Press Release from Te Ohu Kaimoana (Maori Fisheries Trust)

HEADLINE: Aquaculture Settlement signing shows collaboration key to future

EMBARGOED until 4.30pm, Wednesday, 6 May:

The Aquaculture Deed of Settlement signing between iwi and the Crown at Te Papa today is a big day in the history of the Maori Fisheries Settlement, but an even more important sign of the way forward, Te Ohu Kaimoana Chief Executive Peter Douglas said.

"This is a very significant day for Maori and for the Crown, and it marks the culmination of an intense period of work between the Crown and the iwi of Te Waipounamu and Coromandel, with their advisors and Te Ohu Kaimoana," Mr Douglas said.

The agreement now fully opens the way for the transfer of $97 million to those iwi once the required legislation is passed.

Te Ohu Kaimoana will receive the money on behalf of the iwi on the settlement date and will be able to transfer it to them once all the iwi in their region have Iwi Aquaculture Organisations.

"This is a great day and something to celebrate. Government has worked collaboratively with Te Ohu Kaimoana and iwi. That collaborative approach is the way forward for further reforms of the aquaculture regime so iwi and others can more fully participate," he said.

Mr Douglas said Te Ohu Kaimoana and iwi will be looking to continue that collaborative approach with the Government on fisheries management issues.

"Both Treaty partners have goals around advancing the Maori Fisheries Settlements, and that will be achieved by working together. That is the way of the future," Mr Douglas said.

Te Ohu Kaimoana has significant ongoing work around both aquaculture and fisheries management on behalf of iwi, he said.

ENDS

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