
A primary function of Te Ohu Kaimoana has been focussed on the allocation of Māori Fisheries Settlement assets to iwi. Since the Māori Fisheries Act 2004 was passed, Te Ohu has allocated almost all the Settlement to, resulting in more than $500 million of fisheries assets placed in Māori ownership and management.
Communications
An important role of Te Ohu Kaimoana is maintaining effective communication with our iwi stakeholders, to keep them informed of important legislative, regulatory and policy developments that affect the value of their investment and assets from the Māori Fisheries Settlement. As iwi’s representative for universal fisheries issues, Te Ohu Kaimoana engages and liaises with a range of sectors.