The Maori Party says shareholders in Sealord should take a smaller dividend this year to avoid job losses at New Zealand's biggest fishing company.
Sealord is to cut up to 180 positions at a processing plant at Nelson.
It says its land-based costs have escalated and will instead process fish at sea on a new factory freezer trawler.
Te Tai Tonga MP Rahui Katene told Morning Report she believes Sealord could afford to save the jobs.
She said the lay-offs will maintain Sealord's profit margins and plans to raise the issue with the Maori Party caucus.
Aotearoa Fisheries Limited, a company formed by all iwi involved in the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries settlement, owns 50% of Sealord. It says it supports the cuts.
