welcome news on maori fisheries allocation

17 December 2002

Hon Pete Hodgson
Minister of Fisheries

Hon Parekura Horomia
Minister of Maori Affairs

Welcome news on Maori fisheries allocation

The Government welcomes today's statements that the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission and the Iwi Forum have agreed on reporting the Ahu Whakamua allocation model to Fisheries Minister Pete Hodgson.

"This is an historic agreement involving the allocation of $710 million of fisheries assets," said Mr Hodgson and Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia. "More importantly, it is an agreement that will advance Maori economic development significantly, as Maori become an even greater force in this country's fishing industry.

"The Government has kept a very close watching brief over the past several months as the parties have moved to an agreement. We congratulate those involved for their leadership on such an important and challenging issue," Ministers said.

"There is huge potential and opportunity across the fishing industry for Maori. This represents a significant step in the development of the Maori asset base and the development of whanau, hapu, iwi and Maori communities" Mr Horomia said.

Mr Hodgson said he expected to receive the Commission's report early next year. The Commission is legally bound to provide its report first to parties who have been involved in litigation over the reporting process.

Contact: Graeme Speden, (Hodgson), 04 471 9707 / 021 270 9055
graeme.speden@parliament.govt.nz , or

Keri Iti (Horomia) (04) 4719386 or 021 570 869
keri.iti@parliament.govt.nz