11. PITA PARAONE (NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister of Fisheries
Is he satisfied that the tribal fishing rights of Ngāti Wai have been satisfactorily addressed in the process of creating a proposed marine reserve off Great Barrier Island?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Associate Minister of Fisheries) Link to this
I can advise that the Minister does have some concerns about the potential impact the proposed marine reserve at Great Barrier Island could have on the customary fishing rights of Ngāti Wai. These concerns, along with all other potential impacts of the proposal on fishing activities, are currently being considered by the Ministry of Fisheries.
How many marine reserve proposals for the Northland area are currently being considered, and at what point does the Minister of Fisheries become involved in the evaluation and consultation process of marine reserve proposals?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA Link to this
I do not know the exact figure for marine reserve proposals in Northland, but I do know that the Marine Reserves Act 1971 requires the Minister of Fisheries’ concurrence with the Minister of Conservation’s decision. This ensures that fisheries stakeholders’ rights, including customary rights, are taken into account before marine reserves are established.
Will the Minister of Fisheries assign a weighting to the Ngāti Wai tribal rights in his consideration of whether he should give his concurrent consent to the establishment of a marine reserve off Great Barrier Island; if so, how?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA Link to this
On 23 May 2006 ministry officials also met with the Ngāti Wai Trust Board—Ngāti Wai in Whangarei—which is the iwi authority recognised by te iwi o Ngāti Wai under the Māori Fisheries Act 2004, to discuss customary fishing around the region of Aotea. He is looking forward to more information from the officials.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I should not have to raise this point of order, but the Māori affairs spokesman for the National Party shouted out: “Who are the Ngāti Wai?”. Well, they are the people of the sea—unlike the people all at sea, which is the party he belongs to.
Madam SPEAKER