A Chatham Islands iwi has challenged the prime minister to come up with a solution to stop local residents from emigrating overseas.
Ngati Mutunga O Wharekauri has told John Key, who has has made his first visit to the Chathams, too many young people and their families are leaving because there are no jobs or prospects.
Iwi general manager Wade Kamo says 30 people have left for Australia in the past six months, devastating the small community.
He told Mr Key the local fishing quota should be fully returned to those living on the island.
Mr Kamo says locals have only a 34-tonne quota, while 100 tonnes are fished annually by offshore interests.
Mr Key told the iwi he will endeavour to protect the island's future for its next generation.
The Prime Minister left the mainland at 1pm on Thursday for his overnight visit, his first visit to the islands. Two ministers, David Carter and Chris Finlayson, accompanied him.
Mr Key says he wants to get a sense of some of the issues facing the people living on the islands, in particular around infrastructure.
He says the Government has been looking at the main wharf on the main island, Waitangi, which needs a substantial upgrade.
