Fisheries assets allocated

Waikato and Ngai Tahu now join 19 other Iwi in being recognised as Mandated Iwi Organisations (MIO) and will receive $84 million in fisheries assets as a result.

Recognition by the Maori Fisheries Trust, Te Ohu Kaimoana, as a MIO is a prerequisite to receiving fisheries assets.

As the first part of the asset transfer, Waikato recently received fisheries assets worth approximately $26 million; Ngai Tahu will receive approximately $58 million in fisheries assets.

Ngai Tahu are still discussing details concerning the final transfer of the assets, but once these are complete the iwi will receive its allocated deepwater quota, shares in Aotearoa Fisheries Limited and cash. The balance of its fisheries assets will be allocated once agreements have been reached with neighbouring iwi.

Peter Douglas, CEO of the Maori Fisheries Trust, said that iwi entities that have already received Treaty settlement claims still needed to comply with the Maori Fisheries Act.

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