TRM anglers have continued to report fresh-run trout on the Tongariro River every day.
Considering the clear river conditions, fine days (despite misleading weather forecasts!) and low flows that easily spook trout, TRM anglers continue to leave heaps of evidence in the fish-cleaning station, with a steady catch rate maintained for the second week of the school holidays.
Some frustration has been reported when arrogant trout ignore everything offered to them. Perhaps they do not want to be caught? That just increases the anticipation and the challenge. The success has come from keeping moving along the river banks. As the major spawning runs have not yet arrived, they may be holding off, waiting for some colder dirty weather and increased flows.
But SWMBO promises they will get here…
Meanwhile, TRM apologises for the lack of fishy photos recently.
You would never guess why?
Some TRM fishos, acting as guides to help novices during this school holiday period, are concerned that if their photos are promoted in Facebook posts, they could be classified as “commercially guiding” and have to contribute to the Tuwharetoa commission scheme.
What surprised SWMBO even more was the requirement for “the accommodation provider to apply for the licence” ?
There is still much confusion about this levy, with some vehemently claiming it is already covered by their licence fees.
This has also discouraged other charitable organisations from holding trout-fishing meetings in the Taupo region, as they still incur charges.
Fact sheet – guided fishing activities on Taupō Waters
If you want to run a commercial operation or undertake commercial activities on Taupō Waters, you must get permission from the Taupō Waters Trust in the form of a licence.
This includes the provision of guided fishing services on the waterways, streams and tributaries flowing into Lake Taupō and on the lake itself.
What is the Taupō Waters Trust?
1. Ngāti Tūwharetoa are the iwi that hold mana whenua and exercise kaitiakitanga over
Lake Taupō and parts of the broader catchment.
2. The Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board (the Trust Board) is the sole trustee of the Taupō Waters Trust and holds title to the Māori freehold land comprising the Taupō Waters.
What is the Taupō Waters?
3. The Taupō Waters is the land comprising the:
(a) entire bed of Lake Taupō;
(b) bed of the Waikato River from Lake Taupō to Te Toka a Tia (the Rock of Tia),
downstream from the Huka Falls; and
(c) beds of certain associated waterways, streams and tributaries flowing in Lake Taupō, (together, the Taupō Waters).
4. The space occupied by the water and the airspace above the water is also part of the Taupō Waters.
Why do I need to apply for a license?
5. In July 2021, the High Court issued a declaratory judgment confirming that the Trust Board, as the legal owner of Taupō Waters, has the right to require commercial users of the Taupō Waters to obtain rights to occupy or use the Taupō Waters and to charge commercial users for the same.
What types of activities are captured?
6. A licence is required for any commercial use of the Taupō Waters. Commercial uses include any activities in connection with the operation of a business and/or where the purpose of the activity (whether primarily or otherwise) is to generate profit or some other commercial gain from the operations which utilise Taupō Waters.
The ownership of the Taupō Waters was vested in the Trust Board, on behalf of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, under a Deed with the Crown in 2007. This 2007 deed superseded an earlier arrangement with the Crown dating back to 1992.
Guided fishing services and accommodation providers
7. The provision of guided fishing services on the Taupō Waters is a commercial activity that must be licensed by the Trust Board. This applies to services delivered on the waterways, streams and tributaries flowing in Lake Taupō as well as the lake itself.
8. We are aware of two main types of arrangements for the delivery of guided fishing services. These are as follows:
(a) Guides provide services: Individual guides or guiding businesses provide guided fishing services directly to clients in their own right. In this case, the guides or guiding businesses are required to apply for the licence.
(b) Accommodation providers provide services: Accommodation providers offer guided fishing services to their customers and either subcontract or employ guides to deliver the services. In this case, the accommodation provider is required to apply for the licence, not the subcontractor or employee.
How do I make an application for a licence?
9. You will need to complete and submit an application in order to obtain a licence from the Trust Board.
10. We have a copy of the Taupō Waters Commercial Users Policy which sets out:
(a) how to make an application for a commercial licence;
(b) the supporting information we will require from you; and
(c) the applicable fee structure.
11. Where your application is approved, we will send you a licence agreement for signing.
Once the licence agreement is signed by both parties, you have a legal right to access and use the Taupō Waters for the prescribed use in accordance with the terms of the license agreement.
I am a commercial operator on Taupō Waters. What happens if I don’t have a licence?
12. If a person or entity undertakes commercial activities on Taupō Waters without a licence, this will be a breach of the Trust Board’s property rights. In such cases, the
Trust Board will have certain legal remedies that it may decide to pursue, including through actions for trespass.
If you are unsure, please contact the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board
E: permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz P: 07 386 8832
As a Taupo fishing licence holder, do you agree?