Agenda of Council Meeting

Council Meeting item: 8.3

16 March 2021

TITLE:	Chief Executive’s Report to Council
ID:	A1416522
From:	Malcolm Nicolson, Chief Executive Officer
Authorised by Group Manager:	Malcolm Nicolson, Chief Executive Officer, on 09 March 2021

Recommendation

That the report ‘Chief Executive’s Report to Council’ by Malcolm Nicolson, Chief Executive Officer and dated 28 February 2021, be received.

8.3.1 Highlights

Reported Koi Carp Sighting at Lake Taharoa

On 2 February 2021, a report of a suspected koi carp sighting at Lake Taharoa was lodged with the Department of Conservation. A koi carp incursion into these lakes of national and international importance would result in severe ecological damage, ruin recreational activities affecting revenue from tourism and negatively impact on Māori cultural values. If koi were to become established eradication in these lakes would be extremely difficult.

Council biosecurity staff were notified on 3 February and proceeded to initiate a response in collaboration with key stakeholders. After consultation, Northland Regional Council was selected to lead the response with close support from other stakeholders.

Key stakeholders in the response are:

Ÿ Department of Conservation (powers under the Conservation Act and Freshwater Fisheries Act)

Ÿ Northland Regional Council (powers under the Northland Regional Pest Management Plan and the Biosecurity Act)

Ÿ Kaipara District Council (administrator of Taharoa Domain)

Ÿ Te Roroa (affected iwi)

Ÿ Te Kuihi (affected hapū).

After a media release on 15 February (https://www.nrc.govt.nz/news/2021/february/public-help-wanted-to-find-suspected-lake-taharoa-koi/ and https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/436529/search-on-for-koi-carp-in-new-zealand-s-largest-dune-lake-after-10-year-old-s-sighting) an intensive surveillance operation utilising netting and aerial drone surveying of Lake Taharoa began on 17 February.

The response involves up to 15 staff onsite daily from Fish and Game, the Department of Conservation, Te Roroa and council. To date no further reports of koi have been received, and no koi have been detected. Recent eDNA sampling has returned a negative result which, whilst encouraging, cannot be considered conclusive. The response will be reviewed at the end of February.


Koi surveillance netting underway at Lake Taharoa (23 February 2021)

8.3.2 CEO’s Office

Current Legal Proceedings

Department	Description	Status
Consent decision appeal	APP.041365.01.01. Replacement consents for, and new consents for, an expansion of Doug’s Ōpua Boat Yard in Walls Bay, Ōpua. Consents granted by council in 2020.	No further update.
Consent decision appeal	APP.039650.01.01. Early replacement of consents, and new consents, for an upgrade of facilities at Doug’s Ōpua Boat Yard in Walls Bay, Ōpua. Consents declined by council in 2018.	No further update.
Consent decision appeal	Replacement discharge consents for East Coast Bays Wastewater Treatment Plant (Taipā)	Joint memo and draft consent order resolving appeals has been provided to the Court for its consideration. Awaiting Court decision on draft consent order.
Economics - REL	Instructed council lawyers to continue pursuing the bankruptcy proceedings against both defendants and worked on necessary documentation.	Continue to work with lawyers.
Regional plan appeals	Various appeals to Environment Court on the council decisions on the Proposed Regional Plan. Two appeals to the High Court, both challenging Environment Court decision on the application of the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater in the coastal marine area.	Environment Court – appeals at various stages. The appeals are packaged into a range of topics. High Court – appeals have only just been lodged (early March).
Māori Land Court appeal – Poroti Springs	A claim by Whatitiri Māori Reserves Trustees and the New Zealand Māori Council regarding customary title of the water of the Poroti Springs and damages against the Northland Regional Council in respect to its management of the water.	Council has lodged notice of intention to participate and an initial statement of defence. Awaiting Court direction.

8.3.3 Corporate Excellence

Cyber Security

In February, a targeted email phishing attack was directed at several Northern Transport Alliance (NTA) email addresses with some accounts being affected. For our council, the attack was mostly defended through the recent deployment of Multi Factor Authentication (MFA). Although our journey through implementation was not without its challenges, it is good to see its effectiveness and payback in these early stages.

The attack in question was designed to take the user to a legitimate looking website where they were prompted to enter their O365 credentials. The credentials are then subsequently used to launch another attack to the newly compromised user’s contacts with a fresh email - something which wouldn't have been possible with Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) in place.

On Tuesday 2 March, NRC was the target of a zero-day exploit (HAFNIUM) on our internal email exchange server, with the vulnerability exploited before Microsoft had released a patch on Wednesday 3 March. Our security software detected the attack and alerted the security operations centre. They were able to contain and isolate the server in 12 minutes.

Disruption was limited to the delivery of internal notifications from some systems. The recovery of the service along with full forensic analysis of the attack is ongoing.

RSHL Growth – Bay of Plenty Regional Council

BoPRC have been actively involved in the work on IRIS NextGen. At their request, RSHL management were meeting to give them an update on Regional Software Holdings Ltd and IRIS NextGen.

BoPRC made it clear that they are very interested in what we are doing and totally committed to the collaborative and industry best practice approaches that we have been a developing.

BoPRC have written to RSHL confirming their intention to join Regional Software Holdings Ltd as a shareholder and to implement IRIS NextGen. This is a very encouraging endorsement of our strategy and reflects well on the IRIS NextGen RFP Project activities.

Fraud Declaration

I am not aware of any fraud nor am I investigating any incidence or suspected incidence of fraud at this time.

Council Property Update

Ÿ Sale of an industrial area property has gone unconditional.

Ÿ Kaipara Service Centre below ground works are completed and the erection of the superstructure is underway. Project running one day ahead and on budget.

Ÿ Demolition of a CBD property is occurring in March.

8.3.4 Regulatory Services

Consents in Process

During February 2021, a total of 39 Decisions were issued. These decisions comprised:

Ÿ Moorings	2
Ÿ Coastal Permits	0
Ÿ Coastal Discharge Permits	0
Ÿ Air Discharge Permits	6
Ÿ Land Discharge Permits	1
Ÿ Water Discharge Permits	1
Ÿ Land Use Consents	20
Ÿ Water Permits	4
Ÿ Bore Consents	5

The processing timeframes for the February 2021 consents ranged from:

Ÿ 86 to 6 calendar days, with the median time being 59 days;

Ÿ 27 to 3 working days, with the median time being 20 days.

Thirty-seven applications were received in February 2021.

Of the 113 applications in progress at the end of February 2021:

Ÿ Fifty-one were received more than 12 months ago (most awaiting further information from the applicant);

Ÿ Eight were received between six and 12 months ago (most awaiting further information from the applicant);

Ÿ Fifty-four less than six months.

Appointment of Hearing Commissioners

No commissioners were appointed in February 2021.

Consents Decisions and Progress on Notified Applications in Process, Objections and Appeals

The current level of notified application processing activities at the end of February 2021 is (by number):

Ÿ Applications Publicly/Limited Notified During Previous Month	0
Ÿ Progress on Applications Previously Notified	5
Ÿ Hearings and Decisions	2
Ÿ Appeals/Objections	3

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

The results of compliance monitoring for the period 1 - 28 February 2021 (and year-to-date figures) are summarised in the following table and discussed below.

Classification	Total	Full compliance	Low risk non-compliance	Moderate non-compliance	Significant non-compliance	Not exercised during period
Air Discharge	31	28	3	0	0	0
Bore Consent	1	1	0	0	0	0
Coastal Discharge	29	26	0	2	1	0
Coastal Permit	63	47	9	3	0	4
Land Discharge	75	62	10	3	0	0
Land Use Consent	31	27	3	0	0	1
Water Discharge	57	43	3	6	5	0
Water Permit	21	19	2	0	0	0
Water Take	91	47	27	16	0	1
Total	399	300	57	30	6	6
Percentage		75.2%	14.3%	7.5%	1.5%	1.5%
Year to date	3,807	2,707	466	324	114	196
Percentage		71.1%	12.2%	8.5%	3.0%	5.1%

Coastal

The majority of consents monitored during the reporting period related to coastal discharges (treated municipal sewage and other industrial discharges), marinas (water quality sampling) and coastal structures.

Water, Waste, Air and Land Use (WWALU) Compliance Monitoring

Ÿ Water Use

The rain received mid-February in the region took some pressure off the majority of water supplies in Northland. Chloride and water levels in coastal communities continue to be monitored closely, with results showing little decline in levels and quality when compared with last year. Queries continue to be received by staff from the public regarding water use after they have seen irrigation occurring and want to check the legality of the activity.

Ÿ Wastewater

Staff made the most of the dry weather periods during this summer to assess the effectiveness of onsite wastewater treatment systems as they were likely to be experiencing peak loading.

Ÿ Earthworks and Forestry

Ongoing dust complaints were received from neighbours who reside next to large development sites and dusty roads. The rain that fell during the month was too infrequent to alleviate dust generation for long.

The newly renamed Northland Forestry Environmental Working Group met. No major issues were highlighted and a field trip to a forest is being planned for the next group meeting. The Earthworks and Harvesting Guidelines have been updated and passed to the group for final peer review.

Ÿ Contaminated Land Management

Seven incidents involving the discharge of hazardous substances and ten enquiries regarding contaminated land were received and responded to. One site was added to the Selected Land Use Register (SLR) and 222kg of hazardous waste was disposed of.

The monthly amnesty collection day in February yielded significantly less waste than previous events.

Environmental Incidents

There were no environmental incidents reported in February which resulted in a significant environmental impact.

ENFORCEMENT

Abatement Notices, Infringement Notices and Formal Warnings

The following enforcement actions were taken during the period:

Nature of Offence	Infringement Notice		Abatement Notice		TOTAL *
Nature of Offence	No. Offences	No. Notices	No. Offences	No. Notices	No. Offences	No. Notices
Earthworks/land use	0	0	1	1	1	1
Illegal activity in CMA	2	2	2	2	3	4
Illegal use of lakebed or riverbed	0	0	2	2	2	2
Other water discharge	0	0	1	2	1	2
Stormwater discharge	1	1	0	0	1	1
TOTAL	3	3	6	7	8	10

*An infringement notice and an abatement notice may be issued for the same offence. This means that in the above table, Column 5 (Total No. Offences) is not necessarily the sum of Column 1 (Infringement Notice No. Offences) + Column 3 (Abatement Notice No. Offences).

Other Enforcement

Ÿ Sand dune removal – Tokerau Beach

Sentencing proceeded on 2 February 2020, with the defendant being required to undertake community work (300 hours) preferably on the local Marae. An enforcement order was also granted for $5,968.58 for the costs of remedial work and weed control.

Ÿ Timber treatment plant

Charges were filed in the Whangārei District Court on 12 March 2020 against a company and an individual for discharges from a timber treatment processing plant. An agreement was reached between parties to withdraw the prosecution charges and apply for an enforcement order to address the discharge issues at the site. The Court granted and issued a slightly amended enforcement order on the 9 February 2021.

Ÿ Earthworks without erosion and sediment controls – Tōtara North

Charges were laid in the Kaitāia District Court on 20 July 2020 against an individual for earthworks undertaken without controls, and work within a watercourse and the riparian management zone. There are six charges against the individual. A sentencing indication hearing was undertaken on 8 December 2020. The defendant advised the Court on 2 February 2021 that he did not accept the sentence indication. The council has been directed to file statements of evidence by 12 March 2021 and the case has been adjourned to the nominal date of 27 April 2021.

· Open burning on industrial/trade property – Whangārei

Charges were laid in the Whangārei District Court on 27 November 2020 against an individual for open burning on industrial/trade premises, the burnt items also included prohibited items. There are two charges against the individual. The first court date was 20 January 2021 - the case has been adjourned until 31 March 2021 to allow time for disclosure to be provided and considered.

COASTAL & WATER QUALITY

All routine water quality and ecological monitoring programmes were undertaken, including:

Ÿ Weekly recreational bathing sampling at more than 60 sites.

Ÿ Monthly sampling runs (coastal and freshwater water quality, periphyton and cyanobacteria).

Ÿ Quarterly lakes monitoring.

NATURAL RESOURCES DATA

Ÿ Electronic data collection forms are operational for recreational swimming, periphyton, sedimentation, groundwater, river and coastal water quality programmes. Electronic meter calibration forms have replaced the paper forms. Hydrology forms will now be developed.

Ÿ Development of the new environmental data portal for the NRC website is well underway. The testing phase started late February 2021 and the data will be brought online over two phases

Ÿ Phase 1: rainfall, water level, water quality, drought and coastal, wind and wave data.

Ÿ Phase 2: biological data for periphyton, fish, macroinvertebrates and cyanobacteria.

Ÿ The data team is delivering large numbers of data requests to external consultants and providing ongoing assistance to the Science Team during the network review.

HYDROLOGY

Rainfall

Ÿ Rainfall on 14 and 15 February provided the bulk of the rainfall for February 2021, with averages of 97mm in the Far North, 79mm in the Whangārei District and 41mm in the Kaipara District during this event. Broadly speaking, for February 2021, the top half of the region received above typical February rainfall, while Dargaville, Ruawai, Paparoa, Maungaturoto were drier than typical for the month.

Ÿ The 2020-21 summer rainfall map shows a dry summer for most of Northland. All NRC rainfall stations recorded below 100% of normal rainfall totals, the areas to the north of the Bay of Islands had 70-90% and to the south mostly around 50-70% of the expected summer rain, with most of the rain occurring in February.

Ÿ In December 2020, NIWA predicted a wet summer ahead due to a La Nina event. NIWA recently classed this event as a non-traditional La Nina and revised the outlook to more extended dry spells over the Autumn months – more detailed information can be found in the February 2021 Hydrology Climate report available on the NRC website:

https://www.nrc.govt.nz/environment/river-and-rainfall-data/hydrology-climate-report/

River Flows

Ÿ Most river catchments received some rain over the 14-15 February 2021 rain event and rivers responded with a moderate peak in flows but receded quickly.

Ÿ Flows over February 2021 varied across the region from extremely low in the Mangakāhia and Mangere Rivers to above normal in the Waitangi catchment.

Groundwater

Ÿ Groundwater levels are below typical levels for this time of year at all stations except Aupōuri which is above normal. Porotī and Mangawhai are particularly low (0-5^th percentile for February).

Area	Status (Feb 21)	Percentile
Aupōuri	Above Normal	> 60th
Taipā	Low	10 - 25th
Russell	Below Normal	25 - 40th
Kaikohe	Below Normal	25 - 40th
Whangārei	Low	10 - 25th
Porotī	Extremely Low	0 - 5th
Mangawhai	Extremely Low	0 - 5th
Marsden - Ruakākā	Below Normal	25 - 40th

Hydrology Projects

Ÿ Low flow gaugings were carried out at 26 locations in the Otaika catchment as part of the continuing summer low flow gauging project.

Ÿ Data processing from eight rainfall stations was checked and archived.

Ÿ Wairua at Purua flow data was quality-assured and provided to Tonkin & Taylor. This was part of a wider data request for data to produce a flow model for water allocation in the Wairua in light of climate change.

NATURAL RESOURCES SCIENCE

Air quality and carbon emission

Ÿ Ambient PM₁₀ monitoring results for January 2021 for the Robert Street, Mairtown (Whangārei) and Marsden Point stations showed compliance with the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality.

Ÿ Ambient PM_2.5 monitoring results for the Robert Street station for January 2021 were within the Ambient Air Quality Guideline value.

Ÿ Council’s CO₂-e (carbon dioxide equivalent) monthly emissions in 2019 and 2020 are presented in the graph below. Since April 2020, council’s monthly CO₂-e emissions have been lower than the corresponding 2019 emissions, with the exception of October, indicating the effect of COVID-19 restrictions. The graph is based on currently available data and therefore figures for the last few months are subject to change.

· A comparison of CO₂-e emission between different energy types for 2019 and 2020 is given in the table below. There is an overall decrease in council’s CO2-e emissions in 2020 compared with same period in 2019. The significant decrease in air travel is a major contributor for the decrease in CO_2-e emissions in 2020.

Energy type	CO₂-e production (tonnes)		Increase tonnes (%)	Decrease tonnes (%)
Energy type	2019	2020	Increase tonnes (%)	Decrease tonnes (%)
Fuel	256.2	270.2	14.0 (5.5)
Air travel	90.7	31.9		58.8 (64.7)
Electricity	40.7	35.3		5.4 (13.1)
Waste	5.1	6.4	1.3 (24.7)
Total	392.7	343.8		48.9 (12.2)

Coastal

Ÿ An ecological survey of Waipū Estuary was carried out with kaitiaki from Patuharakeke Trust Board. Waipū Estuary has been identified as a Significant Ecological Area (SEA) in the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland (PRP) and is a māhinga mātaitai site of cultural importance to Patuharakeke. The survey involved an assessment of bird life, shellfish abundance, marine invertebrates and seagrass. Council staff will now analyse the data and produce a baseline assessment of the estuary. Kaitiaki will develop a cultural health assessment of the estuary. The baseline assessment will help council to assess the effectiveness of the PRP at protecting and maintaining the ecological values of this SEA in future.

Ÿ Council has undertaken litter surveys at 16 popular recreational bathing beaches throughout Northland. The average litter density per 1,000m²was 31 items and the percentage of litter items that were plastic was 66%. The same 16 beaches will be re-surveyed next summer to assess trends in the quantity and type of litter found over time. All the results including a breakdown of the items found can be viewed at: https://litterintelligence.org/.

8.3.5 Environmental Services

land management

Sustainable Hill Country and Regional Priorities

Milestones	Status
Farm Environment Plans (FEPs)
	Because we no longer prepare FEPs, an alternative reporting format has been approved by MPI to cover the rest of 2020-21. This deliverable will need to be renegotiated for 2021-22
Stakeholder engagement
	Press releases are in development.
Land treatments
Contractor capacity development	Twenty-seven contracting companies or individuals thinking about setting up a contracting business have been invited to 3 planting workshops at the end of March. Seventeen attendants have accepted the invite to date. Additional workshops will be held with nurseries and forest managers prior to the planting season.

Poplar and Willow Nursery

Objective	Status
Maintenance	The nursery now has an office/lunchroom for staff and contractors. This is a considerable improvement on the shed used previously. Vehicle access to the entire site has been a problem in winter due to wet conditions. New culverts and gravelling of access races have largely fixed this issue.
Expansion	With irrigation coming online earlier in the season, coupled with some good rainfall, the trees in the newly planted blocks are off to a great start.
Harvest	Contractors are beginning the high prune in preparation for the harvest. A preliminary audit has indicated 6,000-7,000 3m poles will be available this year - approximately 3,000-4,000 poles short of our 10,000-pole target under SHaRP. This is due to several factors, including rushed expansion in the past resulting in poor tree establishment. A programme of replanting coupled with a change to a ‘clear-fell’ instead of a ‘cherry-pick’ harvest regime means we will under deliver in the short term. Following the transition, however, the nursery will achieve higher, more consistent production, coupled with better quality poles.


New office (left), and planted blocks (right)

Access races, before (left) and after gravelling (right)

Kaipara Moana Remediation Project

The Year 1 Work Programme comprises projects to meet the programme’s investment objectives, plus budget for administrative and governance functions.

Good progress has been made on many of the Year 1 projects, in particular key strategies for engagement and communications, nurseries and workforce, and in projects providing grant funding to landowners in north Kaipara and progressing grant funding through arrangements with a third party in south Kaipara.

Some delays to project start dates have taken place due mainly to limitations on staff resource and the challenge of commencing all projects at largely the same time. External factors have also been relevant, particularly where a project involves engagement with third parties.

The KMR Joint Committee will begin considering a Year 2 Work Programme in March, with the aim of providing the Ministry for the Environment a draft work programme at the end of April, a number of the Year 1 projects will run also under the anticipated Year 2 Work Programme. In the development of a Year 2 Work Programme, budgets and project objectives for these multi-year projects can be reassessed and adjusted as necessary.

The Whangārei urban awa project

Two fencing contractors have now been engaged with all health and safety paperwork approved and short form contracts written. Four quotes have now been received from our contractors and the corresponding applications are due to be signed off this week – these total around 10km of fencing. We are trying to select properties that are close together and complete them in batches to minimise transport costs. A planting contractor has been selected for the upcoming planting season too.

FIF WAIMĀ WAITAI WAIORA PARTNERSHIP

Te Kawa Waiora – An Iwi-led Research Project delivered by Reconnecting Northland

Ko Wairoa tangata e haere, Ko Wairoa ia e kore e haere
People of the Wairoa depart life, but the Wairoa current never leaves

Ÿ Research Objectives:
To address questions of importance to the iwi, hapū and whānau communities of the rivers as the basis by which their contribution to increasing the health, wellbeing and mauri of the rivers may be achieved and the development of meaningful knowledge derived from mātauranga Māori which can be used to inform land management practices of the Wairoa Catchment

Ÿ Update:
The focus for Te Kawa Waiora this quarter was to get the communications strategy on track to share the research with a wide audience and grow hapū and marae involvement. The first full day hapū training workshop and second hui wānanga were held. Progress with hui wānanga and interviews has helped socialise the project with marae and hapū.

Ÿ WAIora Mobile App:
The partnership is working with Maanaki Whenua to develop a mobile app for a kaupapa Māori assessment tool for three hapū to simplify the involvement and empower hapū in freshwater management. The app enables hapū to assess the condition of freshwater from a Te Ao Māori perspective.

Te Orewai Freshwater Survey Wānanga

The Te Orewai freshwater fish survey and noho marae was held at Pipiwai by the Te Orewai Land Trust. This is an annual event supported by the Waimā Waitai Waiora partnership where a total of eight sites are surveyed for freshwater species and water quality. Survey techniques combine māutauranga Māori with western science. The event is an opportunity to engage and build capacity of whānau and hapū.


Partnership hapū rangatira and rangatahi participating in learning about freshwater biodiversity from a Te Ao Māori perspective				A hapū coordinator has been recruited for the partnership

biodiversity

FIF Dune Lakes Project

Objective	Status
Aquatic weed and pest fish control	A full LakeSPI survey will be undertaken in Lake Ngatu by NIWA divers during lakes ecological survey week in late March as part of EPA monitoring requirements.
	Advice is being sought from NIWA, and staff are planning for further control of hornwort in the lakes at Poutō and Mt Camel in the spring of 2021.
	The second grass carp operation is planned for March at Roto-otuauru (Lake Swan), Poutō.
Sediment and nutrient mitigation	A contract is in place with Fulton Hogan to undertake sediment and nutrient mitigation earthworks at Lakes Ngatu and Rotokawau in autumn 2021.
Māori Lakes Strategy	A planning hui was held with iwi for a wānanga on the 26-29 April at Wai ora Marae in Ngataki, hosted by Ngati Kuri
Education Days	Two more dune lakes education events are planned: Kai Iwi Lakes in May and at Poutō in June.

Wetlands

A joint visit with Biosecurity was made to give advice to landowners who are interested in a major restoration project for parts of a farm near Pipiwai which has several wetlands and a large area of gumland, ranked as one of Northlands Top Wetlands. Gumland, which used to be common in Northland, is now identified as a Nationally Critical habitat type because of their rarity and habitat values for threatened species. Options for the project such as a CPCA and covenants are being investigated.

Progress is being made by a wider council team on development of a wetland monitoring programme led by the Biodiversity Department which fulfills the NPS Freshwater requirements.

A meeting was held with Morphum Environmental Ltd, which has been contracted by MfE to provide a national wetland mapping methodology using Northland as a test case. Machine learning is being used to identify wetlands and biodiversity staff have been asked to review the results and verify sites.

CoastCare

CoastCare and Biodiversity staff attended Renew School, Whangārei to give a lesson on coastal ecosystems and monitoring. This was part of a focus on the beach environment for level three education for sustainability and level two science. It was also in preparation for field-trips in March and April when the students will undertake dune, beach and fauna surveys.

BIosecurity incursions and response

Check, Clean, Dry Programme

The Kai Iwi Lake Koi Carp incursion threat has highlighted the vulnerability of these relatively ecologically pristine catchments. The lakes are a much-loved by Northlanders and are an increasingly popular destination, with campground and day visitor numbers commonly in excess of 1000/day over the summer season.

The recent focus of the Check, Clean, Dry programme has been to, increase public awareness of the negative impacts of freshwater pests through:

Ÿ Increased lake side advocacy and Check, Clean, Dry collateral distribution through collaboration with Kai Iwi Lakes campground management and advocacy by staff.

Ÿ A Check, Clean, Dry advocacy stall at the Waitangi Day Festival through partnership with White Bait Connections.

Ÿ Providing businesses with Check, Clean, Dry information and collateral handouts.

Check Clean Dry Advocacy at the Waitangi Day Festival 2021

Wild animal control

Feral deer reports

Two Fallow deer incidents have been reported. One sighting (Hikurangi area) is confirmed by trail camera. The animal is tagged, so it either a deer farm escape or the liberation of farmed stock. The other sighting (Whakapara area) is still to be confirmed. The deer response contractor is following up on both incidents.

Deer farms

Council staff are establishing a working relationship with a Haruru Falls deer farmer to help engage with the wider Northland deer farming community. This relationship is important for building trust and relationships, thereby reducing the risk of deer farm escapes. Council’s communication team is also assisting with the development of an engagement plan targeting deer farmers and the surrounding landowners.

Kauri dieback

Kauri dieback sites

The kauri dieback team are nearing completion of the aerial survey soil sampling project, with only a small number of properties left to visit where the landowners have resisted council staff entering their land. Biosecurity staff are working through process to get access to take the samples. One new kauri dieback site has been identified and staff are working with the landowner to develop a kauri dieback management plan.

Hapū Engagement

Kauri Dieback workshops are scheduled once a week from March to deliver kauri dieback education and key hygiene messages to hapū, community groups, and schools around Northland.

Kauri Dieback Track Mitigation Project

Council received $2M in December last year from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade walking trails around Northland to protect kauri. The project will create new jobs, boost local economies and improve trail walking experience along the Te Araroa Trail in Northland.

There are eight project areas on the Te Araroa Trail spanning between Kauri Mountain and Puketōtara.

Johnson Contractors have a contract to carry out the construction of the boardwalks and have employed local kaimahi to do the work.

Project works have commenced with construction well underway at Kauri Mountain and orders for supplies for Onekainga Track will be placed before the end of February.

Kauri dieback Track Mitigation Project areas.

Kauri Protection Fund

Council has also received $120,000 from the Kauri Protection Fund (Ministry for Primary Industries) to increase the capacity of the kauri dieback team. The funding is being used to appoint an 18-month fixed term position focused on developing and implementing a community and stakeholder engagement plan. This will ensure our key messages around kauri dieback are reaching all corners of Northland communities.

Kauri Ora – an iwi collaboration

The Department of Conservation have allocated $3.5M as part of the Jobs for Nature programme to four Northland iwi (Te Roroa, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Wai and Ngāti Kuri). The funding is being used for a range of measures to undertake forest protection. Kauri Ora will engage with other agencies and wishes to sustain a relationship with council.

Changes to the National Kauri Dieback Team

The National Kauri Dieback Team at MPI is undergoing a restructure on the back of the last election. The Government has committed $32M over 5 years to roll out a National Pest Management Plan (the strongest form of protection under the Biosecurity Act). Council staff are meeting with the Ministry for Primary Industries and other stakeholders in March to discuss the proposals.

partnerships

Kiwi Coast

Two kiwi releases were done in the month:

Ÿ Pukenui Western Hills Forest Trust: Council staff assisted with the night capture of 14 kiwi on Motuora island for translocation into Pukenui Forest on 13 February. Four of these kiwi were taken to Whangārei Intermediate School where a crowd of approx. 150 people gathered to meet them before they were released into the forest.

Ÿ Parua Bay: Staff also assisted with the collaborative Backyard Kiwi Release on 14 February where five kiwi were captured off Matakohe/Limestone Island and released into the Pārua Bay area. Around 90 people attended the whakawātea ceremony performed by Te Parawhau kaumātua in Onerahi when the kiwi arrived back on the mainland. Around 250 people came to the Pārua Bay community hall prior to the release to hear about kiwi and their threats.

Young female kiwi ready for release in the Pārua Bay area

Western Northland HVA

The Te Toa Whenua and Maunganui Bluff Community Pest Control Areas (Te Roroa led), which have a primary focus on possum control are now well underway with the key infrastructure in place and possum control started. Trapping for mustelids continues with the Kaitiaki Kiwi, Pūpūrangi, and Wekaweka Community Pest Control Areas.

Preliminary discussions have begun about establishing a kiwi / kōkako Community Pest Control Area at Matarāua that is close to the Department of Conservation led kōkako project in the Matarāua/Waipoua Forest.

Predator Free Whangārei

Work completed to date includes landowner engagement, development of communication resources and council staff hosted a Predator Free Whangārei information stall at the Pārua Bay kiwi release this month.

Predator Free Bay of Islands

Staff are in the final stages of securing a significant financial grant of $4M from Predator Free 2050 Ltd for a proposed landscape scale predator eradication project in the Bay of Islands.

marine biosecurity

Hull Surveillance Programme

Out of 94 inspections made this period, there were no incidents of concern.

2020/2021 Hull Surveillance Programme Results 26/01/2021 – 23/02/2021	Total this month	Total YTD
Pathways Plan Compliance
Number of vessels surveyed this month	94	1047
% Pathways Plan Compliance (all vessels) *	47.1%	59.7%
% Pathways Plan Compliance (recent arrivals) **	n/a	84.7%
Vessels found with Marine Pests
Sabella spallanzanii (fanworm)	0	40
Styela clava (clubbed tunicate)	2	29
Undaria pinnatifida (Japanese kelp)	0	1
Eudistoma elongatum (Australian droplet tunicate)	0	0
Pyura doppelgangera (sea squirt)	0	0

* Percentage of all vessels surveyed that complied with the acceptable level of light fouling as defined in the Marine Pathways Plan.

** Percentage of vessels on anchor that complied with the acceptable level of light fouling as defined in the Marine Pathways Plan.

Ōpua Sabella Incursion Response

Contract divers have continued with search and destroy methods for the Mediterranean fanworm the past month in Ōpua and will shortly be wrapping up the latest round of diving. Biosecurity staff, with colleagues at the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Cawthron Institute, expect to have the data analysed and a report outlining next steps available to present to council by the end of March.

pest plants

Wilding Conifers

Wilding pine control is currently underway at Kauri Mountain with contractors a week into drilling and filling work. 500 trees have been killed standing and another 1000 to go. The picture to the right shows the spread of wilding pines along the dunes at Kauri Mountain Beach Whangārei Heads.

Kaipara Spartina

Four staff continued control of the eradication pest plant spartina, at sites in the Kaipara Harbour, with satisfying results with no plants found at the two sites on Floodgate Road, Te Kōwhai (Rūāwai) and only three plants located at the Tikinui Wharf site, (Te Kōpuru). The old Matakohe bridge site near Paparoa, only had 27 plants. Staff did, however, locate and treat a new large site on Neems Road, Tinopai.

rivers

Long Term Plan Projects

Rivers	Comments
Awanui	The Southern Spillways project is approximately 70% completed. Preliminary work for Allan Bell Park is underway. Church Road Rock Stabilization work is expected to start early March.
Kerikeri-Waipapa	Consent lodged with FNDC and NRC, Staff working through questions.
Matangirau	Progress with key landowners has been slow or stalled. It is unlikely we will be able to complete significant works this season.
Otiria/Moerewa	Staff are proceeding with a feasibility study and early contractor engagement.
Kawakawa	Staff are sensitivity modelling testing to determine best protection without requiring a storm water pump station. Staff have visited with the affected business owners regarding a lower level of flood protection.
Kaeo	Work is progressing in the Pupuke Catchment

NATURAL HAZARDS

Work Streams	Status	Comments
Coastal erosion hazard mapping	100% complete	Maps being prepared for publication
Coastal erosion research	Phase 2 underway	Analysis underway with publication of results due mid-2021
Region-wide coastal flood mapping	99% complete	Final maps received and being prepared for publication
Region-wide river flood mapping	75% complete	Far north models complete, awaiting maps
Whangārei river flood model	Underway	Model set up started
Public release of new coastal hazard maps	Planning phase	Publication of maps to NRC website expected early April 2021. NRC staff working with TA planning teams to align with district plan reviews.

Climate Change Response

Work Streams	Status	Comments
NRC Climate Change Strategy	Draft	Draft strategy, including the proposed NRC carbon neutral plan, to be presented to Climate Change Working Party in March
Climate Adaptation Te Taitokerau - Adaptation Strategy	In development	Climate Risk Assessment 1 - Risk descriptions – draft complete and under internal review. Release planned March 2021 Climate Risk Assessment 2 - Coastal risk spatial analysis - community risk profile analysis underway Regional Adaptation Strategy due Late 2021
Joint Standing Committee on Climate Change Adaptation	Planning	Inaugural meeting 12 April at NRC

Northland Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)

Continuing to receive excellent feedback from the Northland community regarding the LiDAR data set. A final deliverable data set is expected by end of March.

MĀORI ENGAGEMENT

Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro nōnā te ngahere, Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōnā te ao

Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Beach (TOATB) Management Plan

The beach management plan, now that it has been adopted by the Board, identifies 54 key action items that will assist in achieving the Boards vision, values outcomes and objectives for Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe beach management area. Of these 54 action items, 18 are a priority to be completed in the short term (39% of the action items contained in the plan).

A further eight action items have been identified as a priority due to their association with a proposed regional policy statement, regional plan change, or district plan change process update. Although these seven action items are not classified with a short-term delivery time frame, it may be more practicable for councils to fulfil their obligations in relation to these action items by completing them alongside other action items with short term delivery timeframes.

The priority focus of the TOATB 2021 workplan will be on enhancing the values of Ngā Ture Wairua/Spiritual Value and Ngā Kaiārahi/Leadership.

Te Whāriki/Responsiveness to Māori Framework

The Te Whāriki core cultural competency level one workshops are continuing to produce positive outcomes with valuable feedback provided from council staff. This feedback helps to assist in the quality delivery of the programme. Level two workshops will commence in June 2021 and will provide a more indepth programme focusing on our operational staff that are working directly with Māori.

“I have the beginnings of understanding, and look forward to building on this over the next few years as we learn how to work more closely with Maori in the future.”

“The deconstruction of the terms manaakitanga, kotahitanga and whanaungatanga was very important, these terms are used in the workplace every day, but not necessarily understood well or used in the correct context.”

“Understanding the pōwhiri was extremely useful. Additionally, the breakdown of the treaty, what it means and most importantly what was signed and agreed to as opposed to what was sent to the crown for signing”

Other activities that support the cultural competency of the council:

Ÿ Regular workshops facilitated by the Kaiārahi Kaupapa Māori with councillors to assist them in their knowledge and practice of tikanga/protocols and correct application of te reo Māori.

Ÿ Weekly speed te reo me ona tikanga Māori sessions facilitated by Sally Bowron with a core group of staff that are now champions for karakia, mihimihi and use of te reo Māori within council day to day operations.

Ÿ Commemoration of the Treaty of Waitangi event was an opportunity to engage with staff and celebrate the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and what it represents for our organisation.

Mātauranga Māori

The work to develop an overall approach to Mātauranga Māori is ongoing and a stock take of the projects and components of Mātauranga Māori is a priority for our team over the next quarter.

The matauranga māori monitoring fund criteria for iwi and hapū has been reviewed and is outlined below:

Ÿ Provision of a project plan/scope that outlines aspirations, objectives and outputs of the environmental monitoring being undertaken

Ÿ Endorsement of the project proposal by an iwi or hapū

Ÿ Output reports and findings are available for NRC to use

Where eligible quality applications exceed the $20,000 available, preference will be given to:

Ÿ iwi or hapū who have existing IHEMPs

Ÿ proposals that align with NRC monitoring network and/or existing work programmes

Ÿ freshwater monitoring proposals.

Ÿ an equitable geographic distribution of funding.

A critical component to the success of this fund is to work with our environmental monitoring teams to understand the capacity of our staff to support and sustain the projects identified in collaboration with iwi and hapū partners. Two joint monitoring projects are currently being conducted in partnership with Patuharakeke and Te Uri o Hau and others to be identified will assist our competency in these joint programmes to build capacity of hapū and iwi.

Mana Whakahono-ā-rohe

Implementation with Patuharakeke and Ngāti Rehia with our resource and consents, planning and policy team is now the focus for council. A meeting is scheduled in March to meet and form a programme/plan with key council managers and Juliane Chetham/Nora Rameka with a review in six months to present progress and updates to TTMAC and council. Te Hikutu/Hokianga, Te Uri o Hau and Te Parawhau have all signaled their desire and intent to have a Mana Whakahono-ā-Rohe agreement and discussions are now progressing with each of these hapū. This also relates to the work we are doing with the Māori Technical Advisory Group and the development of a resource consent/CIA guideline for tangata whenua and applicants.

Awanui Flood Works Project

A relationship with Te Paatu iwi and representatives is progressing as there have been issues raised that they have not been consulted as mana whenua for specific earthworks in their areas. Meetings in Kaitāia continue to address this and how we can have a working relationship over the next three years has been our focus whilst engaging a cultural monitor mandated by Te Paatu. To provide clarity when engaging cultural monitors as consultants/contractors for earthworks and land disturbance activities undertaken by council we have reviewed and updated the operational ‘engaging a cultural monitor policy’.

8.3.6 STRATEGY, Governance And Engagement

NATIONAL INITIATIVES

Resource Management System Reforms

The Government has announced high-level direction on reform of the resource management system based on the findings of the review by an independent Review Panel led by Hon Tony Randerson, QC released in June last year. The reform includes replacement of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) with three new acts:

Ÿ the Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) to provide for land use and environmental regulation (this would be the primary replacement for the RMA);

Ÿ the Strategic Planning Act (SPA) to integrate with other legislation relevant to development and require long-term regional spatial strategies; and

Ÿ the Managed Retreat and Climate Change Adaptation Act (CAA) to support New Zealand’s response to the effects of climate change.

Key features of the NBA are likely to be:

Ÿ reference to the concept of Te Mana o te Taiao (the mana of the environment) and give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Ÿ include a list of ‘outcomes’ and stronger government direction for the natural environment, built environment, Tikanga Māori, historic heritage, natural hazards and climate change (replacing matters of national importance in Part 2 RMA)

Ÿ include a ‘national planning framework’ (to set out matters of national significance and to provide consistency) - essentially a combination of government policy direction in national policy statements, standards and regulations and environmental ‘bottom-lines’

Ÿ natural and built environment plans - combined regional and district planning documents (including the CMA) that give effect to national direction / standards are to replace the 100+ district and regional plans and regional policy statements with 14 combined plans – with a changed role for councils in developing and approving these plans

Ÿ an improved nationally consistent monitoring and reporting system.

Key features of the SPA are likely to be:

Ÿ integration with the NBA, CAA and other key legislation relevant to development (such as the Local Government Act, Climate Change Response Act and Land Transport Act)

Ÿ a requirement for statutory long-term (30 years) ‘multi-agency’ regional spatial strategies - combined plans under the NBA are to be consistent with regional spatial strategies and NBA ‘outcomes’ are to be provided for in regional spatial strategies

Ÿ spatial strategies are to be prepared at the regional scale by joint committees comprising representatives of central government, regional councils, territorial authorities and mana whenua (to be independently chaired and agreed by consensus).

Key features of the CAA have yet to be confirmed, as recommendations for the CAA are one of the least developed areas in the report of the review panel, but drivers for this new act are identified as:

Ÿ a lack of national direction and guidance from central government for managing the effects of climate change

Ÿ difficulties addressing contentious issues in local planning and the ability to plan for managed retreat

Ÿ lack of clarity on the roles and responsibilities of central and local government for adaptation

Ÿ particular issues in relation to risks for Maori

Ÿ the need for an ‘all of system’ approach given the links across the three proposed pieces of law (and especially spatial planning required under the SPA and National Adaptation Plans developed under the Climate Change Response Act 2002).

The government has signalled an ‘exposure draft’ of the Natural and Built Environment Bill will be referred to a special select committee mid-late 2021. The Strategic Planning and Climate Change Adaptation Bills are intended to be introduced to Parliament by late 2021 and all three Bills are anticipated to be enacted by the end of 2022.

The reform is the most significant review of the resource management system since the advent of the RMA in 1991. Staff will continue to track the reform and report to council as details emerge.

REGIONAL PLANNING

Proposed Regional Plan

Since the last update provided to council, staff have been working with parties to refine matters which are set down for hearing, in particular with the Minister of Conservation in regard to the water quality standards they seek (Topic 5: water quality) which is scheduled for hearing on 4-7 May.

Ngāti Manuhiri Kaitiaki Trust has sought to join the appeals on Topic 14: fishing controls (marine protected areas) in support of Te Uri o Hikihiki. The parties to the appeals have indicated the number of their expert witnesses they intend to call (now a total of 55-57 expert witnesses) and the Court has allocated a third week for the hearing (12-23 July and 2-6 August) and appointed Judge Harvey (Māori Land Court) to sit alongside Judge Smith. Given the extremely large number of experts that will be called, discussions are ongoing with the Court as to how best to manage the case.

Agreement has been reached and documents requesting a consent order have been signed by all parties in relation to Regionally Significant Infrastructure and lodged with the Court.

Work has also begun on mapping of Outstanding Natural Landscapes in the coastal marine area as directed by the Court, with a draft methodology having been agreed by the landscape experts involved and submitted to all parties and the Court for agreement.

Negotiations on other unresolved matters are ongoing including in relation to Vehicles on Beaches and Aquaculture.

Forest and Bird Protection Society of NZ has lodged an appeal to the High Court against the Environment Court’s decision relating to the interpretation that the National Environmental Standard for Freshwater) Regulations 2020 does not apply in the coastal marine area (except in limited circumstances). The appeal was only lodged on the day of writing of this report, so staff have yet to work through the implications of this. However, it will likely to mean many of the other Environment Court appeal ‘topics’ will be put on hold until the High Court makes a decision.

National Policy Statement-Freshwater Management (NPS-FM)

The visit by Chief Freshwater Commissioner, Professor Peter Skelton is likely to be in early April at Northland Regional Council (pending Covid restrictions). He will meet with councillors and council staff to discuss the new Freshwater Hearings Panel and associated freshwater planning process. A briefing on this upcoming visit was provided to Council on Tuesday 23 February.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Investment and Growth Reserve – Projects Report

Project	Update	Future developments/ reporting
Extension 350	Quarter 2 report and third quarter invoice received.
Te Hononga	Project completion report received.
Manea Footprints of Kupe		Awaiting project completion report (due February).

Other Work Undertaken

Ÿ Joint economic development initiative – advertisement for the role of director of Northland Inc. opened and closed; work with lawyers on term sheet for shareholder agreeement.

Ÿ Ngāwhā Innovation and Education Centre – Northland Inc. confirmed that the additional support they were seeking on top of the lease arrangement was no longer required.

Ÿ Oruku Landing Conference and Event Centre – staff are preparing information to bring back to council to help inform their decision to fund.

Ÿ Provided economic data for a variety of council related documents including LTP consultation material, regional transport plans and civil defence and emergency management plan, and to support the proposed regional plan.

ONLINE CHANNELS

Highlights: A Tsunami Alert on 11 February and some heavy rain on 15 February contributed to increased visits to the website this month. Posts about marine pests and koi carp sighting contributed to an increased reach on our Facebook page this month.

Most popular content on Facebook: A post asking the public to help us monitor the spread of the Australian droplet tunicate (Eudistom elongatum) around Northland’s coast. The post reached 31,083 people and engaged with 611 people on our page, including the post being shared 154 times.

*Engaged – number of people who ‘reacted’, commented or shared the post

Key Performance Indicators	Oct-20	Nov-20	Dec-20	Jan-21	Feb-21
WEB
# Visits to the NRC website	29,500	30,400	32,213	36,300	40,200
E-payments made	12	5	7	6	12
# subscription customers (cumulative)	1,265	1,255	1,257	1,270	1,286
SOCIAL MEDIA (cumulative)
# Twitter followers	1,540	1,546	1,549	1,551	1,558
# NRC Facebook fans	9,920	10,065	10,144	10,200	10,200
# NRC Overall Facebook Reach	61,000	149,121	216,341	189,600	211,800
# NRC Engaged Daily Users	4,681	9,203	10,133	7,365	8,283
# CDEM Facebook fans	21,200	21,200	21,200	21,300	21,900
# CDEM Overall Facebook Reach	20,400	49,400	50,561	83,600	262,600
# CDEM Engaged Daily Users	4,681	2,570	3,123	14,800	34,100
# Instagram followers	1,256	1,284	1,315	1,320	1,330

NOTE:
Nov – increased in reach due to increase in post volume and extremely popular post on toxic seas slugs

ENVIROSCHOOLS / EDUCATION

Ngā Tupuranga o Te Taitokerau

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Ngā Tupuranga o Te Taitokerau was again postponed from February to 24-30 April. The week-long intensive programme - in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development and the Untouched World Foundation - is aimed at developing future leaders in sustainability for senior secondary and post school youth.

Ngā Tupuranga o Te Taitokerau will still be held Te Tii Marae in Waitangi and the Hon. Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister of Youth Development, will be visiting.

Enviroschools communities facilitated

During February, Enviroschools Facilitators held 64 specific interactions with school and early childhood communities.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Emergency Services Promotion

Over summer we ran a multi-channelled campaign to promote the lifesaving work of our emergency services. The campaign included radio and print advertising primarily focused on Surf Lifesaving Northern Region (SLSNR) and our emergency services partnerships. On social media we supported this advertising by running a small social campaign for SLSNR, where we directed the public to the NRC website, providing them with the times and locations when lifeguards would be on duty in Northland.

Over the campaign period we saw a 29% increase in page views on our ‘Supporting our emergency services’ page vs the same period the previous year. We also had 97 page views on the new ‘Lifeguards on duty’ page.

Northland Regional Council Tū i te ora Scholarships

Eight $3,000 scholarships are being offered to support students studying or training in areas aligned to work council does in the environmental, economic or community resilience fields. Scholarship entries closed on 14 February and 91 complete applications were received. Judging is currently underway to decide on the eight recipients and a media release will be issued once this decision has been made.

North Kaipara A&P Show (Paparoa)

Biosecurity pest animals, and weeds were represented at the Paparoa Show on 6 February. The show was very busy this year and seems to be expanding. A significant number of pest animal enquiries were received.

Northland Home and Lifestyle Show

The Transport team attended this three day event (12-14 February) with messages on City Link, Bus Link services, Beecard and the Total Mobility scheme. It was the first time council has attended this event and the team were very positive about the levels of engagement and number of enquries received.

Northern Wairoa A&P Show (Arapohue)

Chair Penny Smart represented council at this event on 13 February with information on pest animals and weeds, and general enquiries.

North Hokianga A&P Show (Broadwood)

Staff were prepped to attend this show on 20 February, which was cancelled due to Level 2 COVID-19 restrictions.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL INFORMATION (LGOIMA) REQUESTS

Month	LGOIMA requests received 2019/20	LGOIMA requests received 2020/21
July	15	25
August	22	17
September	16	12
October	29	14
November	11	14
December	12	17
January	14	16
February	21	16
March	13
April	12
May	13
June	15
TOTAL LGOIMA REQUESTS RECEIVED	193	131
LGOIMA requests not responded to within 20 working days*	18	5

8.3.7 Customer Service – Community Resilience

TRANSPORT

Regional Transport Committee

A Regional Transport Committee was held on Wednesday 10 February 2021. At the meeting, the following papers were presented:-

Ÿ Northland Regional Land Transport Plan 2018 – 2021 Funding Uptake Report;

Ÿ Northland Rail Upgrade – KiwRail Update;

Ÿ Northland Road Safety Update;

Ÿ Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Update;

Ÿ Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027 and Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031: Progress Report.

Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027 and Draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031

At their meeting on 10 February, the Regional Transport Committee (RTC) approved the proposed changes to the “Strategic Front End” of the Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027 (RLTP) and the Draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031 (RPTP) and approved their release for public consultation.

On 9 December 2020, the RTC held a “Project Prioritisation” workshop. This entailed prioritising all State Highway Improvement, Road to Zero Programme and Local Road Improvement projects listed in the RLTP. At this workshop the RTC members agreed the prioritised ranking of these projects. However, following the workshop, a number of significant changes were made to the State Highway Improvement and Road to Zero Programme projects which nessitated further prioritisation workshops having to be held to agree to the requested changes.

The RTC formally approved the inclusion of the amended prioritised lists of State Highway Improvement, Road to Zero Programme and Local Road Improvement projects for inclusion in the RLTP for release for public consulation.

The Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027 and the Draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031 were released for consultation on Wednesday 24 February 2021 with submissions closing on 26 March 2021. During this period, a number of drop in “have your say” sessions have been scheduled, as listed below:

Location	Date	Time	Venue
Whangārei	Monday 8 March	9.00 - 11.00am	NRC Council Chambers 36 Water Street, Whangārei
Dargaville	Monday 8 March	3.00 - 5.00pm	Town Hall 42 Hokianga Road, Dargaville
Opononi	Tuesday 9 March	10.00am - 12.00pm	War Memorial Hall 13 State Highway 12, Opononi
Kaikohe	Tuesday 9 March	3.00 - 5.00pm	FNDC Council Chambers Memorial Avenue, Kaikohe
Mangawhai	Thursday 11 March	11.30am - 1.30pm	Domain Hall 73 Moir Street, Mangawhai
Kaitāia	Friday 12 March	10.00am - 12.00pm	Main Hall Te Ahu Centre, Kaitāia
Kerikeri	Friday 12 March	3.00 -5.00pm	Kingston House 123 Hone Heke Road, Kerikeri

Passenger Transport Administration

*BusLink figures are reported one month in arrears, due to the required information being unavailable at the time of the agenda deadline.

Bus Link stats for January 2021 (revenue ex GST)	Actual	Budget	Variance	Year/Date Actual	Year/Date Budgeted
City Link Passengers	16,149	24,562	-8,413	181,167	198,808
CityLink Revenue	$23,331	$33,199	-$9,868	$232,289	$268,391
Mid North Link Passengers	183	144	39	1153	1104
Mid North Link Revenue	$696	$720	-$24	$4,221	$5,520
Hokianga Link Passengers	108	78	30	749	552
Hokianga Link Revenue	$588	$543	$45	$3,863	$3,840
Far North Link Passengers	289	580	-291	2,542	4,066
Far North Link Revenue	$872	$1,552	-$680	$6,623	$11,120
Bream Bay Link Passengers	52	24	28	357	186
Bream Bay Link Revenue	$ 352	$86	$266	$2,330	$669
Hikurangi Link Passengers	41	48	-7	111	156
Hikurangi Link Revenue	$109	$125	-$16	$258	$405
Whangārei Heads Link Passengers	2	24	-22	44	78
Whangārei Heads Link Revenue	$9	$104	-$95	$176	$339

At its meeting of 24 February 2021, the Waka Kotahi Board agreed to continue to fund at 100% FAR fare revenue shortfalls due to the impact of COVID-19 and net increase in current public transport service costs associated with implementing COVID-19 measures until 30 June 2021. From 1 July 2021 councils’ normal FARs will apply to public transport programmes, including extra COVID-19 costs.

Ocean Beach Holiday Service

The summer trial service that ran to Ocean Beach over the holiday period carried 38 passengers on the four days it operated in January.

COVID-19 Response

NRC staff worked with the Community Engagement Team on public transport messaging when Northland went to Level 2, and then to Level 1. The contracted bus operators are being reminded that under Alert Level 1, the wearing of masks on public transport is mandatory and that this should be advertised and promoted on the buses. It is, however, important to note that the responsibility to ensure a mask is worn on public transport lies with the individual and not with the operator or council.

Total Mobility

	Total Clients	Monthly Actual Expend	Monthly Budgeted Expend	Monthly Variance	Year/Date Actual Expend	Year/Date Budgeted Expend	Annual Variance
Jan 2021	1,510	$18,861	$25,000	-$6,139	$148,022	$175,000	-$26,978

ROAD SAFETY UPDATE

Road Trauma Update:

Fatalities this year	Far North	Whangārei	Kaipara	Northland	National
Local roads	1	0	0	1	18
State highways	3	1	0	4	17
TOTAL	4	1	0	5	35

2021 Year to Date Road Death Statistics:

· National = 35 deaths compared to 45 in 2020

· Northland = 5 deaths compared to 2 in 2020

Road Safety Delivery

Motorcycle Safety - Ride Forever (R4E) Rider Training Update

For the 2020/21 financial year ending June 2021, 104 riders have participated in the Ride Forever (R4E) rider training programme across Northland:

Ÿ Bronze course 35

Ÿ Silver course 37

Ÿ Gold course 32

Total riders 104

Heavy Vehicle Operation

A Truck Education/Health Stop was held on Wednesday 24 February, which coincided with the annual Truck Driver Appreciation Week. This took place at Uretiti with support from the Northland Freight Group partners.

Fatigue / Driver Reviver Stop

This took place on 5 February and was very well attended and supported. Over two hundred motorists and their passengers stopped and took advantage of the refreshments and road safety resources. Some of the supporters were very creative in interacting with the public and volunteers, which was very well received.

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The next Stop is planned for Thursday 1April 2021 (Easter).

Road Safety Promotion/Media:

Road safety promotion work continues supporting Police and partners with road safety promotion through various media platforms including at events.

CUSTOMER SERVICES

Telephone inbound call statistic & enquiries

	February 2021 (As at COB 25 February)	KPI
Call volumes via Customer Services	2079
Conversion rate	97.7%	>95%
Average wait time	6 sec
Calls answered in under 30 sec	96.2%	>90%

The heightened COVID-19 status in the third week of the month is likely to have been the reason for the significant drop in calls. For most of the week volumes were at only 75% of normal levels. All Service Centres continued to operate as normal with increased protection for visitors and staff.

Satisfaction monitoring

Feedback cards, compliments and complaints

Feedback cards have been included with the tallies for compliments and complaints, as appropriate.

Compliments received

Total

Service provided by a specific person/people

Maritime – S Meldrum

Total compliments recorded

Complaints received	Total
Staff or contractor behaviour/attitude Bus – City link (2) Monitoring	3
Disagree with decision or process Consents Monitoring	2
Lack of information or communication Monitoring	1
Issue has occurred repeatedly for me Monitoring	1
Total complaints recorded	7

The compliment for our maritime officer included positive feedback from several teachers following an educational session at one of the schools.

The lack of compliments this month can be most likely attributed to a lack of reporting as staff have been exceptionally busy.

Unusually, there have been several complaints received by our compliance monitoring team. Three of these have been resolved and have been caused primarily by customer frustration that we are not able to resolve issues which are outside of our jurisdiction. The consents complaint and the remaining monitoring complaint relate to ongoing issues and are being attended to by senior staff.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

National

The National Emergency Management Development Group (NEMDG) met on 24 and 25 February at the Beehive in Wellington. Victoria Harwood attended on behalf of the Northland CDEM Group. Topics covered included the review by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Policy Team of three pivotal CDEM documents including the CDEM Act 2002, National CDEM Plan and Guide 2015 and the National Disaster Resilience Strategy and the Emergency Management Sector Vision for the next ten years.

Discussion was held regarding the ongoing COVID-19 resurgence operations and the role of CDEM Groups. More work is being done nationally to better align the border control, regional boundaries, locations with public information for future Alert Level changes.

A short debrief was held by NEMA for Group Managers regarding the operational procedures the NEMA and GNS carried out for the 11 February Tsunami Advisory event.

The challenges faced by people in rural areas and residential drinking water collecting infrastructure has been raised through the Northland Social Wellbeing Governance Group (NSWGG), nationally it has been agreed that funding options will be investigated to potentially support improvement projects for the region.

Regional

The Northland CDEM Group staff responded to the Tsunami National Advisory on 11 February at 02:41hrs. CDEM staff were alerted through the National Warning System.

Public information was distributed through the Northland CDEM Facebook page, the National Emergency Alerting system was used to inform the public of the Tsunami Advisory. The NRC Harbourmaster was informed, the yellow tsunami light at the Marina was activated for ashort time, the region’s CDEM coastal Community Response Groups were contacted by phone and email until the threat was cancelled at 09:17hrs the same day. A hot debrief was carried out with CDEM staff and feedback with recommendations provided to NEMA.

The Northland COVID-19 Resurgence Action Plan for Alert Level 2 was reviewed and revised as the alert levels changed during 15-17 February. The Group Controller liaised with the Auckland and Waikato CDEM Groups, NEMA, Northland DHB and Northland Police regarding border control and any support required.

The review of the Northland CDEM Group Plan 2016-2021 continues - a progress information report will be presented to the CDEM Joint Standing Committee in March.

MARITIME

Ÿ Aids to Navigation maintenance work has been ongoing, including a major refurbishment of the Fraser Rock light and work done on the Hātea River buoys. The Pouto point light has also been replaced as well as work carried out in Rangaunu Harbour.

Ÿ The Just Add Water programme has started with a very successful two days at Springbank School educating children on maritime safety issues. Very good feedback was received, and other schools are due to be visited soon.

Ÿ Survey work by contractors is starting in the Kerikeri River to determine seabed composition for the pile mooring replacement project.

Ÿ Nine Incidents have been logged in February, the most serious being a Harbour Warden abused by a speeding jet-skier with Police called to attend.

Ÿ Three super yachts were piloted into the Bay of Islands.

Ÿ The major extension to the Windsor Landing mooring area now has 30 new mooring applications, which if installed will fill the newly extended area.

Ÿ The New Zealand Offshore Power Boat Association has lodged an application to hold a large power boat race in Whangārei Harbour.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil

*Projects removed from the 20/21 Annual Plan*
Tangata Whenua capability	$30,000
Modelling of aquifers	$100,000
Enviroschools staff and seminars	$86,565
Pest plant prevention work stream	$110,000
Biodiversity FIF dune lake position	$75,131
Biosecurity marine position	$60,092
Economic policy advisor	$85,701
Kaiarahi Mahere Māori technical advisor	$82,784
Northland Inc. business case assessment	$100,000
Campaigns & engagement coordinator role	$41,392
Building reconfiguration (capital works)	$106,000
Biodiversity contractors	$30,000
Planning & Policy BAU - for LTP contract work	$10,000
Offsite storage of consent files (building reconfiguration)	$17,000
Internal Audit BAU	$27,000
Total AP projects reinstated	$961,665

*New projects approved by council*
BOI harbour modelling	$58,000
ReCoCo obligations	$100,617
Otiria-Moerewa Flood Modelling and Pre-feasibility Study	$80,000
NRC Water Allocation Tool	$40,000
Climate change advisor	$57,511
Storage facility security fence (capital works)	$65,000
Enterprise system advance	$55,000
Fan worm eradication	$98,000
Total new projects	$554,128
Grand total	$1,515,793

Work Programmes, Salaries and Projects removed from, or reduced in, the 2020/21 Annual Plan to remedy the deficit arising from the impact of COVID‐19. Listed in no particular order.
Description of Programme Position or Project	Estimated Amount/Value	Approved/Removed/No decision
Tangata whenua capability and capacity	$30,000	Approved
Modelling highly allocated aquifers	$100,000	Approved
Enviroschools staff and seminars	$86,385	Approved
Off‐site storage of consent files	$17,000	Approved
Pest plant prevention	$110,000	Approved
Project costs associated with Northern Wairoa and lakes projects (Biodiversity contractors)	$41,854	Approved at $30,000.
~~Conferences and training~~	~~$25,000~~	~~Removed~~
S17a reviews	$20,890	No decision
Long Term Plan costs	$10,000	Approved
~~Communications – casual staff and promotions~~	~~$15,000~~	~~Removed~~
WNW Catchment Group	$35,352	No decision
Lab testing costs	$100,000	No decision
Citizen panels	$10,000	No decision
~~Backup staff~~	~~$10,000~~	~~Removed~~
FIF Dune Lake Position	$75,131	Approved
Biosecurity Marine Position	$60,092	Approved
FIF Wairoa position	$80,897	No decision
Junior hydrology officer	$69,000 Operational Exp. $4,700 Capital Exp.	No decision
~~National wells database~~	~~$20,000~~	~~Removed~~
Freshwater accounting system	$100,000	No decision
Māori engagement, Environmental awards extension and Intern	$68,880	No decision
~~Coastal water quality consultants~~	~~$7,231~~	~~Removed~~
~~Reg Services lab testing costs~~	~~$7504~~	~~Removed~~
Reg Services mobile device purchases	$3,000	No decision
~~Maritime teams overtime budget~~	~~$15,000~~	~~Removed~~
NIWA Kingfish legal fees	$10,000	No decision
Economic Policy Advisor Position	$85,701	Approved
Environmental Science Reporting Officer Position	$81,894	No decision
Kaiarahi Mahere Māori ‐ Māori technical advisor position	$101,000 Operational Exp. $82,784 $4,700 Capital Exp.	Approved. Reduced to $82,784.
~~Northland Māori representation on national committee 'Te Maruata'~~	~~7000~~	~~Removed~~
~~Data asset management~~	~~75000~~	~~Removed~~
Campaigns and engagement coordinator position	$40,000 Operational Exp. $4,700 Capital Exp.	Approved
Technology upgrades	$200,000	No decision
Far north poplar and willow nursery manager position	$70,322	No decision
~~Eastern Bays Hill country staff~~	~~$82,206~~	~~Removed~~
Painting of Water Street building, vehicle costs	$104,004	Approved. Redirected this to Union East fencing @ $65,000
Internal Audit	$27,000	Approved
IT Consultants and other Corporate Excellent BAU	$15,000 $61,210.	Approved. $10,000 approved for LTP contract work.
Water Street Reception and Ground Floor Meeting Rooms Renovation and fit out:	$105,663 Capital Exp.	Approved
OTHER ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO 2020/21 Annual Plan to remedy the deficit arising from the impact of COVID‐19.
Utilisation of Community Investment Fund Capital in lieu of Investment income – as Economic Development funding	$1,700,000
Utilisation of Community Investment Fund Capital in lieu of Investment and general income – as General funding	$200,000
Utilisation of Infrastructure Investment Fund Capital in lieu of Investment and general income – as General funding	$250,000
Utilisation of Equalisation reserve as General funding	$150,000
Reduction in Economic Development Project Development budget	$300,000	Approved at $100,000

Name:	Bruce Howse, Group Manager - Corporate Excellence,
Title:	Group Manager - Corporate Excellence
Date:	09 March 2021

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to rescind the vehicle policy and confirm that the Chief Executive Officer has authority to draft, approve and implement a revised vehicle policy.	The Chief Executive Officer can draft, approve and implement a modern vehicle policy and address the flaws identified in the current policy.	There may be a perception of lack of governance oversight, however the vehicle policy is an operational matter that best resides with management as opposed to governance.
2	Require the Chief Executive Officer to revise the vehicle policy and bring this back to council for governance approval.	Governance oversight of the vehicle policy is maintained, and a modern vehicle policy is drafted addressing the flaws identified in the current policy.	This is essentially making a management responsibility a governance responsibility and is inefficient and reduces the ability of the Chief Executive Officer to make management decisions within the constraint of a governance approved policy.
3	Maintain the current policy.	Nil.	Maintain the current policy.

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Adopt the policy	Clarity on council’s approach to debt recovery.	Nil.
2	Do not adopt the policy	Nil.	Lack of clarity on council’s approach to debt recovery.
3	Delegate the write-off of outstanding accounts receivable as recommended	Consistent with legal advice that councillors should approve the policy and officers apply it. The policy also states that ‘Debts will only be written off when all reasonable attempts to recover outstanding amounts have been made (by both the council and external recovery agencies)’, which means officers will need to attempt to recover debts prior to applying any write-off.	Lack of governance oversight. However, this can be addressed through the normal CEO to Councillor communications.
4	Do not delegate the write-off of outstanding accounts receivable as recommended	Governance make decisions on any write-off of debt exceeding $5,000 as per current delegations.	Inconsistent with legal advice.

TITLE:	Confirmation of Minutes - 23 February 2021
ID:	A1418791
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager
Authorised by Group Manager:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager, on 09 March 2021

TITLE:	Receipt of Action Sheet
ID:	A1420214
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager
Authorised by Group Manager:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager, on 09 March 2021

TITLE:	Financial Report to 28 February 2021
ID:	A1419886
From:	Vincent McColl, Financial Accountant

TITLE:	Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party - Appointed Members' Allowances
ID:	A1410638
From:	Auriole Ruka, Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori
Authorised by Group Manager:	Ben Lee, GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement, on 09 March 2021

TITLE:	Vehicle Policy
ID:	A1413176
From:	Bruce Howse, Group Manager - Corporate Excellence
Authorised by Group Manager:	Bruce Howse, Group Manager - Corporate Excellence, on 08 March 2021

TITLE:	Debt Recovery Policy
ID:	A1416707
From:	Bruce Howse, Group Manager - Corporate Excellence
Authorised by Group Manager:	Bruce Howse, Group Manager - Corporate Excellence, on 08 March 2021

TITLE:	Appointment of Regional Harbourmaster based in Whangārei/Marsden Point
ID:	A1415844
From:	Jim Lyle, Regional Harbourmaster
Authorised by Group Manager:	Tony Phipps, Group Manager - Customer Services - Community Resilience, on 09 March 2021

TITLE:	Health and Safety Report
ID:	A1416795
From:	Kelcie Mills, Health and Safety Advisor
Authorised by Group Manager:	Judith Graham, Corporate Excellence P/A, on 09 March 2021

TITLE:	Chair's Report to Council
ID:	A1416685
From:	Penny Smart, Chair
Authorised by Group Manager:	Penny Smart, Chair, on 09 March 2021

Date	Addressed To	Subject
03.02.21	Hon Nanaia Mahuta Minister of Local Government	Māori constituencies and water poverty
03.02.21	Hon James Shaw Minister of Climate Change	Climate change
15.02.21	Zane Williams	Tū i te ora Scholarship 2020
16.02.21	Hon Nanaia Mahuta Minister of Local Government	Meeting with Northland Regional Council
24.02.21	Pita Tipene Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hine	Confirmation of appointment as Co-Chair of Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party
24.02.21	Georgina Connelly Te Uri O Hau	Confirmation of appointment as proxy Co-Chair of Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party
24.02.21	Lynette Wharerau Te Whakaminenga O Te Hikutu Hapu-Whanau	Confirmation of appointment as representative for Te Whakaminenga O Te Hikutu Hapu-Whanau onto Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party
24.02.21	Hoki Tua Te Rūnanga O Whāingaroa	Confirmation of appointment as representative for Te Rūnganga O Whāingaroa onto Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party
24.02.21	Anameara Kake Te Waiāriki, Ngāti Takapari, Ngāti Korora	Confirmation of appointment as representative for Te Waiāriki, Ngāti Takapari, Ngāti Korora onto Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party

TITLE:	Receipt of Committee Minutes
ID:	A1419505
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager
Authorised by Group Manager:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager, on 09 March 2021

TITLE:	Working Party Updates and Chairpersons' Briefings
ID:	A1417533
From:	Sally Bowron, Strategy, Governance and Engagement Team Admin/PA
Authorised by Group Manager:	Ben Lee, GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement, on date 09 March 2021

Item No.	Item Issue	Reasons/Grounds
10.1	Confirmation of Confidential Minutes - 23 February 2021	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, as stated in the open section of the meeting.
10.2	Human Resources Report	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons s7(2)(a).