LOBSTER AND LOBBYISTS

Tonight we went to one of the premium events of the Wellington Xmas calendar, the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Annual Christmas do. It used to be held at the Tug Boat and it was famous for some very very long nights studded with raucous behaviour and that was just the knights and the Ministers.

Tonights affair was at Mac's Brewery in the function room. While 30 percent of those who were there were old friends and familiar faces - over 16 years the human landscape has changed a bit.

They no longer have a top journalism prize, which in its day was the richest in the country at $12,000 in travel. ( We won it once) We suggest that maybe they award a prize to the most interesting blog!

There were fewer shiny arses , fewer lawyers, accountants, and more iwi reps at this years party.

And in an old and fine tradition the taxi drivers,who cart the out of towners from the airport to meetings, quaffed beer alongside knights and captains of industry..

So overall it was a good do.

And in a long tradition crayfish was served and continued to be served until no-one could eat another half tail. This year everyone was talking about the meaty ice clams , the latest new shell fish.

They are spectacular but they were served badly, they were overcooked and over seasoned. These are a delicate fish and they deserve the loving attention of a top chef. And while the crayfish was perfectly cooked, it should never, ever be served with the gut cord still attached. The Maori seafood industry , like the NZ seafood industry should always remember to showcase their product in the best possible way. While to most of the attendees it was good tucker - it was not fine food - and it is fine food that out nation should always produce everywhere, everytime to everybody. It is after all the raison d'etre of the industry

It was also not a good night to be a white chocolate ( Ngai Tahu chick) from the deep south. The ETS has created a division we hoped wouldn't be too deep - but it is. There were definite barbs about the fat rich Ngai Tahu from the deep south. ( we admit to being a bit porky and Ngai Tahu but we are not rich)
There is a definite anger about the deal that really only delivers benefits to a favoured few. So while there are still disparities between Maori and Pakeha, there is a growing disparity within Maoridom as well and it has caused anger and resentment. It will become a bigger issue as the details and their impact become apparent.

It was also the night to say goodbye to a knight - Archie Taiaroa, one of the finest gentlemen we have known. He is a quiet, man, humble, wise and gracious. He will be missed. The affable Ngahiwi Tomoana is taking over and although he has big shoes to fill he will do a fine job.

GOOD ON YA ARCHIE

Now more that ever we need Maori to work together.

Archie has always been one of our favourite Maori leaders, he is a quiet but steely man and very gracious.
It ia times like these we need leadership..

Press Release by Te Ohu Kaimoana - The Maori Fisheries Trust at 10:02 am, 30 Jan 2009

Te Ohu Kaimoana has now transferred more than $440 million worth of Fisheries Settlement assets to iwi - a resource that could play a key role in helping Maori come through the current global economic crisis, the organisation's Chairman Archie Taiaroa told Maori leaders today.

Speaking at Te Ohu Kaimoana's annual meeting which was opened by Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley in Wellington, Mr Taiaroa, said wise use of the Settlement resources by iwi, particularly in the regions, can help keep Maori employed.

"We must look at ways of assisting our people through these tough times - and by doing so look after our country - through putting our economic resources back into the regions to allow our people to manage their own economic base.

"Maori and iwi are significant players in fisheries, and we should all be looking at how we can utilise Settlement resources to support our people at this difficult time," Mr Taiaroa said.

He told delegates that 48 of the nation's 57 iwi now had Mandated Iwi Organisations (MIOs) to which assets could be allocated and, crucially, 25 iwi now had full or partial coastline agreements.

Under the Maori Fisheries Act, the Fisheries Settlement is allocated to MIOs on the basis of an iwi's size and the agreed length of its coastline.

"Te Ohu Kaimoana is putting a tremendous amount of work into assisting neighbouring iwi reach coastline agreements, and a lot has been achieved in the last year," Mr Taiaroa told delegates, including Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley.

Mr Taiaroa said Taranaki had been a particular success story with the first big group of six adjoining MIOs - Ngati Mutunga, Te Atiawa, Taranaki, Nga Ruahine, Ngati Ruanui and Nga Rauru - having "come to the very wise conclusion that co-operation was in their mutual best interests".

He said after many years, Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitane on the North Island's east coast have come to agreement, and Ngapuhi have settled all their coastline through a number of agreements with other iwi.

"I can't emphasise enough that our future success is all about how we co-operate as iwi," he said.