Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024 now in effect

Te Ohu Kaimoana wishes to formally acknowledge the historical milestone reached on Sunday 26 July, with the Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024 (MFAA) officially coming into effect.

This milestone marks the evolution and progression of the Māori fisheries settlement and achieves the actualisation of the vision set by iwi over a decade ago; enabling a greater ability of iwi to express rangatiratanga with their fisheries assets and entities. We wish to sincerely thank the guidance, support and the substantive work that iwi have had to undertake to reach this stage.

Below we outline some of the key changes now in effect under the MFAA as well as providing links to helpful resources, FAQs pertaining to the MFAA and a project timeline of events.

Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024 Timeline

Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024 Commencement FAQs, Glossary of Terms and Useful Links

MFAA commencement - what’s next?

While the legislation requires that governance and operational processes need to be in place by 26 July 2026, there will need to be a transitional period to allow time for the new relationships, responsibilities, and constitutional and operational policies and procedures across Te Ohu Kai Moana Group and for Mandated Iwi Organisations MIO), Recognised Iwi Organisations (RIO), Representative Māori Organisations (RMO) and Asset Holding Companies (AHC) to bed in.

Below we have provided information on what we believe are the more pressing priorities, and areas of interest.

Transfer of TOKMTL held shares in AFL to AHC

From Monday 27 July, the 20% Income Shares previously held by TOKMTL convert to ordinary shares and are transferred to AHCs in proportion to their existing shareholdings.

AFL will update its share register to record this transfer. Individual letters to AHC outlining the number of shares and more information about the share transfer process have now been circulated to all AHC.

If you have any questions regarding share transfers, please contact our Senior Solicitor Simone Goldstone via email: simone.goldstone@teohukaimoana.nz

Establishment of new director appointment models for TOKMTL and AFL

An implementation plan has been developed by TOKMTL to oversee the establishment of the new appointment models and support delivery of the inaugural appointment cycles for TOKMTL and AFL.

More information will be provided in the coming weeks.

MIO governance compliance with the MFAA

As referenced in the ‘links to useful resources section of this pānui, there are seven amendments that iwi must make to their constitutions, and have ratified, to be compliant with the MFAA. These amendments, and context regarding each can be found in our dedicated information pack available on our website.

If you require any assistance with your constitutional amendments, please contact our Interim Legal Manager, Adair Houia-Ashwell via email at: adair.houia-ashwell@teohukaimoana.nz‍

Links to useful resources

Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024 Information Hub

This page brings together all information relating to the Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024, including links to resources dating back to June 2017. All historic consultation materials, including the documents listed below, are available on this dedicated page.

Understanding the changes required to Mandated Iwi Organisation governance documents (Circulated 18 December 2024)

The purpose of this document is to provide iwi with an overview of the changes required to be made to the governing documents of Mandated Iwi Organisations (MIOs) before July 2026. It sets out the seven required changes, explains the rationale behind each amendment, and includes suggested drafting to support iwi in updating their governing documents.

Final Director Appointment Models Information Pack for Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Limited and Aotearoa Fisheries Limited (Circulated 7 July 2026)

This information pack contains the final director appointment models and associated documentation for Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Limited and Aotearoa Fisheries Limited. It also includes the amended Constitution of Aotearoa Fisheries Limited.

Constitutions Information Pack for Te Ohu Kai Moana Group (Circulated 26 June 2026)

This pack contains the amended constitutions for Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Limited, Te Wai Māori Trustee Limited, and Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trustee Limited (operating as Tapuwae Roa). It also includes summary tables outlining the changes made to each constitution.

Draft Amendments to the Māori Fisheries Act 2004

This marked-up version of the Māori Fisheries Act 2004 shows all amendments made to the original Act.

If you have any queries or feedback regarding the implementation of the MFAA, please contact our Programme Director Tania Heyrick via email at: tania.heyrick@teohukaimoana.nz‍