The agreement will mean about 60 percent of the iwi quota in deepwater fisheries — including hoki, orange roughy, jack mackerel and silver warehou — will be caught on Sealord vessels.
It will also provide iwi members opportunities for training and employment, and advance iwi knowledge of, and involvement in, aspects of the fisheries value chain with Sealord.
Ngati Porou Seafoods Group chief executive Mark Ngata described the signing of the agreement as “a watershed moment” in the history of Maori fisheries.
“This unique partnership very much aligns with the intent of the Maori fisheries settlement, which envisaged Maori working collectively together, large and small, for the benefit of all,” said Mr Ngata.
“This is what our tipuna fought so hard for,” he said. “The journey towards reaching this signing is the culmination of like-minded people within Maori fisheries, including Sealord, working towards a common goal, which I am very proud to be part of.”
Iwi Collective Partnership general manager Maru Samuels said the arrangement provided significant opportunities for Maori.
“This collaboration has only been possible due to the shared values and aspirations of all parties, as well confidence in Sealord as a leader in New Zealand’s deep sea fisheries.”
Sealord board chairman Whaimutu Dewes (also of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou and the chairman of Moana NZ) said while Sealord signed a similar agreement with some separate iwi collectives in 2014, this deal was different.
“This is not just about increasing returns. It is a business decision that is founded on tikanga Maori where all parties are taking learnings from earlier arrangements to better manage our fisheries assets.
“Together, we want to lift our sights higher to ensure fisheries continue to be managed sustainably, using best practice, with improved performance.
“Taku toa he toa takitini; ehara i te toa takitahi (our achievements are brought by the effort of many).”
