Financial Contribution from Te Ohu Kaimoana to Mandated Iwi Organisations for purposes related to Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024 changes

The Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024 introduces a range of changes that must be incorporated into the governance documents of all Mandated Iwi Organisations (MIO).  

These amendments are required to be implemented by July 2026 to ensure ongoing compliance with the new legislative  framework.

In recognition of the significant costs associated with this process, including legal fees and expenses related to implementing the necessary amendments, Te Ohu Kaimoana will provide a Contribution Payment of $10,000 (there is no GST applicable) to each MIO to assist with these  obligations (the Contribution Payment).

To ensure that the Contribution Payment is made in a manner consistent with both legislative requirements and the charitable objectives of Te Ohu Kaimoana, the Contribution Payment is made on the basis that MIO will use it solely for Governance Purposes. For the purposes of the Contribution Payment, Governance Purposes are defined as activities that:

• Advance the interests of the relevant iwi (including its members) in the development of fisheries, fishing, and/or fisheries-related activities by supporting the iwi to consider and implement the changes required by the Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024; and
• Constitute charitable purposes in accordance with section 5 of the Charities Act 2005.

The Contribution Payment will be paid directly to you on Friday 7 November, and no invoice is required. If you would like to decline this payment, please advise us by Friday 31 October.

Payments will be made to the nominated bank account we currently hold on file for each MIO. This is the bank account that Te Ohu Kaimoana pays its share of the Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd dividends and Māori Authority Tax Credits into. If you would like confirmation of the bank account details we have for your MIO please ensure you get in touch with Te Ohu Kaimoana staff in advance of Friday 7 November.

If you have any questions regarding the Contribution Payment, please do not hesitate to contact our Finance Manager Matthew Page via email at: matthew.page@teohukaimoana.nz.

We appreciate the important work you are undertaking to ensure compliance with the Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024 and remain committed to supporting you throughout this process.