Ka Hao Te Rangatahi - A New Net Goes Fishing: Maori and Science Working Together to Find Possible Ways Forward to Manage Customary Fishing Areas

Abstract

The outlook for Maori customary fisheries management has become veiled and clouded. Although Maori rights over customary fisheries areas are guaranteed in the Treaty of Waitangi, subsequent legislation and government action has led to a degradation in traditional Maori knowledge, and has impeded the development of effective management systems by Maori for their customary fishing areas. Regulations implemented have led to unforseen hindrances in the path of Maori customary fisheries management systems. In spite of this somewhat melancholic outlook for Maori customary fisheries management, this study aims to identify possible ways forward for Maori and western science to improve customary fisheries management, to better equip iwi and hapu in their endeavour towards selfdetermination of their customary fishing rights. This study aims to stimulate thought and discussion as to how western science can assist Maori manage their customary fishing areas, to identify barriers that obstruct this partnership, and to offer recommendations to help overcome these obstacles. The utilisation of western scientific methods within Maori customary fishing management is solely dependant on our ability to develop these functional methods from a theoretical framework based on Maori values, beliefs and iwi and hapuspecific interests.