FIRST NORTH ISLAND CUSTOMARY FISHING TANGATA KAITIAKI APPOINTED

22 December 1999

Ngai Te Ruruku O Te Rangi of Napier, and Ngäti Konihi of North Gisborne, are the first groups in the North Island to appoint Tangata Kaitiaki under the Kaimoana Customary Fishing regulations.

Tangata Kaitiaki are the only people who can authorise customary fishing within their rohe moana. They have been appointed to their roles by the Tangata Whenua.

The Tangata Kaitiaki who have been appointed are:

Rangi Spooner & Te Aranui Boyce Spooner
For the area from the Waikare River mouth to Bluff Hill, Napier
Notified by Ngai Te Ruruku o Te Rangi with support from the hapü of Tangoio marae

Heta Matete, Tangiwai Matete & Hone Taumaunu
For the area from Waihau Beach to Tatapouri Point, North Gisborne
Notified by Ngäti Konohi

Tangata Kaitiaki are the only people who have authority under fisheries legislation, to manage customary fishing activities in the area over which their appointment applies. They have the management authority to decide:

• what is an appropriate customary purpose for which fish may be taken
• when customary fishing should take place
• who can harvest fish for customary purposes and where it can be used
• the species of fish and the quantity, size and method of harvest as well as any other directions they consider appropriate.

The Tangata Kaitiaki must prepare a management plan of how they intend to manage customary fishing for approval by the Tangata Whenua who appointed them.

They must also meet with Tangata Whenua each year to report on how customary fishing has been managed during the previous year, the number of authorisations granted, the number of mätaitai reserves in the area and any other restrictions that may be in force.

The Ministry of Fisheries is working closely with Tangata Whenua on the appointment of Tangata Kaitiaki, and is processing appointments from other Tangata Whenua groups around the North Island.

It anticipates that most of the North Island will be covered by Tangata Kaitiaki in the future. The South Island is covered by similar appointees under the South Island Customary Fishing Regulations 1998.

The Kaimoana Customary Fishing Regulations come from the 1992 Settlement Act, in which Mäori agreed to settle all customary rights arising from the Treaty of Waitangi.

The regulations cover non-commercial customary fishing, and anyone given permission to take fish under the regulations cannot trade the fish, exchange the fish for money or accept any other form of payment.

ENDS