New MP wants to keep $70,000 job

New Labour MP Shane Jones plans to keep his $70,000-a-year job as the Government-appointed chairman of a Maori fisheries trust - but National says he should give it up.

Mr Jones was one of seven directors appointed to Te Ohu Kaimoana (Te Ohu) - the body which succeeded the Waitangi Fisheries Commission - when it was established by the Maori Fisheries Act last year.

Mr Jones, who had formerly chaired the commission, last week gave up his job as chairman of huge fishing company Sealord because of potential commercial conflicts of interest with his new job which, combined with his position as a backbencher, will earn him about $150,000 a year once superannuation and other benefits are included.

But he said he would not relinquish his Te Ohu role as he believed there was no obligation to do so.

"Te Ohu is a completely private body, and I am staying at the encouragement of the current directors." He did not believe there would be a conflict of interest with his new job.

"The character of the body has changed since the end of the allocation wrangle and it's now very much just an administrative body."

Mr Jones said the appointment, by Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia, had been for four years.

"Who knows what developments in the future might necessitate me moving on earlier? But at the moment it's not on the agenda."

National's Maori Affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee said it was inappropriate for a Crown appointee to a body to become an MP and keep his former job.

"The incoming minister should probably tap him on the shoulder and say thanks for your services."

Te Ohu was a private body, but it had been set up by statute and its role was still highly political.

"There's nothing to stop him doing it as far as I know. My own view of it is when you make a commitment to go to Parliament you should make a 100 per cent commitment. Personally, I'm very surprised that he thinks he can do both jobs well."

Mr Jones' decision to keep the job has also raised some eyebrows within some iwi fishing quarters.

Clerk of the House David McGee confirmed there were no rules barring MPs holding directorships or positions on private organisations or trusts. He said it was a matter for individual MPs.

Fellow Labour newcomer Maryan Street was a Crown appointment to the Crown Forestry Rental Trust, but had indicated she would resign her position and had already been farewelled.

Prime Minister Helen Clark did not return a request for comment yesterday.

What is Te Ohu?

* Te Ohu's main role is administering, allocating and transferring settlement assets to mandated iwi organisations.

* It is the corporate trustee of Te Ohu Kaimoana Trust, the trust responsible for advancing the interests of iwi in the development of fisheries, fishing and fisheries-related activities.