From Māori, for Māori – Pātaka Kai

New Zealand’s customary allocation of quota allows us to provide kaimoana to Iwi who hold ACE or quota agreements with Moana, as part of our Pātaka Kai programme. This programme allows Iwi access to kaimoana to be used for tangihana, funerals and community responsiveness in unprecedented times such as Covid19.

Moana’s Tauranga based contract fisher and owner of two vessels including the Santy Maria, Roger Rawlinson cherishes the opportunity to give back to Iwi in their time of need. As part of the Pātaka Kai programme, Roger who hails from Ngāti Awa is able to provide kaimoana for tangihana at both his local marae, and for Iwi in the areas where he fishes.

Ngāi Te Rangi in collaboration with Tauranga rohe Moana are another Iwi who utilise the Pātaka Kai programme when tangi arise for their hāpu and whānau.

Over the lockdown period, Ngāti Ranginui Fisheries provided for their people through customary catch permits, caught by RMD Marine, processed through Bay Packers and distributed by Ngāti Ranginui Fisheries.

Dan Rawlinson, Roger’s brother and co-owner of RMD Marine and skipper of Margaret Phillippa, says: “There are a lot of people struggling, so we gave some away. Hopefully it puts a smile on some faces and fills up some puku.”

Ngāti Kahu were also supported by Moana New Zealand over the lockdown, “May we acknowledge here the tremendous support the hapu of Ngāti Kahu received (from Moana New Zealand) during Covid19 lockdown and the supply of customary catch to hapū leaders out of the Mangonui wharf.”

    1. “This was a very practical help to whānau during a very tense time. Ngā mihi ki a koutou me ngā whakaaro rangatira.” – Bardia Matiu, General Manager, Ngāti Kahu Fisheries, Mangonui

 

Moana New Zealand also supported a network of not-for-profit Māori organisations, One Whānau at a Time, Food Rescue and Ngāti Hine Toa a Muriwai Māori Women’s Welfare League which supported kaumatua and kuia throughout Northland with cooked meals.Founder, Hone Martin, says:“Two weeks ago we gave out one meal. When Moana’s koha came in it blew me away. Your fish has gone right across the north. We’re very thankful. Today we’re giving away five hundred meals with fresh fish. The crew helping us are all local community.Mark Ngata, General Manager of Inshore for Moana New Zealand, says: “As essential workers, it’s a privilege to operate through changing alert levels and provide kaimoana to our whānau in the regions. “This is only possible through the mahi of our fishers and their whānau. We can supply domestic and export markets but also provide for our marae. Partnerships with other entities which are busy in the communities helping our people make it a good feeling.”