Ngāpuhi Partners With The Iwi Collective Designed To Strengthen Fisheries Returns

Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company (NAHC), the commercial arm of Ngāpuhi, has entered into an initial partnership with 19 other Māori fisheries entities via the Iwi Collective Partnership (ICP), Aotearoa's largest tribal collective.

NAHC Chief Executive Matthew Mudford, who took up the role in February, is encouraged by the potential within today's announcement.

"The collective is already a powerhouse of like-minded Māori fisheries entities with over 15 years' of operational experience and a proven track record in iwi fisheries,"

"As the country's largest quota-holding iwi, we have a lot to bring to the table, equally we see potential to gain from the access to the ICP's commercial infrastructure and expertise, improving the returns generated from that quota for Ngāpuhi uri," says Mr Mudford.

Established in 2010, the ICP brings together fishing entities from across the North Island, from Te Rarawa and now Ngāpuhi in the north, through Te Tai Rāwhiti, the Bay of Plenty, and the central North Island, across Taranaki and into the lower North Island. The collective will now manage 20,000 metric tonnes of annual fishing rights across 123 species, operating through commercial partnerships with leading fisheries companies to supply premium seafood to global markets.

The Iwi Collective Partnership's Chief Executive Ken Houkamau welcomed the partnership with the country's largest iwi.

“Ngāpuhi partnering with the ICP is a significant moment for our collective. Ngāpuhi brings immense mana to the collective, and we are proud to welcome them into ICP so they can explore the benefits that come with a collective approach. Their decision to partner with us reflects the value of working together to improve outcomes and build long-term value for the uri of Ngāpuhi and all ICP iwi,” says Mr Houkamau.

NAHC holds quota across inshore and deepwater species on behalf of Ngāpuhi. For the collective, a partnership with Ngāpuhi expands the volume and species diversity of annual catch entitlement (ACE) available to ICP members.

The announcement was also welcomed by NAHC independent chair Nick Wells, who says the decision reflects NAHC's role as a trusted investment manager for Ngāpuhi.

“Our quota is a taonga. Holding it is one thing, but as trusted investment managers for the iwi we have a clear obligation to continue to explore ways to ensure it generates the best possible returns for Ngāpuhi whānau and hapū. ICP has the potential to give us the scale to do that,” says Mr Wells.

Mr Mudford says the partnership reflects a broader approach NAHC is taking to how it grows.

“NAHC manages a strong asset base on behalf of the iwi and has real ambition for what we can deliver for our people. Just as our tūpuna forged relationships where they saw benefits to whānau and hapū, NAHC is carving a similar path to seek out partners who bring the right expertise and share our values. This is about building the right relationships to get the best outcomes for Ngāpuhi uri."

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