Official Opening For New Fisheries Office At Mount Maunganui

18 August 2000

The new Ministry of Fisheries office at Nikau Crescent, Mount Maunganui, will be officially opened today (August 18).

District Compliance Manager for the Ministry, Steve Atwill, said 18 Ministry staff had moved into the office over the past month. They included staff with local, regional and national responsibilities, reflecting the importance of the Bay of Plenty region in fisheries management terms.

"It's a great improvement over the old premises in central Tauranga", said Steve.

"The design and build option allowed us to consolidate all our operations under one roof, and the site is near good access to launch our boats on Tauranga Harbour. There is also much better parking and access for people visiting the Ministry."

A feature of the building is a magnificent carving by Moana Arts renowned carver James Tapiata of the Ngati Hangarau Hapu, Ngati Ranginui Iwi. The carving depicts Tangaroa, God of the Sea, surrounded by his whanau, mounted on a rock display with flowing waters and a fountain, who share the collective guardianship of the resources within his realm.

The arrangement symbolises "Whakakotahitanga", meaning the bringing together of all the elements of Tangaroa's domain - the sea. It also symbolises the many peoples who are provided for from this domain and who also share in the responsibility of conserving, nurturing and managing this domain to ensure its long term sustainability. This is representative of the Ministry's roles in supporting Tangaroa.