Rahui - 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, rā hui, 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
Midday, 04 June – Claris Conference Centre
1pm – 11 June – Motairehe Marae
More detail in the Barrier Bulletin 19/5/22
The main agenda item will be an 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.
The Future
An Online Hui - A Collective Kōrero
We will advertise this. As a collective, the work starts!
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, rā hui, 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
Midday, 04 June – Claris Conference Centre
1pm – 11 June – Motairehe Marae
More detail in the Barrier Bulletin 19/5/22
The main agenda item will be an 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.
The Future
An Online Hui - A Collective Kōrero
We will advertise this. As a collective, the work starts!
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).
