Maori Fishers Seek Meeting With Labour Maori Caucus

New Te Ohu Kaimoana director, Rikirangi Gage, today called for an urgent meeting with the Labour Maori caucus to discuss the Government's so-called shared fisheries proposals.

"More than 60 iwi representatives from around the country attended our meeting today and they are greatly concerned about these proposals that will conclude with iwi losing substantial value from their fishing assets," Mr Gage said today.

"The Labour Maori MPs must make themselves aware of the impact this proposal will have on Maori economic development and that it undermines the integrity of the 1992 fisheries settlement."

Mr Gage said the shared fisheries proposal has been a baptism by fire since he was appointed by all iwi to the board of Te Ohu Kaimoana.

"I thought this would have been more of a position of growing Maori fishing, but so far it's been about protecting the Maori fisheries from being clawed back by the Government for political gain."

Mr Gage said Maori MPs needed to be made aware of this policy and it was Te Ohu Kaimoana's role as the advisory organisation for iwi on issues regarding the marine environment.

ENDS

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