Iwi call for 'natural justice'

By IRENE CHAPPLE

The moratorium on new aquaculture applications will cost Maori millions of dollars and thousands of jobs, iwi representatives said yesterday.

Iwi from around the country whose marine farm applications were frozen by the moratorium spoke together in a push for exclusion from the ban.

The talkfest in Wellington preceded this week's select committee hearings on the Resource Management (Aquaculture Moratorium) Bill.

Iwi say 90 per cent of applications frozen by the two-year moratorium, which took effect on November 28, represented Maori interests.

The freeze was to prevent speculative farm applications being lodged before the revamp of fisheries legislation, and caught all notified applications.

Iwi argue that, at the very least, applications that have met the information and consultation requirements of local councils should be allowed through because of natural justice.

Josie Anderson, representing Hauraki, said the moratorium put 500 jobs and $1.5 million in income for the iwi at risk.

She said her iwi saw aquaculture as a means of rebuilding a customary stock, including mussel beds destroyed by dredging.

Hally Toia, of Ngati Whatua, said there could be jobs for anyone with that tribal affiliation in the Kaipara Harbour. "Over time we expect to build the income of the communities in the Kaipara, where the standard of living is back to what it was in the 50s and 60s."

Other iwi represented were Ngati Kahungunu, Whakatohea, Te Atiawa I te Tau Ihu and Ngati Koata.