14 August 2002

Embargoed To 11:00am, Wednesday, 14 Aug 2002

Each Iwi To Get At Least $1 Million

Each Iwi will receive at least $1 million in value under proposals to allocate $700 million worth of fisheries assets released today.

Allocation proposals released by the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission include an assurance that every Iwi will receive at least $1 million each from the Fisheries Settlement.

Commission chairman Shane Jones said the “minimum allocation” would ensure that each Iwi received a “top up” of sufficient assets to have ongoing participation in the Settlement, including meeting obligations to its Iwi members.

There are seven Iwi that have small populations and little or no coastline that meant they would receive less that a million under the proposals. Those Iwi are: Ngai Takoto, Ngati Pukenga, Ngati Hauiti, Ngati Whare, Ngati Manawa, Ngati Maru (Taranaki), and Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai.

Mr Jones said that the top-up will provide smaller Iwi with a portfolio of assets of a substantial value.

“We are committed to making sure that all Iwi have enough resources to be viable participants in the New Zealand Seafood industry.”

It will cost approximately $2.8 million to ensure that every Iwi receives a minimum allocation of a million dollars from the Fisheries Settlement.

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