Story: Mātaitai – shellfish gathering

Traditionally, each family and hapū had areas where they gathered seafood. If relatives from outside the area wished to collect seafood they would ask the local kaitiaki, a person responsible for the resource. Customary fishing officers, such as Maadi Te Kahu (left) and Renee Randall, now play a role in assisting kaitiaki. Along with other officers, they have been recruited by the Ministry of Fisheries in consultation with local iwi (tribes) to help implement customary fishing regulations.