Science Centres: Fisheries

Hon. Pete Hodgson and Gerda Kuschel (NIWA’s Auckland Regional Manager) admiring kingfish at the Bream Bay Aquaculture Park opening

At the official opening, the 200 guests, including Government ministers, regional and district councillors, key Maori organisations, and fishing and aquaculture industry representatives, were welcomed onto the site by Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust. After the formal speeches, guests were taken on an in depth tour of the hatchery by NIWA staff.

Minister Pete Hodgson said that the future in New Zealand "will involve more and more aquaculture, underpinned by more and more science."

TOKM Commissioner Craig Ellison said that TOKM would work alongside NIWA to provide opportunities for all Maori in aquaculture, science, and research. He welcomed the Bream Bay development: "As we move from research to commercial opportunities, that’s when the number of Maori in the business will grow, and hopefully grow quite strongly."