Waitangi Tribunal Claims
How do aquaculture claims relate to the Treaty of Waitangi?
The possibility of conflict between the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and the aquaculture reforms was raised in claims before the Waitangi Tribunal by representatives of Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Whatua, Te Atiawa ki te Tau Ihu, Ngati Koata, Ngai Tahu, and Ngati Kuia.
The Waitangi Tribunal agreed the proposed reforms would breach the principles of the Treaty, as it found "Māori have an interest in marine farming that forms part of the bundle of Māori rights in the coastal marine area".
The Tribunal suggested further consultation between the Crown and Māori was needed to work out what should be done to ensure Treaty interests were adequately provided for. The Tribunal's findings are contained in Ahu Moana: The Aquaculture and Marine Farming Report (report Wai953)
The Government felt that, without resolution, these Treaty claims would create uncertainty for the marine farming industry and local government decision-makers because of the ongoing risk of legal challenge by Māori.
So after discussions with the Waitangi Tribunal claimants, and the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission (Te Ohu Kai Moana), Government implemented the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004 as a "full and final settlement of Māori claims to commercial aquaculture on or after 21 September 1992"2.
How was the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Settlement worked out?
In 1992, the Crown negotiated a settlement with Māori over their rights to commercial fisheries in New Zealand fisheries waters (the 1992 Fisheries Settlement). This settlement was necessary because the (then recently-introduced) Quota Management System was found to breach Māori fisheries rights protected by the Treaty of Waitangi.
In terms of settling aquaculture claims, the Government decided the aquaculture settlement should be consistent with the principles of the 1992 Fisheries Settlement.
What is the commercial aquaculture settlement?
The commercial aquaculture settlement will provide iwi with assets equivalent to 20 percent of the water-space rights created in coastal waters since September 21 1992. This includes the rights to 20 percent of any new space allocated in Aquaculture Management Areas in future.