Te Ohu Kaimoana (Māori Fisheries Trust)

1. Entity Type: Statutory trust board (corporate trustee Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Ltd) established under the Māori Fisheries Act 2004 to manage and allocate Māori fisheries settlement assets. It is commonly known as the Māori Fisheries Trust.

2. Established: 2004 (origins in the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Settlement 1992 and the preceding Māori Fisheries Commission formed in 1989). The 1992 “Sealord Deal” settlement provided Māori with a 50% stake in Sealord and 20% of all new fishing quota, to be managed for iwi until allocation.

3. Leadership: Chairperson – Pahia Turia - Ngā Wairiki, Ngāti Apa, Whanganui, Ngā Rauru and Ngāti Tūwharetoa, (appointed 2020, son of former Māori Party co-leader Dame Tariana Turia ); Chief Executive (Te Mātārae) – Graeme Hastilow - Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Raukawa ki Te Tonga, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, (appointed 2024). Deputy Chair – Dion Tuuta - Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, (Te Ohu Kaimoana CEO 2016–2020, returned as board member in 2023). The board comprises Māori leaders from various iwi, elected by iwi shareholders, and has included prominent figures (e.g. Hon. Shane Jones as Chair 2000–2005).

4. Affiliated Entities: Holds all shares in Moana New Zealand (formerly Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd), a major commercial fishing company. Holds 50% of Sealord Group Ltd (with Japanese corporation Nippon Suisan Kaisha owning the other half). Also connected to two sister trusts from the settlement: Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust (education and leadership development fund) and Te Wai Māori Trust (freshwater fisheries trust). Te Ohu Kaimoana initially oversaw these entities’ administration and still has influence in their governance.

5. Political Donations: Data Not Found. No record of Te Ohu Kaimoana itself making donations to political parties (as a non-profit trust, it exercises influence via advocacy and legal avenues rather than direct political contributions). Individual associated companies and industry partners (e.g. private fishing firms) have made undisclosed donations to political actors, but Te Ohu Kaimoana’s role in such funding channels is not documented.

6. Controversies:

• 2007: Te Ohu Kaimoana’s then-chairman, Shane Jones, became a Member of Parliament but initially attempted to remain in his $70,000 chairman role, breaching political norms. Amid public criticism and political pressure, Jones resigned as chair, highlighting early concerns about the “revolving door” between the trust’s leadership and government.

• 2015: An independent review mandated by the Māori Fisheries Act recommended Te Ohu Kaimoana be disestablished after allocating over $500 million in assets to iwi. Although many iwi agreed that Te Ohu’s original job was “mostly completed,” iwi representatives voted 57–1 to reject the wind-up proposal and retain the organisation (against the review’s advice). This decision, driven by leaders like Chairman Matiu Rei and Ngahiwi Tomoana, drew criticism from urban Māori advocates – Willie Jackson condemned it as “iwi fundamentalism at its worst” when iwi moved to seize control of an urban Māori fisheries fund, a move Jackson threatened to challenge in court.

• 2016–2024: Te Ohu Kaimoana led Māori opposition to the proposed Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary, mounting a High Court legal challenge that the plan would confiscate Māori quota rights without consent. The dispute caused a major political rift – Te Ohu Kaimoana urged the Māori Party to withdraw support from its National Party coalition over the issue, likening it to the historic foreshore and seabed controversy. The sanctuary legislation stalled for years as political parties heeded the warnings about breaching the 1992 Fisheries Settlement. In 2024, new Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones (a former Te Ohu chair) abruptly killed off the Kermadec Sanctuary proposal entirely, to the outrage of environmental groups. Critics cited this as a case of vested interests – both Māori and commercial – exercising veto power over public policy.

• 2020–2021: The trust’s alignment with the fishing industry faced scrutiny during debates over installing cameras on fishing vessels to monitor bycatch. Te Ohu Kaimoana sat on the Government’s technical working group for on-board cameras and, while nominally supporting better monitoring, it questioned the evidence for broad implementation. Simultaneously, investigations revealed that major fishing companies (including Māori-owned interests’ industry partners) had made secret donations to the New Zealand First Party, which was instrumental in delaying the camera rollout. Environmental observers raised concerns that Te Ohu Kaimoana and its industry allies were leveraging political connections to stall reforms under the guise of “needing more evidence,” at the expense of marine transparency.

Sources:

[1] History | Te Ohu Kaimoana, Te Ohu Kaimoana (Māori Fisheries Trust), https://www.teohukaimoana.nz/about-us/history (establishment of Māori Fisheries Commission in 1989 as precursor to Te Ohu Kaimoana)

[2] The Crown has been siphoning off Māori fisheries quota for decades, The Spinoff, https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/09-04-2025/the-crown-has-been-siphoning-off-maori-fisheries-quota-for-decades (1992 Sealord Deal gave Māori 50% of Sealord and 20% of all quota; Te Ohu Kaimoana established to manage these assets)

[3] Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024 – Introduction, Te Ohu Kaimoana, https://www.teohukaimoana.nz/topical-issue/maori-fishery-act-amendments (the 2004 Māori Fisheries Act established Te Ohu Kaimoana, Te Putea Whakatupu, Te Wai Māori, and Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd (Moana NZ); 2024 amendments implement first-review changes)

[4] Graeme Hastilow appointed Te Mātārae of Te Ohu Kaimoana, National Business Review, https://www.nbr.co.nz/comings-and-goings/graeme-hastilow-appointed-te-matarae-of-te-ohu-kaimoana/ (April 2024 NBR report: Pahia Turia is Te Ohu Kaimoana Chair; Graeme Hastilow appointed Chief Executive; quote from Turia as chair confirming his role)

[5] Deborah Coddington: Dining with the leaders – Whānau focus fuels final charge, NZ Herald, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/deborah-coddington-dining-with-the-leaders-whanau-focus-fuels-final-charge/37YR2U7DXOOTOIQPRWMUWCMOTY/ (Tariana Turia’s son Pahia named at family dinner; identifies Pahia Turia as Tariana’s son)

[6] Jones to stand down as chairman of Maori Fisheries Commission, NZ Herald, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/jones-to-stand-down-as-chairman-of-maori-fisheries-commission/3ADM62BMCSJHFWTT6AU2MIMG6U/ (2007 news: Labour MP Shane Jones under pressure to resign as Te Ohu Kaimoana chair after conflict of interest concerns; controversy over him not giving up the role after entering Parliament)

[7] Te Ohu Kaimoana cautious over legal threat, RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/275541/te-ohu-kaimoana-cautious-over-legal-threat (June 2015: iwi vote 57–1 to retain Te Ohu Kaimoana despite review’s recommendation to scrap it; Willie Jackson of Urban Māori Authority calls iwi takeover of urban Māori fund “iwi fundamentalism at its worst” and threatens court action)

[8] Review Proposes Changes to Māori Fisheries Structures, Te Ohu Kaimoana – Scoop News (Press Release), https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1503/S00238/review-proposes-changes-to-maori-fisheries-structures.htm (6 March 2015: Independent review by Tim Castle recommends far-reaching changes: transfer AFL shares to iwi, wind up Te Ohu Kaimoana, etc., subject to 75% iwi agreement)

[9] Review recommendation may see end for Te Ohu Kaimoana, Te Ao Māori News, https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2015/03/09/review-recommendation-may-see-end-for-te-ohu-kaimoana/ (March 2015: Review says most of Te Ohu’s work is done and it should be disestablished; notes since 2005, Te Ohu has transferred $543 million of assets to iwi; Chair Matiu Rei worried and thinks Te Ohu still has work; Ngahiwi Tomoana says Te Ohu should remain, some assets back to iwi, admits some iwi may mismanage assets)

[10] Māori Party puts govt on notice over Kermadec row, RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/313354/maori-party-puts-govt-on-notice-over-kermadec-row (15 Sept 2016: Te Ohu Kaimoana taking the Government to court over Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary, accusing breach of 1992 settlement; Te Ohu asked the Māori Party to consider walking away from its deal with National over this issue, likening it to Foreshore & Seabed; Māori Party co-leaders Flavell and Fox threaten to pull support if no solution; John Key acknowledges need to find a way through)

[11] Why Shane Jones sunk the Kermadecs Marine Sanctuary, Point of Order (Bryce Edwards column), https://pointofordernz.wordpress.com/2024/04/06/why-shane-jones-sunk-the-kermadecs-marine-sanctuary/ (April 2024: Analysis by Bryce Edwards – Jones killed the Kermadec Sanctuary doing the bidding of groups he’s close to (fisheries iwi and business); notes vested interests prevented the reserve, overlapping iwi and industry interests; quotes Jones calling sanctuary an “economic no-go zone” and prioritising resource exploitation; highlights that iwi operating businesses profit from exploiting traditional assets)

[12] Leak from talks reveals Greens’ Kermadecs deal, NZ Herald, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/leak-from-talks-reveals-greens-kermadecs-deal/F4G3VMY47HUWXGO4RWGIF76JF4/ (April 2018: Reports on confidential coalition talks – Labour’s support for sanctuary was conditional on resolving Māori fisheries issues; Green MP Sage noted Te Ohu’s concern was mainly about potential future use of rights since quota there was unused, and argued biodiversity of sanctuary outweighs those rights)

[13] Wider Rollout of On-board Cameras – Consultation Summary of Responses, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), 2021 (Appendix 1) – MPI.govt.nz (Consultation feedback: Te Ohu Kaimoana “broadly supportive” of cameras but asserts lack of evidence from pilot program to justify the proposed rollout)

[14] Concerns over secret fisheries donations to NZ First Foundation, RNZ News (In Depth), https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/410299/concerns-over-secret-fisheries-donations-to-nz-first-foundation (25 Feb 2020: Investigative report by Guyon Espiner – Talley’s and its MD donated $26,950 secretly to the NZ First Foundation 2017–2019; all amounts were just below disclosure threshold; Greenpeace’s Russel Norman expresses concern that NZ First had too much sway on fishing policy and was too close to industry; calls on PM Ardern to review policy decisions favorable to seafood industry in light of donations)

[15] Federation of Māori Authorities – by Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (Substack), (August 2022 edition of “The Integrity Institute” Unauthorized Lobbying Register on FOMA) – excerpt: “As a not-for-profit industry association, FOMA’s influence is exercised through advocacy rather than political donations. (Individual executives might donate personally, but FOMA as an organisation does not.) It often works alongside the National Iwi Chairs Forum, the New Zealand Māori Council, and sector groups like Te Ohu Kaimoana (Māori Fisheries Trust)…”

[16] Our People – Board bios, Te Ohu Kaimoana, https://www.teohukaimoana.nz/about-us/our-people (Dion Tuuta bio: former CEO of Te Ohu Kaimoana 2016–2020, current Deputy Chair from 2024; notes he was former Chairman of Port Nicholson Fisheries and former director of Seafood NZ)

[17] Our People – Board bios, Te Ohu Kaimoana (Maru Samuels bio: Alternate Director; lists he is director for Ngāti Maru Fishing Co, Ngāi Te Rangi Rūnanga, Deepwater Group, Trident Systems, Inshore JV, Iwi Collective Partnership, etc. – indicating cross-roles in industry bodies)

[18] Integrity Briefing: Launching the NZ Lobbying & Influence Register, Point of Order (Bryce Edwards, 8 April 2025), https://pointofordernz.wordpress.com/2025/04/08/integrity-briefing-launching-the-nz-lobbying-influence-register/ (Announces the “unauthorised” lobbying register by The Integrity Institute; notes NZ has no official register and ranks 34/38 by OECD for regulating influence; quotes Brandeis “sunlight is best disinfectant”; says the register includes a wide range of players shaping policy and is meant to assist public and journalists in scrutinising these elite participants)

[19] High Court finds Crown has breached historic Fisheries Settlement for over 20 years, Te Ohu Kaimoana (News release, 6 April 2025), https://www.teohukaimoana.nz/news/high-court-finds-crown-has-breached-historic-fisheries-settlement-for-over-20-years (Te Ohu Kaimoana hails High Court decision that Crown’s handling of 28N rights breached the Settlement; quotes Acting Chair Dion Tuuta saying Crown knowingly eroded Māori rights for ~20 years and must provide redress; emphasizes the enduring obligations of Treaty settlements and that Crown doesn’t have license to breach with impunity)

[20] Responses to Government Consultations, Te Ohu Kaimoana – Documents Archive, https://www.teohukaimoana.nz/putanga-korero/documents (List of Te Ohu’s recent submissions: e.g., Response to Fisheries NZ review of sustainability measures for Oct 2024, Response on Resource Management (Freshwater) Amendment Bill 1 June 2024, Response on Fast-track Approvals Bill April 2024, Response on Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Bill Nov 2023, Response on Māori Fisheries Amendment Bill Apr 2023, etc. – demonstrates breadth of policy engagement)

[21] Shane Jones – Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Jones (Background: Shane Jones chaired the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission from Aug 2000 until 2005, completing allocation by 2004, and also served as Chair of Sealord during that period. Entered Parliament 2005 as Labour; later NZ First minister 2017–2020, etc.)

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz