New Zealand’s Government Ministers have signed three new regional agreements for Maori commercial aquaculture in Auckland, Tasman and Marlborough.
The agreements are the result of the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004, which requires the Crown to provide Iwi aquaculture organisations with 20% of new commercial aquaculture space consented since October 2011, or anticipated to occur into the future.
“This first set of agreements is the culmination of work by five Government ministers and 13 Iwi. They have been extremely complex, but it is great to have finally reached successful agreements,” said Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy. “The agreements in Auckland, Tasman and Marlborough will deliver four hectares of authorisations for oyster space in addition to NZ$46m as cash equivalent for the remainder of the Crown’s obligations.”
“Research by MPI and industry indicates that aquaculture is the fastest growing seafood sector making up 20% of total fisheries production and 15% of revenue. Through these agreements Māori will have the opportunity to continue their involvement in this high performing primary industry sector,” he added.
Work on agreements in Northland, Hauraki Waikato-East, Canterbury, and Southland regional agreements is ongoing.
