$97m aquaculture deal speedily resolved

Legislation passed yesterday gave effect to a $97 million aquaculture settlement for South Island and Coromandel iwi which one of the key negotiators said should serve as a model for other negotiations.

The Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Bill passed yesterday gives effect to a deed of settlement between the Crown and 10 iwi signed in May last year covering all the Crown's obligations for aquaculture space approved between 1992 and 2004 under the previous marine farming regime.

The original deal gave iwi 20 per cent of all marine farming space created during that period - or "pre-commencement" space as it was known - and guaranteed Maori 20 per cent of any new space created after 2004.

However, that proved unworkable.

"The original settlement was based on Maori getting a share of new aquaculture space to make up for that which they had not acquired historically, but the process for providing this space failed," acting Fisheries Minister Nick Smith said yesterday. "This cash settlement has been used to resolve this issue."

The bulk of the iwi involved are from the top of the South Island, a group known as Te Tau Ihu tribes. The Hauraki confederation on the Coromandel and Ngai Tahu make up the group.

Yesterday, chairman of the Te Tau Ihu customary fisheries forum Michael Bradley said the revised settlement was negotiated extremely swiftly compared to other Treaty claims top of the south iwi were involved with.

"This shows that if you've got a willing claimant and a Government that really is committed to settling, then you can do it in 85 days, it doesn't have to drag on for 20 years."

Mr Bradley said the speed of the original revised agreement was partly because of the constructive approach of the Marlborough District Council and then-Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton and Treaty Negotiations Minister Michael Cullen.

The deal, agreed shortly before the 2008 general election, was a useful model for other Treaty settlements, Mr Bradley said.

"If the current Government's saying they're going to have this locked up by 2020 or whatever the latest promise is, then what they're actually going to have to do is follow the model that Jim Anderton put in place which is you sit down with the minister and you thrash it out."

Mr Anderton said: "The ability of all parties to reach a significant milestone in such a short time is testament to the commitment shown by all involved."

Rahui Katene, Maori Party MP for Te Tai Tonga, noted the new legislation also allowed for a similar approach to be taken in claims from iwi in other regions.

BENEFICIARIES

$97 million to be shared by:
Ngati Apa ki Te Ra To.
Ngati Koata.
Ngati Rarua.
Ngati Kuia.
Ngati Tama ki Te Tau Ihu.
Ngati Toa ki Te Tau Ihu.
Te Ati Awa ki Te Tau Ihu.
Rangitane ki Wairau.
Ngai Tahu.
The Hauraki Maori Trust Board.