The Trustees of the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust meet on the last Thursday of every month to discuss tribal matters, but front of mind this month is the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries’ decision to partially close scallop fisheries in the Hauraki Gulf but keep two areas of cultural significance open – Hauturu-ō-Toi Little Barrier Island and the Colville channel off the coast of Aotea Great Barrier Island.
Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trusts Acting Chief Executive, Nicola MacDonald, also the Co-Chair of the Hauraki Gulf Forum stated in a press release “both of the areas the Minister has chosen to leave open to dredging are covered by tikanga rāhui laid down on Waitangi Day this year, and a formal s186a Fisheries Act application for temporary closure. The decision today diminishes the mana of the iwi, hapū, whānau, communities, and all those involved in supporting the rāhui. The Minister should reconsider this aspect of the decision, and/or confirm the temporary closure application.”
Pictured: Terrence (Mook) Hohneck and Wyvern Rosieur on Waitangi Day laying the rahui tapu
Whist the overall decision to largely close the Hauraki gulf scallop fishery is commendable, leaving two areas open that are currently under rāhui tapu is disappointing and we will be seeking to have these areas protected as well.
“It’s not enough until the whole of the gulf is protected” said Nicola to John Campbell on Wednesday morning's Breakfast show. “In our lifetime I am seeing kōura functionally extinct and would hate to see the same for tipa”.
The Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust is determined to protect this taonga and welcome those with the same aspirations to contact our resource management unit via kaitiaki@ngatimanuhiri.iwi.nz
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