Ngāti Pāoa Advocates for Mana Whenua Leadership in Hauraki Gulf Restoration

Ngāti Pāoa is championing a future for Tīkapa Moana / the Hauraki Gulf where Māori authority and active ecosystem restoration are at the forefront of environmental policy. The call for iwi- and hapū-led leadership comes as political discussions intensify regarding the protection of the moana and its declining shellfish populations. Speaking from the International Conference on Shellfish Restoration in Washington on Monday, October 5, 2026, Ngāti Pāoa Trust chair Herearoha Skipper emphasized that preventing further damage to the Gulf must be paired with active efforts to restore what has been lost. According to a report by Te Ao Māori News, Skipper highlighted the significant loss of shellfish abundance and the ongoing pressures of sedimentation, invasive species, and climate change. She stated that for Ngāti Pāoa, this means direct investment into restoring kūtai (mussels), tuangi (cockles), pāua, and their essential habitats. Forest & Bird Hauraki Gulf coordinator Bianca Ranson supported these views at a political hui on Waiheke Island, noting that restoration efforts in the ocean should mirror successful predator-free programmes on land. Current data from the State of our Gulf report indicates that nearly 40% of coastal reefs have become kina barrens due to the overfishing of natural predators like tāmure (snapper) and kōura (crayfish). The Green Party has pledged to resource iwi and hapū to lead marine protection initiatives, proposing that 30% of the Gulf be protected by 2030. While Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones raised concerns regarding commercial fishing rights, Ngāti Pāoa remains focused on ensuring that activities damaging benthic habitats are restricted. Skipper noted that it is counter-productive to invest millions in restoration if damaging activities are permitted to continue, advocating for a model where mana whenua authority is central to the Gulf's recovery.