MEDIA STATEMENT

Friday 19 May 2000 For immediate release

INDUSTRY ENDORSES TREATY TRIBES ON FISHING ALLOCATION

“I applaud today’s action of the Seafood Industry Conference in endorsing the immediate allocation of Mäori fishing assets to iwi,” Harry Mikaere, Chairman of the Treaty Tribes Coalition, said today.

At its annual conference in Nelson today, the Conference’s plenary session unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Government to legislate to implement the Optimum Allocation Model.

“I pledge that the Treaty Tribes Coalition will work together with the fishing industry to ensure that allocation takes place forthwith,” Mr Mikaere said.

“The Seafood Industry Conference’s endorsement demonstrates that this issue is not just about Mäori, but is affecting the fishing industry as a whole,” Mr Mikaere said.

“Fishing is already this country’s fourth-largest industry – and we will do even better when our assets are unlocked and we can take full advantage of them.

“Until that happens Mäori, the whole industry, and all of New Zealand will continue to lose out.”

A study released this week by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER), found that $1 million of Mäori wealth is being destroyed every month by delays in allocating fisheries assets to Mäori. The Conference resolution also endorsed the NZIER research.

“The Government must act to stem the losses. It is nearly two years since 76% of iwi representing 63% of Mäori agreed on the Optimum Allocation Model. That is a mandate in anyone’s culture.

“Yet the actions of a few are preventing action on this consensus. The law is faulty, and the Government should fix it,” Mr Mikaere said.

END

Inquiries: Harry Mikaere
Chairman, Treaty Tribes Coalition
021 972 669

The nz seafood industry conf unanly supported the resolution stating that immed govt interevention by legisn to give effect to the Oam that had been currently developed by ttkm (the Fisheries Commission)

TTC will work with the nzsi in bringing this issue to a closure.

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