MEDIA ADVISORY
Wednesday 17 May 2000
Release of NZIER Report on Mäori Fisheries Allocation
The Chairman of the Treaty Tribes Coalition, Mr Harry Mikaere, will this week publicly release an independent economic
study into the costs of delaying allocation of fisheries assets to iwi. The study was undertaken by the New Zealand
Institute of Economic Research. Details of the release are:
DATE: Wednesday 17 May 2000
VENUE: Mäori Commercial Fisheries Conference
Rutherford Hotel
Nelson
Media who are not attending the conference will receive copies of the economic study that morning. It will be embargoed
until 12.30 pm. Mr Mikaere will be available for interviews from that time on Wednesday 17 May 2000 and will be able to
be contacted on 021 972669.
The Treaty Tribes Coalition was formed in 1994 and is supported by more than 25 iwi throughout New Zealand. These
include Hauraki Mäori Trust Board, representing the 12 iwi of Hauraki (shareholder); Ngäi Tamanuhiri Whänui Trust
(shareholder); Ngäti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (shareholder); Ngäti Tama Manawhenua Ki te Tau Ihu Trust (shareholder);
Te Rünanga o Ngäi Tahu (shareholder); Ngäti Wai Trust Board; Te Rünanga o Ngäti Porou; Te Rünanga o Türanga Nui a Kiwa;
Moriori Tchakat Henu Association of Rekohu Inc; Rongowhaakata; Te Aitanga a Mahaki; Ngäti Kuia; Ngäti Apa Ki Te
Waipounamu; and Ngäti Rarua.
The Coalition’s mission is to represent the interests of iwi seeking to secure allocation of “pre-settlement” fisheries
assets held by the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission. These assets were transferred to the Commission in 1989 with
the intention that they be allocated to iwi to finally complete the settlement process.
The mechanism for allocating the assets – the Optimum Allocation Model – was developed through a five-year consultation
process and achieved the support of 76 percent of iwi representing more than 63 percent of Mäori. Allocation is being
delayed, however, because of the technical legal challenges of a few individuals.
The NZIER study will show that delay is destroying Mäori wealth at the rate of around $1 million a month.
Treaty Tribes Coalition is calling upon the Government to legislate to permit immediate allocation of the assets. This
would involve an amendment to the Mäori Fisheries Act 1989 to clarify that the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission
is empowered to make an allocation of the assets.
END