Tainui river partnership starts

Waikato-Tainui and the Fisheries Ministry have signed an implementation strategy to begin managing the aquatic life of the Waikato River under iwi values.

It's not quite a hook-line-and-sinker deal, but does represent an excellent catch for Tainui in terms of giving practical effect to last year's deed of settlement of its Waikato River Treaty claims.

At Hopuhopu yesterday the ministry became the first Crown agency to agree to a joint work programme based on the embryonic co-management principles set out in the river settlement.

First step under the strategy, signed by Tainui chief executive Hemi Rau and ministry chief executive Wayne McKee, is the formation of a "joint resource allocation body" which will prioritise work programmes and allocate funding.

Under new governance arrangements Tainui will take responsibility for protection of elvers and glass eels in the river, the transfer of fish and pest eradication.

Under Waikato River regulations set down in last year's fisheries accord, the tribe is empowered to make bylaws to restrict or prohibit the taking of tuna (eels).

Tainui can also issue customary fishing authorisations or recommend to the minister bylaws restricting or prohibiting fishing on the river. These regulations will prevail over commercial regulations, amateur regulations and customary regulations.

Mr Rau said implementing a fishing strategy was one of many plans for improving the river.

"A simple goal at the moment would be for people to be able to swim in the river without getting sick," he said.

"But the long-term vision is to be able to eat food from the river.

"I think it will take more than 20 years to get fish back, but if we can achieve that, then the strategy has worked.

"However it is going to be challenging."

Tainui will develop an environmental plan for the river, with the ministry providing assistance. A target date of September has been set to recruit an unspecified number of fisheries surveillance officers under the plan.

- © Fairfax NZ News