Area Management Tools
The general health of the fishery in rohe moana is important but there may be areas of special significance i.e. areas near the marae, a certain type of fishery or perhaps a breeding ground. The tools now available mean you can be involved in local decision-making on a level that wasn't possible in the past.
There are 3 tools available for area management which all serve a different purpose. They are:
1. Taiāpure
- Taiāpure identifies an area of estuarine or littoral coastal waters that has customarily been of special significance to an iwi or hapū as a source of food or for spiritual or cultural reasons.
- It allows a management committee to be established to give advice and recommendations for regulations to the Minister of Fisheries to manage the fisheries in the taiāpure.
- The legislative process to establish a taiāpure can be long and bureaucratic but in many cases has resulted in stronger community relationships.
"In claiming my rights to customary fish, I accept my responsibility to look after the fishery for its sake and for the sake of future generations."
2. Mātaitai Reserves
- Identifies an area that is a place of importance for customary food gathering.
- Tangata Tiaki / Kaitaiki are appointed by tangata whenua to make by-laws for the mātaitai reserve. These by-laws must be approved by the Minister of Fisheries and must apply generally to all individuals - tangata whenua and others.
- If a by-law is made that stops fishing generally, the Tangata Tiaki / Kaitiaki still has the right to authorise customary fishing to sustain the functions of the marae.
3. Rāhui - temporary closures or method restrictions
Tangata whenua can request the Minister of Fisheries to close or restrict fishing in a given area of the South Island Fisheries Waters for a period not exceeding two years. This process is at the complete discretion of the Minister after consultation with interested groups. The temporary closure or method restriction must be likely to assist the re-building of fish stock or help recognise the use and management practices of tangata whenua.
For further explanation refer to the 'Area Management Tools' video available from Toitū te Whenua.
"Every fish in the sea is a customary fish, therefore I am responsible for all the fish in the water and must participate in decision making for those fish."
For further information contact nigel.scott@ngaitahu.iwi.nz