Agenda of Council Meeting - Tuesday, 16 November 2021

Council Meeting item: 8.3

16 November 2021

TITLE:	Chief Executive’s Report to Council
From:	Malcolm Nicolson, Tumuaki - Chief Executive Officer
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Malcolm Nicolson, Tumuaki - Chief Executive Officer, on 10 November 2021

Ngā mahi tūtohutia | Recommendation

That the report ‘Chief Executive’s Report to Council’ by Malcolm Nicolson, Tumuaki - Chief Executive Officer and dated 31 October 2021, be received.

8.3.1 Highlights

New appointments – Group Managers and Deputy Group Managers

I am privileged to confirm appointment of three new Group Managers and all the Deputy Group Managers as follows:

· Auriole Ruka – Pou Manawhakahaere – Group Manager Governance and Engagement

· Victoria Harwood – Poutiaki Hapori – Group Manager Community Resilience

· Don Mackenzie – Poutiaki Pūtaiao – Group Manager Biosecurity

· Cathy Erstich – Deputy Group Manager Governance and Engagement

· Carol Cottam – Deputy Group Manager Corporate Services

· Tess Dacre – Deputy Group Manager Regulatory Services

· Ben Lee – Deputy Group Manager Environmental Services

· Jim Lyle – Deputy Group Manager Community Resilience

· Kathryn Lister – Deputy Group Manager Biosecurity

Kaipara Moana Remediation Joint Committee

Justine Daw has been appointed the role of Pou Tātaki to lead the Kaipara Moana restoration programme. Justine officially takes up her role on 6 December 2021.

Kaipara Uri representative Willie Wright has stood down from his role on the Kaipara Moana Remediation Joint Committee (Joint Committee). Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust have put forward Georgina Connelly as a replacement member for the Joint Committee. Under the Joint Committee’s Terms of Reference, membership comprises six from Kaipara Uri entities, three elected members from Auckland Council, and three elected members from the Northland Regional Council. Georgina Connelly is a trustee of Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust and was previously involved in the development of the Kaipara Moana Remediation Indicative Business Case which was provided to ministers in 2019.

8.3.2 REGULATORY SERVICES

Consents in Process

During October 2021, a total of 70 Decisions were issued. These decisions comprised:

Ÿ Coastal Permits	3	Ÿ Land Use Consents	27
Ÿ Land Discharge Permits	19	Ÿ Water Permits	12
Ÿ Water Discharge Permits	1	Ÿ Bore Consents	8

The processing timeframes for the October 2021 consents ranged from:

Ÿ 82 to 2 calendar days, with the median time being 33 days;

Ÿ 53 to 2 working days, with the median time being 22 days.

Thirty-eight applications were received in October 2021.

Of the 91 applications in progress at the end of October 2021:

Ÿ Twenty-six were received more than 12 months ago, with the following reasons:

Ÿ Awaiting additional information (including CIAs)	12
Ÿ Consultation with affected parties/stakeholders	4
Ÿ On-hold pending new rules becoming operative	5
Ÿ Other	5

Ÿ Seven were received between 6 and 12 months ago (most awaiting further information from the applicant);

Ÿ Fifty-eight less than 6 months ago.

Appointment of Hearing Commissioners

No commissioners were appointed in October 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 October 2021 is
(by number):

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

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

The results of compliance monitoring for the period 1 - 31 October 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	15	14	1	0	0	0
Bore Consent	1	1	0	0	0	0
Coastal Discharge	8	6	1	0	1	0
Coastal Permit	8	8	0	0	0	0
FDE – Discharge Permit	94	73	0	16	1	4
FDE – Permitted Activity	23	15	0	6	1	1
Land Discharge	57	40	9	2	1	5
Land Use Consent	28	26	0	0	0	2
Water Discharge	49	41	2	5	0	1
Water Permit	26	25	0	1	0	0
Water Take	60	46	11	2	0	1
Total	369	295	24	32	4	14
Percentage		79.9%	6.5%	8.7%	1.1%	3.8%
Year to date	1,920	1,421	246	145	30	78
Percentage		74.0%	12.8%	7.6%	1.6%	4.1%

Coastal

The majority of consents monitored during the reporting period related to coastal discharges (municipal sewage and industrial).

Some self-monitoring observations were undertaken but the Level 3 restrictions affected a number of consents monitored. Annual invoicing for coastal consents was completed, resulting in many queries fielded by monitoring staff following the revision of these charges in the 2021-22 Charging Policy.

Farm Dairy Effluent (FDE) Monitoring

FDE inspections commenced on 21 July 2021. NRC staff and the FDE contractor will be visiting a total of 783 farms this monitoring season (5 less than last year). To date approximately 61% of farms have been visited and reported on. This is 241 less farms than this time last year due to inspections being halted during COVID-19 lockdowns. Comparisons of this season’s results so far with those for last season are given in the tables below.

Consented Farms (592 to do)

Full Compliance		Moderate Non-Compliance		Significant Non-Compliance
This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year
287	358	60	127	9	57
81%	66%	17%	23%	2%	11%

Non-Consented Farms (191 to do)

Full Compliance		Moderate Non-Compliance		Significant Non-Compliance
This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year
94	129	21	28	6	19
78%	73%	17%	16%	5%	11%

There has been a considerable decrease in the number of farms graded as significantly non-compliant. This is partly attributed to the fact that in previous years significant non-compliances with silage leachate or dead stock rules were included in the FDE monitoring statistics. From this season onwards, the statistics will only cover farm dairy (cowshed) effluent compliance to ensure that we are fully aligned with regional sector reporting protocols.

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

Ÿ Contaminated Land Management

Nine incidents involving the discharge of hazardous substances and 16 enquiries regarding contaminated land were received and responded to. The October hazardous waste amnesty day was cancelled due to COVID-19 Level 3 restrictions.

· Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

WWTP/Consent Status	Issues (October 2021)	Enforcement Action/Response
Far North District
Ahipara Expires 2033	Ongoing non-compliance with bacteriological consent limits	Under AN; FNDC investigating land disposal options
Hihi Expires 2022	No recent issues	None currently
Kaeo Expires 2022	No recent issues	None currently
Kaikohe Expires 30 November 2021	Intermittent non-compliances with ADW flow, ammonia & bacteriological consent limits. System overdue for de-sludging	None currently
Kaitāia Expires 30 November 2021	No recent issues	Under AN (reticulation overflows) Issues will be addressed in replacement consent
Kawakawa Expires 2036	No recent issues	None currently
Kerikeri Expires 2036	No obvious issues from new plant (commissioned in December 2020)	Under AN – cancellation currently being considered
Kohukohu Expired 2016	Occasional issues with bacteriological conditions of consent	None currently
Opononi & Omāpere Expired 2019	Non-compliances with bacteriological consent limits Desludging overdue	Under AN Issues will be addressed in replacement consent; desludging to be undertaken
Paihia Expires 2034	Plant upgraded 2019; alkalinity issues preventing optimal ammonia treatment	None currently Alkalinity improvement project still in progress
Rangiputa Expires 2032	No recent issues	None currently
Rāwene Expires 2023	Risk of non-compliance if ponds are not desludged soon	None currently
Russell Expires 2024	Occasional non-compliances with E. coli consent limit post UV	Under AN
Taipā Expires 2029	No recent issues	None currently
Whatuwhiwhi Expires 2025	Elevated TSS levels (consent limit may be unnecessarily restrictive)	FNDC to seek consent variation to address TSS levels
Whangarei District
Hikurangi Expires 2025	Intermittent issues with plant performance	None currently Plant performance being reviewed to identify improvements
Ngunguru Expires 2035	No recent issues	None currently
Oakura Expires 2025	Occasional spikes in E. coli	None currently
Portland Expires 2024	No recent issues	None currently
Ruakaka Expires 2046	No recent issues	None currently
Tutukaka Expires 2024	No recent issues	None currently
Waiōtira Expires 2030	No recent issues	None currently
Waipū Expires 2030	No recent issues	None currently
Whāngārei City Expires 2022	Occasional odour complaints	None currently
Kaipara District
Dargaville Expires 2022	Non-compliances with WQ discharge volume consent limits	Pond desludged in 2020 to mitigate water quality issues
Glinks Gully Expires 2024	No recent issues	None currently
Kaiwaka Expires 2022	No recent issues	None currently
Mangawhai Expires 2042	Odour complaints and occasional exceedances of TDS consent limit	None currently
Maungaturoto Expires 2032	Intermittent non-compliances, generally due to high rainfall	Under AN
Te Kopuru Expires 2044	Intermittent minor non-compliances	Second aerator installed 2020

Environmental Incidents

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

ENFORCEMENT

Abatement Notices, Infringement Notices and Formal Warnings

The following enforcement actions were taken during the period:

Action Type	Number
Abatement Notice (AN)	26
Infringement Notice (IN)	12

Other Enforcement

Ÿ Earthworks without erosion and sediment controls – Tōtara North

Charges were laid in the Kaitaia District Court on 20 July 2020 against an individual for earthworks undertaken without controls, and work within a watercourse and the riparian management zone. The defendant has pleaded not guilty. A hearing was scheduled for 22-24 June 2021 which did not proceed due to the defendant being ill. A new hearing date of 17-18 January 2022 has been set down.

Ÿ 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 who pleaded not guilty on 30 April 2021. A case review hearing was completed on 22 June 2021. A hearing date was scheduled for 4 November 2021 but the Court is in the process of scheduling a new date in 2022.

Ÿ Farm dairy effluent – Parapara

Charges were laid in the Kaitaia District Court on 6 May 2021 against a farm owner for offences which occurred in August 2020. There are four charges against the farm owner. The first court appearance was set down for 9 July 2021, which was adjourned until 25 August 2021 to allow the defence lawyer to consider the disclosure documentation. A new hearing date has been scheduled for 17 November 2021.

8.3.3 CEO’s Office

Current Legal Proceedings

Department	Description	Status
Consent decision appeal	Two separate consent applications for replacement and new consents relating to a proposed expansion of, Doug’s Ōpua Boat Yard in Walls Bay, Ōpua	No further update.
Consent decision appeal	Irrigation of avocado orchards and horticulture crops.	Environment Court has set down a two-week hearing commencing 2 May 2022. The Court has also directed Court assisted mediation/expert conferencing as required to occur, if possible, prior to Christmas 2021.

8.3.4 BIOSECURITY

INCURSIONS AND RESPONSE

Indian Ringneck Parakeet

A resident of Whangārei Heads posted a photo of a blue Indian Ring-necked parakeet on the local Pārua Bay/Whangārei Heads Community Facebook Page.

Indian ring-necked parakeets are an exclusion pest in Northland and threaten our native birds and bats by competing for food and nesting place as well as introducing diseases. They are also well-known agricultural pests of cereal and fruit crops. Whangārei Heads native biodiversity includes native parrots that are at risk of being displaced by Indian ring-necked parakeets should these birds become established in the wild.

Staff are investigating to try and determine where the bird came from, and it is considered a likely escaped pet.

Indian ring-neck parakeet seen in McLeod’s Bay

WILD ANIMAL CONTROL

Mangonui River Feral Deer

Staff are meeting with landowners adjacent to the Mangonui River to plan the eradication and seek agreement to cross their land. There are a total of 16 properties that staff are targeting for surveillance and the deer are very mobile and it has been difficult to confirm their location.

Proposed Sika Eradication Russell Forest

Sika deer will be targeted for eradication later in the year. The eradication will take place in three stages:

1. Goat cull across sika eradication area to ensure goat pellets are minimised during Sika DNA survey, and also knock down high density goat numbers to reduce browsing damage and risk of spreading Phytophthora agathidicida. Concurrently staff propose funding the training of local kaimahi in wild animal control, for sustained control of goats into the future.

2. Sika DNA survey to quantify sika deer population in the Russell Forest.

3. Sika cull.

Before commencing, council requires landowner permissions to conduct the work on private property. Staff are working with local hapū representatives to carry out this engagement stage, and as soon as COVID-19 restriction allow will host two hui around Russell Forest to engage landowners.

Delegation of Wild Animal Control Act Powers

I continue to engage with the Department of Conservation. Staff have encountered at least five instances over the year where landowners have refused access for the purposes of wild animal control. If staff cannot access properties where deer are present, eradication will be an unrealistic goal.

KAURI PROTECTION

New Kauri Protection Funding

An agreement has been signed with the Ministry for Primary Industries for $1M of new funding for the coming year to kick start the national kauri protection plan. This funding will help pay for soil sampling, fencing, track building and wild animal management on private land. Staff will be working closely with iwi, the Ministry for Primary Industries, and the Department of Conservation (who have also received funding as part of the national plan initiatives) as part of this exciting new initiative to safeguard kauri for Northland.

”Clean Card” Kauri Protection Workshops

The kauri protection team presented a workshop to Pōkai o Ngāti Manu at Matauri Bay during the month. Recent COVID-19 alert level changes have resulted in several workshops planned for October being rescheduled to November.

Kaitiaki Kauri Project

The team also met with members from the Kaitiaki Kauri project. Kaitiaki Kauri is a two year project that has been established by Te Rūnanga-ā-Iwi-ō-Ngāpuhi and the Department of Conservation to protect kauri throughout Te Pēwhairangi area.

partnerships

Tutukaka High Value Area

Ÿ Predator control: Trapping is continuing under COVID-19 restrictions with moderately high catches of feral cats and stoats. The rat catch is 60% above the long term average and possum catches are steady.

Ÿ Weed control: The first weed action event of the year was held in Shoebridge Reserve targeting tree and Chinese privet, cotoneaster, jasmine, and wild ginger. Eight volunteers attending including one new member.

Ÿ Species enhancement: Monitored kiwi are all doing well, and Marohi hatching a chick during the month.

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Weed action volunteers at Shoebridge Reserve

Ÿ Advocacy: Ngunguru School interns accompanied a Landcare trapper on fieldwork to Kukutauwhao Island to rebait traps and help with data entry for the rat baiting on the island. An AT220 autotrap was also installed on the island, which has since caught an adult possum and joey. No possums had been caught on the island since May 2020, and it had been hoped that possums might have been eradicated. The auto trap will assist the eradication goal.

Kiwi Coast – Northland Regional Council

Ÿ Kiwi chicks: Spring heralds the arrival of hatching kiwi chicks on the Kiwi Coast and Kiwi Coast professional trappers have increased trap servicing to fortnightly to assist kiwi chick survival rates. Ÿ Media release: Kiwi Coast’s October media release regarding the highest kiwi call recorded in history appeared in the New Zealand Herald and Northern Advocate. Engaging Northlanders in successful kiwi recovery and advocating for improved dog control continue to be a key focus of Kiwi Coast. The press release can be found here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/northland-boasts-highest-number-of-kiwi-calls/E3DATPWSJPTTNVN2JU53ZARULM/	Ellis, the newest chick in the Tānekaha Community Pest Control Area
Ÿ Pest control workshops: Despite COVID-19 restrictions two local pest control workshops were able to be held during the month at Campbell Road Landcare and Pest Free Mangapai.

Campbell Road Landcare trapping workshop	Pest Free Mangapai trapping workshop

Kiwi Link High Value Area

The Kiwi Link High Value Area budget and document have now been finalised and prepared for print so it can be used as an information and engagement resource at future Kiwi Link events and workshops.

The Kiwi Coast Trust worked with core Kiwi Link professional predator trappers during the COVID-19 Level 3 and 4 restrictions to update health and safety processes and standard operating procedures to identify low risk predator traps that could continue to be serviced, with agreement from council and the private landowners involved. It was pleasing to be able to continue predator control as an essential service during peak kiwi nesting time as the first kiwi chicks are now emerging from their nests.

Kiwi Link has received Agreement in Principle from the Department of Conservation’s Kiwi Recovery Group to progress kiwi releases into several identified sites within the high value area and carry out telemetry monitoring to provide information on the efficacy of ferret control, dog control and investigate kiwi dispersal. The Department have invited Kiwi Link to prepare a full proposal for the required Translocation Permit which if successful, may see implementation occur in 2023.

MARINE BIOSECURITY

Envirolink Application Success – level of fouling tools

Council has been successful in receiving a large Envirolink grant ($80,000) in the most recent round of funding which will support the completion of a larger $200,000 project. This collaborative project will create tools to consistently assess level of fouling scores on vessels. This is a joint agency project being developed by the ‘Top of the North’ regional councils alongside Biosecurity New Zealand and the Department of Conservation. As part of the project, training and workshops will be held to demonstrate the use of guidance resources, standardised protocols, and an app (developed as part of the project). These outputs will enable vital knowledge transfer and provide the tools needed for better biosecurity management with improved levels of confidence, for both vessel operators and regulatory agencies.

Ōpua Mediterrean Fanworm Response

Adverse weather conditions and COVID-19 lockdowns have resulted in a small pause to the diving operations that are part of the Ōpua fanworm response. Fortunately, literature suggests that we are currently in a period where fanworm are presently not reproductively active. This coupled with the extensive systematic search and destroy efforts that were completed in late winter leave staff confident that the current delays will have minimal impacts on the success of this programme. Encouragingly, results from NIWAs marine high risk site surveillance dive surveys conducted over 2 weeks this month in Ōpua Basin, detected and removed only 65 fanworm. This represents a significantly lower detection rate than NIWAs previous searches.

Whangaroa

A contract has been agreed for divers to conduct a delimitation survey after two Sabella were found and removed from the oyster farm in Whangaroa.

COVID-19 levels and bad weather are hampering the start date.

Patuharekeke Hull Surveillance

A successful trial using a pole camera for the surveillance of recently arrived vessels at Marsden Cove marina was conducted in difficult conditions with positive results.

A few adjustments will be made, and inspections are expected to start next month.

Patuharakeke kaitiaki test a pole camera
under a vessel in Marsden Cove marina

PEST PLANTS

Sustained Control Pest Plants

Ongoing COVID-19 restrictions once again limited performance of core pest plant management ground- work. Consequently, planning of pest plant programmes site works was prioritised for when field work could resume. Five sustained control incident requests were received and prepared for rule breach follow up.

Eradication Plants

Yellow flag iris sites were inspected with eight management sites completed. Pleasing three sites no regrowth present.

Eradication plant yellow flag iris nestled amongst green goddess arum on Taipuhu Station Road

8.3.5 COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

REGIONAL TRANSPORT PLANNING

Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031

At the 13 October 2021 Regional Transport Committee (RTC) a paper titled Draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031 was tabled with the following recommendations made:

1. THAT the Regional Transport Committee approve that the Chairman be delegated responsibility to approve formatting, minor wording and grammatical changes to the Draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2021/2031, whilst ensuring that these changes in no way alter the strategic direction or objectives of the Regional Public Transport Plan 2021/2031 as approved by the Regional Transport Committee at their meeting on 14 April 2021.

2. THAT the Regional Transport Committee approve the release of the Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031 to the Northland Regional Council for their endorsement and approval for public release.

The above recommendations were carried.

Staff are in the final stages of completing the Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031 for presentation to the Chairman of the RTC for his perusal and approval prior to submitting the document to the Northland Regional Council for approval for release. It is anticipated that this will be at the 14 December 2021 council meeting.

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 Sept 2021   (revenue ex GST)	Actual	Budget	Variance	Year/Date Actual	Year/Date Budgeted	Variance
CityLink Passengers	23,124	27,573	-4,449	68,390	83,318	- 14,928
CityLink Revenue	$28,249	$35,569	-$7,320	$87,476	$107,479	-$20,003
Mid North Link Passengers	122	156	-34	472	480	-8
Mid North Link Revenue	$ 466	$840	-$374	$1,795	$2,400	-$605
Hokianga Link Passengers	71	78	-7	242	234	12
Hokianga Link Revenue	$406	$543	-$137	$1,332	$1,628	-$296
Far North Link Passengers	212	396	-184	834	1,196	-362
Far North Link Revenue	$625	$1,001	-$376	$2,361	$3,026	-$665
Bream Bay Link Passengers	33	24	9	127	66	61
Bream Bay Link Revenue	$246	$86	$160	$883	$238	$645
Hikurangi Link Passengers	11	24	-13	34	66	-32
Hikurangi Link Revenue	$42	$78	-$36	$42	$78	-$36
Whangārei Heads Link Passengers	3	24	-21	30	66	-36
Whangārei Heads Link Revenue	$13	$104	-$91	$130	$287	-$157

Farebox Revenue Recovery

Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) has extended their financial assistance through to 31 December 2021 for farebox revenue lost as a result of the COVID-19 related passenger decline. This subsidy assistance is at the approved financial assistance rate of 54%.

The Ministry of Transport and Waka Kotahi are looking at alternative funding options to continue this assistance.

Please note that this financial assistance is not reflected in the above figures as it is paid separately.

Rose Street Bus Terminus Update

The commencement of the first phase of the upgrade to the Rose Street Bus Terminus is planned to commence in early/mid-January 2022. A temporary Vine St terminus is being worked on with Whangārei District Council (WDC) and local businesses. This is important as Rose St Terminal will be closed for planned upgrade work.

Free bus rides to and from your vaccination appointment

Free bus travel for persons wanting to access COVID-19 vaccination centres will continue to 31 December 2021. Waka Kotahi will be covering the cost for these passengers.

Proposed Kerikeri Link Summer Service

Following consultation with the Far North District Council and the operator regarding the uncertainty of COVID-19 alert levels, coupled with the real risk of Auckland remaining at Alert Level 3 through the Christmas and New Year period, the decision has been made to postpone the implementation of this trial service to a later date.

Total Mobility (TM)

	Total Clients	Monthly Actual Expend	Monthly Budgeted Expend	Monthly Variance	Year/Date Actual Expend	Year/Date Budgeted Expend	Annual Variance
Sept 2021	1,257	$17,528	$25,000	-$7,472	$61,821	$75,000	-$13,179

ROAD SAFETY UPDATE

Road Trauma Update - 2021 Year to Date Road Death Statistics

Fatalities this year	Far North	Whangārei	Kaipara	Northland	National
Local roads	4	2	2	8	142
State highways	6	6	7	19	122
TOTAL	10	8	9	27	264 ^{^[1]}

Motorcycle Safety - Ride Forever (R4E) Rider Training Update

Ÿ R4E – 2020/2021 – 186 completed courses

Ÿ R4E – 2021/2022 – 22 completed courses year to date

Motorcycle Awareness Month (MAM) - October 2021

Social Media events and weekly focus points:

Ÿ Week 1 - Celebration of Motorcycle Safety

Ÿ Week 2 - Upgrading Rider Skills

Ÿ Week 3 - Wearing the Correct Motorcycle Gear

Ÿ Week 4 - Motorcycle Technical Safety

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Labour Weekend Driver Reviver/Fatigue Stop:

This event was cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Road Safety Promotion/Media Themes for September 2021 & October 2021

Road safety promotional and media-related themes for September and October will concentrate on:

Ÿ Motorcycling

Ÿ Distractions

Ÿ Alcohol

Ÿ Young Drivers

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Warnings and activations

The following weather watches and warnings were issued by MetService and monitored during October:

Ÿ 3 Severe Weather Watches and 1 Severe Weather Warning for 7/8 October

Ÿ This rainfall resulted in a landslip at Te Ngaere with land clearing activities above the properties thought to be a contributing factor, impacting a house on Wainui Road. Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Far North District Council building inspectors responded to the incident to assist the building owners and occupants.

Ÿ 4 Severe Weather Watches for 20/21 October

Ÿ 3 Severe Weather Watches and 3 Severe Weather Warnings for 22/23 October

Ÿ Rain was concentrated about the eastern hills as forecast, with Touwai receiving the highest rainfall for the duration of the event with 271mm, followed by Wiroa Rd (northeast of Ōkaihau) with 216mm, Ngunguru with 203mm and Puhipuhi on 192 mm.

Ÿ Main river catchments effected during this event were the Oruru River with flooding on the flats, Kāeo River with flooding at Dip Road and across SH10, flooding in the Waitangi catchment and on the Whakapara swamp area.

Ÿ FENZ dispatched volunteers to Kāeo to observe any flooding in the area.

COVID-19 Delta Alert Levels for Northland

Ÿ On Friday 8 October at 11.59pm, Northland went to Alert Level 3 for 11 days

Ÿ On Tuesday 19 October at 11.59pm, Northland went down to and remains (at the time of writing) at Alert Level 2

Collaboration continues with the lead agency, the Northland District Health Board (NDHB), and several other support agencies including emergency services, NEMA, councils and others. COVID planning continues as new information is released by central government and participation and support through the Northland Intersectoral Forum Regional Leadership Group on behalf on the NRC and CDEM.

Tsunami Readiness - Tsunami Siren Testing

The Northland tsunami siren network was tested at the start of Daylight Saving, Sunday 26 September at 10.00am for 10 minutes and 10.30am for 30 seconds to ensure they were operating as per their design specification. The usual public information and awareness programme was implemented leading up to and during the testing.

Each siren is monitored by volunteers within coastal communities and the results are received by Civil Defence staff. Several faults were detected in the sirens, mainly strobe lights on the top of the sirens not operating.

The contract for the tsunami siren replacement program over the coming 3 years is being finalised and a Project Manager to oversee the project is being sought.

Capability Development - CIMS

This year there has been an increased demand from partner agencies for Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS4) training and associated function training.

To address the increased need, 6 x CIMS4 specific courses are programmed for 2022 across Northland.

Northland Lifelines Group (NLG)

The Northland Lifelines Utility Group held its quarterly meeting online on Friday 29 October. The meeting covered COVID-19 business continuity planning, approval of the 2022 work programme and the launch of the Climate Change Risk Assessment for the NLG.

The Climate Change Risk Assessment is intended to cover the direct climate change impacts on lifeline utility assets and services (exposure, vulnerability, and risk), not the consequential impacts on communities. The information provided through this project will inform detailed community impact assessments being undertaken by Far North, Kaipara, and Whangārei District Councils.

A project team has been established to work with the Project Manager and contract provider. The project is being partially funded by the NEMA Resilience fund: $25,000.

CDEM Group and Coordinating Executive Group (CEG)

The CDEM Group and CEG were scheduled to hold their quarterly meetings on 10 November. Included in the agenda items was the approval of the Northland CDEM Group Plan that has been rewritten and revised in accordance with the CDEM Act 2002 requirements. This is the fourth group plan to be developed. The group also received a presentation on the progress of the Northland Multi-Agency Coordinating Centre.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised that a full rewrite of the CDEM Act 2002 will occur during 2022. Earlier proposals had been to amend the existing legislation; however, a full rewrite of the legislation is now proposed with a timeline that would have the new legislation being enacted for the beginning of 2023.

NEMA are also continuing to work on the development of a strategy that outlines how the agency will work with CDEM Groups going forward. A full-day strategy workshop was held on 3 November that included representatives from Maori and iwi. Northland were represented by the two Northland CEG Iwi representatives.

Welfare

The Northland Welfare Coordination Group held its quarterly meeting on 5 November with an online meeting focusing on the COVID-19 Delta response.

MARITIME

Commercial Shipping

Shipping to Whangārei was slightly disrupted over labour weekend with a combination of poor weather, and the failure of a wave data buoy while the backup was under service. Shipping was suspended until communication with the buoy was re-established.

Currently Pilot Operations manuals are being updated and work continues on an upgrade plan for the buoys and beacons to the upper and lower Whangārei harbour.

The Harbourmaster is working with Golden Bay Cement to establish dredging requirements to improve safety in the Portland channel and one superyacht was piloted into and out of Ōpua in Bay of Islands.

Work is almost complete for the tender of the replacement pilot/work boat Waikare including the final details for the proposed design features.

COVID-19 restrictions affected several meetings, conferences, and training courses:

Ÿ A Northern Harbourmasters meeting was attended via Teams due to travel restrictions.

Ÿ The NZ Pilots Annual Conference was postponed due to travel restrictions.

Ÿ The Annual Oil Spill Conference was cancelled.

Ÿ The regional On Scene Commanders’ Course for oil spill response was cancelled. Northland had two staff scheduled to attend.

Ÿ The Advanced Pilots Training Course, required as part of pilot license requirements, has been moved online.

Recreational Boating

Three vessels were removed and destroyed from Whangārei harbour by the Maritime team. Another six abandoned and/or derelict vessels are in the process of being removed, with more time being given to owners due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Two vessels are being managed by the team until owners can return to Northland.

Planning for the Recreational Boating Summer Campaign is progressing well. The Summer Ambassador for the Far North (based in Ahipara) has been appointed. They will provide education to remote northern communities over summer, continuing the excellent work and connections established last summer. Promotional material is being developed.

All Harbour Wardens have new contracts in place. They are required to complete a minimum number of hours in their role of recreational boating education, enforcement and reporting requirements.

Buoys and beacons maintenance has been completed at Mangonui and Taipā. After surviving ten years, the beacon on Albert Reef in Doubtless Bay has been damaged by high wave action and is under repair in the Ōpua workshop.

Replacement navigational sign panels for boat ramps throughout Northland are being delivered with the panels replaced before summer.

The Maritime team are holding an Oil Spill Response exercise in Ōpua on Tuesday 9 November. This is one of two annual exercises that are carried out under our contract with Maritime NZ.

RIVERS AND NATURAL HAZARDS

Rivers Long Term Plan Projects

Rivers	Comments
Awanui	Northern Floodway Benching contract has been awarded; work is expected to start the first week of November. Kaitaia Rugby Club Floodway Benching will be tendered early November along with Milky Way flood wall.
Otīria/Moerewa	WSP-OPUS has started the detailed design for the new Pokapu Road Bridge.
Matangirau	Staff are progressing with landowner agreement.
Kerikeri	Waipapa Industrial Estate Flood Mitigation tender is live, closing Thursday 11 November.

Natural Hazards  

Work Streams	Status	Comments
Region-Wide River Flood Mapping	95% complete	These flood maps are in addition (complimentary) to the existing Priority Rivers Flood Hazard Maps and will be combined in one layer on the website portal. This was workshopped with NRC Councillors on Tuesday 28 September. The FNDC workshop was held on Thursday 30 September. The KDC and WDC workshops are planned for Wednesday 3 November. It is our aim to go public in the middle of November, for which a communication plan is under development in collaboration with our TA colleagues.
Website Natural Hazards Portal	78% complete	Morphum Environmental have been engaged to develop the portal. The second draft was received for feedback by participants by Friday 3 September, followed up by a second virtual catch-up. The next phase of the development of the portal is underway, e.g., landing page, flooding and Te Ao Māori aspects, story maps, and sea level rise viewer. It is our vision to ‘go public’ by the end of 2021.
Whangārei Inner Harbour Hydrodynamic Model	99% complete	Final model outputs and report have been received following QA/QC check and comments on the report. Model outputs/maps to be incorporated on our website page map portal replacing the existing ‘bath-tub’ model maps.
Raupo Drainage Scheme – Coastal Flood Hazard Analysis & Mitigation Options	15% complete	We have engaged Water Technology (WT) to do detailed hydraulic modelling from all perspectives, i.e., catchment, river and most importantly coastal. The objective is to establish a detailed base model and to develop flood hazard mitigation options, particularly from a coastal perspective, and adaptation planning. The project team consists of NRC and KDC staff, Chair of the Drainage Committee, and the Consultants. NRC are taking the modelling analysis lead on this project. Surveys, data collection, assets inspection and ‘building’ of the hydraulic model is underway. First draft ‘results’ are expected by the end of 2021
Whangārei (CBD) River Catchment Flood Model	35% complete	Upgrade of the hydraulic model including new structures, updated LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and sea level rise values and recalibration. Initial draft outcomes have been delayed until the beginning of December due to over commitment by the consultant. This hydraulic model will be shared with WDC as they, in parallel, are developing their storm water model.

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Climate Change Response  

Work Streams   

Status   

Comments   

NRC Climate Change Strategy “Ngā Taumata o te Moana” and implementation plan 

Adopted and actions progressing

Progress on recommended actions in the implementation plan will be reported on at the Climate Change Working Party meeting on Wednesday 10 November.

Te Taitokerau Climate 

Adaptation Strategy  

Draft V2.3 – council workshops

Workshops have been held with all Councils, Te Taitokerau Māori and Council (TTMAC) as well as tangata whenua representative groups, prior to final drafting, presentation, and adoption at the Monday 29 November Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee.

The Coastal Adaptation programme is in development, including exposure assessment of 63 coastal communities to support TAs to select sites for community adaptation planning.

Job descriptions for the Climate Change roles, documented in the Long Term Plan, are currently being finalised for approval. Recruitment for these positions is due to begin shortly. Until these positions are filled, essential Climate Change Strategy implementation actions are being progressed by members of the Rivers and Natural Hazards team, and Strategic Policy team.

The draft National Emissions Reduction Plan contents were presented to Council at the Wednesday 27 October Council Workshop. A summary of this paper is being presented to the Climate Change Working Party on Wednesday 10 November and consultation with TTMAC is also underway. The NRC draft submission on the National Emissions Reduction Plan will be developed by the Strategic Policy team and presented for approval at the 16 November Council meeting before the final version is submitted to the Ministry of the Environment by 24 November.

NORTHLAND WIDE LIDAR SURVEY

Work Streams	Status	Comments
Regional LiDAR Survey	In progress	NRC is awaiting delivery of QA dataset from RPS (Contractor). Checks are to be made by NRC & LINZ prior to the generation of final deliverables.

8.3.6 CORPORATE SERVICES

Enterprise System

Ÿ Timeline - On track, elaboration & design workshops commenced

Ÿ Budget - tracking under budget

Ÿ Quality - quality meeting expectations

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 AND FLEET UPDATE

Construction work on the Kaipara Service Centre is ongoing at Alert L2. Canam continue to have challenges with accessing some subcontractors based in Auckland under Alert Level 3. They are engaging Northland based subcontractors as a solution, where possible. Kaipara District Council has been notified of facility handover being likely in April 2022, or later depending on the status of lockdown in Northland and/or Auckland going forward.

Both the Code of Compliance Certificate and the subdivision application for Kensington Crossing has been granted by Whangārei District Council. The unconditional sale can now settle immediately following LINZ awarding titles, expected on or around mid-November 2021.

Construction work on council’s Water Street building has come to completion with an opening of the KMR offices area planned for early December 2021.

The NIWA Kingfish RAS project has received Building Consent and the head contract agreement with CB Civil has been executed. CB Civil are set up on site with council staff’s initial Health and Safety inspection being 9 November 2021.

In line with council’s recently approved vehicle fleet policy, two hybrid vehicles have been purchased for the KMR Project and four full electric vehicles are due for delivery early December 2021 replacing older ones in council’s fleet. A further five hybrids are on order for delivery early 2022 to replace existing diesel vehicles.

8.3.7 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Submissions lodged under delegated authority during the month of October 2021
Land Management	Submission on proposed Freshwater farm plan regulations
Land Management	Submission on proposed changes to the low slope map (Stock exclusion regulations)

land management

Sustainable Hill Country and Regional Priorities

Milestones	Status
Soil Conservation Plans	Soil Conservation Plan template complete. Internal processes including IRIS reports in development.
Stakeholder engagement	Land Management Advisors conducting follow up phone calls to landowners who were sent a letter inviting them to take advantage of grants for erosion control work.

Poplar and Willow Nursery

Milestones	Status
Nursery expansion	Nursery business case currently underway. Target delivery date is end of December 2021. This will inform our future expansion options and will be workshopped with council.

Environment fund progress

Fifty-two projects were approved on 1 October 2021. The results are as below:

Objective	General Efund	Catchment Groups	Terrestrial Biodiversity	Coastcare
DA allocation	$380,327.00	$10,000.00	$49,999.90	$20,122.00

SHaRP

Eight fencing projects totalling $78,805.75 were approved on 1 October 2021.

Whangārei Urban Awa Project

Ÿ Year-1 report accepted by MfE and invoiced money received

Ÿ Q1/Year-2 report to MfE underway

Waimā Waitai Waiora Partnership

Ÿ Waimā Waitai Waiora website completed (https://www.waimawaitaiwaiora.co.nz/)

Ÿ Million Metres (Sustainable Business Network) have raised $25,655.35 for the WWW partnership.

Ÿ Wananga facilitated by Reconnecting Northland for the research component of the WWW partnership (Te Kawa Waiora) have been delayed due to Covid-19 alert levels.

Ÿ Maintenance checks on planting sites being undertaken.

Natural resources

Coastal/Water Quality Operations

Ÿ All routine monitoring was delayed due to the covid restrictions, however most of these programmes should be completed in the final two weeks of October.

Ÿ Construction of new continuous dissolved oxygen (DO) monitoring stations commenced to ensure the sensors will be ready for deployment over the summer period. A total of 21 DO sensors will be deployed over summer, collecting DO readings every 15 minutes. The data will greatly improve council’s knowledge of the ecosystem metabolism (ecological health) of these rivers and streams and meets the NPS-FW monitoring requirements.

HYDROLOGY

Rainfall

Ÿ Northland had good rainfall in October 2021 with a regional average of 244mm.

Ÿ Cape Rēinga was the driest over October 2021, recording only 79.6mm of rainfall; the wettest catchment was Towai recording 463.5mm of rainfall.

Ÿ All rainfall stations in Northland recorded over 100% of expected rainfall for October 2021.

Ÿ Once again Cape Rēinga was the lowest with 105%, while Ngunguru and Waitangi catchments were the joint highest with 500% of expected rainfall for October 2021.

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Rivers

Ÿ All river catchments received over 100% of the expected rainfall for the month

Ÿ As indicated in the map, all major river catchment flows are above normal for
October 2021, with the exception of the Kaihū catchment on the west coast, which was normal.

Groundwater Ÿ Due to significant October rainfall recharge, most groundwater aquifers are above normal October levels. Ÿ Kaikohe and Tara aquifers are normal; the Mangawhai aquifer was still recovering recording low water level.
	Area	Status	Percentile
	Aupōuri	Above Normal	60^th +
	Taipā	Above Normal	60^th +
	Russell	Above Normal	60^th +
	Kaikohe	Normal	40 - 60^th
	Whangārei	Above Normal	60^th +
	Marsden-Ruakākā	Above Normal	60^th +
	Porotī	Above Normal	60^th +
	Mangawhai	Low	10 - 25^th
	Ruawai	Above Normal	60^th +

NATURAL RESOURCES DATA

Ÿ The Environmental Data Hub went live on 18 October 2021. It contains environmental data from sites monitored across Northland. A communication plan has been developed for the Hub. (Link to website)

Ÿ Hilltop Mobility Solution/Survey123 Project: Hills Labs are working with regional councils on the integration of Survey 123 into Hilltop. Survey 123 is the software used to collect field data. Hilltop is the database that stores the data. New electronic data collection forms are currently being developed for lake levels and groundwater levels. A review of the existing forms will be completed before the summer sampling season. The RECOCO project ensures consistent electronic field capture across all regional councils and centralises the IT resourcing required to implement. 

Ÿ The implementation of the biological database is scheduled for most modules (Macro-invertebrates, periphyton etc.) in December 2021.

NATURAL RESOURCES SCIENCE

Air Quality and Carbon Emission

Ÿ Over September 2021, no air quality exceedances were recorded for ambient PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 at the Whangārei and Ruakākā airsheds. ^{^[2]}

Ÿ The report titled “Whangārei and Kaitaia Air Emission Inventories for Particulate Matter – 2018” from Pattle Delamore Partners (PDP) has been received. It was commissioned to undertake further assessment of Northland airsheds to assist with determining the best locations for monitoring as part of the environmental monitoring networks review. The main findings are summarised below:

Ÿ The emission inventories included four major source types: home heating, road transport, industry and backyard burning.

Ÿ The largest contributors to annual PM₁₀ emissions in Whangārei are found to be home heating and transport. While home heating contributions to annual PM₁₀ are 45%, daily contributions in winter are significantly higher (71%) as most homes with fuel burning heating devices are used in winter. Similar source type patterns are seen in the Whangārei airshed PM_2.5 emissions, with home heating emissions being slightly more prominent.

Ÿ The largest contributor to annual PM₁₀ emissions in the Kaitaia airshed was industry at 76%. While home heating contributions to annual PM₁₀ emissions are just 15%, the daily contributions in winter are higher (35%). Similar source type and patterns are seen in the Kaitaia airshed PM_2.5 emissions, with home heating emissions being more prominent.

Ÿ Annual and winter day PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 emission source contributions in percentage to the Whangārei and Kaitaia airsheds are broken down in the table below.

Whangārei Airshed PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 Emissions by Source (%)

	Home Heating		Transport		Industry		Backyard Burning
	PM₁₀	PM_2.5	PM₁₀	PM_2.5	PM₁₀	PM_2.5	PM₁₀	PM_2.5
Annual	45	54	32	30	15	6	8	10
Winter day	71	78	17	14	8	3	4	5

Kaitaia Airshed PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 Emissions by Source (%)

	Home Heating		Transport		Industry		Backyard Burning
	PM₁₀	PM_2.5	PM₁₀	PM_2.5	PM₁₀	PM_2.5	PM₁₀	PM_2.5
Annual	15	19	6	6	76	72	3	3
Winter day	35	40	4	4	59	54	2	2

Ÿ A comparison of the 2006 and 2018 Whangārei airshed inventories suggests a reduction in total winter day PM₁₀ emissions in the Whangārei airshed of approximately 27% from 1.2 tonnes per day to 0.9 tonnes per day.

Ÿ The report suggests a large reduction in industrial PM₁₀ emissions in the Whangārei airshed of 66% over the years 2006 to 2018. This can be attributed to no new major PM₁₀ emission sources to have been consented in that period in the airshed and two major consented industries (Ballance Fertiliser and TDC Sawmill) which have ceased operating since 2006.

Ÿ Between 2006 and 2018, PM₁₀ emissions from transport increased by 44%. This increase could be due to an increase in vehicle numbers during this period.

Ÿ PM₁₀ emissions from home heating and backyard burning decreased 14 and 78 percent respectively in the Whangārei airshed between 2006 and 2018. The decrease in home heating is expected as newer homes either have low emission wood burners or use heat pumps to heat their homes. The root cause for the decrease in emissions is unknown, it could be a result of the burning rule change in 2008 for the Whangārei airshed.

Ÿ Council’s CO₂-e (carbon dioxide equivalent) monthly emissions from 2018 are presented in the graph below. Since April 2021, council’s CO₂-e emission has increased every month (in comparison with the same months in 2020) except August and
September 2021. Lower emissions from April 2020 to March 2021 and again in August and September 2021, are largely attributed to the COVID-19 restrictions/lockdown. The graph is based on live data and therefore figures for the last few months are subject to change.

Ÿ Council started carbon emission reporting from 2018 calendar year, which is considered as a base year. Therefore, 2018 emissions are represented in a line graph.

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Coastal

· Between January and March 2021, council and the Patuharakeke Trust Board conducted an ecological survey and a cultural health assessment of the Waipū Estuary Significant Ecological Area. Analysis and reporting of this assessment is now complete.

· The ecological survey included a quadrat survey of 63 sites, shellfish core sampling at 70 sites, five-minute bird surveys at eight sites and eDNA sampling. The survey identified two Hū ai (cockle beds) with high densities of harvestable Hū ai and one Hanikura (wedge shell) bed. Areas of dense adult Kōkata (pipi) were also found in the river channel of the estuary but there did not appear to be a well-defined Kōkata bed.

· In total, 16 different marine benthic invertebrate taxa were identified. No non-native invertebrate species were found, and the species present are indicative of a healthy sand flat. The bird surveys identified 26 different bird taxa, including 13 species that are either ‘threatened’ or ‘at risk’. Results from the eDNA sampling identified 36 different taxa. This included 19 fish including several important cultural and commercial species such as Kanae (mullet), Kahawai, Tāmure (snapper), Ihe (piper), and Kātaha (yellow-eye mullet).

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Total cockle density per m²in Waipū Estuary

· The cultural assessment involved Patuharakeke kaitiaki collectively scoring eight different indicators of cultural health. Each of the eight indicators were scored from 1 (takutai-mate – poor coastal condition) to 5 (takutai-ora – healthy coastal condition) with these scores combined to provide one overall indicator of mauri. The mauri of the Waipū Estuary recorded a score of 4 and the Waipū Lagoon a score of 3. Patuharakeke continue to work to further develop their capability to capture nuances in takutai health by further developing their localised cultural health monitoring programmes into the future.

Water Allocation

Ÿ The Regional Plan for Northland (RP) sets out allocation limits for rivers based on a percentage of the flow statistic “7-day mean annual low flow” (MALF).  These allocation limits were informed by technical assessments including modelling undertaken by NIWA using the Environmental Flow Strategic Allocation Platform (EFSAP). The allocation limits are applied at locations where alternative limits have not already been established by conditions of existing consents.  In many cases these alternative limits are based on the flow statistic “1 in 5 year 7-day low flow” (Q5).

Ÿ NRC commissioned NIWA to undertaken additional regional modelling to assess the potential impact on the instream habitat of key fish species and reliability of supply for an allocation regime being based on Q5, i.e., existing consent conditions.

Ÿ Although the modelling has limitations, the outcomes indicate an alternative regional allocation regime based on the Q5 flow stat is likely to increase adverse effects on instream ecosystem health, compared to the existing regional allocation regime based on a percentage of MALF. The report recommends specific catchment investigations be undertaken, rather than regional modelling, to determine the appropriateness of alternative allocation regimes.

Freshwater quality

Ÿ Monitoring plans for freshwater quality (rivers and lakes) and associated technical documents have been produced for finalising the Stage 2 report of the Monitoring Network Review. Freshwater monitoring plans are now in the process of being signed-off by the Natural Resources (NR) managers following the consideration of feedback from the NR Operation teams.

Ÿ Feedback to the draft national sediment guidance document to implement NPS-FM sediment attributes (prepared by NIWA) have been provided to MfE by relevant staff members from the Science, Land Management and Policy teams.

Ÿ Feedback to the National Freshwater Accounting Framework guidelines by relevant staff members from the Science and Policy teams have been provided to MfE.

Ÿ River ecosystem metabolism based on continuous dissolved oxygen (DO): The purpose of this Envirolink and partly council funded project (commissioned to Cawthron Institute) was to get advice and guidance on data management and reporting of the NPS-FM attributes related to continuous DO measurements. The final report, together with a data analysis automation tool (using R-code), have been delivered. Staff are assessing next steps.

POLICY AND PLANNING

Proposed Regional Plan

The Environment Court has released its decisions on Topic 5 Water Quality and Topic 8 Agrichemicals (the latter providing parties with 10 working days to comment on the wording of the provisions). Council has identified several minor changes that will improve and clarify the Agrichemical provisions and has circulated these to other parties for feedback prior to lodging with the Court. The Judge will review the suggested changes and make final directions. Topic 5 is now resolved.

The Court has issued a minute requesting parties to the appeals on Topic 14 Fishing Controls/Marine Protected Areas asking for their views on whether recent case law and articles by Dame Anne Salmond are of relevance, and whether the Court should re-open the hearing to consider the materials. The parties met and agreed that the materials are relevant but that these can be taken into account during on-going discussions between parties, with no need to delay the release of the Court’s decision.

The hearing on stock exclusion provisions (Topic 16) has been pushed back by the Environment Court to the 10-12 November due to COVID-19 restrictions in Auckland. The hearing will be held virtually with the Court advising that there are now no available hearing times available prior to November 2022.

Freshwater Plan Change

The Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group (TWWAG) met on 11 October with the Director responsible for Te Mana o Te Wai and other staff from the Ministry for the Environment (MfE). The meeting discussed the workplan of TWWAG and the opportunity for MfE support. TWWAG also held an internal workshop to finalise their initial work (background analysis) and to further refine the next stages of their work. TWWAG will present their work to date to the November TTMAC hui.

The Primary Sector Liaison Group (PSLG) are providing feedback on the freshwater issues / challenges / opportunities for them in Northland for discussion at their November meeting.

National Initiatives

Climate Change

Emissions reduction – the government has released a discussion document as a prelude to developing the first Emissions Reduction Plan in May 2022. Please refer to council agenda item on this matter.

Waste Management

The Government is consulting on a proposed new waste strategy that sets the direction to transform the way we manage waste. https://consult.environment.govt.nz/waste/taking-responsibility-for-our-waste/supporting_documents/wastestrategyandlegislationconsultationdocument.pdf

The consultation includes issues and options for developing more comprehensive waste legislation to regulate the management of waste, and products and materials circulating in our economy. Once developed, the new legislation would replace the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the Litter Act 1979). Submissions close 26 November 2021. Staff do not consider a council submission is warranted on the basis that the matter is best informed by those in the sector with more specialist expertise.

District Plans

NRC is a s.274 party to an appeal on Proposed Plan Change 78 to the Kaipara District Plan. Discussions with parties have been ongoing and mediation is scheduled for late November, early December 2021.

8.3.8 GOVERNANCE AND ENGAGEMENT

MĀORI ENGAGEMENT

Te Oneroa-a-Tohē Board

Ÿ A review of the governance structure by the Board to reset the Technical Steering Group to ensure the implementation of the plan has iwi and council technical expertise to deliver on the objectives of the plan.

Water Resilience Projects

Ÿ Māori technical expertise provided to support the Water Resilience Working Group, CDEM and Te Rarawa to map significant water projects across Taitokerau.

Ÿ Working across central government agencies ie. Ministry for Environment to fund applicants connecting with council staff to align water projects with an increased focus on customer centric service delivery.

Hapū Iwi Environmental Planning Fund

This fund has gone live on our website for the October 2021 Iwi/Hapū Environmental Management Plan Fund and is a contestable fund established to help Iwi/Hapū develop planning documents recognised by an Iwi Authority, as required under the Resource Management Act 1991 (section 74 (2A)). These documents must then be considered when developing or changing regional plans or policy statements.

The requirement for formal planning documents will help Iwi/Hapū become more involved in resource management processes by building their capacity, and at the same time capturing their current environmental knowledge, passion, and practice. Application criteria applies and can be found on our website (www.nrc.govt.nz/iwiplans) and provides information for the public:

Ÿ Information on what an Environmental Management Plan is and its importance

Ÿ Funding for these plans

Ÿ Application criteria for the fund

Ÿ FAQ’s

Ÿ Plans held by council

Ÿ Link to the application form

Te Whāriki Core Cultural Competency Programme

Ÿ Level 2 cultural competency programmes continue to build competency and confidence of staff to engage meaningfully with tangāta whenua.

Ÿ Koiake Consultancy has been contracted to deliver these programmes, pictured here with our science, monitoring and land management teams at Terenga Paraoa Marae.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Investment and Growth Reserve – Projects Report

Project	Update	Future developments/ reporting
REL	Formal proposal yet to be received. However, progress is being made and proposal expected very soon.	Review proposal and negotiate an agreement.
Extension 350	2021/22 quarter one report received for period ending 30 Sept. Quarterly evaluation meeting held 6 October.	Second quarter invoice to be paid.
Hundertwasser Art Centre	Workshop discussion with councillors on the funding condition associated with the appointment of a council representative to the committee overseeing the operation of HAC. Received third tranche payment request for $300,000 on practical completion (22 October).	Following a council decision on appointing a council representative (to be made at this council meeting), payment of the third invoice will be made and decision communicated to Hātea Art Precinct Trust. Fourth and final payment of $200,000 on opening

Other Work Undertaken

Ÿ COVID-19 – provided further analysis on the impact of the latest COVID-19 lockdowns on economic activity in Northland (varying alert levels, supply chain, tourism spending).

Ÿ Te Taitokerau Northland Economic Action Plan – developed an infographic of progress in key monitoring indicators since 2015.

Ÿ Digital – workshop update for councillors and set up meeting between DEG and Crown Infrastructure Partners.

Ÿ Taitokerau Northland Destination Management Plan – participated in the inaugural meeting of the working group established to implement the DMP launched in September.

Ÿ Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust – met with Trust to get update on project including financial details.

Ÿ Regional Projects Reserve – commence work with Finance team to develop a criteria and procedures for the allocation of funding from this Reserve established in the Long Term Plan 2021-2031.

ONLINE CHANNELS

Highlights: Our new Environmental Data Hub was launched mid-October. The Hub brings together data from all our environmental monitoring sites making it easier to access and view data about Northland’s environment.

Most popular content on Facebook: Most popular post for October - “Super Saturday Covid vaccination ride free”. The post had a reach of 8,628 people with 508 people engaged.

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

Key Performance Indicators	Jun-21	Jul 21	Aug-21	Sep-21	Oct-21
WEB
# Visits to the NRC website	34,100	36,300	29,700	34,900	41,300
E-payments made	9	54	38	29	33
# subscription customers (cumulative)	1,287	1,280	1,278	1,286	1,273
SOCIAL MEDIA (cumulative)
# Twitter followers	1,555	1,554	1,557	1,562	1,566
# NRC Facebook fans	10,441	10,454	10,500	10,500	10,500
# NRC Overall Facebook Reach	62,800	90,600	94,500	56,300	37,300^{^[3]}
# NRC Engaged Daily Users	3,249	3,811	2,760	2,502	1,479
# CDEM Facebook fans	25,271	25,279	25,287	25,419	25,700
# CDEM Overall Facebook Reach	29,300	70,600	208,700	344,100	325,000
# CDEM Engaged Daily Users	1,410	3,324	23,000	27,400	54,700
# Instagram followers	1,399	1,408	1,422	1,422	1,442

ENVIROSCHOOLS / EDUCATION

Project Pest Control Assessment Workshop

On 27 October, the final Project Pest Control assessment workshop for 2021 was held at Lonsdale Park. Project protocols in place, 30 students from Bay of Islands College, Northland College, Ōkaihau College and Taipā Area School gained qualifications in trapping multiple pests, skinning and plucking possums and pest animal biology and environmental impacts. Tutors from NRC Biosecurity, Can Train NZ, and the pest control industry also shared their career pathways and current jobs. The 20 Kaitaia College students are being assessed separately.

WaiFencing Workshops

On 28 and 29 October, the final WaiFencing course for 2021 was held on Pamu’s Rangiputa Station. Again, Covid protocols in place, 47 students from Broadwood Area School, Okaihau College and Taipa Area School gained qualifications in fence construction and repair, temporary electric fencing and tool identification. Cr Kitchen attended and Land Management gave a presentation on the importance of fencing off waterways. Tutoring was carried out by Can Train NZ, Pamu/Landcorp and NRC Land Management.

Nationwide Enviroschools Hui

For parts of 13 and 14 of October the 2021 nation-wide Enviroschools Hui was held online and attended by the NRC Enviroschools team. Topics discussed included: the recent Enviroschools survey, Toimata future focus project and the Ope community-wide project in South Auckland.

Enviroschools Communities Facilitated

Despite the school holidays and Covid levels, during October Enviroschools Facilitators had specific interactions with 67 school and early childhood communities.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL INFORMATION (LGOIMA) REQUESTS

Total LGOIMAs	Oct 2019 to Oct 2020	Oct 2019 to Oct 2020
Total LGOIMAs	194	193
Number of LGOIMAs not responded to within 20 working days		0

CUSTOMER SERVICES

Telephone inbound call statistics & enquiries

	Oct 2021
Call volume via Customer Services	2,074
Average wait time	7 sec
Calls answered in under 30 seconds	96.9%

Calls stayed at the normal level in the October lockdown, whereas in previous lockdown the call volume had dropped to two thirds.

1 Jul 2018 –

30 Jun 2019

1 Jul 2019 –

30 Jun 2020

1 Jul 2020 –

30 Jun 2021

Call volume via Customer Services

20,812

30,566

31,130

This is the call volume over the last three years using our 3CX system.

Mailroom email processing performance

The Customer Service’s enquiry management system is working well. Customer Services Team are continually improving the process of mailroom so that it benefits the wider council. Mail stayed at the normal volume during the lockdown in October.

	Oct 2021
Mail processed	819

Satisfaction monitoring

No compliments for the month of October.

The complaints have all been dealt with.

Feedback cards, compliments, and complaints

Compliments received	Total
No Compliments have been recorded for this month	0
Total compliments recorded	0

Complaints received

Total

· Land Management

· City Link

Total complaints recorded

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil

[1] Note future reporting will have comparative data with previous years.

[2] Note: The air quality data is always report two months behind due to the timing in which results are received.

[3] Facebook Reach is the number of unique users who had any content from a Facebook Page or about a Facebook Page enter their screen. Facebook increasingly works on a monetisation model meaning that increasing reach relies to a large extent on paying for it through campaigns and promoted activities which keep NRC posts prioritised in the news feed.

Council has not been running paid campaigns recently, and the drop in reach reflects the reach council’s page is able to achieve on the platform organically.

TITLE:	Confirmation of Minutes - Council Meeting 19 October 2021
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist
Authorised by:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist, on 09 November 2021

TITLE:	Receipt of Action Sheet
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist
Authorised by:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist, on 09 November 2021

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Council determines not to adopt the Annual Report	Provides an opportunity for changes in the way data is presented or other significant edits.	Delays the production of a final copy for wider community and agency distribution. Further extends the delay in meeting the statutory deadline of end of November
2	Council adopts the report	The report can be distributed to community and agency networks promptly.	NIL

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Agree to the revoke condition (v) that council appoint a representative to the independent board operating the HAC.	Free staff from the need to undertake a process of selecting and appointing a representative.	Removes council from any influence over the operation of the HAC including distribution of profit.
2	Maintain condition (v).	Maintains council’s limited influence over the operation of the HAC.	Staff resources required to select and appoint a representative.

Date	Addressed To	Subject
11.10.2021	Mayor John Carter, Far North District Council	Wild dog issue in the Far North
22.10.2021	Government Members of Parliament for Northland	NRC's position on Proposed Four Waters Entities for Te Taitokerau

TITLE:	Financial Report to 31 October 2021
From:	Vincent McColl, Financial Accountant
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 09 November 2021

TITLE:	Regional Rates Collection - update to September 2021
From:	Simon Crabb, Finance Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 05 November 2021

TITLE:	Annual Report on the Biosecurity Operational Plan
From:	Don McKenzie, Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Don McKenzie, Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity, on 09 November 2021

TITLE:	Clean Hull Plan - Update to a National Pathway Management Plan
From:	Kathryn Lister, Biosecurity Manager Marine
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Don McKenzie, Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity, on 09 November 2021

TITLE:	Hundertwasser Art Centre: Revoking a condition of funding to appoint a council representative to the governance group
From:	Darryl Jones, Economist and Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 03 November 2021

TITLE:	Draft NRC submission - Emissions reduction discussion document
From:	Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Victoria Harwood, Pou Tiaki Hapori - GM Community Resilience and Jonathan Gibbard, Pou Tiaki Taiao – Group Manager Environmental Services, on 05 November 2021

TITLE:	Health and safety report
From:	Kelcie Mills, Health and Safety Advisor
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 03 November 2021

TITLE:	Chair's Report to Council
From:	Penny Smart, Chair
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Penny Smart, Chair, on 10 November 2021

TITLE:	Receipt of Committee Minutes
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist
Authorised by:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist, on 09 November 2021

TITLE:	Working Party Updates and Chairpersons' Briefings
From:	Sally Bowron, Strategy, Governance and Engagement Team Admin/PA
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on date 10 November 2021

Item No.	Item Issue	Reasons/Grounds
10.1	Confirmation of Confidential Minutes - Council Meeting 19 October 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).