Customary Fisheries FAQs
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Customary Fisheries | Fisheries Management | maximum sustainable yield | QMS | Economics | Fishing | Rescue Fish | Environment | Fishing methods | Recreational Fishing | Fishcare | customary | Kahawai | Reform scam
May 29, 2025
Commercial/Total Allowable Commercial Catch limit (TACC) – 2,728,000 kilograms. (2728 tonnes). Recreational allowance – 2,293,000 kilograms. (2293 tonnes). Māori customary allowance – 617,000 kilograms. (617 tonnes). *Note – Recreational and customary fishing are not part of the Quota Management System. As per the 1996 Fisheries Act, the Minister sets aside allowances to provide for our ... Read more.
May 29, 2025
Below is the breakdown of kahawai catch in 2024; Commercial landings – 2,158,000 kilograms, for sale. Recreational landings – 370,600 kilograms, to feed our families. Māori customary – unknown, however, it is common for kahawai to be caught for customary purposes under the amateur fishing regulations, as part of a person’s recreational daily bag limit. ... Read more.
April 28, 2021
A rāhui is an indigenous, Māori principle used to regulate human activity for the future well-being of the people and natural resources such as fisheries. ‘Rāhui’ translates ‘to prohibit, or a prohibition’. It is used in the form of restriction/ prohibition of a resource, area, or activity. In fisheries it is used to ban harvesting ... Read more.
May 29, 2020
Independent analysis by the NZ Institute of Economic Research shows that on the information available Māori own around 40% of quota shares (by volume) but only 10.7% of the total quota share value. This is a conservative estimate of iwi ownership and value because not all the relevant details are available; that is understandable given ... Read more.
August 23, 2018
Specific restrictions on commercial fishing apply in many parts of the Bay of Islands. Some restrictions apply only to the southern areas of the Bay, others regulations apply to the whole inner Bay of Islands. A rahui, customary management area, applies in Maunganui Bay, around the sunken wreck the Canterbury and Deep Water Cove in ... Read more.
May 22, 2020
Yes, there is strong grassroots mana whenua support for reform to ensure there is an abundant fishery. Over the last 15 years we have attended and participated in many hui where people have expressed their concerns about depletion and their desire for more fish in the sea. Research shows that 73% of Māori think reform ... Read more.
May 22, 2020
There are 11 Mātaitai in the North Island and 35 in the South Island. 10 Taiāpure have been established nationally.
May 22, 2020
The total amount of fish harvested by Māori customary fishers is unknown. The Minister of Fisheries has a legal obligation to make provision for Māori customary catch and traditional practices. The total amount of fish set aside to enable Māori fishers to fulfil their customary needs is around 4000 tonnes per annum, nationwide.
May 22, 2020
Under Rescue Fish the Government will pay fair market value to buy back all existing quota rights, including those held by Māori. Maori will be free to use the funds received from the buy back and invest it in fishing or other enterprises. Māori Treaty interests will be served in part by having co-governance of ... Read more.
May 22, 2020
Māori customary fishing, harvesting and the application of tikanga [best practice] are culturally and spiritually significant. Māori customary fishing is legally defined as fishing using a permit issued by a Kaitiaki (guardian), for a cultural occasion. The ability of mana whenua to provide their specialty kai moana to visitors enhances the mana of the marae ... Read more.
