Rāhui - Tapu
The Sea is a Taonga
We believe the sea and its bounty is a Taonga Tuku iho – a treasure that has been passed down from previous generations. For that reason, it must be looked after to pass to future generations. By being good kaitiaki (guardians) and adopting certain practices, the ocean will continue to provide for many generations to come.
One of the most powerful sea based conservation practices used by Māori is rāhui. Sometimes when a fishing ground or shellfish bed is showing signs of depletion, a rāhui can be placed over the area so that the fish or shellfish stock can replenish.
The Application
On the 8th of February 2022 we submitted a s186A request to the Ministry for Primary Industries - Manatū Ahu Matua (MPI) for a temporary closure around Aotea, Great Barrier Island to the take of scallops, pāua and koura. We chose these species as they are the most threatened in our moana.
Establishing a temporary closure
Anyone can request a temporary closure. Temporary closures apply to everyone. Sections 186A and 186B of the Fisheries Act outlines the process for establishing a temporary closure.
Read Fisheries Act Sections 186A – NZ Legislation
How does this work?
Temporary closures and restrictions on fishing methods (section 186A) recognise and provide for tangata whenua in both their traditional:
Request for Rahui to be enforced under section 186A and Rāhui map
Tena koe e te Minita,
On behalf of Motairehe Marae and beneficiaries from Aotea, Great Barrier Island, this letter is to formally, and urgently, request a section 186A closure for a minimum of two years to prohibit all take of scallops (tipa), abalone (paua) and crayfish (koura) within the entirety of our rohe which is outlined in the attached map.
We request that the temporary closure to apply to scallops (tipa), abalone (paua) and crayfish (koura) as we hear from communities within our rohe that are concerned about the decline of these species. The overfishing and poor fishing practices, both recreational and commercial, have contributed to the steady decline in these fish stocks. We have sent two letters to MPI to first, advise of the resolution to lay a rahui and secondly, re-assert the mana of our rohe.
Rahui and Voluntary Ban
On Monday 7 February 2022, Motairehe Marae Trust passed a resolution to lay a rahui over Aotea. The tikanga process to set the rahui will be undertaken as soon as weather permits. This will involve a dawn ceremony with karakia at the four points around Aotea.
Research – Ahu Moana
Ahi kaa whānau, the kaitiaki of our moana, know personally that paua, tipa and koura are now out of reach for our kaumatua - and these beds are now barren. This is also captured in the plethora of reports (including State of the Gulf report, Seachange Ministerial Report) that all warn of the diminishing fish stocks within the Hauraki Gulf.
Understanding the alarming condition of our fish stocks, Aotea has been selected as a pilot for the Ahu Moana concept. Subsequently, two relevant key initiatives of the Aotea Local Board Plan 2020 (p 14) include:
- Engagement with the community on an Ahu Moana approach for marine protection and
- Investigate and implement marine protection, using tools such as, Ahu Moana, Rāhui, and marine reserves with mana whenua, the community, and DOC, with Sea Change - Tai Timu Tai Pari as a guide
Ministers Parker and Verrall during the launch of the Sea Change Report noted that they “will work with mana whenua and local communities to trial localised management approaches to fisheries and conservation through Ahu Moana pilots”.
We see this rahui as an important and pivotal first stage for an Ahu Moana programme and seek the support of Minister Parker to approve this rahui.
Naku noa,
Darren Cleave
Motairehe Marae Trust – Chairperson
Next Steps
Now
Aotea Getting Together
12pm 4 June – Claris Conference Centre
1pm 11 June – Motairehe Marae
More detail in the Barrier Bulletin 19/5/22
More detail in the Barrier Bulletin 15/6/22
The main agenda item will be the Rāhui and Ahu Moana, the joint tangata whenua and community co-management of local marine areas covering the coastline of Aotea. All possible tools and guidance is very welcome at this hui to help create a framework everyone is fully involved with. We are all learning together.
12 June 2022
Questions Answered
There were lot's of questions both before, during and after the hui we have just had. We can share some answers we do have, keep adding as we can and please keep them coming as the more we ask and share, the more we will understand.
What is a rāhui?
Rāhui are set down by the Kaumatua Kuia of a rohe/area. The initial process is for them to hui/meet and discuss the reasoning for a rāhui and the process that must be followed to apply the rāhui. This is to ensure the mana of the rāhui is upheld. As the tikanga/process is flexible it could be that the rāhui is extended, lifted and/or moved. Rāhui is a temporary customary measure used by Maori, it has been happening for thousands of years around New Zealand to ensure the sustainable use of our resources.
What has been the process so far?
Motairehe Marae trustees passed a resolution to file for a Section 186A application to MPI for a temporary closure over any take of paua/abalone, tipa/scallops and kōura/crayfish. Our Kaumatua along with the Ahi Kaa whanau identified the need for this rāhui, as a response to years of concern regarding the depletion of kaimoana around our island and agreed to us moving forward.
How will it be enforced? How will visitors who come out here to dive know about it?
Promotion and publicity. The Rāhui can be enforced through the Minister of Primary Industries through granting our 186A application with fisheries officers enforcing it, however what really matters is that the community are alongside mana whenua on this journey. To ensure we protect our kaimoana, our waters, especially from those who come in who don’t care or don’t know. They can be told. But this Rāhui is really enforced through acceptance, by all of us the whole community.
If the Section 186A application is granted. Some people are genuinely unaware of the Rāhui. Approach them and point out that it is a no-take area and ask them to stop immediately. If they continue to take the protected species, call 0508 4 POACHER (0508 4 476 224) and report the incident. Fines up to a maximum of $100,000 apply to anybody caught breaching the Rāhui.
What do you say to island residents who rely on this kaimoana for food?
We fully understand that it might seem a short-term hardship to give up the harvesting of these foods, but it will absolutely be worth it in the long run. It’s an investment in our future – in the future of our rangitahi/kids and mokopuna/grandkids. We’ve been talking long enough about needing to take action over the state of our moana/sea. Now is the time to act. There is plenty of other kaimoana out there for harvesting and feeding the whanau.
What do you hope to achieve from the hui?
Unless we get together, the whole community on board with this, it won’t work. It has to be a joint effort. Together, we can start to turn things around so our grandchildren and great grandchildren can have a healthy thriving moana full of kaimoana.
What about the Ahu Moana?
Aotea is the pilot for Ahu Moana. We believe we all need to mobilise and start finding out where things sit today as a baseline, and figure out “where to from here” and start the discussion. Mana whenua and community getting together to create a strategy that reflects their beliefs, customs, environments, and realities to achieve an overall goal of marine restoration and protection.
We believe this is what Ahu Moana aims for and this is our opportunity to breathe life into this Sea Change proposal.
Will the Rāhui apply to everyone?
Yes, kaumatua have agreed that the rāhui will apply to everyone, no exceptions. “How can we expect others to do something that we won’t do ourselves?” Darren Cleave
How will you ensure people will know about the Rāhui? How will you ensure people know about the rāhui?
Education, marketing and promotion. Over the coming months, a comprehensive communications plan will be drawn up to ensure the word gets out to as many people as possible. Think signage, fishing magazines, Coastguard and marine radio notices, online marketing, ads in Barrier Air planes and on Sealink boats, Aotea FM ads, etc.
The Future
An Onland/Online Hui - A Collective Kōrero
Please join us as we have our first round table hui to bring everyone together. As a collective, the work starts! If you or someone you know needs assistance to connect to this hui let us know please. Mauri ora.
23 July 2022
6pm
Agenda
Mihi / Welcome - Darren
Meeting Guidelines
Karakia - Taumata
Glenn and Hamish
- Baselines
- Monitoring
Plan for Moving Forward
- Issues on the Table
Next Hui Date / Time
Karakia
Close
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82227470287?pwd=UVNMOFBHMmVmWHgrWmFpMzgwWkllQT09
Meeting ID: 822 2747 0287
Passcode: welcome
One tap mobile
+6498846780,,82227470287# New Zealand
+6436590603,,82227470287# New Zealand
Dial by your location
+64 9 884 6780 New Zealand
+64 3 659 0603 New Zealand
+64 4 886 0026 New Zealand
Meeting ID: 822 2747 0287
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kGSsG1P7
Join by Skype for Business
https://us02web.zoom.us/skype/82227470287
Te Ao Māori concepts of mana and mauri and the Mātauranga Māori and Kaitiakitanga principles, knowledge systems and practices that support them are central to this initiative (Connecting to the Mauri of the Moana by Glenn Edney and Dr Daniel Hikuroa of Auckland University).
The Sea is a Taonga
We believe the sea and its bounty is a Taonga Tuku iho – a treasure that has been passed down from previous generations. For that reason, it must be looked after to pass to future generations. By being good kaitiaki (guardians) and adopting certain practices, the ocean will continue to provide for many generations to come.
One of the most powerful sea based conservation practices used by Māori is rāhui. Sometimes when a fishing ground or shellfish bed is showing signs of depletion, a rāhui can be placed over the area so that the fish or shellfish stock can replenish.
The Application
On the 8th of February 2022 we submitted a s186A request to the Ministry for Primary Industries - Manatū Ahu Matua (MPI) for a temporary closure around Aotea, Great Barrier Island to the take of scallops, pāua and koura. We chose these species as they are the most threatened in our moana.
Establishing a temporary closure
Anyone can request a temporary closure. Temporary closures apply to everyone. Sections 186A and 186B of the Fisheries Act outlines the process for establishing a temporary closure.
Read Fisheries Act Sections 186A – NZ Legislation
How does this work?
Temporary closures and restrictions on fishing methods (section 186A) recognise and provide for tangata whenua in both their traditional:
- customary fishing rights
- management practices
Request for Rahui to be enforced under section 186A and Rāhui map
Tena koe e te Minita,
On behalf of Motairehe Marae and beneficiaries from Aotea, Great Barrier Island, this letter is to formally, and urgently, request a section 186A closure for a minimum of two years to prohibit all take of scallops (tipa), abalone (paua) and crayfish (koura) within the entirety of our rohe which is outlined in the attached map.
We request that the temporary closure to apply to scallops (tipa), abalone (paua) and crayfish (koura) as we hear from communities within our rohe that are concerned about the decline of these species. The overfishing and poor fishing practices, both recreational and commercial, have contributed to the steady decline in these fish stocks. We have sent two letters to MPI to first, advise of the resolution to lay a rahui and secondly, re-assert the mana of our rohe.
Rahui and Voluntary Ban
On Monday 7 February 2022, Motairehe Marae Trust passed a resolution to lay a rahui over Aotea. The tikanga process to set the rahui will be undertaken as soon as weather permits. This will involve a dawn ceremony with karakia at the four points around Aotea.
Research – Ahu Moana
Ahi kaa whānau, the kaitiaki of our moana, know personally that paua, tipa and koura are now out of reach for our kaumatua - and these beds are now barren. This is also captured in the plethora of reports (including State of the Gulf report, Seachange Ministerial Report) that all warn of the diminishing fish stocks within the Hauraki Gulf.
Understanding the alarming condition of our fish stocks, Aotea has been selected as a pilot for the Ahu Moana concept. Subsequently, two relevant key initiatives of the Aotea Local Board Plan 2020 (p 14) include:
- Engagement with the community on an Ahu Moana approach for marine protection and
- Investigate and implement marine protection, using tools such as, Ahu Moana, Rāhui, and marine reserves with mana whenua, the community, and DOC, with Sea Change - Tai Timu Tai Pari as a guide
Ministers Parker and Verrall during the launch of the Sea Change Report noted that they “will work with mana whenua and local communities to trial localised management approaches to fisheries and conservation through Ahu Moana pilots”.
We see this rahui as an important and pivotal first stage for an Ahu Moana programme and seek the support of Minister Parker to approve this rahui.
Naku noa,
Darren Cleave
Motairehe Marae Trust – Chairperson
Next Steps
Now
Aotea Getting Together
12pm 4 June – Claris Conference Centre
1pm 11 June – Motairehe Marae
More detail in the Barrier Bulletin 19/5/22
More detail in the Barrier Bulletin 15/6/22
The main agenda item will be the Rāhui and Ahu Moana, the joint tangata whenua and community co-management of local marine areas covering the coastline of Aotea. All possible tools and guidance is very welcome at this hui to help create a framework everyone is fully involved with. We are all learning together.
12 June 2022
Questions Answered
There were lot's of questions both before, during and after the hui we have just had. We can share some answers we do have, keep adding as we can and please keep them coming as the more we ask and share, the more we will understand.
What is a rāhui?
Rāhui are set down by the Kaumatua Kuia of a rohe/area. The initial process is for them to hui/meet and discuss the reasoning for a rāhui and the process that must be followed to apply the rāhui. This is to ensure the mana of the rāhui is upheld. As the tikanga/process is flexible it could be that the rāhui is extended, lifted and/or moved. Rāhui is a temporary customary measure used by Maori, it has been happening for thousands of years around New Zealand to ensure the sustainable use of our resources.
What has been the process so far?
Motairehe Marae trustees passed a resolution to file for a Section 186A application to MPI for a temporary closure over any take of paua/abalone, tipa/scallops and kōura/crayfish. Our Kaumatua along with the Ahi Kaa whanau identified the need for this rāhui, as a response to years of concern regarding the depletion of kaimoana around our island and agreed to us moving forward.
How will it be enforced? How will visitors who come out here to dive know about it?
Promotion and publicity. The Rāhui can be enforced through the Minister of Primary Industries through granting our 186A application with fisheries officers enforcing it, however what really matters is that the community are alongside mana whenua on this journey. To ensure we protect our kaimoana, our waters, especially from those who come in who don’t care or don’t know. They can be told. But this Rāhui is really enforced through acceptance, by all of us the whole community.
If the Section 186A application is granted. Some people are genuinely unaware of the Rāhui. Approach them and point out that it is a no-take area and ask them to stop immediately. If they continue to take the protected species, call 0508 4 POACHER (0508 4 476 224) and report the incident. Fines up to a maximum of $100,000 apply to anybody caught breaching the Rāhui.
What do you say to island residents who rely on this kaimoana for food?
We fully understand that it might seem a short-term hardship to give up the harvesting of these foods, but it will absolutely be worth it in the long run. It’s an investment in our future – in the future of our rangitahi/kids and mokopuna/grandkids. We’ve been talking long enough about needing to take action over the state of our moana/sea. Now is the time to act. There is plenty of other kaimoana out there for harvesting and feeding the whanau.
What do you hope to achieve from the hui?
Unless we get together, the whole community on board with this, it won’t work. It has to be a joint effort. Together, we can start to turn things around so our grandchildren and great grandchildren can have a healthy thriving moana full of kaimoana.
What about the Ahu Moana?
Aotea is the pilot for Ahu Moana. We believe we all need to mobilise and start finding out where things sit today as a baseline, and figure out “where to from here” and start the discussion. Mana whenua and community getting together to create a strategy that reflects their beliefs, customs, environments, and realities to achieve an overall goal of marine restoration and protection.
We believe this is what Ahu Moana aims for and this is our opportunity to breathe life into this Sea Change proposal.
Will the Rāhui apply to everyone?
Yes, kaumatua have agreed that the rāhui will apply to everyone, no exceptions. “How can we expect others to do something that we won’t do ourselves?” Darren Cleave
How will you ensure people will know about the Rāhui? How will you ensure people know about the rāhui?
Education, marketing and promotion. Over the coming months, a comprehensive communications plan will be drawn up to ensure the word gets out to as many people as possible. Think signage, fishing magazines, Coastguard and marine radio notices, online marketing, ads in Barrier Air planes and on Sealink boats, Aotea FM ads, etc.
The Future
An Onland/Online Hui - A Collective Kōrero
Please join us as we have our first round table hui to bring everyone together. As a collective, the work starts! If you or someone you know needs assistance to connect to this hui let us know please. Mauri ora.
23 July 2022
6pm
Agenda
Mihi / Welcome - Darren
Meeting Guidelines
Karakia - Taumata
Glenn and Hamish
- Baselines
- Monitoring
Plan for Moving Forward
- Issues on the Table
Next Hui Date / Time
Karakia
Close
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82227470287?pwd=UVNMOFBHMmVmWHgrWmFpMzgwWkllQT09
Meeting ID: 822 2747 0287
Passcode: welcome
One tap mobile
+6498846780,,82227470287# New Zealand
+6436590603,,82227470287# New Zealand
Dial by your location
+64 9 884 6780 New Zealand
+64 3 659 0603 New Zealand
+64 4 886 0026 New Zealand
Meeting ID: 822 2747 0287
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kGSsG1P7
Join by Skype for Business
https://us02web.zoom.us/skype/82227470287
Te Ao Māori concepts of mana and mauri and the Mātauranga Māori and Kaitiakitanga principles, knowledge systems and practices that support them are central to this initiative (Connecting to the Mauri of the Moana by Glenn Edney and Dr Daniel Hikuroa of Auckland University).
