Auckland iwi take the helm of fisheries enforcement

A North Auckland iwi is taking the helm of fisheries enforcement in the Hauraki Gulf in a first of its kind pilot programme.

Warkworth’s Ngāti Manuhiri has bought three, 450-horsepower former police boats which it will use to patrol the gulf to protect it from overfishing.

The intention is to have three crews of fisheries officers on the water by Christmas.

Ngāti Manuhiri rangatahi Tahi Ngawaka has returned to his ancestral home to take on the job.

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The 22-year-old has been working in enforcement under the Auckland Harbourmaster since he left high school and said he was glad to be able to apply his skills for the benefit of his community.

“The area is of great significance to us because our ancestors navigated these waters. It’s sad that it needs to be restored, but there is a sense of satisfaction in coming home to do this work,” Ngawaka said.

He said he knew policing a stretch of water from Mangawhai Heads to the Firth of Thames was going to be challenging.

“We will need at least three crew members per boat, especially because there could be guys out there with fishing knives that don’t like being told their catch is undersized.”

He said that in his experience the vast majority of people were not out to harm the marine environment and would happily comply with enforcement when given the chance.

“Dealing with the public is all about ensuring clear communication from the start.

“You get backlash in any workspace that is led by iwi and not government, but somebody had to step up because the government doesn’t have the assets in the area.”

The nearest Ministry for Primary Industries offices are at Auckland Airport and in Whangārei.

Ngāti Manuhiri acting chief executive Nicola MacDonald said the programme would be a clear demonstration on how an iwi that had reached a treaty settlement could use its partnership with the Crown to benefit the whole community.

“It’s not always easy for everyday Kiwis to see what a treaty relationship looks like, but this shows that partnership in a real sense.”

This year, Ngāti Manuhiri has embarked on projects to restore the severely depleted fisheries of the gulf.

In October, the patrol vessels assisted in dropping 50 tonnes of mussels into the Mahurangi Harbour to reseed the seabed with life. The aim is to drop 1000 tonnes with the help of the community.

“Bringing the community on trips with us is about sharing the message through the kumara vine that the gulf is being restored – let’s not take from it.”

Similarly, MacDonald said the trust’s role as fisheries officers would primarily be one of education, although some situations would require crew to exercise skills in deescalation.

“Not everyone will thank you for your education. We just have to be mindful.

“There’s always going to be a percentage there that may have an issue but overall I think the public will see the young skippers out there protecting and educating, and most recreational fishers will support that.”

This year, Ngāti Manuhiri celebrated a decade since it settled with the Crown.

McDonald said it had quadrupled its financial assets since it received $9 million in fiscal redress and returning of land.

“We have been focussed on looking after our investments, but we made the decision last year that we are coastal iwi and needed a marine conservation project.”

MacDonald said protecting the taiao of the harbour was a big weight to shoulder but one that Ngāti Manuhiri trust felt responsible for.

“There’s not enough people in the sector and come Christmastime there won’t be just traffic jamming up the roads, it’ll be on the water too.”