DoC accused of improper deals

The Conservation Department has been accused of making "illegitimate deals" with Maori to win support for a controversial Mimiwhangata Marine Reserve proposal.

Documents made public by Whangarei MP Phil Heatley show department staff have indicated support for Te Uri O Hikihiki hapu's plans for a marine farm at Paparahi Pt - next to the boundary of a proposed marine reserve at Mimiwhangata, on Northland's east coast.

The department has asked local Maori to support plans to turn the Mimiwhangata Marine Park into a fully protected reserve.

The boundaries of the marine park have been shifted to exclude Paparahi Pt, but the department says the change was not made exclusively for local Maori. The reserve proposal, which would ban fishing in the area, has met strong opposition from recreational anglers.

The department's offer of support has been labelled unethical by politicians, who say it has no influence over the approval of the marine farm.

However, the department and Te Uri O Hikihiki are adamant no "quid pro quo" deals have taken place.

Mr Heatley said the department had no right to make promises to Maori.

"Local Maori have been led down the garden path by the department and these documents prove it," he said.

"The department is trying to manipulate Maori into supporting their agenda ... is using Maori as a pawn and all recreational fishers, including customary fishers, will pay."

Minutes from two public meetings - in February and August - between department staff and local Maori, show department staff acknowledged the department did not have a role in the approval process other than the Conservation Minister signing off the necessary permit. However, department staff suggested the department could facilitate the process, "especially where it involved the support for related conservation objectives".

Department staff emphasised that one of the benefits of being involved in the marine reserve process early was that all other iwi or hapu-based proposals in the marine area were more likely to gain Government and community recognition and approval.

Northland Regional Council member Peter Jensen said the department's actions appeared to be unethical because of its limited role in the approval process. Whether to approve aquaculture projects was a political decision.

Northland conservation chief Chris Jenkins rejected the "disturbing"conclusions being drawn. The department had spoken with Te Uri O Hikihiki in the same open manner as it had with all members of the community as part of the consultation process.

The choice to exclude Paparahi Pt from the proposed marine reserve took into account the importance of the area for kaimoana, the aspirations of tangata whenua, including traditional management, but also the fact that Paparahi Pt area was an important recreational fishing area for adjacent communities such as Teal Bay and Helena Bay, Mr Jenkins said.

The hapu was also well aware that the NRC was responsible for the identification of aquaculture management areas in Northland.

Hapu spokesman Carmen Hetaraka said politicians had misinterpreted what local Maori were trying to achieve and there were no deals being made. The hapu supported the marine reserve proposal because it would help replenish fish stocks, but the hapu also needed to retain a section of their traditional fishing grounds, so local Maori could collect food for tangi, birthdays and other such events.

Reserve plan

The proposed huge "no-take" marine reserve off Mimiwhangata, 50km northeast of Whangarei, could cover up to 11,200ha of sea under one option or 7200ha under another.

DoC is now analysing about 1100 submissions on its proposal.

An 870-signature petition opposing the reserve has been sent to Conservation Minister Chris Carter.

After considering submissions and community and tangata whenua views, the department will decide whether to proceed with the plan.

- NZPA