Ngā Iwi i te Rohe o Te Waiariki, in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries and Te Ohu Kaimoana, is gearing up to present the first draft business case package, which will inform potential future iwi investment in aquaculture in the Bay of Plenty.
This development will be a significant milestone in Stage Three of our mahi, exploring pathways to develop sustainable, resilient and world-class Māori aquaculture opportunities across the region.
The governance model and three step process for this kaupapa was designed to be iwi-led, collaborative, strategic and inclusive, while generating investment-ready propositions that deliver holistic outcomes for Māori, and Aotearoa.
Aquaculture is a fast becoming a major sector in Bay of Plenty and Ngā Iwi i te Rohe o Te Waiariki want to be at the forefront of developments and opportunities.
With funding secured from Ministry of Primary Industries to progress to Stage Three, we have been focused on developing a business case that will holistically take into account the social, cultural, environmental and economic outcomes, building on the success of Stage One and Two.
Both these initial stages saw the opportunities in the aquaculture sector assessed and refined. Now, the development of a business case will give increased certainty to the type/amount of investment required, the level of private sector investment enabled and the resulting economic impact to iwi, and the Bay of Plenty region as a whole.
The first draft business case package is due at the end of this month, with the final draft due in August.
Other critical workstreams are on track and the financial models are completed and have been passed to the economic workstream.
A draft cost benefit analysis and economic impact assessment are under way.
We have a powerful opportunity to grow Māori careers in aquaculture while harnessing the technology available to us to continue growing a thriving, sustainable iwi aquaculture industry.
Please feel free to contact the Project Lead, Chris Karamea Insley, if you have any questions or would like to get involved in this kaupapa – collaboration and inclusiveness are key to its success.
Email: Chris@tearawafisheries.maori.nz
Phone: 021 972 782
