The Rt Hon Winston Peters MP, Leader of New Zealand First, today said that the Minister of Fisheries’ defence of his
pathetic disregard for the interests of recreational fishing groups could not go unchallenged.
“He talks about a limited $60,000 in total to recreational fishing and then boasts of $500,000 to Maori for them to be
involved in fisheries management. That about sums up this Government’s priorities. Why would you give Maori $500,000 and
a million recreational fishers virtually nothing?
“As for New Zealand First’s $100,000 to recreational fishers and his claims that the Ministry of Fisheries put up bids
he is again angling in the wrong direction. It is true that New Zealand First made the commitment. It is true that
former Minister of Fisheries Luxton promised to deliver on it and simply failed to. Minister Hodgson knows that no bid
came from Minister Luxton in the two budgets that I prepared. When the coalition ended Mr Luxton promptly forgot his
commitment,” said Mr Peters.
“Defending one’s self against such attacks from this Minister is like fishing in an aquarium,” said Mr Peters.
ENDS