Tikanga Maori
Ulva Island / Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve is located in the outer portion of Paterson Inlet, On Stewart Island’s east coast.
The long Ngai Tahu presence in Paterson Inlet is witnessed by the number of archaeological sites, named features and urupa in the area. Settlements such as Te Wehe a Te Wera (The Neck) were an important part of pre-European Maori communities in the area, and later in the development of the integrated Maori / European communities.
The marine reserve is surrounded by Te Waka a Te Wera / Paterson Inlet Mataitai Reserve. The mataitai reserve prohibits commercial fishing.
Kaimoana being gathered at Ulva Island
Mataitai reserves are areas where Tangata Whenua manage fisheries resources in places of traditional, cultural and spiritual significance Mataitai reserves are part of the Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations, and are intended as traditional fishing grounds. There is no commercial fishing within the reserve and manages recreational fisheries levels to ensure the sustainability of important traditional Maori fishing and food gathering areas.
The Mataitai has a Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki (area manager) nominated by representatives from runanga to administer and manage customary food gathering by using bylaws that apply to all individuals. The bylaws can change over time depending on the state of the fish stocks in the Mataitai Reserve and the management provisions that are administered by the Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki.