Illegal aquafarm on marae kicks into life

By JO-MARIE BROWN

The Ministry of Fisheries has vowed to come down "like a tonne of bricks" on a group of East Coast Maori who began running an illegal aquafarm yesterday.

The aquaculture centre at Potaka Marae - which was built in February without a building consent from the Gisborne District Council - has not contravened the Fisheries Act until now because it was not operational.

But that changed yesterday when those behind the project arrived at Potaka with about 500 kina and paua and officially launched the hatchery.

Project spokesman Jason Koia said the group's actions were a direct challenge to the ministry to front up and stop them from enhancing and developing their customary fishing rights.

"We're doing it because it's well within our rights. It's critical to have [the aquaculture centre] functioning because we're saying to the Ministry of Fisheries that you don't have authority over this area," Mr Koia said.

The group's argument was based on its belief that the 1992 Sealord deal did not settle the issue of aquaculture.

Ministry district compliance manager Ray McKay could not be reached for comment yesterday but late last week he told the Herald that fisheries officers would act immediately if any breach occurred.

"Our biggest problem at the time was that there was no actual evidence of offending ... it was just a building without a building consent," Mr McKay said.

"If they put that stock in there and they start fish farming then we will be in there like a tonne of bricks to shut it down if they haven't got a freshwater marine farm licence."

Yesterday's move has also upset many Tapaeururangi hapu members at Potaka who say they never wanted the project to go ahead in the first place.

Runanga spokeswoman Tui Pook said Mr Koia and his associates were outsiders who had effectively bullied their way on to the marae and built the centre without the hapu's permission.

"There is a lot of intimidation going on," she said.

Mr Koia disagrees that the project lacks the hapu's support and that the argument has since divided the community.

One of the aquafarm's backers is marae chairman Bill Te Kani.

Last month, the Maori Land Court ruled the building must come down and trespass orders were issued against Mr Koia and nine other people to stop them from going on to Potaka Marae.

Those trespass orders were not enforced yesterday but one of the marae trustees is understood to have noted the names and licence-plate numbers of those attending.

Mr Koia said he would appeal the court's decision.

Meanwhile, the district council says it has already told the marae trustees that the building does not comply with the Building Act.

Environment and planning manager Hans van Kregten said that while the court's order was in force no additional enforcement action was needed.

Mr Koia said the aquaculture group seemed to have the authorities stumped.

"They all want to tear it down but no one wants to actually get in there and do it."


DIVISIVE VENTURE

The Ruawaipu Tribal Authority built an aquaculture centre at Potaka Marae in February without building consents from the Gisborne District Council.

Some hapu members at Potaka do not want the project to go ahead. Last month the Maori Land Court ruled in their favour and said the building must come down. The building has remained standing and yesterday the first fish were placed inside.

The project does not have a fish farm licence, making it illegal under the Fisheries Act.