11 September 2008Media Statement
Te Wakatehaua taiapure-local fishery decision in principle
Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton has agreed in principle to a proposed taiapure-local fishery in the waters surrounding
Te Wakatehaua Island (the Bluff), Ninety Mile Beach. The proposal was submitted on behalf of Te Aupouri, tangata whenua
of the area.
Taiapure-local fisheries can be established in areas of special significance to an iwi or hapu as a source of food or
for spiritual or cultural reasons. They allow tangata whenua to become involved in the management of commercial and
non-commercial fishing in the taiapure-local fishery.
Jim Anderton said this decision-in-principle did not establish the taiapure-local fishery.
"The next stage of the statutory process involves a two month consultation period and a public inquiry into all
submissions by a Maori Land Court tribunal.
"The waters surrounding Te Wakatehaua Island are of special significance to Te Aupouri. I am also aware that this area
is important to recreational and commercial fishers.
"All stakeholders will now have an opportunity to make a submission on the proposal. A tribunal presided over by a Maori
Land Court Judge will then issue me a report and recommendations on the proposal after it has completed its inquiry."
Jim Anderton said that it was important for all interested persons to put in a submission so that their views could be
considered.
Should the taiapure-local fishery be established, existing fishing rules within the area would remain unchanged.
A taiapure-local fishery management committee (which can comprise any person) must be appointed and could recommend new
regulations be made for the area. Any recommendations to change existing rules would require further public consultation
and approval by Cabinet.
Copies of the proposal and a map of the proposed taiapure-local fishery are available on the Ministry of Fisheries
website at www.fish.govt.nz
Submissions on the proposal should be made to the Registrar, Whangarei Maori Land Court, Level 2 Manaia House, Rathbone
Street, PO Box 1764, Whangarei. The closing date for submissions is 11 November 2008.
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This statement is issued by Jim Anderton. MPs' press releases and speeches are part of the normal course of business of
elected representatives. We do not believe they are election advertisements within the Electoral Finance Act, and nor
was the Act intended to apply to them. However, because some people are confused about the Act, and because the
Progressive Party is proud to confirm our responsibility for what we say, this statement is authorised by Phil
Clearwater, 5 Sherwood Lane, Christchurch.
Background:
Taiapure - Local Fisheries
A taiapure is a local management tool established in an area that has customarily been of special significance to an iwi
or hapü as a source of food or for spiritual or cultural reasons (s 174 of the Fisheries Act).
Taiapure can be established over any area of estuarine or coastal waters to make better provisions for rangatiratanga
and for the rights secured under Article Two of the Treaty of Waitangi. Taiapure provisions are contained within
sections 174-185 of the Fisheries Act 1996.
All fishing (including commercial fishing) can continue in a taiapure. Taiapure provide a way for tängata whenua to
become involved in the management of both commercial and non-commercial fishing in their area.
Management of the Taiapure
Taiapure make provision for a management committee to be established. Committee members are nominated by Tängata Whenua
and are approved by the Minister of Fisheries (s184 of the Fisheries Act 1996) and often include representatives from
local fisheries stakeholders, including commercial and recreational fishers.
The management committee can provide advice and recommendations to the Minister of Fisheries for regulations to manage
the fisheries in the taiapure area.
The regulations may relate to:
a) The species of fish, aquatic life, or seaweed that may be taken;
b) The quantity of each species that may be taken;
c) The dates or seasons that each species may be taken;
d) Size limits relating to each species to be taken;
e) The method by which each species may be taken;
f) The area or areas in which each species may be taken.
The public must be consulted on any proposed changes to regulations and those changes must be approved by the Minister
of Fisheries and by Cabinet before they could take effect.