The Hokianga Accord

The Hokianga Accord brings together the commercial and non-commercial interests of Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua, northern iwi and hapu, environmental and fishing interest groups including Greenpeace, LegaSea and the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. The Accord has hosted 18 hui since 2005. The common objective is ‘more fish in the water’.

Waiho I te toipoto, kaua I te toiroa
Let us keep close together, not far apart

Since the first hui in July 2005 the Hokianga Accord has continued to break down the barriers between Maori and non-Maori people, through sharing the common objective of ‘more fish in the water’.

The Hokianga Accord brings together the commercial and non-commercial interests of Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua, other northern iwi and hapu, environmental and fishing interest groups, including LegaSea and the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council.

Wane Wharerau is the appointed chairman of the Hokianga Accord. Wane is a Trustee of Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngapuhi. He is also a keen recreational fisherman and diver, having grown up, in and around the waters of the Bay of Islands.

If you are keen to read the Accord’s history, a comprehensive record of the Accord’s engagement in fisheries and conservation matters from 2005 to 2013 is available here. 

Hokianga Accord hui

On July 21st and 22nd the Hokianga Accord held a hui at Kohewhata marae in Kaikohe. This was the first hui the Accord had held for three years so it was memorable for the opportunity to catch up with old friends, to make new friends and discover that, in general, not much had changed when it comes to restoring our fish stocks.

Restoring abundance and marine diversity was a common theme throughout the 2-days of discussions.

A report of the hui and various discussions is available to download here – July 2017 hui report.