In recent days the impact of the government announcement out of the blue at the 2015 UN conference that it had created the world’s biggest marine reserve centred on Raoul Island has come home to roost. The government has had to postpone the enabling legislation to create the reserve and to outlaw fishing and mining in the region. The government had apparently worked with the US Pew Foundation and others in secrecy.
Māori have valid concerns that, without consultation and over-riding existing fishing rights granted through a Treaty of Waitangi agreement, that the reserve is a breach of the Treaty. Environmentalists are pro the treaty. Amongst the problems with the approach taken then is that the government has driven a wedge between the environmental movement and Māori.
This issue provides an ideal opportunity for the Scoop team to trial pol.is – a sophisticated decision and democracy support software tool which was discussed at the recent OS//OS conference.
Have a go and report back!
Background articles from Scoop
Link to pol.is topic discussion on the marine reserve.
List of articles imported from Scoop
Bill To Be Delayed: Government Rejects Māori Compromise To Kermadec Sanctuary
“Te Ohu Kaimoana and iwi representatives worked hard to find a compromise solution where the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary could go ahead and where Māori would not have extant rights, as agreed in the 1992 Deed of Settlement, unilaterally expropriated by the Government.” More>>
More Kermadecs and other fisheries news:
- NZ Govt – Govt remains committed to Kermadec sanctuary – NZ to show leadership at Our Ocean conference – NZ backs stronger Pacific fisheries management – Changes to commercial fishing limits
- Lyndon Hood – PM’s Press Conference 12/9/16: Homes And Fishes
- Labour – Kermadec stoush shows Māori Party double-standards – Sidestepping Smith should be side-lined – Government handling of Kermadecs threatens Treaty rights – Migrant exploitation must be stamped out
- NZ First – Government Has Reneged on Own Law Over Kermadec Bill
- ACT – ACT pulls support for Kermadecs bill
- Greens – Key on the wrong side of history in ocean conservation vote
- Iwi Collective Partnership – Iwi Collective Partnership Backs Te Ohu Kaimoana Compromise
- Te Runanga Nui o Te Aupouri – Te Aupōuri Remains Firm on Kermadec Sanctuary Legislation
- Seafood NZ – Government urged to continue to work for agreeable outcome
- WWF – WWF welcomes government commitment to fishing ban – NZ Govt Refuses to Support International Marine Protection – NZ Government needs to back protection for world’s oceans
- Environmental Defence Society – Environmental Groups support Government on Ocean Sanctuary
- Parliamentary Commissioner For The Environment – Minister congratulated on strong decision for longfin eels
- Forest And Bird – Forest & Bird back plan for increased marine protection
- NIWA – New Zealand sea lions and the threat of misinformation
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