The air at Hūria Marae in Tauranga was filled with significance today as Ngāti Ranginui hosted the 11 other iwi of Te Moana-a-Toi and Crown representatives to celebrate the formal signing of a long-awaited aquaculture settlement. The landmark agreement marks a historic chapter for the rohe, affirming rights and recognising an enduring relationship with the moana.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones was welcomed onto the marae to officiate the ceremony, which formalises an agreement first signed in February under the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004.
“This important milestone delivers on the Crown’s settlement obligations, supports aquaculture development in the region, and ensures iwi take a leading role in the resulting workforce development and economic growth,” Minister Jones said.
The agreement is a significant win for the Bay of Plenty, unlocking 5,000 hectares of authorized aquaculture space, which is valued at approximately $35 million. To assist with the transition, the settlement also includes $1 million in Crown funding to support the critical resource consenting process.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ranginui chair Charlie Rahiri expressed the relief and optimism shared by the iwi present, noting that the settlement has been “a long time coming.” He emphasized that the benefits of this agreement will extend beyond the iwi themselves, providing stability and growth for all of the Bay of Plenty’s coastal communities.
With the Bay of Plenty already serving as a hub for open-ocean mussel farming, this settlement is a crucial step toward the Government’s national goal of increasing aquaculture revenue to $3 billion per year by 2035. As the ceremony concluded with waiata, the focus shifted to the prosperity and opportunity this new chapter will provide for the region.