Tangata Tiaki/Tangata Kaitiaki

Tangata Tiaki/Tangata Kaitiaki are individuals who authorise customary fishing within their rohe moana.

Customary fishing rights not only govern access to fish, they determine the right to manage fishing activity. The right belongs to the tangata whenua – those Māori holding traditional authority over a particular area. The principle of manaakitanga, or ‘looking after one’s neighbours’, is a major part of customary practice. If the Tangata Tiaki/Tangata Kaitiaki wish to issue a customary fishing authorisation to someone who is not tangata whenua, they can do so.

Tangata whenua choose and nominate people to act as guardians for particular fishing grounds. After a submission process, and provided any disputes have been resolved, their appointments are confirmed by the Minister of Fisheries.

Tangata Kaitiaki operate in the North Island and Chatham Islands – Tangata Tiaki in the South Island and Stewart Island. They are the only ones allowed to authorise customary fishing in their particular areas.

Any customary fisher must get authorisation. They must explain why the fish is required (eg for a hui), when and where the fishing will take place, which species will be taken, and who will be fishing; the number and the size limit of each must also be given.

People fishing under a customary authorisation must report the number of fish they took within five days of fishing. Accurate records of all catch and authorisations must be kept by Tangata Tiaki/Tangata Kaitiaki, including how many fish were actually taken. This information helps with local fisheries planning.

Tangata Tiaki/Tangata Kaitiaki may have a wider involvement in fisheries management. They can take part in such work as setting TACs for their areas and developing regulations to manage wider fishing activity.