Post Governance Settlement Entity

The Tapuika Fisheries Trust (TFT) is the Mandated Iwi Organization (MIO) and Iwi Aquaculture Organization (IAO) under the Maori fisheries Act 2004. This means that that Tapuika fisheries settlement assets (being income shares in Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd and fisheries settlement
quota) are held by the Tapuika Fisheries Trust.

In addition the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004 provides Iwi Aquaculture Organizations with 20% of all new aquaculture space created from 1 January 2005. The settlement also provides iwi with the equivalent of 20% of existing aquaculture space (called “pre-commencement space”) created between 21 September 1992 - 31December 2004.

The Tapuika Fisheries Trust as an IAO will be entitled to a proportion all new aquaculture space and existing aquaculture space or pre-commencement space allocated to all IAO in the Bay of Plenty.  

The Trust is awaiting the transfer of Tapuika Fisheries Assets from Te Kotahitanga o Te Arawa Fisheries. Once the assets have been received the Fisheries Trust will register as a Charitable Trust.

The Fisheries Trust is also currently involved in the discussions with BOP IAO in relation to the formula for the distribution of existingand new aquaculture space in the Bay of Plenty.

Trustees are elected for a term of 3 years.

The current trustees are:

Ngati Tuheke: Kramer Ronaki, Jo'el Komene

Ngati Moko: Hori Ahomiro, Vacant

Ngati Marukukere: Raiha Biel, Vance Skudder

Ngati Kuri: Tamaku Pau'u, Rawiri Biel (Chair)

Northern Taurahere Trustee: Witeri Williams

Central North Island Taurahere Trustee: Aroha Beck

South Island Taurahere Trustee: Katie Le Roux

Organisation Structure


Iwi Register


The Tapuika Fisheries Trust is responsible for maintaining and growing the Tapuika Iwi Register. It is important that members enrol on the Tapuika Iwi Register in order to receive the benefits from commercial fishing distributed through the Tapuika Fisheries Trust. 
You can register online, with confirmation received following confirmation from the Tapuika Validation Committee.

Tapuika Holdings Ltd

Tapuika Holdings Ltd (THL) is a subsidiary of the Tapuika Fisheries Trust and is the Asset Holding Company (ACE) required under the Maori fisheries Act 2004 to manage and hold Tapuika Iwi settlement quota and Moana Pacific (Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd) income shares. Each year THL will receive their share of the annual catch entitlement (ACE) which can be on sold in the market.

THL intends to join a collective of ACE to maximise the return in commercial fisheries once the transfer of fisheries assets from Te Kotahitanga o Te Arawa is completed this year. 

The Directors of THL are appointed by the Tapuika Fisheries Trust and are:

Ateremu McNeill – Chair

Richard Jones – Director

Di Rump – Director

Kaunihera Koeke

In accordance with the TFT Deed of Trust the
Tapuika Kaunihera Koeke advise the TFT on cultural matters pertaining to
Tapuika and clarify Tapuika customary practice particularly in relation
to fisheries and the Iwi register. Representatives of the Tapuika
Kaunihera Koeke are appointed to the Registration Validation Committee
and the Disputes Committee. 
Members of the Tapuika Kaunihera Koeke are not permitted to be Trustees or operational staff of the Tapuika Iwi Authority.

Current members of the Tapuika Kaunihera Koeke are:
Rereamanu Wihapi (Chair), Te Papara Marsh, Te Tapua Te Amo, Wharekonehu Te Moni, Huakiwi Te Amo, Heeni Potene

Hapū nominations deadline extended - 1 June 2023

Edit: The original deadline of May 25 for nominations for Trustees has been extended to 1 June, due to an error in the original notice regarding the retiring Trustee position of Ngāti Kurī. TheRead more

Tapuika Trustee Elections - Hapū Representative 2023

Head to our hapū election page to download the nomination forms!Read more

Mana Whenua Teaching Grants 2023

Tapuika Iwi Authority along with the Ministry of Education have Mana Whenua Teaching Scholarships available. With the funds available we wish to tautoko Tapuika and grow our capacity in the EducationRead more

Important Waiari Updates

It is our pleasure to invite you to the formal opening of the Waiāri Water Supply Scheme. The Waiāri stream is a special stream and a new water source for Tauranga and the Western Bay of PlentyRead more

He aituā! He aituā!

Taiaha hā! Taiaha hā! Kimihia rangahaua kai hea te momo o Tapuika kua ngaro nei! Kai hea koia he tāhū hai piringa mō te kūkū He ika tuaki puku ka ngahae a waka te tau o taku ate nā Read more

Update: Te Puke Highway works and lane diversion 28 November

On Monday 28thNovember 2022, work will start to complete work along Te Puke Highway between Poplar Lane and Welcome Bay Road. These works will include remedial works and resurfacing and a portionRead more

Tapuika September Newsletter out - Taiao, Beanies and more

Tēnā tātou, We have developed a newsletter this month to capture all of our exciting pānui updates.  Click on the button below to download! Kaupapa includes: Mahuru MāoriEnvironmentalRead more

Voting on the proposed Trust Deed changes - results

Tēnā koutou, The results for the vote on the proposed TFT & TIA Trust Deed changes have been finalised. There were 171 TFT voting papers received in total with 14 of those invalid. There were 169 Read more

Taurahere Trustee Elections 2022 Announcement

Tēnā koutou e te iwi, With the return of the final vote count for the Taurahere Trustee election for the Central and Lower North island position, we can now confirm the following: 90 votesRead more

Rangiuru Business Park Plans

Tēnā tatou, As requested by the whānau at our hui on Sunday 23rd January 2022 at Tia Marae, attached are maps of Rangiuru Business Park plans and what it is likely to look like once finished. Read more

Important dates reminder: AGM, survey, hui, and an update on Rangiuru Business Park

Ka pari te tai whakamiha ka whati ki runga ki a tātou, ngā uri o Tapuika Nui a Tia. Nei rā te reo manahau, te reo aumihi ki a koutou katoa e hono nei ki ngā kōrero o te wā. E te whānau, weRead more

TIA/TFT election results

The Tapuika Iwi Authority and Tapuika Fisheries Trust elections have been concluded with confirmation that  There was only one nomination for each of the trustee positions available.Jo'el Komene, HRead more