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About Te Pātui

Te Pātuitanga Ahumoana a Kiwa (Te Pātui) is a Pacific Fisheries Capacity Development Programme, delivered by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Te Pātui sits under the ‘Sustainable Pacific Fisheries Programme’, a broader suite of work which is overseen and funded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Development Programme.  

Strong collaboration with Pacific Island governments, delivery partners and donors is at the heart of how Te Pātui works. We are part of a network of partners, including The Pacific Community (SPC), Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), who support capacity development in the Pacific as part of our shared pursuit of sustainable Pacific fisheries.

Capacity development is key to effective fisheries management in the Pacific

Fisheries are central to the development aspirations of Pacific Island countries and territories. They rely on fisheries and marine resources for food security, livelihood and job opportunities, cultural heritage, government revenue, and long-term economic security. 

Through Te Pātui programme, we help Pacific fisheries agencies strengthen their capacity to sustainably manage their fisheries resources.

What support we offer

We welcome requests from Pacific Island countries and territories where we can support capacity and capability development. 

Fisheries monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement

  • Coastal compliance training.
  • Dockside and at-sea boarding and inspection training.
  • Analytical support for participation in regional surveillance operations.

Fisheries management support

  • Developing fisheries management policy and plans.
  • Regulatory reviews.
  • Strategy development or review. 
  • Foundational skills in fisheries management (for example, fisheries analysis and advice, writing skills) 

Investigative support

  • Direct support with fisheries investigations.
  • Related training (for example, advanced interviewing or case file management)

Regional operations support 

  • Capacity development and direct support to the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC) and other regional operations.

Requesting support

Te Pātui is here to support Pacific fisheries agencies in building capability and strengthening sustainable fisheries outcomes.

If you’d like to explore training, technical assistance, or any of the support we offer, email TePatui@mpi.govt.nz

We’re happy to tailor our work to support your needs.

How we work

Te Pātui advisers work directly with Pacific Island countries' and territories' fisheries staff to provide learning and development opportunities and practical solutions that are specific to fisheries' needs in the Pacific.

Some of the ways Te Pātui does this work include:

  • training through workshops, seminars, and informal sessions
  • mentoring to support ongoing development and application of skills
  • attachments or placements: PICT fisheries staff working directly alongside New Zealand staff
  • remote assistance, e-learning modules, online coaching and support. 

We also draw on wider experience from across MPI, bringing learning across sectors, including customary fisheries, aquaculture, policy and planning, and learning and development.

Examples of our work

Online learning modules

To support capacity building across fisheries management and monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement, Te Pātui offers a series of online learning modules. These modules cover key concepts in a flexible, self-paced format. They complement our in-person technical assistance and support a blended learning approach that helps people build knowledge and apply it in practice.

Fisheries management: Introduction to managing fisheries

The components of this module are:

  • Principles and approaches.
  • Tools and measures.
  • Management across sectors.

Monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement: Coastal and offshore

Components of this module are:

  • Introduction to coastal fisheries monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement in the Pacific.
  • Boarding and inspection in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
  • Ethics: a code of conduct for authorised officers.

How to access the online learning modules

Te Pātui's online learning modules are hosted on FaleOnline, the Public Service Fale's online learning platform for Pacific public servants. FaleOnline supports access to learning and development resources, and helps users share knowledge, learn from others, and connect across shared public service priorities.

If you already have a FaleOnline account, you can access Te Pātui learning modules using your existing details.

Existing user login – FaleOnline

If you do not yet have an account, you will need to create one and follow the sign-up steps.

Register as a new user – FaleOnline

We recommend using your work email address when you sign up. If you use a personal email address, such as Gmail, your registration may need extra approval to confirm that you are a public servant in the Pacific.

For questions about FaleOnline, contact FaleOnline@publicservice.govt.nz

About Public Service Fale

Based at the New Zealand Public Service Commission and funded by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Public Service Fale supports Pacific Public Service Commissions to achieve their public sector strengthening goals and deliver quality public services. It was established in January 2020 and provides practical advice, tools and information, while also connecting Pacific public service leaders with support from other development partners. 

Through this partnership, Te Pātui is using the fale's platform to make its learning resources available to Pacific public servants in a way that is practical, accessible, and connected to wider public service capability building.

Public Service Fale

Who to contact

If you have any questions about the programme, email TePatui@mpi.govt.nz

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