Shellfish project flouts rules

By AINSLEY THOMSON

A tiny East Cape Maori community flouting laws to start an aquaculture industry is warning authorities it will resist attempts to stop it.

Work has started on an aquaculture project at Potaka, 17km from Cape Runaway, and four more of the centres are planned.

The Potaka marae project is designed to produce paua and other seafood, which the organisers say will be used to feed the community and to restock the sea.

The organisers said that because it was built on wahi tapu (sacred land) under tikanga (Maori custom), the Government had no jurisdiction.

Project manager Jason Koia said the aquaculture centre, which was built with donations and had no Government funding, was the community's chance to take responsibility over the foreshore and seabed.

"We are saying we never lost our right to the foreshore. We are taking the responsibility to look after our resource out there."

A week-and-a-half ago the Potaka marae invited whanau and hapu from around the area to see the aquaculture centre.

"They were blown away that after 163 years someone is exercising their tino rangatiratanga," Mr Koia said.

"They were all so impressed that they are starting their own ones."

Mr Koia said there were plans for four other centres on the East Coast.

In the past week the aquaculture centre has created controversy after it was revealed the organisers did not have resource management or building consents or a fish-farming permit required under the Fisheries Act.

The Gisborne District Council said it was still in the process of establishing all the facts.

Environment and planning manager Hans van Kregten said it was hoped it would be solved amicably.

The Ministry of Fisheries said it was investigating whether the centre contravened the Fisheries Act.

A guide written by the organisers at Potaka states that the Ministry of Fisheries and Department of Conservation will be fined and have their equipment confiscated if they venture on to the land.

"The tikanga cannot afford to be impinged upon by the Government," Mr Koia said.

"This isn't about racism or separate issues. This is about our rights, about our tikanga, our philosophies and our needs."

The aquaculture centre has upset other marine farmers around the Gisborne area, who say the Potaka centre is receiving special treatment from authorities.

A 24-hour guard has begun at the Potaka marae.