Second Reading of the Māori Fisheries Amendment Bill

On the evening of 30 April 2024, the House concluded its second reading of the Māori Fisheries Amendment Bill.

Over the course of the second reading, the House heard from members of various parties including National, Labour, ACT and Green. All were in support of the Bill.

Common themes that arose in the speeches were:

• The aim to provide iwi more direct control over fisheries assets, decision making, and provide operational efficiency;
• The time taken to advance the Bill, noting that the Māori Fisheries Act review started in 2015 and resulted in a Bill introduced to Parliament in late 2022;
• That the Bill has shifted form since its original introduced version, and since the Māori Affairs Select Committee Report, it now proposes new amendments and most Members specifically highlighted the new decision-making vote provided to Representative Māori Organisations in the board make up of Te Ohu Kaimoana; and among others
• The impact of fisheries on the Māori and New Zealand economy.

The Bill will now progress to the committee of the whole House. This stage of the process allows Members to examine, debate and propose changes to the Bill. Once the final form of the Bill is agreed to, it will progress to the third reading stage.

The Ministry of Primary Industries continue to meet with iwi on the question of the involvement of Representative Māori Organisations in the appointment process for directors of Te Ohu Kaimoana. If you would like to discuss this kaupapa directly with MPI officials you can contact Principal Policy Advisor (MPI), Josh Southee directly via email: josh.southee@mpi.govt.nz.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact our General Counsel, Brianna Boxall at Brianna.boxall@teohu.maori.nz.

Transcripts of Second Reading –  Māori Fisheries Amendment Bill

Video of Second Reading –  Māori Fisheries Amendment Bill‍