Whangārei Harbour Catchment Group Record of Actions

Meeting held online via Teams
on Monday 29 November 2021, commencing at 1.00pm

Present: NRC Councillor Jack Craw (chair)

Whangarei District Council Representative, Simon Charles Community Representative, Jeremy Busck

Community Representative, Kim Jones Iwi Representative, Mira Norris

Iwi Representative, Nicki Wakefield

NRC staff, Sabrina McKenzie NRC staff, Lorna Douglas

Whangarei District Council Representative, Shelley Wharton (presenter)

The meeting commenced at 1.00pm.

Ngā Whakapahā/Apologies (Item 1.0)

Theda Hall, Tricia Cutforth

Update on minutes from last meeting (Item 2.0)

· Jack noted positive feedback coming in for Whangarei Urban Awa project

· Discussion about future of this group and if it should be combined with the Whangarei Urban Rivers group – reducing commitments for members of both groups (especially iwi/hāpu representatives). Note that the non-regulatory priorities previously identified by this group should be included in any combined group in future.

Presentation on implementation of WDC Blue-Green Strategy – Shelley Wharton (Item 3.0)

· Update on progress towards implementing the blue green strategy – presentation provided to group via email.

· Discussion points included:

O Habitat surveys for inanga spawning sites should be included in this mahi, with habitat areas enhanced.

O Stormwater focus via whole catchment stormwater management plan

O Need for holistic approach to water management, including river management plans and giving effect to Te Mana O Te Wai

Presentation on water quality monitoring at Limeburner’s Creek - Simon Charles (Item 4.0)

· Update on water quality monitoring as part of the planned wastewater treatment plant resource consent renewal - presentation provided to group via email.

· Discussion points included:

Whangārei Harbour Catchment Group

29 November 2021

O E.coli / pathogen levels lower at Limeburner’s Creek confluence than at Town Basin (exception being after high rainfall events)

O Potential for collaboration with iwi/hāpu to undertake cultural monitoring at Hāhā Stream & upper harbour. Could this be a project for the annual discretionary spend?

O WDC currently working with Te Parawhau for cultural impact assessment as part of the resource consent renewal.

O Growth of the district noted, with associated new contaminants in discharges. Demand for better quality of treatment for discharges. Potentially virus testing (currently done in Wellington) could be done here.

Update from Whitebait Connection - Kim Jones (Item 5.0)

· Presentation shared with the group via email – brief overview of all projects undertaken this year by Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust.

O Request for ideas for any new community-led projects for next year, including potential planting sites.

O Note that despite the signage, the public is not respecting the bollards and rope aimed at keeping people away from the inanga spawning site at Mair Park

O Note that an area on Otaika Stream previously planted by local school children has been damaged by rock armouring along the banks. ACTION – council staff to investigate

Other catchment project updates (Item 6.0)

· Kotuku St wetland project – resource consent gained for spraying glyceria, work should start mid December. Planting planned for early winter 2022. Local hāpu engaged.

Whakamutunga (Conclusion)

ACTIONS

Item	Who	Decision/Action
Investigate who was responsible for rock armouring on Otaika Stream	Lorna / Simon

NEXT MEETING DATE

March 2022 – date TBC