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Annual Maori Fisheries Conference address

2 April 2007 - Excerpts from speech by Associate Fisheries Minister Parekura Horomia to the Annual Maori Fisheries Conference 

Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today. The theme chosen for your conference – Kanohi ki te Kanohi – Face to Face – is a good one. The issues included in the conference programme reflect the wide interest that Māori have in fisheries and the marine environment. Māori are major and successful players in New Zealand’s fisheries and aquaculture industry.

Their interests are also strongly focused on the customary use of these resources. As well as managing this balance, Māori have long recognised the need for constructive relationships with others who use these resources. This conference provides an opportunity to acknowledge this, and to work face to face to strengthen relationships both across the sector and with government.

Aquaculture

I am pleased to see that some conference time will be spent discussing aquaculture. Māori currently have a significant and growing investment in the aquaculture industry. Māori also have customary interests and a kaitiaki role in the coastal marine environment. They have a role in ensuring that aquaculture development is appropriate in light of those interests.

The legislative framework we now have provides a much improved process for considering competing interests for use of coastal space. In addition, the settlement of aquaculture claims will enable future development to occur with more certainty. The settlement will also provide opportunities for Māori as the assets from the settlement, in the form of space, are transferred to iwi over the next few years.

Aquaculture has the potential to assist economic development at both regional and national levels, benefiting Māori communities directly and the wider growth and prosperity of the industry.

Māori offer a unique set of skills and experiences that can add value to export products and businesses. Aquaculture development is a long term undertaking, and considerable expertise and investment is necessary before returns can be expected from participation in this industry. Māori will need to be realistic and well-advised before these returns and full potential of Māori in the industry can be realised.

The government has identified the promotion of Māori success in aquaculture as a key tenet of its strategic approach to aquaculture development and is committed to a number of initiatives aimed at supporting Māori development in aquaculture.

The industry is also committed to promoting Māori success in aquaculture. Our focus is on providing support for building capability and strategic planning, and by facilitating commercial ventures between Māori and industry. For example, we are assisting some iwi groups to develop aquaculture plans which could act as templates for other regions to learn from. We are also looking at what government business programmes and regional development programmes could better support Māori in aquaculture.

Adopting a partnership approach between Māori, industry, local and central government and other interest groups is critical to fully realising the opportunities for Māori in aquaculture.

I think you should pursue strategic partnerships and the development of a strong strategic position in the industry. I’m aware that part of this conference will involve discussion and a decision about Māori representation on New Zealand Aquaculture Ltd as the industry body. I strongly encourage debate on this position and appointment given the unique opportunity to ensure Māori interests and values are fully promoted in this developing industry.

To conclude, I would like to congratulate Ngahiwi and the conference organisers on bringing us together for this hui. Working face to face and recognising the shared nature of our fisheries resources is important, and I encourage you all to make the most of this conference to strengthen relationships and develop consensus on how to progress.

Full speech at http://beehive.govt.nz/speech/annual+maori+fisheries+conference+address