This notice is made under section 11(3) of the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004.

Notice

1. Title

This notice is the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Extension to the Otago Region Negotiation Period) Notice 2026.

2. Commencement

This notice comes into force on 20 May 2026.

3. Interpretation

In this notice:

1. Act means the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004.
2. Otago region negotiation period means the period within two years of receipt of the first aquaculture resource consent application in the Otago region. The Crown must use its best endeavours to negotiate and enter into regional agreements that provide for the Crown to meet its obligations in respect of new space for that region within this two year period. The Otago region negotiation period has been extended twice previously under section 11(3) of the Act and is due to expire on 20 May 2026 (see New Zealand Gazette, 17 May 2024, Notice No. 2024-go2293).
3. Region has the same meaning as in section 4 of the Act.

4. Extension to Negotiation Period

The Otago region negotiation period is extended to 20 May 2028.

Dated at Wellington this 11th day of May 2026.

Hon SHANE JONES, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries.