“The Government’s plan to roll out more fishing reserves will be welcomed by some, but it shouldn’t be used to smuggle
in a co-governance agenda,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.
“Revitalising the Gulf is the latest example of the Government’s drive to give power to people based on who their grandparents were through
co-governance.
“A fishing reserve is not a cultural construct, it’s just a place where fishing is banned to give fish a chance. There
is no need for special Māori knowledge. We can all see that if you stop catching fish in certain areas there will be
more of them.
“Not only is co-management unnecessary, it is divisive. It can only mean that some people will get a greater say, and
perhaps greater rights according to who their grandparents were.
“There is no doubt there will be a rahui here and a customary catch there, meaning reserves are not created equal for
all people.
“Fish don’t do race. The protection of the Hauraki Gulf should be based on good science to maximise fishing
opportunities for all New Zealanders.
“ACT supports marine reserves, but allowing some Māori to customary take in a fishing reserve makes the policy more
about race than fishing.”