An Auckland iwi is taking matters into their own hands in the Hauraki Gulf, which is at a "real critical point" because of overfishing.
Ngāti Manuhiri is taking on the major project of protecting the Hauraki Gulf from overfishing by purchasing old police boats.
The iwi has purchased three 45-horsepower former water patrol boats, which will be used to monitor the gulf starting this summer with plans to have three crews of fisheries officers on the water by Christmas.
Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust acting CEO Nicola MacDonald told AM on Tuesday if the Hauraki Gulf continues the way it is, they'll carry on seeing functionally extinct species.
"There's no issue here, it's a black-and-white issue. A lot of overfishing, the state of the Gulf is at a real critical point," MacDonald told AM co-host Melissa Chan-Green.
"We've got to do something and through the Sea Change spatial plan, which looks at more increased marine protected areas, looking at how we can make better use of our resources. These are the sort of measures that we need to put in place today. If we don't, then we will continue to see functionally extinct species, and that's not good at any time in anyone's lifetime."
MacDonald said the programme would be a clear demonstration of how an iwi that had reached a treaty settlement could use its partnership with the Crown to benefit the whole community.
This year, Ngāti Manuhiri embarked on projects to restore the severely depleted fisheries of the gulf. In October, patrol vessels assisted in dropping 50 tonnes of mussels into the Mahurangi Harbour to reseed the seabed with life. The aim is to drop 1000 tonnes with the help of the community.
Appearing on AM alongside MacDonald, head skipper Tahi Ngawaka said he's sure they'll get some backlash from fishermen who aren't supportive of the project but added education and clear communication will be the key to dealing with them.
"I think in the industry itself, you're bound to come across people that aren't willing to comply but again, that's just part of the role," Ngawaka said.
"Communication's key with a lot of the public and just trying to enforce the educational front really, so that'll be first and foremost."
Watch the full interview above.
