Informing Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management from an Indigenous Perspective: The Mōtū Kahawai Fishery by Kimberley Hera Maxwell Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou, Ngāitai, Ngāti Tūwharetoa A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology Victoria University of Wellington 2019 II Hikarukutai Unahi Kahawai! Te kaha, te maha, me te kōtahitanga, hei tiaki i ngā taonga tuku iho. Let us, Hikarukutai, be like the scales of the kahawai! Strong, plentiful and united, to protect that which is most dear to us. Kimberley Hera Maxwell, 2015 While working on the Mōtū kahawai fishery, this whakataukī was developed, and I offer it as an aspiration for Te Whānau-a-Hikarukutai/Ngāti Horomoana, which reflects our cultural identity and practice. III IV Abstract – Te Wairua o Te Tuhingaroa Despite agencies striving to manage fisheries sustainably, focusing on large-scale commercial interests and ignoring target species and their wider ecosystem interactions, has depleted or collapsed fisheries globally. Indigenous community well-being, practices, knowledge, and food supplies have also diminished as a result. Fisheries managers are now developing a more combined approach to decision-making, which recognises the social and ecological relationships of fisheries. The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries encourages fisheries scientists and managers to engage with each other, and with the wider community, and to include information on the wider social and ecological components of fisheries systems in decision- making. This thesis explores an Indigenous fishery by demonstrating how to appropriately gather information from a wide range of sources to inform its management. We focus on a case study fishery for kahawai (Arripis trutta), from the perspective of Te Whānau-a-Hikarukutai/Ngāti Horomoana (TWAH/NH). This Hapū (sub-tribe) is part of the larger Te Whānau-a-Apanui Iwi (tribe) of New Zealand (NZ), who have strong cultural connections to, and a unique system for managing, the Mōtū kahawai fishery. This fishery is a small-scale, land-based, hand-line fishery for a medium-sized pelagic teleost fish based at the Mōtū river mouth, located at Maraenui in the eastern Bay of Plenty, NZ. This research demonstrates holistic ecosystem-based fisheries research as a template for future fisheries research activities. A transdisciplinary research approach, grounded in kaupapa Māori research principles and Māori research ethics, was taken. A strategy was developed to direct engagement with Māori for fisheries research. The existing NZ fisheries management system was defined, and Independent fishery forum plans were identified as the most proactive way to inform the system. A plan can also be used to inform fisheries through other mechanisms; therefore, it is a valuable resource to create. Information on the history, background and value of the fishery was gathered and the Mōtū kahawai fishery identified as a cultural keystone species for TWAH/NH. Kahawai trophic and ecosystem interactions were described from ecology and mātauranga studies. This information was collated in a Hapū plan to inform management of the Mōtū kahawai fishery. This fishery has existed for ca. 600 years and the Hapū wish for it to thrive indefinitely. The Hapū plan will inform wider fisheries management, of Hapū values, practices, and knowledge, to be recognised by the wider community, and to support Hapū rangatiratanga (sovereignty) over the fishery. V VI Acknowledgements – Mihi Tuatahi, me mihi ki te runga rawa, nāna nei ngā mea katoa. First let me acknowledge the heavens, from whom all things emanate. In acknowledgement of the spiritual realm, I share an old fishing chant with it’s origins in the Cook Islands, as a reminder that our ancestors travelled the South Pacific bringing their knowledge and practices with them to New Zealand, and adapting them here. Such knowledge includes the activities of Maui, who fished up the North Island, known here in New Zealand as The Fish of Māui – Te-Ika-a-Maui, using his grandmother Muri-ranga-whenua’s magic jawbone as a mātau (fishhook). In Māori custom, we associate the jawbone with knowledge. Therefore the fishing up of the North Island, akins fishing to the act of drawing upon the mātau- ranga (knowledge of our ancestors, such as Muri-ranga-whenua) in the pursuit of innovation and exploration. This waiata (song) expresses these sentiments felt in the act of pursuing the unknown, and that indeed our past is what we draw upon and the results satisfying. Ka rū ka rū, Cook Islands, 1800s Taku wairua ora e Will my spirit stay with me Tapu taku kino nei e? or will my bad luck now begin? Aue, te mataku e Aye, I'm a bit scared. Karekare, ka matau e Ripples, so drop the hook Karekare, ka matau e Ripples, so drop the hook Ka rū, Ka rū, It's quivering, trembling, Ka te hī au e I'm pulling up the line Ka rū, Ka rū, It's quivering, trembling, Ka te hī au e I'm pulling up the line Ka rū, Ka rū, It's quivering, trembling, Ka te hī au e I'm pulling up the line. Ka haere ki te ora mōu Here comes something good for you Ka haere, ka haere They're coming, coming Kaumātua e the old people Ka haere, ka haere They're coming, coming Kaumātua e the old people Ka rū, Ka rū, It's quivering, trembling, Ka te hī au e I'm pulling up the line Ka rū, Ka rū, It's quivering, trembling, Ka te hī au e I'm pulling up the line Ka rū, Ka rū, It's quivering, trembling, Ka te hī au e I'm pulling up the line. Ka haere ki te ora mōu Here comes a treat for you. Wairua ana rei The spirits indeed have overcome te mataku nei e... the fear I had here... From the NZ Folksong website: http://www.folksong.org.nz/ka_ru_ka_ru/i ndex.html VII VIII Tuarua e tangi ana au ki te hunga wairua, kua whetūrangitia. Second, I remember longingly those who have departed this mortal coil and have become heavenly beings. While I was a PhD student, many special people in my life passed on. To my grandparents, Sally and Geoff Hope, I miss your chortles and affirmations, and I think of you every time I see a blooming flower, or I put on one of your knitted cardigans. To my sweet angel cousins, Sylvia Quant and Julia Bent, you have been my guiding lights. Sylvia, every cat and sassy perfumed blonde I see, I think of you, I am not half the student you were. Julia, every fudge slice, and confident, smiley red-haired woman I see, I think of you, I am not half the mother you were. I will be my best me because you all shine down on me with your love. To my Grandfather’s good friend, Uncle Eric Koopu, who was a staunch but quiet member of the Maraenui community. Thank you for sharing stories of my grandfather, Anaru ‘Sundo’ Maxwell, with me, and for letting me share in your everyday life. I can see why you two got on, because you were both no nonsense types. I picture you both contemplating what’s happening down here, having a quiet beer and a laugh while something you gathered is cooking in the background. To our whanaunga, Bryan Riesterer. Thank you for supporting me during my studies. In such a short time you connected me with the Māori fisheries world and shared your aspirations for our people. You reminded me of the greatness we can achieve as a collective and introduced me to good people and ideas relating to money and marriage. You showed me how to really stretch the resources too. Gone too soon, dear friend. Amongst the many, to Dr Ranginui Walker, Manga Patuawa, Phillip Kelly, Alex Loughlin, Fran Keenan, Amy Brown, Janice Kelly and Kim Woolsey – you have all supported me at one time and now you are the rainbows that brighten even the cloudiest of days. Moe mai rā koutou. IX Tuatoru, ka hoki mai ki te hunga ora e kaha nei te tiaki i o tātou taonga tuku iho. Third, I return to the living generation, those who work hard to ensure the treasures bequeathed to us live on. I would like to dedicate this thesis to my Nan, Daphne Tawhi Maxwell, who has been the ahi kā for our immediate family, all her life. Nan, your ability to retain knowledge, in particular whakapapa, and exercise the tikanga of our ancestors is such a taonga. That is a true tohu mātauranga Māori. I am blessed that you shared what you did with me. For your support and incredible guidance, you taught me about the coastie life. Not to get caught up in the fast and flashy, but to be humble and focus on your strengths. We have such a warm and generous extended whānau and I truly felt welcome when I was back home amongst everyone. Thank you so much for everything, relating to this thesis and beyond. I am proud to be your mokopuna. Daphne Maxwell at the Matarau, Maraenui 2013 (K. Maxwell). X This thesis was conducted under the supervision of: Dr Matthew Dunn (Primary Supervisor), Fisheries Assessment and Monitoring, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA), Taihoro Nukurangi, Wellington, New Zealand; and Dr Richard Arnold (Secondary Supervisor), School of Mathematics and Statistics, Te Kura Mātai Tatauranga, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand. Matt Dunn, thanks so much for agreeing to take me on as a student, I'm privileged. As if that wasn’t enough, you gave me fun kit to play with, and the freedom to go where I did with my thesis.