2. Nature and scope of functions

2.1 Role

1. Be the Government's principal adviser on fisheries management.

   In this role, we provide advice on policy and statutory decisions about New Zealand fisheries management and aquaculture, and in relation to New Zealand's position on international fisheries management.

2. Provide or purchase services to maintain the integrity of New Zealand's fisheries management regime.
    
   In this role we:
   
   • provide compliance services, including education,
   • enforcement and prosecution
   • provide observer services
   • purchase research and registry services
   • collect catch effort, area, method and other information
   • monitor delivery of contracted and devolved fisheries registry
   • services.
   
   
3. Provide services to maintain the integrity of international fisheries management regimes in the Pacific.
    
   

   In this role we provide compliance services to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; and support the development of fisheries management capacity in Pacific states.

4. Discharge the Crown's obligations under the 2004 Mäori Aquaculture Settlement.
    
   

   The Ministry administers the following legislation:

   • Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act 1992
   • Fisheries Act 1996 (and residual parts of the Fisheries Act
   • 1983)
   • Fisheries (Quota Operations Validation) Act 1997
   • Mäori Fisheries Act 2004
   • Mäori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004.
   
   

   We also administer many regulations related to managing fisheries within New Zealand and managing New Zealand fishing outside our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).