Operating Intentions

Deliver the Government's fisheries and aquaculture obligations to Māori more effectively

What are we seeking to achieve?

The Crown and iwi have negotiated and agreed specific rights and obligations relating to fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with the Treaty of Waitangi. These agreements are captured in the legislation set out here. This outcome particularly contributes to enabling Māori to participate more fully in the governance and management of fisheries resources, and better realise their economic, social, and cultural aspirations from and for the use of fisheries resources.

The Ministry will provide effective input into the Treaty settlement process and facilitate greater engagement with Māori. This Ministry outcome is a particular priority as it is fundamental to the Government of New Zealand and links to the Government’s priority to settle “all historical Treaty of Waitangi claims by 2014”.

How will we demonstrate success in achieving this?

One indicator of the Ministry’s success in this area will be attaining full delivery, in the specified timeframe, of the relevant settlements that are part of the Office of Treaty Settlements’ work programme.

Other indicators will reflect progress in working through the Ministry’s Treaty Strategy Obligations to Māori work programme, which will improve input and participation of Māori in fisheries management. The development of an Iwi Fisheries Plan framework, the number of Iwi Fisheries Plans completed and the establishment and representation of iwi within regional and national forums are all measures of success for this programme and in achieving the outcome.

Evidence that kaitiakitanga flows into fisheries management decision making will be an appropriate indicator for the increased input and participation of Māori that we aim to achieve as well as being a clear measure of performance against the Crown’s settlement obligations.

Feedback from Māori on the engagement process may also provide an indication of how effectively the Ministry is engaging with Māori on fisheries management.

What will we do to achieve this?

The Ministry will provide advice and input into the Treaty negotiations as required by the Office of Treaty Settlements and wider involvement in other government agency obligations to Maori.

The Ministry’s Treaty Strategy, on which the Obligations to Māori work programme is based, outlines key pieces of work within the Ministry to more effectively fulfil our obligations.

The development of the Iwi Fisheries Plans framework and assistance in the development of Iwi Fisheries Plans will help to set fisheries objectives in National Fisheries Plans that reflect the aspirations of iwi, including the regard for kaitiakitanga. By 30 June 2011, the framework for developing Iwi Fisheries Plans will be completed and up to 10 plans developed.

To enable more effective input and participation by Māori in regional fisheries management processes the Ministry is realigning its regular iwi forums to operate within Fisheries Management Areas.

The 2009 Service Delivery Review of the Ministry’s obligations to Māori has aligned services to provide a more effective and efficient method for delivery of those services. The service delivery decisions will continue to be implemented over the coming year.