Te Ohu Kaimoana Chairman Shane Jones congratulating Fisheries Representative Bill Ruru on the Iwi's achievement.

TE AITANGA A MAHAKI RECEIVES 2.84M

Gisborne Herald Article

Gisborne tangata whenua, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, was on October 1 2005 one of the first iwi in NZ to receive its interim fisheries allocation — worth $2.84 million.

They followed northern iwi Ngapuhi, who received more than $60 million in fisheries assets. The amount of assets each iwi receives depends on its number of members and its total coastline boundary.

Iwi organisations must have registered members as well as appropriate management structures and constitutions.

Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust chairman Pene Brown said support from its members was overwhelming, with 99 percent approving the trust’s mandate.

Under provisions in the Maori Fisheries Act 2004, a mandated organisation must receive at least 75 percent support from its registered members before any transfers of assets can be made by the governing body, Te Ohu Kaimoana (TOKM).

"To get 99 percent was overwhelming we received ballot papers from members all around New Zealand and overseas," said Mr Brown.

"It was a great result for the teams hard work and it means that we are one of the first iwi in New Zealand to receive our fisheries assets," he said.

Fisheries consultant Ian Ruru said the trust had to meet stringent requirements under the Act.

"It meant proving that our election process was fair and inclusive, our structures were robust and transparent, and that the constitutions were sound," he said.

"We made several improvements to our Deed of Trust to meet the requirements of the Act and managed to keep the essence of Mahaki tikanga," said Mr Ruru.

Te Aitanga a Mahaki received a combination of cash, fishing quota and shares in New Zealands largest fishing company, Aotearoa Fisheries Limited (AFL).

The Maori Fisheries Act required that the Trust set up a commercial entity, Te Aitanga a Mahaki Asset Holding Company Ltd to receive their fishing quota and shares in AFL.

TOKM then scrutinised every facet of the trust’s activities before giving them approval to proceed.

"It was an arduous task but our iwi members can be confident that their quota is safe and we can start developing their economic base," said trustee Bill Ruru.