We are positive and confident about our fisheries

Monday, 25 February 2019, 6:45 pm
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu

‘We are positive and confident about our fisheries into the future’

In early 2014 the iwi started negotiations to purchase a controlling interest in Hawke’s Bay Seafoods, but these negotiations were suspended because of the multi-agency government raid in September that year.

However, we’ve maintained our interest in purchasing up to 100 percent of the company to become a major stakeholder and participant in the industry. It has been an iwi strategy for over 20 years and we are positive and confident about the opportunity for Ngāti Kahungunu and our fisheries into the future.

We acknowledge that over 250 people are employed at Hawke’s Bay Seafoods, many of whom are our own people. Ngāti Kahungunu will seek to ensure that environmental, cultural, social and economic benefits are paramount.

If the vision of Ngāti Kahungunu is realised the iwi will be the only iwi to my knowledge, that will own our catching, processing and marketing of settlement assets in the country.

Ngāti Kahungunu iwi is relieved we can now bring to closure our purchase opportunity of Hawke’s Bay Seafoods. A new entity will be formed. At this stage we are calling the new entity Takitimu Seafoods.

I am relieved that the court case by the Ministry for Primary Industries is finally over.

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated consoles with the D’Esposito whānau who have lost two sons to suicide in the last ten months and have been under immense pressure as a result of the prosecutions. We share our condolences with the whānau.

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