Rāhui Kātene
MP for Te Tai Tonga
7 September 2011
Kātene encourages public to make submissions on foreign charter fishing vessels
Māori Party MP Rāhui Kātene is calling on the public to lodge submissions with the Ministerial Panel inquiring into
Foreign Charter Vessels fishing in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The inquiry will look into six key areas including working conditions on foreign fishing vessels; labour, immigration
and safety standards on foreign fishing vessels; and the impact of foreign fishing crews and vessels on New Zealand
trade.
“Since entering Parliament in 2008, I have encouraged the fishing industry to retain New Zealand jobs, and yet over that
time some 300 jobs have been lost in Nelson and Dunedin. I have written to every iwi in the country asking them to put
our people before their profits; I have met with the New Zealand fishing industry workers, I have worked with Service
Food Workers Union to promote this inquiry.”
Mrs Katene has always reminded iwi of the negotiations leading up to Maori Fisheries Act 2004 where Maori were adamant
that Maori should be ‘in the business and activity of fishing’.
“It continues to concern me that jobs are literally being sent overseas. We need to ensure our people are being actively
recruited and retained in the fisheries industry.”
Public hearings will be held in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch in October. Submissions close on Friday 7
October.
“I encourage the public to make a submission to the Ministerial Panel to make their voices heard.”
Further information about the Inquiry, including the Panel's terms of reference, can be found at www.fish.govt.nz..
ENDS