October 07, 2015
Smith promotes Ross Sea sanctuary
Another giant marine reserve could be over the horizon with no consultation with Maori.
Maori fisheries interests are still smarting at being ambushed by last week’s announcement of the Kermadecs marine reserve, with Te Ohu Kaimoana chair Matiu Rei given only a few hours notice that Prime Minister John Key would reveal the plan during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Now Environment Minister Nick Smith has told the Our Oceans Conference in Chile that New Zealand want to make progress on a similar sanctuary in the international waters of the Ross Sea off Antarctica.
Maori-owned fishing companies are among the New Zealand companies who catch toothfish in the Ross Sea under a permit system.
Mr Rei says the Maori fisheries settlement included an obligation for the crown to consult with Te Ohu Kaimoana and iwi on matters affecting their fishing interests.
"The fact of the matter is while the crown has a responsibility to consult with iwi, there is no penalty in the Act should the crown not consult," he says.
Meanwhile, New Zealand First Maori spokesperson Pita Paraone says the Government is repeatedly ignoring Maori communities and interest groups in decisions that affect them, says New Zealand First.
He says whether it’s the failure to consult its treaty partners over the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary or the failure to honour the right of first refusal held by Tamaki Makaurau iwi for land sold by the crown in Auckland, it’s a worrying trend.
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