The new net goes fishing

Ministerial Address to Te Ohu Kai Moana AGM
Pipitea Marae, Thorndon Quay, Wellington

E nga iwi, e nga karangatanga maha o nga hau e wha
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today, at this, the last hui-a-tau of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission.

It is indeed a great milestone for the Commission, after 12 years of debate – both in and out of Courts – to be able to fulfil its statutory responsibilities over the assets it holds on behalf of Maori, and be able to hand over a valuable taonga to iwi for the benefit of all Maori.

Today I would like to talk a little bit about the contribution of the Commission to the New Zealand seafood industry and, especially, to enhancing the role of Maori in the industry.

I would also like to talk about the future, including the allocation of coastal space to iwi.

The New Zealand fishing industry is a leading contributor to the nation’s economy.
Internationally, New Zealand enjoys a reputation for being a producer of high quality seafood, which is harvested in a sustainable manner.

These achievements have been made by a progressively more efficient industry that operates without subsidies and contributes substantially to its own management costs.

The Commission has worked hard to position itself, and iwi, well, in this important industry.

The Commission has invested heavily in increasing the skill base of Maori over the last few years, contributing to the increased participation of Maori in the business and activity of fishing.

The Commission has demonstrated its commitment to iwi development of fishing by investing around $1 million per year in scholarships and training programmes.

This investment is an integrated programme, allowing for upskilling of Maori in a range of fisheries disciplines including tertiary level food technology and engineering courses, to management training designed for those managing iwi commercial fisheries resources, to technical training in seafood processing, deep-sea fishing and statutory marine qualifications.

This is a fine achievement and will help to ensure the success of Maori in the fishing industry once settlement assets are distributed.

This mirrors the Government's commitment to education and training.
We have all come a long way. In 1999 when Labour became Government there wasn't a single apprenticeship. Today there are 6,500 young people being helped into the workforce through the modern apprenticeship scheme. We plan to grow this number to 8,500 very shortly.

In addition, the Commission’s sub-companies, soon to be subsidiaries of Aotearoa Fisheries Limited, have lead the strategic vision of the industry for some time, and have marketed themselves superbly, with brands such as Sealord and Moana Pacific seafood – well known domestically and internationally as suppliers of fresh, quality products.

I would like to update you on the progress of the Maori Fisheries Bill.
Some of you may have been present in Christchurch at the Seafood Industry Conference where I said that I am especially pleased that the Maori Fisheries Bill will be passed into law this year.

I reiterate now that the settlement of Maori claims to fisheries was a corner stone in securing the legitimacy of the Quota Management System as the management regime for commercial fisheries in New Zealand.

The Maori Fisheries Bill will finalise the 1992 Fisheries settlement, allowing beneficiaries and iwi the opportunity to enjoy the full benefits of the settlement. When the Bill is in place, it will underpin the structure that the Commission has worked towards, enabling allocation to iwi, for the benefit of all Maori.

It will also bring an end to 12 years of uncertainty about the future development of the fishing industry, particularly the level and nature of Maori involvement in the industry.

The Maori Fisheries Bill provides for the transfer of quota, cash, and shares in Aotearoa Fisheries Limited to iwi once they reach Mandated Iwi Organisation status.

A key challenge for the future TOKMTL will be the timely and efficient way in which it assists iwi in achieving mandated iwi organisation status.

The challenge to iwi organisation is to work with you to establish representative structures that provide opportunities for participation by their members and for benefits of the settlement to be available for all of their members.

A further challenge for iwi organisations is to work with neighbouring iwi to agree on coastline claims to enable them to receive their quota allocations as soon as possible.

There is much to be done, and I am pleased to see in the Commission’s strategic plan, that iwi readiness is of high priority.

The Maori Fisheries Bill provides a wide range of opportunities for iwi. They will receive quota directly and will have the opportunity to either fish this quota or sell the annual catch entitlement (ACE) to bring a return to their members.

Iwi will also receive shares in Aotearoa Fisheries Limited. This company, which forms a significant part of the settlement assets most iwi will receive, has the potential to lead the New Zealand fishing industry and increasingly act as a vehicle to expand Maori and New Zealand interests onto the international stage in fishing, aquaculture, processing and marketing.

To achieve this potential it will need close alignment between TOKMTL and the iwi shareholders’ aspirations and close co-operation between all the shareholders and the management of the company.

The Bill, as you are no doubt aware, is currently being considered by the Fisheries and Other Sea-related Legislation Committee. The report back to Parliament is due on 9 August, and it is the Government’s desire that the Bill be passed into law before the end of the year or soon thereafter.

May I now turn my focus to aquaculture and the allocation of Coastal Space.
On the basis of currently available information, it is unlikely that there will be large-scale expansion of commercial harvesting of new wild fish stocks. However, through aquaculture we have the potential for growth.

This brings me to the issue of coastal space. I am pleased to say that the Minister of Maori Affairs and I recently announced the Government’s intention to address the unfinished business of the 1992 Settlement with regard to Maori claims to aquaculture space.

I am working with the Commission and iwi to bring this matter to a resolution that will settle Maori claims to aquaculture space and confirm Maori as key players in the aquaculture industry.

My announcement last month was that the Government intends to provide iwi with an allocation of area equivalent to 20% of the total marine farming space granted since 1992, and 20% of any new marine farming space.

The Government intends that this would settle Maori marine farming claims post September 1992. Historical marine farming claims, that is, those prior to September 1992, will continue to be addressed through the Treaty claims process.

In order to obtain the space equivalent to 20% of space allocated since 1992 the Crown could either provide more of the new space in that region or purchase existing space on a willing buyer/willing seller basis, depending on the circumstances particular to each region. If the Crown is unable to purchase space on this basis, the cash equivalent will be provided to iwi, in lieu of space.

The inclusion of this settlement in the aquaculture reforms will help ensure the benefits of the reforms are achieved. That is, the protection and delivery of Treaty settlement obligations, in combination with improved environmental performance, and better integration of planning processes.

It also delivers greater certainty for fishers and marine farmers, who are supporting the development of the marine farming industry with its potential for increased employment and greater export revenue.

The Government is currently proposing, subject to confirmation with the Commission, that TOKMTL play a key role in the allocation of this coastal space to iwi.

In a manner analogous to the Fisheries Settlement, iwi will need to meet mandatory requirements and conclude coastline agreements. TOKMTL could have a key role in facilitating this process.

Let me finish by recognising the contribution you have made.
I would like to thank all the past and present Commissioners, who over the years, have contributed to achieving the objective of encouraging Maori participation in the business and activity of fishing.

Under their governance and guidance, the assets that your Government provided as a Settlement in 1992 have grown to a package of assets worth more than $700 million, and this is significant growth.

Well done.

Ka pu te ruha
Ka hao te rangatahi

[The new net goes fishing. The older generation is replaced by a new one.]