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    A customary right or wrong? : a study of the effects of the Kaimoana Customary Fishing Regulations on hapu of Ngati Kahungunu : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2008) Ormsby, Wayne Tahiwi
    This thesis presents a critical analysis of customary fishing in the light of the rise of indigeneity in these post modern times. The cumulative effects of early colonial fisheries legislation and the exploitation of natural resources aligned with diminished tangata whenua traditional knowledge and practices have generally gone unnoticed. Given recent fisheries litigation and the subsequent legislation development, this study focuses specifically on the effects of the Kaimoana Customary Fishing Regulations (1998) for all the relevant shore based hapu of the iwi/tribal nation of Ngati Kahungunu. The central research question for this thesis explores how these Ngati Kahungunu hapu have responded, adapted, challenged, or adjusted to Crown law and customary fisheries legislation. Of equal significance, is finding out whether or not such contemporary Westminster originating laws engendered difficulties for Maori traditional hapu lore especially when it came to managing their customary fisheries. In order to examine these questions, tangata kaitiaki (Maori customary fisheries managers) were identified as the respondent pool to draw from, and four were selected to be interviewed based on their experience and understanding of the Kaimoana Customary Fishing Regulations and knowledge of their obligations to hapu. As a qualitative piece of research, the interview questionnaire for these chosen tangata kaitiaki allowed for their thoughts and experiences to do the talking and, more importantly, be recorded. The korero of the respondents and results of the study are envisaged as guidelines for improving hapu customary fisheries management practices, traditional knowledge and increased awareness. In addition, the overview of historical and contemporary Maori fisheries provides an understanding and awareness of a complex and difficult subject. The duel need to satisfy academic requirements of Massey University and remain focused on the well-being of Ngati Kahungunu hapu customary fisheries led my preference toward a qualitative research approach principally because Te Ao Maori is immersed in oral traditions. The tangata kaitiaki shared their wisdom and understanding of the Kaimoana regulations based on the impact on their rohe, feedback from their hapu and philosophical values of maintaining and promoting rangatiratanga over their resources. Key indicators from the study show that tangata whenua and particularly tangata kaitiaki are adjusting customary fishing practices and traditions to align with the contemporary reshaping of customary fishing rights into a regulatory regime. All the respondents understood there is no survival of the resource without sustainability, the fundamental aim of kaitiakitanga. And, despite all the administration and resources residing with the Crown, tangata whenua have continued to undertake their kaitiaki responsibilities with little or no resources. After loss of land, chieftainship, language, resources and economic and political power, customary fishing is the last bastion of Maori control over a tangible asset. The key findings of the study sign posts for me the following whakataukï. Ka pu te ruha ka hao te rangatahi ka awatea. The old net is cast aside, the new net goes fishing, it is a new dawn.
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    Feeding ecology of the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor Philosophy in Zoology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2009) Meynier, Laureline
    The New Zealand (NZ) sea lion Phocarctos hookeri is the only pinniped endemic to NZ with a population of approximately 12,000 individuals. Its breeding range is currently restricted to NZ sub-Antarctic islands, and it has failed to recolonise its pristine distribution around the NZ main islands despite its protection since 1881. The current hypothesis is that the population growth of this pinniped is limited by the distribution of suitable prey on the Auckland Islands (50°30'S, 166°E) shelf, and by the direct and indirect pressure exerted by the arrow squid Nototodarus sloani fishery. However, this hypothesis has not been fully tested to date as there has been limited information on the diet of the NZ sea lion and their potential prey. The objective of this thesis is to analyse the diet of NZ sea lions over several years with particular emphasis on the most reproductively important segment of the population: lactating females. This thesis provides the first quantification by percentage mass of the diet of NZ sea lion using a combination of stomach content analysis, qualitative fatty acid (FA) analysis, and quantitative FA signature analysis (QFASA). Stomach contents and blubber FAs were analysed from 121 individuals incidentally caught (by-caught) in the southern arrow squid fishery from the years 1997 to 2006. The blubber FAs of 78 freeranging lactating females captured at Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, were also examined during January and February of 2000 to 2005. Data obtained from both stomach analysis and QFASA indicate that arrow squid, rattails Macrouridae, hoki Macruronus novaezelandiae and red cod Pseudophycis bachus are key prey species for NZ sea lions in the Auckland Islands region. Because these prey species live mostly at depths greater than 200 m, lactating females must undertake long foraging trips and dive regularly to greater depths than other sea lion species. Data from QFASA indicates that this foraging pattern is conducted over an extended period through the summer and autumn. The daily food requirement of a lactating female was estimated by a simple energetic model to be greater than 20% of its body mass. During years of low arrow squid recruitment such as 1999 and 2001, the amounts of squid required by the NZ sea lion population may have been similar to the amount harvested by the fishery, suggesting that resource competition is likely to occur between the arrow squid fishery and NZ sea lions in years of low squid abundance. Half of the fishing activity of the southern squid fishery occurs in the north of the Auckland Islands shelf where NZ sea lions forage, leading to incidental captures every year. This research emphasises that management of the NZ sea lion must not only consider the direct interactions with the arrow squid fishery, but also the likelihood of food resource competition between the fishery and NZ sea lions.