Six million dollars for River projects Up to $6 million dollars went up for grabs when the Waikato River Clean-Up Trust opened for funding applications on 1 October. The Waikato River Authority is the sole Trustee of the Waikato River Clean-up Trust, formed to oversee the allocation of a thirty-year restoration fund of $210 million, which was an integral part of the Crown's Waikato River settlement with Waikato-Tainui, and supported by Ngaati Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa, Raukawa, and Ngaati Maniapoto. The Authority's co-chairs, Mr Tukoroirangi Morgan and the Hon John Luxton, said the allocation of funding marks the beginning of what will be a long-term process to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the river. Successful applicants will be notified in early February and funding will be available to enable the successful projects to begin from March next year.
Customary Fisheries Regulations come into effect Fines of up to $20,000 will be the penalty for breaking new customary fisheries regulations that came into effect last month. The tribe's Raupatu River Trust and appointed kaitiaki can now issue customary fishing authorisations for the harvesting of species such as mullet, flat fish and sharks near the river mouth, and eels, freshwater crayfish and freshwater mussels further upriver. Under the new regulations tribal members can: • Provide food for hui, tangihanga or marae functions • Undertake educational and environmental research • Restore species. Waikato-Tainui chief executive Parekawhia McLean says the regulations are a step towards a cleaner future for the polluted waterway.
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| OKETOPA | river news
E ngaa manukura o tea o, nau mai
Your Serene Highness Prince Tungi of Tonga, Princess Moumoutaimi of Tonga, Ratu Tuivanuavoe of Fiji, Queen Pa Ariki of the Cook Islands, Tafaoimalo Parsons of Samoa, Taimalieutu Tamasese of Samoa, Prince Terei’ihinoiatua Cowan of Tahiti, Sir Frederick and Lady Goodwin, Queen’s Representative to the Cook Islands, The Halau Hula o Maiki of Hawai’i, Members of Parliament and Distinguished guests Teenaa koutou katoa E ngaa mana rangatira o te Motu, teenaa koutou katoa. Kua tae mai taatou ki te Tuarima o ngaa Tau Koroneihana i muri i te matenga o taku whaea o Te Arikinui Te Atairangakaahu.