Maori coalition calls for transparency in Fisheries Commission dealings

A political meeting of Maori coalition candidates held at Maimaru marae in Kaitaia last night called on the head of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission, Sir Tipene O'Regan, to lift the High Court injunction on affidavits relating to remuneration paid to Fisheries Commissioners and to the prices paid by Ngai Tahu for fish quota.

The hui was part of the North Island bus tour by candidates campaigning for the list vote under the Mana Maori Movement banner.

Hui participants said the fish resources belong to the Maori people and therefore, the operations of Te Ohu Kai Moana (the Commission) must be transparent.

"The Maori people, as the beneficiaries, have the right to know if the rumours of Commissioners being paid up to $2500 a day are true; and if the rumours are true that Ngai Tahu are paying less than a third for fish quota of what other iwi have to pay," said Te Tawharau leader, Tuariki Delamere.

The call for the injunction to be lifted was supported by TOKM Commissioner, Shane Jones, who attended the hui.

Mr Delamere repeated an earlier call for the Commissioners to be replaced by a high-powered committee of eminent New Zealanders, who would have the power to make a final decision on the allocation of fish quota without that decision being capable of being reviewed by the Courts or Parliament.

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