Maori tribes will be covered by a Fisheries Bill clamping down on the mistreatment and underpayment of foreign crews.
Labour MP Shane Jones. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
In the original bill, iwi fishery businesses were exempt from the requirements of the legislation.
The Government is expected to introduce changes to legislation on Tuesday night that would include iwi and remove a tuna exemption for migratory boats.
Labour Party MP Shane Jones says he accepts that iwi should be included.
"The situation that we've arrived at is that it's time for the iwi investors with the rest of the industry to turn their backs on the rust buckets. I think the challenge going forward for iwi and the Crown is whether or not this will undermine Maori fisheries."
Mr Jones says Maori should consolidate their fishing quotas so they can afford new fishing vessels.