Council Tuesday 26 July 2022 at 10.30am

 

26 July 2022

Northland Regional Council Agenda

 

 

Recommendations contained in the council agenda are NOT council decisions. Please refer to council minutes for resolutions.

 

RĪMITI (Item)                                                                                                                                                                 Page

1.0       Ngā Mahi Whakapai (Housekeeping)

Key Health and Safety points to note:

·         If the fire alarm goes off – exit down the stairwell to the assembly point which is the visitor carpark.

·         Earthquakes – drop, cover and hold

·         Visitors please make sure you have signed in at reception, and that you sign out when you leave. Please wear your name sticker.

·         The toilets are on the opposite side of the stairwell.

·         Please adhere to the recommended Covid alert guidance that applies.

2.0       Karakia Timatanga – Tauāki ā roto (Opening karakia)

3.0       Ngā Whakapahā (apologies)

4.0       Ngā Whakapuakanga (DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

5.0       Ngā Whakaae Miniti me te Mahere Mahi (Council Minutes)

5.1       Confirmation of Minutes - 28 June 2022                                                                                            6

6.0       Ngā Take (Decision Making Matters)

6.1       Regional Software Holdings Limited’s Transition                                                                          27

6.2       IRIS Next Gen Collaborative Project                                                                                                   90

6.3       Regional Software Holdings Limited Board Appointments                                                      116

6.4       Regional Software Holdings Limited's Statement of Intent                                                     118

6.5       Adoption of the Draft Freshwater Framework                                                                             144

6.6       Adoption of the draft policies on the Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold Land pertaining to the Kaipara and Whangārei districts, for consultation.                       172

6.7       Navigation Safety Bylaw Review                                                                                                       190

6.8       Tangata whenua water advisory group membership                                                                204

6.9       Tāiki ē NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan                                                           207

6.10    Appointment of replacement members to the Climate Change Working Party and Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee                                                                                                         233

7.0       Ngā Ripoata Mahi (Operational Reports)

7.1       Health and safety report                                                                                                                      236

7.2       Chair's Report to Council                                                                                                                     247

7.3       Chief Executive’s Report to Council                                                                                                 248

7.4       Exceedance of Air Quality Standards                                                                                               291

8.0       Receipt of Committee Minutes and Working Party/Group Updates

8.1       Receipt of Committee Minutes                                                                                                          294

8.2       Working Party Updates and Chairpersons' Briefings                                                                 305

9.0       Kaupapa ā Roto (Business with the Public Excluded)                                                           307

9.1       Confirmation of Confidential Minutes - 28 June 2022

9.2       Receipt of Confidential Committee Minutes

9.3       Human Resources Report - June 2022

9.4       Requests for Property Reinvestment Funding

9.5       Regional Projects Reserve: Investment proposal for Mid North Water Scheme

9.6       Director Remuneration

9.7       Introduction of a New Fund Manager into the Long-Term Fund Investment Fund   

ACC - Accident Compensation Corporation ALGIM - Association of Local Government Information Management AMA - Aquaculture Management Area AMP - Asset Management Plan/Activity Management Plan AP - Annual Plan BOI - Bay of Islands BOPRC - Bay of Plenty Regional Council CAPEX - Capital Expenditure (budget to purchase assets) CBEC - Community, Business and Environment Centre CCO – Council Controlled Organisation CCTO – Council Controlled Trading Organisation CDEM - Civil Defence Emergency Management CEEF – Chief Executives Environment Forum CEG - Co-ordinating Executive Group CEO - Chief Executive Officer CIMS - Co-ordinated Incident Management System (emergency management structure) CMA - Coastal Marine Area CPCA - Community Pest Control Areas CRI - Crown Research Institute DHB - District Health Board  DOC - Department of Conservation DP – District Plan E350 – Extension 350 programme ECA - Environmental Curriculum Award ECAN - Environment Canterbury EECA - Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority EF - Environment Fund EMA - Employers and Manufacturers Association EOC - Emergency Operations Centre EPA - Environmental Protection Authority ETS - Emissions Trading Scheme FDE - Farm Dairy Effluent FNDC - Far North District Council FNHL - Far North Holdings Limited FPP - First Past the Post GE - Genetic Engineering GIS - Geographic Information System GMO - Genetically Modified Organism HBRC - Hawke's Bay Regional Council HEMP - Hapū Environmental Management Plan Horizons - Brand name of Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council HR - Human Resources HSNO - Hazardous Substances & New Organisms Act  HSWA - Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 IEMP - Iwi Environmental Management Plan ILGACE - Iwi and Local Government Chief Executives Forum IPPC - Invited Private Plan Change IRIS - Integrated Regional Information System KDC - Kaipara District Council  KPI - Key Performance Indicator LAWA – Land, Air, Water Aotearoa LEA - Local Electoral Act 2001 LGA - Local Government Act 2002 LGNZ - Local Government New Zealand LGOIMA - Local Government Official Information & Meetings Act 1987 LIDAR – Light detection and ranging LTI – Long time injury LTP - Long Term Plan MBIE – Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment MFE - Ministry for the Environment MFL – Māori Freehold Land  MHWS - Mean High Water Springs MMH - Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited MNZ - Maritime New Zealand MOH - Ministry of Health MOT - Ministry of Transport

MPI - Ministry for Primary Industries MSD - Ministry of Social Development NCMC - National Crisis Management Centre NDHB - Northland District Health Board NEMA – National Emergency Management Agency NES - National Environmental Standards NFT – Northland Forward Together NGO - Non-Governmental Organisation NIF - Northland Intersectoral Forum NINC - Northland Inc. Limited NIWA - National Institute of Water and Atmosphere NORTEG - Northland Technical Advisory Group NPS - National Policy Statement NZCPS - New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement NZRC - New Zealand Refining Company (Marsden Point) NZTA – Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency NZTE - New Zealand Trade and Enterprise NZWWA - New Zealand Water and Wastes Association OFI - Opportunity for Improvement\ OPEX – Operating Expenditures OSH - Occupational Safety & Health OTS – Office of Treaty Settlements PCBU - Person Conducting Business or Undertaking PGF – Provincial Growth Fund PPE - Personal Protective Equipment RAP - Response Action Plan RBI - Regional Broadband Initiative RCP - Regional Coastal Plan RFI - Request for Information RFP - Request for Proposal RLTP - Regional Land Transport Plan RMA - Resource Management Act 1991 RMG - Resource Managers Group (Regional Councils) RMZ - Riparian Management Zone ROI - Return on Investment RP – Regional Plan RPMP - Regional Pest Management Plan RPMS - Regional Pest Management Strategy RPS - Regional Policy Statement RPTP – Regional Public Transport Plan RRSAP – Regional Road Safety Action Plan RSG – Regional Sector Group RSHL - Regional Software Holdings Ltd RTC - Regional Transport Committee RTO - Regional Tourism Organisation SIG – Special Interest Group SIPO - Statement of Investment Policy and Objectives SITREP - Situation Report SOE - State of Environment (or) State Owned Enterprise SOI – Statement of Intent SOLGM - Society of Local Government Managers STV - Single Transferable Vote TAG - Technical Advisory Group Tier 1 - Site level plan or response for an oil spill Tier 2 - Regional level plan or response to an oil spill Tier 3 - National level plan or response to an oil spill TLA - Territorial Local Authority – City & District Councils TON – Top of the North (regions) TTMAC – Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party TTNEAP – Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan TMP - Treasury Management Plan TOR - Terms of Reference TPK - Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry of Maori Development) TUANZ - Telecommunications Users Association of NZ UNISA - Upper North Island Strategic Alliance WDC - Whangarei District Council WHHIF - Whangarei Harbour Health Improvement Fund WRC - Waikato Regional Council WSMP - Workplace Safety Management Practices

 

 

 

26 July 2022

 

TITLE:	Confirmation of Minutes - 28 June 2022
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist
Authorised by:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist, on 15 July 2022

 

That the minutes of the council meeting held on 28 June 2022, be confirmed as a true and correct record.

 

Attachment 1: Unconfirmed Council Minutes - 28 June 2022 ⇩   

26 July 2022Attachment 1

26 July 2022

 

TITLE:	Regional Software Holdings Limited’s Transition
From:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 11 July 2022

 

This report sets out the proposed changes, and the necessary documents, to transition Regional Software Holdings Limited into the Regional Sectors Shared Services Organisation.

Regional Software Holdings Limited (RSHL) is being transitioned into the Regional Sector Shared Services Organisation to consolidate existing collaboration programmes and to put in place a fit-for-purpose structure that will enable the sector to respond more quickly to shared issues and opportunities, while reducing individual council cost and resource use. 

Council’s shareholding in RSHL is changing with the council receiving one fully paid Class A share (for ownership and control of the Company) and with council’s ordinary shareholding being transferred into Class B shares (for ownership and control of the IRIS classic asset).

The new company will have up to eight directors and council will have equal nomination, selection and voting rights alongside all other Class A shareholding councils.

 

1.         That the report ‘Regional Software Holdings Limited’s Transition’ by Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services and dated 4 July 2022, be received.

2.         That council receives and approves the proposed changes to council’s shareholding in Regional Software Holdings Limited, as a result of the transition, and as incorporated into the draft Shareholders’ Agreement, Constitution and Shareholders’ Resolution.

3.         That council provides feedback on the Shareholders’ Agreement, Constitution and Shareholders’ Resolution to the CEO.

4.         That council delegates authority to the CEO to sign the Shareholders’ Agreement and Shareholders’ Resolution (subject to minor amendments) on behalf of the council.

 

 

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Support the Regional Software Holdings Limited (RSHL) transition into the Regional Sector Shared Services Organisation.	NRC maintain shareholders rights, and the benefits that accrue from these, in the transition to the Regional Sector Shared Services Organisation.	Nil.
2	Do not support Regional Software Holdings Limited (RSHL) transition into the Regional Sector Shared Services Organisation.	Nil.	Loss of benefits to NRC that will arise from the Regional Sector Shared Services Organisation.

 

The staff’s recommended option is Option 1.

1.         Environmental Impact

Nil.

2.         Community views

Community views are unknown, however this is primarily an administrative matter that is unlikely to impact on the Northland community.

3.         Māori impact statement

Māori views are unknown, however this is primarily an administrative matter that is unlikely to impact on Māori.

4.         Financial implications

There are no financial implications.

5.         Implementation issues

Nil. NRC existing shareholdings in Regional Software Holdings are maintained in the transition to the Regional Sector Shared Services Organisation.

6.         Significance and engagement

In relation to section 70 of the Local Government Act 2022, this decision is considered to be of low significance as it is part of council’s day to day activities.

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

There are no known policy, risk management or legislative compliance matters.

On 3 August 2021, the Regional Chief Executive Officers (RCEO) Group approved a business case for the development of a Regional Sector Shared Service Organisation (to be named).

 

The sector already has several resource sharing and collaboration programmes in place including: the Special Interest Group (SIG) Network, EMAR / LAWA, Essential Freshwater Implementation Programme, the Regional Sector Office, ReCoCo Programmes, the Sector Financial Management System and IRIS. 

 

The business case set out that the next evolutionary step is to consolidate existing collaboration programmes and to put in place a fit-for-purpose structure that will enable the sector to respond more quickly to shared issues and opportunities, while reducing individual council cost and resource use.  Ultimately, doing more with less. 

 

It was agreed to transition Regional Software Holdings Limited (RSHL) into the Regional Sector Shared Services Organisation (RSSSO) and a cross-council project team and steering group were stood up to run the transition. 

 

Regional Software Holding Limited (RSHL) is a not-for-profit Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) that has been operating for 10 years and delivering an increasing number of innovative, collaborative solutions to the Regional and Unitary sector.

 

Council is currently one of six founding shareholders in Regional Software Holdings Limited (RSHL). 

 

The following objectives are sought through the transition, to:

1.    Equalise the shareholding and control rights for each shareholder of RSSSO

2.    Achieve consistent treatment of founding and new shareholders

3.    Enable shareholders to retain rights and ownership over the assets that they funded

4.    Minimise the impact of the transition on founding shareholders

 

Change in shareholding

 

To achieve these objectives, it is proposed that the company separates the ownership and control of the company, from the ownership and control over the significant assets developed by the company, such as IRIS classic. 

 

The Shareholders’ Agreement, Constitution and Shareholders’ Resolution propose that:

 

·    All founding and future shareholders receive a single fully paid, Class A share that holds the rights of ownership and control of the company.

·    The company issues a separate class of shares for all significant capital developments.  These separate class shares will hold the rights of ownership and control over the specific assets.

·    The company issue Class B shares that will hold the rights of ownership and control over IRIS classic.

·    The company transfer the founding shareholders current shareholding into Class B shares enabling the founding shareholders to maintain their ownership of IRIS classic, resulting in minimal impact on the founding shareholders as a result of the transition.

 

For clarification, the proposed changes are set out in this table.

 

RSHL proposed transition	Current	Proposed
	Ordinary Shares	Class A Shares Company ownership	Class B Shares IRIS ownership
Waikato Regional	3,275	1	3,275
Northland Regional	1,675	1	1,675
Taranaki Regional	1,550	1	1,550
Horizons Regional	1,550	1	1,550
Environment Southland	1,550	1	1,550
West Coast Regional	400	1	400
Total	10,000	6	10,000

 

Change in Director Appointment

 

With the change of company ownership, the addition of new shareholders and the changing nature of the company, it has been appropriate to make changes to the Director Appointment Process.

 

 

The Shareholders’ Agreement and Constitution propose the following key aspects:

 

·    That there be a maximum of eight Directors.

·    That while the company has less than six directors, at least one must be an independent director, and while the company has six or more directors, at least two must be independent directors.

·    Only the independent directors are entitled to receive directors’ fees.

·    The directors will be appointed by ordinary resolution, voted on by all Class A shareholders.

·    At the next annual meeting (Nov 2022) the current Board will retire and, if they so choose, offer themselves for re-election.

·    The Class A shareholders will then select the full Board at this annual meeting.

·    In subsequent years, the Board will operate a retirement by rotation approach whereby a minimum of two vacancies will be created and shareholders can nominate candidates (which may include any directors retiring by rotation) to be reviewed, selected and appointed to the vacancies. 

 

This approach is intended to balance the retention of experience with the need to refresh the Board for upcoming issues and opportunities.

 

The Shareholders’ Agreement, Constitution and Shareholders’ Resolution have been drafted to give effect to the above.

 

The proposal is to consider the above changes and, if they are approved, delegate authority to the Chief Executive to finalise these documents (only minor amendments expected) and sign them on behalf of the council.  There is little or no risk to the council’s current position.  The investment made into IRIS classic is protected.  There will be a reduction in the paper value of the council’s investment due to the additional shareholding.  This was always going to occur as the investment in IRIS classic reaches end of life and is amortised.  There is significant upside benefit to the council from RSSSO.  The council will be able to access standardised shared solutions and expertise that it would not be able to access or afford in its own right.

 

 

 

Attachment 1: RSHL Shareholders Agreement ⇩

Attachment 2: RSHL Constitution ⇩

Attachment 3: RSHL Shareholders Resolution ⇩   

26 July 2022Attachment 1

26 July 2022Attachment 2

26 July 2022Attachment 3

26 July 2022

 

TITLE:	IRIS Next Gen Collaborative Project
From:	Carol Cottam, Information Services and Technology Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 20 July 2022

 

Council is a shareholder in Regional Software Holdings Limited (RSHL), a Council Controlled Organisation. 

The current IRIS software is end of life and RSHL has worked with eleven councils to select a modern solution to support the regional sector function going forward. Additionally, the IRIS Next Generation project will help council adopt a consistent good practice approach across the sector.

RSHL, with representatives from councils, undertook a thorough and robust procurement process to select Datacom as the partner. Through further due diligence, Datacoms Datascape product has now been proven as a fit for purpose software solution.

The next step is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)to commit to implementing the Datacom solution. Datacom, the councils and RSHL will then move into the development and implementation phase of the programme.

The Long Term Plan (LTP) budget for the project is $6.8m and the budget forecast for the project is within this.

 

1.         That the report ‘IRIS Next Gen Collaborative Project’ by Carol Cottam, Information Services and Technology Manager and dated 23 June 2022, be received.

2.         That the Chief Executive Office be delegated authority to sign the MOU.

 

 

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Sign the MOU and proceed as a member of the IRIS Next Generation programme	Achieve a better outcome through collaboration in the sector to achieve a shared solution to support regional council activities. Investment and risk is shared with other councils	None
2	Do not sign the MOU or become a member of the IRIS Next Generation programme	Council can choose to use its own unique processes.	Potential for increased costs and lesser alignment with the regional council sector.
3	Do Nothing	Lower investment.	Current systems will fail or not be able to be supported or upgraded. Potentially higher cost impact if failure occurs.

 

The staff’s recommended option is Option 1 – Sign the MOU and continue as a member of the IRIS Next Generation programme.

1.         Environmental Impact

Nil

2.         Community views

Community views were considered as part of the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 consultation.

3.         Māori impact statement

Impact was considered through the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 consultation.

4.         Financial implications

Financial impacts were considered through the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 consultation.

5.         Implementation issues

Implementation issues were considered through the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 consultation.

6.         Significance and engagement

In relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is considered to be of low significance when assessed against council’s Significance and Engagement Policy and is part of council’s day to day activities.  This does not mean that this matter is not of significance to tangata whenua and/or individual communities, but that council is able to make these decisions without undertaking further consultation or engagement.

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

Contributing to this collaborative work programme will help manage risk for council with pending changes to the resource management regulations and ensuring council systems are current helping reduce the risk of cyber attacks.

Council is a shareholder in Regional Software Holdings Limited (RSHL), a Council Controlled Organisation.

 

RSHL provides a framework for collaboration between the shareholders and across the sector. It supports the procurement or development of shared solutions in a manner that provides greater consistency in how we operate our core processes. RSHL provides a more cost effective alternative than individual councils can achieve on their own.

 

RSHL is responsible for the long-term maintenance and development of the Integrated Regional Information System (IRIS) product as developed for and by the shareholding councils.

As the IRIS system reaches the end of its technical useful life, RSHL has made the strategic decision to prioritise planning for and deliver of the next generation of IRIS (IRIS Next Generation).

 

IRIS Next Generation

The IRIS Next Generation Programme will provide a replacement for the IRIS software solution, which is currently used by seven regional councils to support their core regulatory processes. Most councils recognise that there is significant scope for improvement in regulatory and customer processes and there is an opportunity to align the sector around consistent good practice processes, supported by fit for purpose software. Although IRIS meets current operational requirements, it is essential that we have an eye to the future and the next evolutionary step must include the technology required to offer flexible, mobile, and digital end-to-end processes that are standardised across the sector. Furthermore, as the role of councils in the sector evolves, we require an adaptable platform that puts the customer at the centre of the process.

In November 2019 RSHL undertook a procurement process on behalf of councils to identify a partner and platform to meet the objectives of the IRIS Next Generation programme. The procurement process put dual emphasis on identifying a partner with:

•     the right capacity and capability to support and maintain good practice processes for the sector, and

•     a technology solution that is customer centric, modular, mobile, and supports digital end-to-end processes.

Eleven regional councils and unitary authorities participated in the procurement process.  Council staff and members of the SIG network were involved in developing requirements for the Request for Proposal and evaluating the responses, which identified Datacom as the preferred vendor.

RSHL completed due diligence checks on the Datacom RFP response in July and August 2021, confirming Datacom’s status as the preferred vendor.

Datacom’s proposed solution will be delivered via the Datascape Regulatory and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. Datascape is a cloud-based, software-as-a-service solution, developed for the New Zealand and Australian local government sector. A portion of Datascape will be custom-built to meet the specific needs of the regional sector.

In November 2021 councils, RSHL and Datacom commenced the IRIS NextGen Discovery Phase to establish a solid basis for the IRIS NextGen programme, to reduce risk and prepare for the work to come. The Discovery Phase concluded in May 2022 and we are confident that the Datacom solution best meets the needs of the regional sector.

Next Steps

The next step is to sign a memorandum of understanding to commit to implementing the Datacom solution. Datacom, the councils and RSHL will then move into the development and implementation phase of the programme.

Budget

Through the Discovery phase a greater level of understanding of the regional sector requirements was gained by Datacom. This resulted in a revised price for the entire programme being provided of $33.8m, assuming all eleven council’s sign the MOU to implement the IRIS Next Generation product.

Council has budgeted $6,686,000 in the 2021-2031 Long term plan to fund this project, made up of the IRIS Next Generation programme costs and implementation costs. The budget forecast for the project is within the LTP budget.

 

 

Attachment 1: IRIS NextGen Programme Partnership Agreement ⇩   

26 July 2022Attachment 1

26 July 2022

 

TITLE:	Regional Software Holdings Limited Board Appointments
From:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services
Authorised by:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 05 July 2022

 

Council is a shareholder in Regional Software Holdings Limited (RSHL), a Council Controlled Organisation.

 

The Chief Executive Officer is council’s appointed director to the RSHL Board.  The Chief Executive Officer is retiring from council on 30 September 2022.  As such, council needs to appoint a new director. 

 

The Group Manager Corporate Services is currently the Alternate Director, appointed to the RSHL Board in this capacity in December 2021. 

 

It is recommended that council appoint the Group Manger – Corporate Services as Director to the RSHL Board, effective from 1 October 2022.

 

It is recommended that council appoint the Information Services & Technology Manager as Alternate Director to the RSHL Board, effective from 1 October 2022.

 

1.         That the report ‘Regional Software Holdings Limited Board Appointments’ by Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services and dated 16 June 2022, be received.

2.         That council authorises the appointment of the Group Manager – Corporate Services as Director to the RSHL Board, effective from 1 October 2022.

3.         That council authorises the appointment of the Information Services & Technology Manager as Alternate Director to the RSHL Board, effective from 1 October 2022.

 

 

 

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Do not make the board appointments.	Nil.	Council not represented on the board.
2	Make the board appointments.	Council is represented on the board.	Nil.

 

The staff’s recommended option is 2.

 

1.         Significance and engagement

When assessed against council’s significance and engagement policy, and in relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is of low significance as this is an administrative matter.

This decision is consistent with council’s policy on the appointment of directors to council organisations.

 

Nil

26 July 2022

 

TITLE:	Regional Software Holdings Limited's Statement of Intent
From:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 15 July 2022

 

The Regional Software Holdings Limited (RSHL) Statement of Intent (SOI) is included as Attachment 1 for council to note.  The Statement of Intent has been approved by the RSHL Board.

 

1.         That the report ‘Regional Software Holdings Limited's Statement of Intent’ by Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services and dated 15 July 2022, be received.

2.         That council notes the Regional Software Holdings Limited’s Statement of Intent (included as Attachment 1).

 

Options

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Council notes the RSHL Statement of Intent	Compliant with legislative requirements. The RSHL SOI is noted by council.  Council’s investment is managed appropriately.	No material disadvantage.
2	Council doesn’t note the RSHL Statement of Intent	No material advantage.	Not compliant with legislative requirements. Potentially destroys council’s value in our CCO and council’s shareholding may not be managed appropriately.

 

The staff’s recommended option is Option 1

 

 

 

 

1.         Significance and engagement

In relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is considered to be of low significance when assessed against the council’s Significant and Engagement Policy because it is part of council’s day to day business.

2.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

This decision is consistent with council’s policy as a shareholder if RSHL.

Nil

 

Attachment 1: Regional Software Holdings Limited's Statement of Intent ⇩   

26 July 2022Attachment 1

26 July 2022

 

TITLE:	Adoption of the Draft Freshwater Framework
From:	Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Jonathan Gibbard, Pou Tiaki Taiao – Group Manager Environmental Services, on 20 July 2022

 

This report presents a Draft Freshwater Framework for adoption by council. The draft framework outlines the council’s goals, priorities, and approaches for freshwater management over the next 10 years. The draft framework reflects commitments in the 2021 Long Term Plan (LTP) and the key steps planned to deliver on central government direction in ‘essential freshwater’. The framework is essentially a ‘roadmap’ to provide an outline of council’s key issues, goals and actions for freshwater management over the next 10 years – it will also provide a means for council to track progress against those goals and actions. It is intended as a ‘living document’ and to be reviewed following long-term plans and / or significant change in government policy to ensure it remains current. A more user-friendly layout of the framework will be made publicly available on the council website to inform interested parties.

 

The framework has been extensively workshopped with staff, councillors and Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party prior to being presented here for council adoption.

 

The report recommends council adopt the attached framework (Attachment 1) subject to final layout, formatting and minor wording changes being made under delegation to the Group Manager Environmental Services.

 

1.         That the report ‘Adoption of the Draft Freshwater Framework’ by Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist and dated 5 July 2022, be received.

2.         That council adopt the Draft Freshwater Framework as its roadmap for freshwater management in Taitokerau.

3.         That council authorise the Group Manager Environmental Services to make minor wording changes and to approve the final formatting and layout of the Freshwater Framework prior to publishing on the council website or otherwise publicly releasing it.

 

 

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Council does not adopt the Draft Freshwater Framework	None	There is no publicly available document setting out council’s goals and actions for freshwater management over the next 10yrs. And council does not have a clear programme to monitor its progress.
2	Council adopts the Draft Freshwater Framework	Council’s goals and actions for freshwater management over the next 10yrs are set out clearly for the public and council has a clear programme to monitor its progress.	None
3	Council makes significant changes to the draft framework.	Unknown	The draft Framework has been extensively workshopped and further amendment has the potential for significant further delay in making the framework public (especially given the local government elections in October).

 

The staff’s recommended option is Option 2.  This will set a clear pathway forward outlining council’s commitment to improving freshwater management in Taitokerau and providing goals and targets to measure progress against.  This Framework should be considered a living document, and one that can and should be updated over time to reflect the changing direction from central government, LTP budgeting, our knowledge of freshwater management and our communities’ expectations.

1.         Environmental Impact

The adoption of the Framework will assist council in the sustainable management of freshwater resources in Northland. It will not impede or otherwise compromise the ability of council to proactively respond to environmental or climate change issues.

2.         Community views

There are a wide range of community interests in water, however the Framework largely reflects council decisions in the 2021 Long Term Plan and government direction in ‘Essential Freshwater’. There will be opportunity for community to express their views in a number of the actions / steps in the Framework (for example the Freshwater Plan Change process).

3.         Māori impact statement

Māori have a strong interest in freshwater and the goals and actions within it, however the adoption of the Framework in itself will not impact on Māori as the Framework is more of a roadmap reflecting direction in the government’s ‘Essential Freshwater’ package and council goals and actions in the 2021 Long Term Plan. The Framework has also been discussed with TTMAC and was endorsed for council adoption at the TTMAC meeting of 9 June 2022. Māori are also involved in many of the actions / processes in the Framework and freshwater management generally.

4.         Financial implications

The actions in the Framework reflect council’s 2021 Long Term Plan and direction from central government in the ‘Essential Freshwater’ package and have been allocated resources. While costs are difficult to predict in some cases, any further resourcing can be identified through review of the Framework and planned for in subsequent annual or long term plan processes. 

5.         Implementation issues

Implementation of the Framework is challenging given much of it relates to implementation of the NPS-FM and other elements of the government’s essential freshwater package. However, having a clear set out ‘roadmap’ of actions for the next 10 years will assist implementation of freshwater requirements and help keep council on track.  

 

6.         Significance and engagement

In relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is considered to be of low significance when assessed against council’s significance and engagement policy because it has been provided for in council’s Long-Term Plan and is part of council’s day to day activities.  This does not mean that this matter is not of significance to tangata whenua and/or individual communities, but that council is able to make decisions relating to this matter without undertaking further consultation or engagement (noting the draft was discussed with TTMAC). Public consultation will also be undertaken in relation to a number of key steps / processes identified in the Framework such as the development of the Freshwater Plan Change.

 

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

The Framework is not a regulatory / statutory document or requirement of legislation. Adoption of the Framework does not in itself present any obvious risks and will assist in implementing key legislative requirements related to freshwater (such as the NPS Freshwater Management).  The Framework can also be reviewed to reflect government policy changes or when / if any significant risks are identified. 

The development of a draft Freshwater Framework setting out key freshwater issues for council and its goals, priorities and approaches to managing freshwater started in mid-2020. TTMAC endorsed engagement between MTAG and staff in developing the draft and good progress was made. However, the release of the government’s ‘Essential freshwater’ package in late 2020 changed the policy direction for freshwater significantly, meaning the draft was effectively put on hold.

The policy ‘landscape’ for freshwater has now settled somewhat, and council commitments and resourcing for freshwater management have been confirmed through the 2021 Long Term Plan. The timing for restarting work on the Draft Freshwater Framework was then considered more appropriate and the concept was reintroduced to TTMAC on 14 October 2021. Recommended actions from the October 2021 meeting were that MTAG be engaged on the draft and that a draft be presented to TTMAC prior to adoption by council.

A draft was circulated to MTAG for feedback in early December 2021.  An update was provided to the 10 March 2022 meeting of TTMAC where further MTAG input was recommended. The draft Framework has since been discussed at MTAG meetings on 7 April and 12 May 2022. Feedback received has been largely incorporated into the draft Framework. TTMAC since endorsed council adoption of the draft Framework at its meeting of 9 June 2022. At that meeting it was suggested that the Framework include an action relating to Mana Whakahono a Rohe – this is considered an appropriate addition and the action below is recommended for inclusion:

Continue to promote development of Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements with iwi / hapu

It was also suggested at the TTMAC meeting, that the Framework refer to the Te Ao Māori Decision Making Framework currently under development. It is understood this has yet to be finalised, so adding a reference at this stage seems premature. This could however be added following future review of the Freshwater Framework.

The Draft Framework is attached for consideration and adoption by council. (Attachment 1).

 

Attachment 1: Draft Freshwater Framework ⇩   

26 July 2022Attachment 1

26 July 2022

 

TITLE:	Adoption of the draft policies on the Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold Land pertaining to the Kaipara and Whangārei districts, for consultation.
From:	Kyla Carlier, Corporate Strategy Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 19 July 2022

 

 

1.         That the report ‘Adoption of the draft policies on the Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold Land pertaining to the Kaipara and Whangārei districts, for consultation.’ by Kyla Carlier, Corporate Strategy Manager and dated 11 July 2022, be received.

2.         That council resolves to consult on the draft Policies on the Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold Land pertaining to the Kaipara and Whangārei districts (attachment 2), in accordance with section 82 of the Local Government Act 2002.

3.         That council adopts the Statement of Proposal (attachment 1) on the draft Policies on the Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold Land pertaining to the Kaipara and Whangārei districts for consultation.

4.         That council delegates to the Group Manager Corporate Services the authority to make any changes to the Statement of Proposal for the consultation of the draft Policies on the Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold Land pertaining to the Kaipara and Whangārei districts that may improve readability and compliance with the Local Government Act.

 

Consultation on council’s rating policies is required under sections 102(2)(e), 102(3)(a), and 102(3)(b) of the LGA, using the principles of consultation under section 82 of the LGA. 

 

Section 82 of the LGA requires that a statement of proposal be prepared including a summary of the proposal and details of the proposed changes, and that this and supporting material including a draft of the policies, be made publicly available.

 

Options are set out below.

 

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Adopt the draft Rating Policies and Statement of Proposal for consultation	Council can adopt rating policies having followed the correct legislative procedure.	Resources will need to be allocated to the consultation process.
2	Do not adopt the draft Rating Policies and Statement of Proposal for consultation	Resources will not need to be allocated to the consultation process.	Council will not be compliant with legislation.

 

The staff’s recommended option is option 1, to adopt the draft Rating Policies and Statement of Proposal for consultation.

 

1.         Environmental Impact

There is no environmental impact associated with this proposal.

2.         Community views

The decisions contained within this report will enable consultation, which will provide council with feedback on community views.

Further consideration of community views will be addressed through the deliberations process and subsequent council decision to adopt the final Rating Policies.

3.         Māori impact statement

The decisions contained within this report will enable consultation, which will provide council with feedback on any potential impacts on Māori.   A pānui will be sent to council’s Iwi contact list.  Further consideration of impacts on Māori can be addressed through councils’ decision to adopt the final Rating Policies.

4.         Financial implications

Any financial impacts are addressed in the attached documentation.  Further consideration of financial impacts can be addressed through councils’ decision to adopt the final Rating Policies.

5.         Implementation issues

Any implementation issues are addressed in the attached documentation.  Further consideration of implementation issues can be addressed through councils’ decision to adopt the final Rating Policies.

 

6.         Significance and engagement

Section 76AA of the LGA directs that council must adopt a policy setting out how significance will be determined, and the level of engagement that will be triggered.  This policy assists council in determining how to achieve compliance with LGA requirements in relation to decisions.

This decision in itself is considered to be of low significance when assessed against council’s current Significance and Engagement Policy, because it is for the purpose of achieving compliance with sections 82 and 102 of the LGA, and does not, in itself, impact the community other than to provide them with information.

The decision to adopt the draft Rating Policies and Statement of Proposal, while not significant in itself, will enable council in the future to make decisions on the policies while having full regard to community views.  This will assist council in achieving compliance with procedures in relation to decisions as set out in Part 6 of the LGA.

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

The decision to adopt the draft Rating Policies and Statement of Proposal for consultation will achieve compliance with section 82 and 102 of the Local Government Act 2002.  

As no changes are proposed to policies under S55 or 56 of the Local Government (Rating) Act, consultation under S82 of the Local Government Act is considered appropriate.

The current situation of having rating policies inconsistent with those of the district councils introduces an element of risk around the remission of rates. This decision will enable a process of consultation to facilitate amendment of council’s policies to align with the district council policies.  The timelines of this decision will enable any risk to be limited to rates assessment for the first quarter of 2022/23 only.

This decision will also achieve compliance with council’s current Significance and Engagement Policy, in particular ‘We will consult when we are required to by law, when a proposal is considered significant, and when we need more information on options for responding to an issue’.

 

Section 102 of the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA) requires local authorities to adopt a policy on the remission and postponement of rates on Māori freehold land, and provides for council to adopt rates remission and postponement policies.  Sections 108 and 109 of the LGA require the policies to be reviewed at least once every six years.

The Far North, Whangārei, and Kaipara District Councils administer the collection of rates on council's behalf.  In order to minimise the marginal cost of collection, and to be administratively efficient, council adopts the same policies on the remission, postponement and early payment of rates as those of the three district councils.

Council does not adopt the policies, or parts of policies, that do not relate to rates collected on our behalf (for example, a policy, or part of a policy, related solely to water rates).

NRC adopted their policies on the remission and postponement of rates and penalties, and early payment of rates, in June 2021 as part of the suite of documents adopted with the Long Term Plan 2021-2031, and following appropriate consultation.  The Kaipara and Whangārei councils have subsequently made changes to their policies by way of a process carried out concurrently with the development of their 2022/23 annual plans, to give effect to a new requirement for such policies to support the principles set out in Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993.

These principles, including “to promote the retention of that land in the hands of its owners, their whanau, and their hapu, and to protect wahi tapu: and to facilitate the occupation, development, and utilisation of that land for the benefit of its owners, their whanau, and their hapu” are supported by council.  Council consider that this support is reflected in making the proposed changes to these rating policies, as set out in the attached Statement of Proposal.

 

 

Council is proposing to adopt all of these changes with the exception of the removal of a clause from the rating policies pertaining to the Kaipara District.  Clause 1.5 of the previous policy ‘rates postponement’ stated ‘This policy does not provide for the postponement of the requirement to pay rates’.  Council proposes to retain this clause to make the policy position on postponement clear, now set out as clause 7 in the draft policy for Kaipara. The other proposed changes support the principles set out in the Preamble to Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1991, and at this stage it is not considered that there is additional benefit to be gained by introducing postponement in the Kaipara district.

NRC now seeks to receive feedback and update their policies accordingly, with a view to keeping their policies largely consistent with those of the district councils. None of these changes relate to policies set under the Rating Act.

Details of the changes are contained in the Statement of Proposal on the draft Policies on the Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold Land pertaining to the Kaipara and Whangārei districts (attachment 1), which has been the subject of legal review.

Consultation on council’s rating policies is required under the LGA and the Rating Act.   Consultation in accordance with S82 of the Local Government Act will take place from 27 July to the 10 August, with the intention to present the final policies to council for adoption at their August meeting.

Consultation tools include the Statement of Proposal (attachment 1), public notice, pānui, and information on council’s website.  Feedback will be invited by way of online submission, email, and hard copy.

 

 

Attachment 1: Statement of proposal on draft rating policies for Māori freehold land pertaining to the Kaipara and Whangārei Districts, July 2022 ⇩

Attachment 2: Draft policies on the Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold Land Pertaining to the Kaipara and Whangārei Districts. ⇩   

26 July 2022Attachment 1

26 July 2022Attachment 2

26 July 2022

 

TITLE:	Navigation Safety Bylaw Review
From:	Jim Lyle, Regional Harbourmaster and Michael Payne, Policy Specialist
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Victoria Harwood, Pou Tiaki Hapori - GM Community Resilience, on 13 July 2022

 

The purpose of this report is to seek that the council makes the necessary determinations under section 155 of the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA) regarding the review of the Northland Regional Council Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017 and the Kai Iwi Lakes Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017. 

 

The LGA requires that new bylaws be reviewed within five years of them being made. For Northland to meet its statutory responsibilities, and to avoid unnecessary costs, it is important that the 2017 Bylaws are reviewed so that they remain current. Staff have reviewed the bylaws and have prepared a report for council’s consideration. 

 

This report seeks direction from council that amendments to the Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017 and public consultation on the proposed amendments are delayed until after Maritime New Zealand has completed its forecasted review of Maritime New Zealand of Part 91 of the Maritime Safety Rules (MRP91).

 

 

1.    That the report ‘Navigation Safety Bylaw Review’ by Jim Lyle, Regional Harbourmaster and Michael Payne, Policy Specialist and dated 15 June 2022, be received. 

 

2.    That the council determines under section 155(1) of the LGA that a bylaw is the most appropriate way of addressing problems relating to the maritime safety in the region. 

 

3.    That the council Adopt the report titled “Navigation Safety Bylaws: Review Report” and notes the staff recommendations that the overall form of the Northland Regional Council Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017 and Kai Iwi Lakes Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017 is generally appropriate but that amendments should be made to improve the substance of the Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017. 

 

4.     That amendments to Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017 and the required public consultation are delayed until the overarching maritime rule part 91 review is completed by Maritime NZ.  

 

5.    That the council determines under section 155(2)(b) of the LGA that the Northland Regional Council Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017 does not give rise to any implications under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. 

 

 

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Review and Update bylaws immediately	Legislative requirements are met.	Council may need to update bylaw and consult again following Maritime NZs part 91 review
2	Delay Bylaw Review and Amendments until after Maritime NZ’s part 91 rule review	Avoid multiple amendments to bylaw and multiple public notifications	Council will not meet its legislative requirement to review bylaw within 5 years.    ​Delaying the new bylaw taking effect and with possibly requiring a new bylaw
3	Review Bylaw but delay amendments until after Maritime NZ’s part 91 rule review	Legislative requirements are met  ​Avoid multiple amendments to bylaw and multiple public notifications	Review of bylaw and recommendations will likely need updating following Maritime NZs part 91 review.    Delay in new bylaw taking effect

 

The staff’s recommended option is option is 3 

 

1.    Environmental Impact

Climate change has no material impact on this advice, or on any of the recommendations within it, or on any actions that would arise from it. 

​

2.    Community views

Through previous consultation processes it is evident that the community values the ability to influence how maritime safety on our waterways is managed. The bylaw process provides the community with an opportunity to do so.

 

3.    Māori impact statement

This report relates to a council administrative matter and therefore does not have a direct impact on Māori.  Any potential impacts of future related decisions will be addressed in the relevant reports and therefore we have not determined any direct impact. 

 

4.    Financial implications

As the review to date has not incurred any significant costs, the costs of a delay are considered negligible

 

5.    Implementation issues

Safety – Ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all waterway users in the Northland region is vital. National and regional education initiatives are in place to address key risk factors contributing to injury or drowning, for example encouraging people to wear personal flotation devices. However, education alone is not seen as a comprehensive way of addressing the issue. 

 

Conflict of users – If we relied solely on the national rules, we would have no locally specific rules. We would also have no regional standards for moorings or navigation within the port areas.  

 

Consistency – In Northland, navigation safety bylaws have worked well and have been a reasonable method of providing for local conditions. This is an approach mirrored throughout New Zealand with other regional bylaws. This leads to a public expectation that there will be a bylaw and that this will provide for safe places to swim or use non-powered craft, and a way to modify unsafe behaviour. 

 

6.    Significance and engagement

Legal advice is that the proposed amendments will fall below the level of significance that would require a full special consultation process, provided it can be completed, and the bylaw amendments made prior to 22 September 2024 (two years following the review date).

 

With the above in mind, an engagement plan will be completed once the full scope of proposed amendments is known. This scope would be subject to the previously mentioned MRP91 review, which is expected to be completed late 2022/early 2023. Formal notification of proposed amendments to the 2017 Bylaw would follow this, ensuring there would be sufficient time to complete any required process.

 

7.    Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

In any bylaw process there is a risk of judicial review. Staff will continue to seek legal advice throughout the process when required. 

 

An engagement plan will be completed once the full scope of proposed amendments is known. 

 

Provided the MRP91 review is completed within the expected timeframe (by early 2023) a draft amended 2017 Bylaw and an engagement plan would be available for consideration by council as soon as possible after that. Ongoing engagement with Maritime NZ will ensure the necessary information is available to minimise drafting time. The target date for a council decision on approving an amended bylaw is June 2023 so that it could be in force by December 2023, provided that the maritime rule review has been completed. 

 

The LGA requires that all new bylaws must be reviewed within five years after the date on which the bylaw was made. The 2017 Navigation Safety Bylaw was confirmed by the council on 27 June 2017 and came into force on 1 August 2017, therefore needs to be reviewed by 1 August 2022. If the review is not undertaken the bylaw will lapse on 1 August 2024. After this 2022 review is completed, subsequent reviews are only required every 10 years (section 159, LGA). The Kai Iwi Lakes Bylaw came into force on 1 July 2018. This only applies to these lakes, and staff consider these bylaws do not require any changes. 

 

The review required by 1 August 2022 involves the council making determinations as to whether a bylaw is the most appropriate way of addressing the perceived problem, the appropriateness of the Bylaw and any implications under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. 

 

After these determinations are made by the council, staff will provide a further report to council with the proposed amendments to the 2017 Bylaw to council, together with recommendations as to the appropriate consultation process.  

 

The following sections of the LGA set out the process for reviewing a bylaw: 

 

Section 158(1) states that "A local authority must review a bylaw made by it under this Act... no later than 5 years after the date on which the bylaw was made." 

 

Section 160 outlines the procedure and nature of the review; it requires the council to make determinations under section 155 as to the appropriateness of the Bylaw and whether it gives rise to any implications under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. Once these determinations have been made, the review has been undertaken in accordance with section 160 (meeting the 22 September 2021 deadline). 

 

If, after the review, the council considers that the Bylaw should be amended, revoked, or revoked and replaced, it must consult on the proposal in accordance with section 156 of the LGA. Staff will report further to council on any proposed amendments and appropriate consultation. 

 

Section 160A provides that if the review is not completed by 27 June 2022, it will be revoked on 27 June 2024. If the review of the 2017 Bylaw is undertaken, but after 22 September 2022, it will be processed as a new bylaw. A subsequent review will therefore be required after five years. 

​

Northland Regional Council has two Navigation Safety Bylaws:  

 

·      Northland Regional Council Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017 

·      Kai Iwi Lakes Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017 

 

The Northland Regional Council Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017 applies to coastal waters and waters in estuaries, inlets, harbours and along the Northland coast.  The bylaw sets out safe practices and rules for activities such as recreational and commercial boating, swimming and water skiing, for moorings management, and for activities related to commercial shipping including potentially hazardous activities.   

 

Kai Iwi Lakes Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017 applies to the lakes in the Taharoa Domain in the Kaipara district of Northland, comprising Lake Waikare, Lake Taharoa and Lake Kai Iwi.  The bylaw sets out safe practices for recreational boating, swimming, water skiing and other activities on the lakes.  

 

Section 33M in the Maritime Transport Act 1994 gives regional councils the power to make navigation safety bylaws for the purpose of “ensuring maritime safety” in their region. 

 

   The 2017 Bylaws were created in accordance with the consultation provisions of the LGA. 

Under the 2017 Bylaw, Northland has undertaken ongoing education and enforcement activities that have seen a continued improvement in boating safety behaviour throughout the region. 

 

 

Attachment 1: Navigation Safety Bylaws Review Report ⇩   

26 July 2022Attachment 1

26 July 2022

 

TITLE:	Tangata whenua water advisory group membership
From:	Ben Lee, Planning and Policy Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Jonathan Gibbard, Pou Tiaki Taiao – Group Manager Environmental Services, on 12 July 2022

 

Karyn Nikora-Kerr has stepped down as a member of the Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group (TWWAG).  This item seeks council’s approval to appoint Niki Conrad as the replacement.

 

At its meeting in May, Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) considered a report regarding the replacement of Karyn Nikora-Kerr.  It was agreed that TTMAC and TWWAG members provide nominations for a replacement member.  The selection panel (Juliane Chetham, Mira Norris, Cr Justin Blaikie and Cr Joce Yeoman) met and agreed to recommend to council that Niki Conrad (Te Aupōuri) be appointed as the replacement.

 

One of the overall criteria for the membership of TWWAG is geographic spread.  With Karyn Nikora-Kerr leaving the group, there is a lack of members from the far north.  Niki Conrad’s appointment would ensure there is far north representation.

 

Niki Conrad brings practical, on the ground, Māori land management expertise, and works as a kaitiaki and environmental expert for Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri.  He is also actively involved in advocating for the water challenges and issues for Te Kao and supporting Potahi marae.

 

Millan Ruka has also stepped down from TWWAG, resulting in a vacancy for another member.   Nominations are being called from TTMAC and TWWAG members for a replacement member for Millan Ruka.  It is anticipated a recommendation will be brought to council’s August meeting.

 

With Niki Conrad’s appointment there would be 12 members of TWWAG, plus the vacancy left by Millan Ruka.  TWWAG’s terms of reference states that there must be between 12 to 15 members inclusive.

 

1.         That the report ‘Tangata whenua water advisory group membership’ by Ben Lee, Planning and Policy Manager and dated 5 July 2022, be received.

2.         That council approve the appointment of Niki Conrad to the Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group

 

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Not make the appointment	Costs savings (one less member on TWWAG) Avoids risk of a new member ‘relitigating’ TWWAG’s work to date.	Against TTMAC recommendations Opportunity cost of not having additional expertise and knowledge brought the TWWAG table and reduce geographic representation on TWWAG.
2	Confirm the appointment	Consistent with TTMAC recommendations Brings additional expertise and knowledge to the table and maintains strong geographic representation.	Additional costs to council (but budgeted for) May take a bit of time for the new member to come up to speed and risk of member relitigating TWWAG work to date, and the associated time delay that may cause.

 

The staff’s recommended option is Option 2.

 

1.         Environmental Impact

Not applicable

2.         Community views

Wider community unlikely to have views about the appointment.

3.         Māori impact statement

The appointment is consistent with the advice from TTMAC and shows council’s support for involving tangata whenua in freshwater management.

4.         Financial implications

Members of TTWAG are paid for their time.  The costs of the appointment are already anticipated within the existing budget.

5.         Implementation issues

There may need to be some time spent on bringing the new member up to speed.  There is also a risk that the new member will want to relitigate work already confirmed by TWWAG.

 

6.         Significance and engagement

In relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is of low significance when assessed against council’s significance and engagement policy because it is part of council’s day to day activities.  This does not mean that this matter is not of significance to tangata whenua and/or individual communities, but that council is able to make decisions relating to this matter without undertaking further consultation or engagement.

 

 

 

 

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

The appointment is consistent with TWWAG’s terms of reference and does not conflict with any known policy or statutory directives.

 

Nil

26 July 2022

 

TITLE:	Tāiki ē NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan
From:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 19 July 2022

 

The purpose of the report is to present to council ‘Tāiki e’ (NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan) (referred to as Tāiki e henceforth) (included as Attachment 1) for formal adoption by council. The name Tāiki e encapsulates council’s ongoing commitment to a Te Tiriti based partnership with tangata whenua and is an Implementation Plan clearly outlining how council can deliver on its commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

 

The ingoa or name Tāiki e denotes the intent to a collective commitment that “we come together collectively to get the mahi done” as described by the Te Taitokerau Maori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) Co-Chair with a Kaupapa/Mission “He iwi tahi tātou kia ora ai te Taiao” translated as “Kawanatanga and Rangatiratanga work together for the well-being of the environment”.  Tāiki e focuses specifically on actions to achieve the desired Ngā Whainga / Goals for Capacity, Capability and Māori Representation as represented in the TTMAC Strategic Intent 2021-2040 (included as Attachment 3). There is a commitment for further work to be undertaken for the remaining Ngā Whainga / Goals outlined in the Strategic Intent, these being Water/Marine, Climate Crisis and Economic Development.

 

A Sub-Group consisting of TTMAC representatives and councillors have participated in a series of workshops supported by the Chief Executive Officer and key staff. The drafting process has been iterative and directly informed by the subgroup members in workshops facilitated by consultants from Barker & Associates. 

 

Barker & Associates were engaged in the development of the TTMAC Strategic Intent and have had experience in working with TTMAC and council in Te Tiriti based matters, consequently they were engaged for this next significant step in council’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and

Tāiki e.

 

Furthermore, Tāiki e has now been endorsed by TTMAC at its 14 July 2022 formal meeting and is being bought to the full council for adoption.

1.         That the report ‘Tāiki ē NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan’ by Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement and dated 8 July 2022, be received.

2.         That the Tāiki ē (NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan) be adopted by council  (subject to any final minor, graphic, structural or grammatical changes or amendments recommended by the Chief Executive Officer).

 

 

 

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Council adopts Tāiki e.	Aligns with council’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strengthens partnerships with tangata whenua. Strengthens council’s position to respond to central government reforms. Provides clear strategic direction both at a governance and operational level to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Provides a robust starting point for the incoming council for the understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Taitokerau context, partnership and obligations.	Increased workload for staff, elected and non-elected members. Financial implications for some of the unbudgeted actions.
2	Council does not adopt Tāiki e.	No extra resource required for unbudgeted areas or action points.	Undermines council’s commitment to partnerships and will receive negative reactions from tangata whenua partners. Minimal policy direction available to governance and operational staff. Significant amount of work and good will from TTMAC and the Sub Group would be lost and underutilised. There would not be a clear framework for the incoming council to deliver on its Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.

The staff’s recommended option is Option 1 – Council adopts Tāiki e.

1.    Environmental Impact

Tāiki e includes direct actions relating to environmental monitoring, review of council’s regulatory services, and education on environmental and resource management issues. Furthermore, while Tāiki e focuses on capacity, capability and Māori representation, it establishes a framework for looking at the other Ngā Whainga / Goals which include Water/Marine and Climate Crisis.

2.    Community views

Community views have been represented throughout the process via the make-up of the Sub-Group which includes fully elected councillors and non-elected iwi/hapū TTMAC members. The positive reception of Tāiki e is evident in the unanimous endorsement of the document by TTMAC on 14 July 2022.

 

3.    Māori impact statement

This report directly relates to a partnership with Māori and recognises a commitment to a Te Tiriti o Waitangi based partnership between council and TTMAC.

 

4.    Financial implications

Through the development of Tāiki e, financial implications are clearly identified, and where unbudgeted actions have been identified, it has been acknowledged that long term plan budgeting process have to be negotiated. If a commitment to funding is not reached, it is acknowledged that this will need to be discussed further with TTMAC to understand why funding was not received, and what further action may be taken.

 

5.    Implementation issues

Actions, their priority and timeframes for implementation are clearly identified in Tāiki e. If there are any issues with implementation, a review of Tāiki e can be undertaken at any time as indicated in the Monitoring and Review section of the document.

 

6.    Significance and engagement

In relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is considered to be of low significance when assessed against council’s significance and engagement policy because Te Pae Tawhiti 2021 – 2031 and the Strategic Intent have already been adopted by council and TTMAC respectively. Many of the actions listed in Tāiki e already have budget allocated to them in the current LTP. Where actions are unbudgeted, it is acknowledged that the full public process under the LTP would have to be completed before funding can be committed to. This does not mean that this matter is not of significance to tangata whenua and/or individual communities, but that council is able to make decisions relating to this matter without undertaking further consultation or engagement.

 

7.    Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

The decision is consistent with policy and legislative requirements.

 

DATE	WORKSHOP	PURPOSE
7 April 2022	Sub-Group Workshop 1	Intro to Kaupapa, purpose and intent
5 May 2022	Sub-Group Workshop 2	Implementation plan structure
20 May 2022	Sub-Group Workshop 3	Skeleton draft
7 June 2022	Sub-Group Workshop 4	Further draft review
15 June 2022	Full Council Workshop	Discuss process, latest draft & next steps
20 June 2022	Sub-Group Workshop 5	Discuss changes from Council workshop
23 June 2022	ELT Workshop	For information purposes – no changes
5 July 2022	Full Council Workshop	Review draft from Workshop 5
8 July 2022	Sub-Group Workshop 6	Finalise implementation plan for TTMAC
14 July 2022	TTMAC Meeting	Seek full TTMAC endorsement for Tāiki e

 

Attachment 1: Tāiki e (NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan) ⇩

Attachment 2: Tāiki e (NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation) Context Diagram ⇩

Attachment 3: TTMAC Strategic Intent 2021-2040 ⇩   

26 July 2022Attachment 1

26 July 2022Attachment 2

26 July 2022Attachment 3

26 July 2022

 

TITLE:	Appointment of replacement members to the Climate Change Working Party and Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee
From:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 18 July 2022

 

This paper seeks council endorsement to fill vacancies for Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) representatives on the Climate Change Working Party (CCWP) and Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee (JCCAC).

Due to circumstances such as work and hapū commitments, Nora Rameka (Ngāti Rehia) and Thomas Hohaia (Te Roroa) have confirmed that they will step down from the CCWP. Thomas Hohaia also has requested to step down as alternate TTMAC representative on the JCCAC, so it could be filled by a TTMAC representative on the CCWP.  This will facilitate a conduit between the working parties and JCCAC. (Rihari Dargaville (Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa) is the lead TTMAC representative on JCCAC.)

At TTMAC’s 9 June meeting the following replacements were nominated by the non-elected Māori members of TTMAC to fill the positions:

·    Lynette Wharerau (Te Whakaminenga o te Hikutu Hapū-Whanau) onto the CCWP

·    Mira Norris (Te Parawhau Hapū Authority Charitable Trust) onto the CCWP

·    Rowan Tautari (Te Whakapiko Hapū) as alternate TTMAC representative on JCCAC (and an existing TTMAC representative on the CCWP).

 

This working party represents the significant contribution of iwi and hapū to council and its decision-making processes around climate change and reflects council’s commitment to building enduring relationships with tāngata whenua. Hence, replacement is sought for transparency and continuity of representation.

 

1.         That the report ‘Appointment of replacement members to the Climate Change Working Party and Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee’ by Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement and dated 18 July 2022, be received.

2.         That Lynette Wharerau and Mira Norris are appointed onto council’s Climate Change Working Party as a Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) non-elected (tāngata whenua) members to replace Nora Rameka and Thomas Hohaia.

3.         That Rowan Tautari be appointed as the alternate TTMAC representative on the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee and attend meetings on behalf of the lead representative, Rihari Dargaville, should he be unable to attend.

 

 

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	That council approves the appointment of Lynette Wharerau and Mira Norris as TTMAC representatives onto council’s Climate Change Working Party, and Rowan Tautari as the alternate TTMAC representative on the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee.	Membership is confirmed to effectively undertake the roles and functions of the working parties. Endorsed by TTMAC and respects the advice of TTMAC. Secures representation of Māori in matters that are significant to the region.	Increase workload and expectation of TTMAC and nominated representation.
2	That council does not approve the appointment of Lynette Wharerau and Mira Norris as TTMAC representatives onto council’s Climate Change Working Party, and Rowan Tautari as the alternate TTMAC representative on the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee.	Reduces financial costs and implications of time required for TTMAC members.	Reduced TTMAC representation on the Climate Change Working Party and Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee to assist and inform council’s decisions.

 

The staff’s recommended option is Option 1: that council endorses the recommendations.

1.         Environmental Impact

Not applicable.

2.         Community views

Community views have previously been canvassed on council’s approach to engaging with Māori and supporting Māori participation in council processes, including the establishment of TTMAC through the Long Term Plan process.  General support has been received for the establishment and continuance of TTMAC.

3.         Māori impact statement

The Māori membership on council working parties is of public interest, in particular to TTMAC tāngata whenua members and, more broadly, Māori of Te Taitokerau.  This decision is consistent with feedback received from Māori and no further consultation is considered necessary before making this decision.

4.         Financial implications

There are sufficient funds within the existing budget to accommodate a replacement member.

5.         Implementation issues

There are no implementation issues as TTMAC appointment onto working parties is part of ongoing delivery of the Long Term Plan and staff have capability and capacity to support the implementation of these decisions.

 

6.         Significance and engagement

This is purely an administrative matter and does not trigger council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

 This decision complies with the council’s legislative requirements under the RMA 1991 (s 8) to take account of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and the LGA 2002 (s 4) to maintain and improve opportunities for Māori to contribute to local government decision-making processes.

Not applicable.

 

Nil

TITLE:	Health and safety report
From:	Beryl Steele, Human Resources Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 13 July 2022

 

This report is to inform the council of the activity in Health and Safety for the period April-June 2022, including comments on the 2021–2022 financial year. 

An overview/summary of the report includes:

·        The health and safety reporting period is now quarterly, rather than monthly.

·        Not having a Health and Safety Advisor has had a significant impact on the health and safety work programme.

·        There has been an increase in the residual risk score for extended workload/stress in the Health and Safety Risk Register.

·        The annual stress survey was completed, and the Executive Leadership Team have developed actions to address issues raised.

·        Overall numbers of incidents/hazards or near misses reported are currently trending down however we appear to be consistently receiving a greater number of hazard related events than injury/incident related events.

 

That the report ‘Health and safety report’ by Beryl Steele, Human Resources Manager and dated 13 July 2022, be received.

 

1.         Health and safety performance

A summary of the health and safety performance for the period July 2021 – June 2022 is shown in Table 1 below. 

·    The review of health and safety systems has been placed on hold until the Health and Safety Advisor role has been recruited.

·    Reporting of contractor engagement/pre-engagement completed for the July 2021-June 2022 period shows low numbers of contractors who have successfully completed the contractor health and safety pre-engagement process. It was recognised that there was a risk that contractors were being engaged without the required health and safety information being completed or recorded correctly. Construct Health were therefore engaged to undertake an audit of the contractor health and safety systems in May 2022.

 

 

 

·    The audit report made 12 recommendations and confirmed that there is a “significant risk to council with the number of existing contractors operating not pre-engaged and without adequately identifying and managing the hazards and risks associated to the activities.”  It was recognised that missing documentation may be incorrectly filed in SharePoint, and work is being done in this area to ensure that all documentation is filed appropriately.

·    An external audit of all Health and Safety processes and policies is being scoped. This is anticipated to occur once a Health and Safety Advisor has been appointed.

·    The numbers of completed health and safety inductions for new staff are consistently below performance targets. This was impacted by the high number of new staff starting combined with staff working from home due to Covid19 protocols. An investigation also found an issue in the workflow process following staff changes in March, which has been addressed.  As of 1 July, and moving forward, new staff inductions are expected to be achieved within two days from commencement.

 

Table 1: Health and safety performance lead and lag indicators July 2021l – June 2022

*Based on calendar year

 

2.         Risk management

As of the end of June 2022, there are 90 risks listed in the NRC Health and Safety Risk Register. Table 2 below shows the top ten risks for the organisation, identified by their residual risk score. Residual risk scores are calculated after all controls have been put in place, and are between one and 25.

Risk Updates

·    There have been no changes to the top ten risks over the three month period from April – June 2022.

·    Extended workload/stress risk has been reviewed. It was identified that the controls/mitigation strategies are not working, and the the residual risk score has increased from nine to 12.There has been a change to how risks are identified over the July 2021 – June 2022 period. The top risks as of July 2021 included Operating pumps and Sampling at Tangiteroria water quality site. These are specific activities, and the appropriate health and safety risk for these are manual handling and working around water respectively.

·    The risk register is still in the process of being transferred to Promapp.

·    Dealing with aggressive people – psychological harm has been reviewed. The risk scores in the risk register are considered to be appropriate. It was noted that for teams where dealing with aggressive people is more common, there is a tendency to normalise occurences.

·    The annual stress survey was undertaken in November 2021, with the top three contributors to stress identified as excessive workload, lack of time and difficulty managing/meeting deadlines, and challenges working with NRC systems.  Results were provided to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), who have developed actions to address issues, particularly those relating to workload.  These have been presented to council.

 

Table 2: Top ten Health and Safety risks as at 30 June 2022

Risk	Residual risk score
Working with Contractors	16
COVID-19 pandemic	16
Extended workload/stress	12
Dealing with aggressive people – psychological harm	10
Workplace bullying and harassment Note: This due to potential risk, not high numbers	9
Sedentary work - working at computers and laptops (including both in the office, and at home)	8
Working under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol	8
Slips, trips, and falls	8
Driving motor vehicles – accident related events causing injury or other trauma	8

 

 

3.         Injuries, incidents, and hazards

149 events were reported in the July 2021 – June 2022 period. Figure 2 below shows the number of injury/incident related events, as compared to hazard related events, for each month.  Table 3 below shows the risk profile for reported events, compared with previous financial years.

Overall numbers of incidents/hazards or near misses reported are trending down for both the period from April – June 2022 and for the year July 2021 – June 2022.  There has been a decrease in ‘major’ and ‘moderate’ events reported, as well as a decrease in the number of ‘minor’ events reported. 

Low numbers of reported events are likely due to staff not reporting the minor events, likely because they do not consider them to be significant.  Staff continue to be encouraged to report minor events, as these help to build the picture of the type of work NRC engages in and help with correctly assigning the associated risks.

 

Figure 2: Number of hazard and injury/incident related events reported for the previous 12 months

 

Table 3: Reported events by risk profile

Period	Minor	Moderate	Major	Severe
2020	35	41	49	0
2021	28	58	47	0
2022	16	99	34	0

 

Events reported

Incidents, hazards and near misses that are reported are assigned a Risk Description. Figures 3 and 4 below show the event types (based on risk description) for the April – June 2022 quarter and the top ten event types for the July 2021 – June 2022 period.

The top event types for April – June 2022 were vehicle accident/incident and slips trips or falls, and this is indicative of the number of staff using vehicles and undertaking business as usual duties out in the field. These two event types were also in the top three for the July 2021 – June 2022 period.

The most common event reported for the July 2021 – June 2022 period is vehicle speeding. These include speed camera tickets issued, and E-road reports where vehicles were recorded travelling 20+ km over the speed limit (excluding areas where speed limits change). A review of the number of speeding events, how they are followed up and numbers of repeat offenders is being undertaken by the Health and Safety Committee.

The increase in the number of events involving aggressive customers was raised at a H&S Representative meeting, and the use of body cameras was advocated. This is now being discussed by the Health and Safety Committee.

 

Figure 3: Event types reported for previous quarter

 

Figure 4: Top event types for previous 12 months

 

Events of interest

Note: the events of interest only detail high risk events, or events which affect large groups of people.

The following events are from the quarter April – June 2022.

·    A contractor was undertaking a routine site visit for an environmental incident. The landowner threatened to set his dogs on them, and then run them down.

·    A vehicle was not visible on the E-Road buddy system, meaning the assigned buddy was unable to check on the location of the relevant staff members.  E-Road was checked to ensure that all vehicles are visible.

·    A contractor engaged to undertake drone surveillance encountered two aircraft that disregarded the NOTAM that had been lodged and crossed over the operational zone.

·    Staff member fell into a waterway while attempting to retrieve a piece of equipment. Investigation determined that not all safe working procedures were followed. The team was reminded that safety controls are there for a reason.

·    There were five incidents involving vehicles. This is reflective of staff reporting incidents that occur while undertaking business as usual duties.

 

4.         End of financial year review

Table 4, below, shows a breakdown of the numbers of reported injury/incident and hazard events, compared with previous financial years. Speeding events have been recorded for the first time and are clearly a significant event type.

 

Table 4: Injury/incident and hazard events reported by type.

Figure 5: Number of hazard and injury/incident related events for previous 12 months

5.         Health and safety strategy work programme

The Health and Safety Committee met in July 2021 to identify priority outcomes from the revised Health and Safety Strategy. From this, six outcomes were selected from the five pillars of the strategy.

·    Annual health monitoring programme is undertaken (Hazards and risk)

·    Near misses and incidents are triaged as soon as possible, but within 48 hours (Injury and Illness)

·    Work related stress and mental health factors are identified and managed (Wellbeing)

·    The organisations culture supports wellbeing (Wellbeing)

·    Our leaders actively model and encourage H&S Excellence (Communication and engagement)

·    All our people understand they are responsible for their own H&S (Communication and engagement)

A work programme for the priorities was developed, however progress and completion were severely hindered by the NRC Covid19 response, and the loss of the Health and Safety Advisor in February 2022.

See Attachment 1 for a summary of activity undertaken for each of the strategy pillars during the year July 2021 – June 2022.

6.         Legislative changes

In September 2021, the Ministry for Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) began consultation for reform of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 2015. Their focus is on hazardous substances, plant and structures, hazardous work, and young people in the workplace.

 

 

Attachment 1: Health and Safety Strategy priority outcomes ⇩   

26 July 2022Attachment 1

26 July 2022

 

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

 

This report is to receive information from the Chair on meetings/events attended, and correspondence sent for the month of June 2022.

 

That the report ‘Chair's Report to Council’ by Penny Smart, Chair and dated 15 July 2022, be received.

 

During this period, I attended the following meetings/events/functions:

·        NRC/DOC MoU Signing

·        Extension 350 Event

·        Reforms update - Mayors, Chairs and Chief Executives

·        LGNZ Unpacking resource management reform

·        Meeting with Minister Kelvin Davis

·        He Waka Eke noa webinar Dairy NZ

·        Te Kawa Waiora Research Team Project

Correspondence

During June I sent out the following correspondence:

Date	Addressed To	Subject
02.06.2022	Director, Center for Biodiversity & Biosecurity,University of Auckland	Nga Ara Whetu Research Centre
02.06.2022	NRC Manager Community Engagement	Congratulations Letter for Emerging Leader of the Year Award
07.06.2022	Far North District Council	Congratulations Letter for 2022 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards

 

Nil

26 July 2022

 

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 19 July 2022

 

That the report ‘Chief Executive’s Report to Council’ by Malcolm Nicolson, Tumuaki - Chief Executive Officer and dated 1 July 2022, be received.

 

Aitutaki Range Test

It is pleasing to see the trials to improve water resilience in remote communities undertaken by NRC now being implemented to support our Pacific neighbours. The first rollout in Aitutaki now underway.  This trial was undertaken by Civil Defence and previously report to council

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 Opua Boat Yard in Walls Bay, Ōpua	The Court has advised that a hearing is required for these appeals.  All evidence is to be presented to the Court by 19 August 2022.  A hearing date is yet to be confirmed.
Consent decision appeal	Irrigation of avocado orchards and horticulture crops	The Court adjourned the hearing on 30 June 2022 and has requested final submissions to be provided.  The Court will then make an interning decision on the applications.  The Judge has indicated that due to prior court commitments, it may be up to three months for an interim decision and at least six months before a substantive decision will be issued.

Enterprise System Update

Finance

The Finance team are currently working towards completing the 2021/22 year-end draft accounts for audit review, hence there is no financial report included in the July 2022 council agenda.  These draft annual accounts will be presented to the August council meeting.  Deloitte will be onsite from 22 August until early September completing their review of the final accounts, which are set to be given audit clearance and be adopted by council at the council meeting on 27 September 2022.

An verbal update on the year end externally managed fund performance will be provided at the meeting based on the Eriksens Global June 2022 report.

Council Property Update

·    Due diligence is being undertaken for the purchase of two property holdings in Whangarei’s CBD.

·    Staff from both councils are now operating out of the Kaipara Service Centre.  The Property Team will continue to work on transition issues as the full staff contingent moves into the building. Expansion of the solar energy array at the KSC occurred in late May 2022 and it will now meet 30 to 45% of the building’s weekday electricity demand, up from 15% in the original design.

·    The NIWA Kingfish RAS head contractor, CB Civil are currently focused on completing the RAS treatment tanks, progressing the pipework and central suspended access way. The last of the specialist equipment is now in New Zealand and the ‘material supply’ risk to the project is decreased substantially. The completion timeframe currently looks achievable but very tight.

 

LGOIMA Process Review

Council’s process under the Local Government Official Information Act (LGOIMA) has been undergoing review for the purpose of continuous improvement.  This is concurrent with the transferral of LGOIMA process management from the governance team to the corporate strategy team. 

The review has included a self-assessment of council’s LGOIMA processes based on the Ombudsman’s ‘Key dimensions’ indicators and development of an improvement plan based on this.   Staff provided this plan, and the suite of councils own existing guidelines and tools, to the office of the Ombudsman for their review.  This was followed by a meeting with the staff from the office of the Ombudsman on 17 June, where the materials, self-assessment, and roadmap were discussed.  The office of the Ombudsman appreciated councils proactive approach and will provide written feedback on council’s material as well as working with staff to arrange ongoing LGOIMA training as required.

Staff will continue to engage with the Ombudsman office as they proceed with the implementation of the improvement plan.

Regional Accessibility Strategy

In May 2019, the Chief Executive Forum raised the possibility of developing a region-wide disability (now accessibility) strategy for Northland. The purpose of the strategy would be to enable people with access needs to live, work, play, visit and participate across our communities, in a more inclusive and equitable way.

A cross-council working group, comprising staff representatives from the three district councils and NRC, have been working to advance development of an accessibility plan, which may be a strategy or other initiative.  Work to date has included:

·    Seeking feedback from the Disability Advisory Group on the process of strategy/plan development and subsequent action plans

·    A survey to assess the needs of the community

·    A survey to gain insight from staff across all four councils on accessibility

 

The next step in the project is to carry out a round of community engagement to gather more in-depth information from access needs communities.  Guiding documentation and a consultation plan to properly support this process is almost complete, including a shared webpage to support the engagement and a social pinpoint page which facilitates feedback via several different platforms.  All material produced for engagement must be suitably accessible, with required translations planned to be carried out over the coming weeks. 

Once the engagement has been carried out, feedback will be analysed and a plan, strategy, or other suitable initiative drafted in conjunction with a group of stakeholders from the access needs community.

Council approved funding in their 2021 Long Term Plan for implementation of a strategy, which is budgeted from 2023/24 onwards.

7.3.4   regulatory services

Consents in Process

During June 2022, a total of 113 Decisions were issued.  These decisions comprised:

Ÿ Moorings	2
Ÿ Coastal Permits	7
Ÿ Coastal Discharge Permits	3
Ÿ Land Discharge Permits	20
Ÿ Land Use Consents	24
Ÿ Water Permits	45
Ÿ Water Takes	4
Ÿ Bore Consents	8

 

The processing timeframes for the June 2022 consents ranged from:

Ÿ 4427 to 0 calendar days, with the median time being 35 days;

Ÿ 2980 to 0 working days, with the median time being 21 days.

Thirty-five applications were received in June 2022.

Of the 168 applications in progress at the end of June 2022:

Ÿ 29 were received more than 12 months ago;
Reasons for being more than 12 months old:
-    Awaiting additional information (including CIAs)	12
-    Consultation with affected parties/stakeholders	4
-    On-hold pending new rules becoming operative	6
-    Other	7
Ÿ 25 were received between 6 and 12 months ago (most awaiting further information from the applicant);
Ÿ 114 less than 6 months.

Appointment of Hearing Commissioners

No commissioners were appointed in June 2022.

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

The current level of notified application processing activities at the end of June 2022 is (by number):

Ÿ Applications Publicly/Limited Notified During Previous Month	1
Ÿ Progress on Applications Previously Notified	5
Ÿ Hearings and Decisions	0
Ÿ Appeals/Objections	2

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

The results of compliance monitoring for the period 1 – 30 June 2022 (and year-end 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	38	33	3	0	0	2
Bore Consent	28	25	3	0	0	0
Coastal Discharge	30	19	8	2	0	1
Coastal Permit	68	49	6	0	1	12
Land Discharge	127	51	28	6	0	42
Land Use Consent	122	63	5	0	1	53
Water Discharge	64	39	9	7	3	6
Water Permit	161	53	4	1	0	103
Water Take	165	111	30	8	0	16
Total	803	443	96	24	5	235
Percentage		55.1%	12.0%	3.0%	0.6%	29.3%
Year to date	7279	4928	912	451	82	906
Percentage		67.7%	12.5%	6.2%	1.1%	12.5%

 

Coastal Compliance Monitoring

Compliance monitoring letters for all marine farms have been completed. Follow-up enforcement action is underway.

Annual stormwater monitoring has been undertaken at Norsand Boatyard, Dockland 5 and Oceania Marina (Port Road, Whangarei).  Initial stormwater monitoring visits have revealed that only ‘primary’ stormwater treatment is present on heavy industry sites, directly discharging to the Hatea River. 

The Coastal and Land compliance team have also been giving ongoing support to the Consents team to improve monitoring conditions for the management and treatment of stormwater discharges in resource consent applications or renewals, including requesting a 10-year resource consent expiration for all stormwater discharges on heavy industrial (including boat yard) sites to maintain best practice.

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

Ÿ Contaminated Land Management

Three incidents involving the discharge of hazardous substances and 18 enquiries regarding contaminated land were received and responded to.  Five hundred and forty kilograms of hazardous waste was disposed of at the amnesty day, and 10 sites were added to the Selected Land-Use Register.

·   Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants – see table below.

 

Environmental Incidents

Seventy-one incidents were closed during the period 1 June to 30 June 2022.  For the year ending 30 June 2022, a total of 946 incidents were reported to the Environmental Hotline.  Of these 410 (43%) were air quality incidents, followed by 245 water quality; 181 land use; 64 coastal; 40 waste management and six water quantity incidents.  Site visits were made to 64% of all the incidents reported to council.  Four hundred and thirty-three (46%) incidents were confirmed to be a breach of a rule, national regulations or a resource consent.  The chart below compares the 2021/22 year with the average for the previous 10 years.  As can be seen, the 2021/22 year saw more air and land use incidents but less of the other incident types.  However, over all the numbers are fairly consistent for the last 10 years.

 

 

 

 

 

ENFORCEMENT

Abatement Notices, Infringement Notices and Formal Warnings

The following is a summary of the abatement and infringement notices issued:

Action Type	Number for June 2022	12 months to 30 June 2022
Abatement Notice	8	200
Infringement Notice	10	92

Other Enforcement

·     Open burning on industrial/trade property – Whangārei

Charges were laid against an individual for open burning on industrial/trade premises; the burnt items included prohibited items. All witnesses gave evidence in front of Judge on 25 May 2022. Filing submissions have been filed as per timetable. The set date for decision was 4 July 2022. Registrar notified us on 29 June 2022 that Judge will not have the decision ready by 4 July. Registrar will notify parties when new date has been set.

·     Breach of enforcement orders - Kaitaia

An individual did not complete the work required by enforcement orders issued on 6 November 2020. The enforcement orders included remedial work on a contaminated land. On 28 June 2022, charging document has been filed to court for prosecution. The first appearance date allocated by the Court is 29 July 2022.

·     Vessel occupying CMA and removal of asbestos from CMA – Town Basin, Whangārei

An enforcement order was applied for on 23 November 2021 against an individual for occupying the coastal marine area (CMA) with a boat without consent, and for reimbursement of costs associated with work to remove cladding material containing asbestos that had been deposited within CMA. Following a joint memorandum, the individual has arranged a place to legally moor the boat. Settlement agreement was signed in early June 2022 settling the reimbursement of NRC costs for removal of cladding containing asbestos.

·     Earthworks and vegetation clearance within a wetland – Teal Bay

Charges were laid in the Whangarei District Court on 7 December 2021 against four parties for offences relating to earthworks, vegetation clearance and discharge of sediment that occurred in December 2020. A joint memorandum was signed on 28 June 2022 to prove on one issue; whether wetland is a natural wetland or a constructed wetland. This issue is relevant for some of the charges. NRC expert evidence is to be filed by 15 July 2022 and the defendants’ expert evidence is to be filed by 25 August 2022. If outcome of process is that wetland is a natural wetland, then the four defendants will enter guilty pleas to all charges.

·     Farm dairy effluent - Hikurangi

On 28 June 2022, charges were laid in Whangarei District Court against four defendants for offences relating to the discharge of farm wastewater that occurred in November 2021. First appearance date is 17 August 2022.

 

 

land management

 

Sustainable Hill Country and Regional Priorities Milestones	Status
Poplar timber research	This research is progressing well with a range of poplar timber products being tested for durability and how well they take preservative treatment. In addition, a small building (10 m2) will be constructed using standard industry construction methods to test poplar cladding, window joinery, decks and framing.  The poplar timber is available as a result of our sawmilling and treatment research.  We have prepared the timber and the building is under construction.  We will report on the acceptability of our poplar timber as a construction material for constructing the building and will also compare and contrast poplar with existing materials in 2022. This research is highly innovative, and NRC are leading the way in respect to providing hard data for end-of-life use of poplar timber.  This research is fully funded by MPI, with results to date published in the NZ Journal of Forestry.
Soil Conservation Strategy	Phase 1 of the strategy is underway with the first workshop held on 16 June covering: ·    Key issues the strategy needs to respond to (problem definition) ·    Clarify scope of literature review – what types of interventions and what parameters i.e., cost, effectiveness, impacts ·    Confirm approach to analysis of erosion sources (including what level of certainty is feasible / appropriate).  The strategy will be delivered in December 2022.
Land treatments – Retirement fencing	By year end, 15 fencing projects with a combined length of 19km retired 149ha from pastoral production exceeding the 84ha target (177% completed).

 

Left: Poplar cabin under construction   Right: Thermally modified poplar timber front door

 

 

Environment fund progress

COVID-19 and other supply issues seem to have impacted farmers’ ability to complete their fencing grants this year, causing a late rush for signoffs. The final reconciliation of the fund will be reported in July.

Whangārei urban awa project

Key updates for this project:

·   An information brochure has been designed to go to those in the Otaika catchment (newly extended project area) and those in the original catchments who have not yet made contact.

·   Two fencing projects were completed in Q4 totaling 275m and included one trough.

·   Three sites have been sprayed out, ready for planting.

·   The new Project Lead has started allowing for a full-time focus back on the project.

 

biodiversity

FIF Dune Lakes Project

Objective	Status
Aquatic weed and pest fish control	Staff arranged a site visit to the lakes with wetland vegetation damage with EPA compliance staff and consultant ecologist.  EPA are awaiting the ecologist report and will then assess potential breaches of consent conditions and next steps.  The EPA monitoring and annual report required under our permission to use Aquathol was prepared and sent this month.  More Aquathol for Lake Karaka hornwort control was ordered.
Sediment and nutrient mitigation	Tender approved for wetland construction at Lakeland Station, between Black Lake and Lake Wairere, at Kai Iwi Lakes. Feasibility report will be prepared first.
Education Days	Around 50 students from 12 Far North schools attended a ‘Get to know your dune lake’ day at Lake Waiporohita on the Karikari Peninsula. This event was part of Te Aho Tu Roa’s winter noho taiao.  2,000 plants went in around the lake, and students learnt about tuna, ika, eDNA and water quality.

Lakes Survey

An annual lakes ecological survey was postponed due to covid, but a contract was awarded in June and the survey takes place in July.

CoastCare

Contractors and volunteers have been busy with weed and pest control work, preparing for the planting season which started with planting at Mangawhai, Bream Bay and Bay of Islands in June. 

At Oneroa Bay, Long Beach, a Matariki planting day was held with Russell Landcare Trust and Haratu Kororāreka Marae.   The area planted was designated Wahi Tapu area as koiwi pre-Christian burials eroded out of this part of the Oneroa beach coastal reserve and there had been concern that more might be found.  The area was temporarily fenced off and an excavation undertaken by Heritage NZ and the University of Auckland under the cultural guidance and direction of the Marae.    No further remains were found and agreement was made to plant the area out and protect it from foot traffic. The planting day was well attended and 1000 plants, provided by NRC, were planted in just over an hour, followed by kai back at the marae.

 

	Nearing end of archaeological excavation work, February 2022
	Well attended planting day, June 2022
	Planting complete, June 2022

 

Wetlands

A meeting was attended as part of the Kaimaumau Ecosystem Technical Advisory Group (TAG) advising a multi-agency Governance Group on recovery of the wetland after a major fire swept through the area over summer.   The group is advising on actions required to restore water levels and best manage weeds and threatened species.

Terrestrial

The recent biodiversity assessment undertaken at Tāika forest highlighted the need to fence the forest and streams in the lower reaches of the block.  During June a meeting with the neighboring landowner was had and a site visit was undertaken to look at fencing options.   Almost 1km of fencing is expected to be installed this coming summer.

 

Natural resources

Coastal/Water Quality Operations

On 27 June 2022, Marine Biosecurity and Water Quality Field Operations team members held a Matariki hui with tamariki from Ngataki School at Houhora Heads. The kaupapa was based on the stars of Matariki, for example Pōhutukawa (loss/threats). Council demonstrated how the recent Kaimaumau wetland fires and marine pests affect Waitī (fresh water) and Waitā (salt water).   Hiwa-i-te-rangi (actions/monitoring) was represented by the "Protect the karepō (seagrass)" sign erected early this year, annual shellfish surveys and an eDNA sample that was collected at Pukenui wharf.  eDNA samples can identify thousands of species of plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, by isolating DNA shed by organisms in the wider environment.  The results will improve understanding of what life is present in the waitī and waitā.  An eDNA sampling kit was also gifted to the school to use at a later time.

 

Natural Resources Science

Air quality and carbon emission

No breach of National Environmental Standard for air quality (NESAQ) occurred in May 2022 for PM₁₀ at Robert Street in Whangārei and Ruakākā at Marsden Point airsheds.  However, PM₁₀ concentrations at the Mairtown monitoring station exceeded the NESAQ on 25 May 2022 and

19 June 2022.  The first exceedance on 25 May 2022 was attributed to a large vegetation fire at Paranui Valley Road between 24 and 26 May 2022.  Robert Street monitors also showed elevated PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations during this period but the Ruakākā station did not pick the elevated concentrations.  Ten-minute PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations for 24, 25 and 26 May 2022 are presented in the graph below.  The graph shows the high concentrations of particulate matter while the fire was burning at the above location. 

 

Please refer to the specific agenda item on this topic for further details including implications and next steps.

Freshwater quality

·   NIWA has been selected as a preferred service provider for a study on identifying potential drivers (water chemistry and biophysical characteristics) of benthic macroinvertebrate community pattern in Northland rivers.  The contract is yet to be finalised.  The final report is due by March 2023.

·   Science Freshwater has reviewed the final draft of NEMS (National Environmental and Monitoring Standards) protocol for planktonic cyanobacteria.  This NEMS protocol will mainly focus on lakes to assist in implementing the NPS-FM cyanobacteria attributes.

 

Groundwater

GNS has a MBIE funded project to assess nitrate levels in rural drinking water supply bores with a pilot study in Northland (with the intent to roll it out nationally).  NRC supports the project as it will provide an improved understanding of nitrate levels across Northland at higher spatial resolution than our current SoE network.  GNS has been in contact with groundwater users in Northland and will be distributing self-test kits to maraes, schools and primary sector groups and is hoping to get good coverage of rural groundwater bores across the north. Samples can be collected over the next six months and the bore owners will be directly notified of the nitrate results and any further action required.  The GNS communication has been reviewed by NRC.

 

Hydrology

 

Rainfall ·    The regional average rainfall for June 2022 was 150mm, which is about 95% of expected rainfall. ·    The highest monthly rainfall total was recorded in the upper Ngunguru catchment with 251mm, which is 142% of expected. High rainfall totals were also recorded in Kaeo/Whangaroa and the Purerua Peninsular, all recording over 200mm. Waimamaku in the South Hokianga recorded 244mm, which is 90% of expected rainfall. ·    The driest areas in Northland were from the interior around Twin Bridges (59% of expected rainfall) South-West out to the West Coast. Dargaville recorded the lowest rainfall total with 86.5mm.

 

 

Rivers ·    Most Northland rivers had above normal to normal flow for June. ·    The lowest flows were in the Mangakāhia, Opouteke, and Kaihū rivers which ranged from below normal to extremely low. This pattern is reflected in the monthly rainfall distribution.
	Groundwater ·    Recorded groundwater levels were above normal in most Northland aquifers. ·    Groundwater levels in the Aupōuri Peninsula and in Doubtless Bay were normal.

 

POLICY AND PLANNING

Freshwater Plan Change

The results of the NIWA CLUES scenario modelling and associated costs was presented to the Primary Sector liaison Group meeting (PSLG) on 21 June 2022.  A contract has been signed with NIWA to run a further 4 scenarios, the report is due end of August 2023.  A presentation was given to a group on Dairy NZ farmers on 20 June on the NRC’s freshwater plan change process and the opportunities for engagement.

The first phase of communications will kick off in July.  This includes update of the website, social media campaign and media release.  The focus is on raising awareness about the plan change and letting people know how they can get involved.

Notified Subdivision application - Kapiro Road

A hearing was held by Far North District Council on the 29 & 30 June to determine a large-scale subdivision proposal in Kerikeri. Staff had lodged a submission requesting appropriate provision for water supply and consideration of the NES-F. Staff attended part of the hearing in support of the submission on water supply requirements and the applicants subsequently confirmed that they would provide the requested amount of water storage should the proposal be approved.

Review of the Regional Policy Statement

Barker and Associates have been contracted to support MTAG in providing input on the 5 yearly review of the RPS from a tangata whenua perspective.  An initial meeting has been held with staff and a Barkers representative will attend the MTAG meeting on 7 July for an introduction and discussion on a process for working together on the review.

Proposed Regional Plan Appeals

In recent weeks the Environment Court has released several decisions on the Proposed Regional Plan.  A brief summary of the decisions is available below and the decisions are available in full on Councils website.

·   Topic 15 Mangrove Removal - This is an interim decision on the provisions controlling mangrove removal. Overall, the Court has largely agreed with the provisions put forward by the Council however there are instances where the Court was persuaded by evidence put forward by other parties meaning that some provisions become more enabling or more restrictive.  One example being restrictions on bird breeding season of 1 August and 31 March and that motorised hand-held tools must not be used.  Staff are working on final wording which will be submitted to the court in due course.

·   Topic 16 Livestock exclusion – This final decision resolves appeals relating to livestock exclusion, and the definition of īnanga spawning site.  The Court found in favor of Council, the Minister of Conservation and Forest and Bird.  Livestock must be effectively excluded from īnanga spawning sites.

·   Topic 7 Discharges to land and Topic 9 land use activities - This is a final decision on permitted activities for land preparation (C.8.2.1), Earthworks (C.8.3.1) and vegetation clearance and coastal dune restoration (C.8.4.1). 

Staff continue to work towards resolving the remaining appeals on a range of topics.  Key points arising since the last report are:

·   Topic 1 (coastal activities) council staff circulated a suite of 22 rules, six policies, one objective, six definitions and maps to the appellants and Section 274 parties. We expect to file signed consent documents with the Environment Court imminently.  The provisions relate to the management of coastal structures and how vessels use Northlands coastal marine area. 

·   Topic 1A (Aquaculture) has been resolved and consent documents have been filed with the Court. 

·   Topic 1B – Staff have circulated a revised rule for the parties consideration. Subject to agreement from the parties mediation on this matter will be set in late July.  If significant progress is not made at mediation, we will request the Court schedule a hearing.

·   A workshop with council was held on 21 June to consider the next steps on mapping of Outstanding Natural Landscapes in the Coastal Marine Area. Following this, discussions have been held with the Department of Conservation as an appeal party to consider further options.

TOWARDS A REGIONAL BIOSECURITY COLLECTIVE

Biosecurity New Zealand convened a two day wānanga hosted by the hapū of Patukeha and Ngāti Kuta in Waitangi.  The wānanga focussed on Mahi Tahi – how to collaborate and create partnerships (particularly with Māori) to work together and protect Te Taitokerau.  It is hoped to form a regional collective of biosecurity stakeholders similar to Tauranga Moana  https://www.tmbiosecurity.co.nz/.   The Chief Executive Officer, councillors Craw and Robinson, selected Biosecurity staff and managers attended along with Ngā hapū representatives, the Department of Conservations, Kiwi Coast, Northland ports, marinas, and other small businesses.  Speakers shared current initiatives and aspirations and there was general support for better collaboration and the value that this would bring in the event of new organisms arriving in Northland.  Tauranga Moana representatives also shared how a collective has worked in Tauranga to lift awareness and preparedness.  Hapū were invited to consider the opportunities and feedback to the Ministry for Primary Industries as to their willingness to be part of the alliance.

NEW ZEALAND BIOSECURITY INSTITUTE CONFERENCE 2023

Biosecurity staff are involved in the planning for next year’s New Zealand Biosecurity Institute which will be held in Northland.  The national conference will be an excellent opportunity to promote biosecurity in the region and will bring several hundred visitors to Northland.  The venue for the conference will be confirmed shortly.

WILD ANIMAL CONTROL

Deer farm escape

There was a mass escape from a deer farm in Kaiwaka on 14 June after a tree came down on a boundary fence allowing animals to escape.  The landowner thought all deer had been recovered that night, however Biosecurity staff checking the location located an adult stag and hind outside the deer fence and near bush.  The farmer was contacted, and he advised that he would be unable to recover the animals.  It was agreed to destroy the animals before they relocated into nearby bush areas, and this was done in a combined council and Department of Conservation operation. 

The farm has been involved in numerous escapes and the Department of Conservation has since met with the farmer to discuss how farming practices could be improved, or the possibility of destocking.

Feral deer

Three fallow deer were shot in the Kaitaia area by council contractors over two night (10 June and 25 June).  These animals trace back to a report made of fallow deer in the area in 2020.  Further surveillance will be conducted in the area to assess how many feral deer remain.

Feral pigs

Three new collapsible pig traps with a new door design have been purchased with a fourth purchased by a local contractor who has tested the trap.  The trial trap has already caught five pigs over two days demonstrating its effectiveness.

Traps have been deployed near Kerikeri where there is a major pig issue.  This area has the backdrop of the Kerikeri Inlet and Waitangi Forest which has historically high kiwi populations.  The presence of feral pigs raises the concern of pig hunters entering the area and further endangering the kiwi population.

KAURI PROTECTION Waitangi Treaty Grounds engagement material The kauri protection team have printed 50,000 kauri protection visitor fliers customised for the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.  They will be made available to visitors.     The customised kauri protection information flier  printed for the Waitangi Treaty Grounds will be made available for visitors.

Kauri Protection National Plan

A significant milestone for kauri protection has been reached with the gazettal of the National Kauri Protection Plan.  The plan has been published on the legislation website here and comes into effect on 2 August 2022.  The northern regions of Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato, the Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation and tangata whenua are collaborating on the implementation of the national plan.  Staff have a full programme of work for the coming year involving soil sampling, fencing, wild animal control and raising kauri protection awareness.

PARTNERSHIPS

Northland Regional Council – Kiwi Coast partnership

·    Partnership agreement re-signing:  The Kiwi Coast Trust and Northland Regional Council have re-signed the successful partnership for a further five years. 

 

 

Council Chief Executive Malcolm Nicolson (left) and Kiwi Coast Chair Mike Camm at the partnership signing on 16 June 2022.

 

 

·    Northland Kiwi Call Count Survey:  Kiwi Coast are supporting Northland community projects, iwi and hapū to carry out their annual kiwi monitoring as part of the Northland Kiwi Call Count Survey.  This annual outcome monitoring is one of the ways Northland projects know if all their hard work and pest control is achieving the desired result – either the return of kiwi to their area, or an increase in their local kiwi population.

·    Kiwi Coast Listening App:  An upgrade of the Kiwi Coast Listening App has been released with a key new feature that enables people to map their kiwi on their phones as they call.  Over 200 people are now registered for the app.  Kiwi Coast has also provided dedicated support to kiwi listeners to answer queries and assist listeners, which has been in heavy demand.

Kiwi Link High Value Area

·    Trap catch data:  Analysis of trap catch data to date shows that the Kiwi Link High Value Area has removed 9,509 animal pests over the last year, taking the grand tally since the project began to 36,958.

·    Kiwi Call Count Monitoring:  The annual Kiwi Call Count Survey has been conducted with a mix of human listening stations and kiwi listening devices.  Kiwi have been discovered at new sites this year (eg. Manulife Whānui Project).

·    Trapping workshop:  A successful Ross Road Landcare Trapping Workshop was run by Kiwi Coast to help a local community increase their trapping skills.  The workshop covered both the biodiversity we are trying to protect as well as the pest species we are controlling.

Kiwi duet from Waikaraka track at Mt Tiger.	Ross Road Landcare Trapping Workshop.

Whangārei Heads High Value Area

·    Kiwi Call Count Monitoring:  Kiwi call counts are nearly completed for this year. ·    Weed control:  Cotoneaster is the Whangārei Heads High Value Area “weed of the month” in an attempt to raise the plants profile in the community and to tackle areas where cotoneaster has taken a stronghold.   Weed of the month Cotoneaster.

Tutukaka High Value Area

·    Predator control:  A new Trap line added to the Sandy Bay Kiwi Project using the Predator Free funded traps.  Neighbouring farm owners will be contacted to make this line into a loop.  A KiwiSaver operation has involved the installation of 222 bait stations in preparation for July / August / September toxin operations.

·    Biodiversity:  The 2022 Annual Kiwi Call Count survey and winter counts of other species are underway.  Kākā are being both heard and sighted regularly at Tutukaka.

·    Weed control:  Specialist Weed Action Team (S.W.A.T) volunteers carried out two-day work on a pilot site in Shoebridge Reserve.

Piroa Brynderwyn High Value Area

·    Northland Regional Council environmental award finalists:  Wairahi Charitable Trust (“Waiarahi Trackies”) were finalists in council’s Environmental Awards Environmental Action in the Community category in recognition of their mahi at Langs Beach Scenic Reserve.  The trust was awarded the Highly Commended prize at the Awards dinner, on 27 June with the Chair of the Trust accepting the prize on behalf of the many volunteers that work tirelessly on restoring the reserve.  Read more at: https://www.wairahitracks.nz .

The Waiarahi Trackies with their Highly Commended  prize at the Environmental Awards.

Enviroschools Project Pest Control

The Far North Project Pest Control skills course at Lonsdale Park was conducted on 27-28 June.  Some 68 students from three schools were taught skills in pest trapping, possum skinning, and possum machine plucking by Biosecurity officers from the Partnerships team.    A Biosecurity officer demonstrates trap setting techniques at the Project Pest Control course at Lonsdale Park.

Biofund

A council biofund has been featured in the June edition of Northern Farming Lifestyles.  The article titled “Protecting the Future” (part one of a two part feature) profiles one families possum control system on their Pīpīwai farm.  The system has been extremely successful removing an estimated 850 possums since inception on 25 March.  Part two of the feature will appear in the July issue of the magazine.  Read more here: Northern Farming Lifestyles, June 2022 by Integrity Community Media - Issuu 

 

 

The “Protecting our Future” feature in the Northern Farming Lifestyles magazine.

 

 

 

PREDATOR FREE

Predator Free Whangārei

·    Working Block 1:  Progress on the ground at Whangārei Heads has been steady with reservicing of bait stations and traps in Working Block 1 and surrounding areas.  Since going live in April, the team have been on weekly rotation of servicing 148 active kill traps and a fortnightly rotation of servicing 180 stocked bait stations.

·    Council engagement:  The Predator Free Whangārei team have hosted three visits from council and staff.  These visits included with the Chief Executive and councillors visiting on the 3 June, the Executive Leadership Team visiting on the 30 June, and the wider Biosecurity team visiting on the 1 July.  In addition to providing education to council and staff about Predator Free Whangārei, the team were able to implement and practice tikanga, welcoming newcomers with a whakataukī each time.

Council Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Nicholson attending the Whangārei Heads depot presentation.

MARINE BIOSECURITY

Hull surveillance

Contracted divers completed nine days of diving in June and surveyed 269 vessels to bring the 2021-2022 hull surveillance season to a close (2,061 hulls in the season).  Most vessels surveyed were based at berths in either Marsden Cove Marina or Ōpua Marina.  There was 16 incidents of Sabella spallanzanii (Mediterranean fanworm), one incident of Styela clava (clubbed tunicate), six incidents of Eudistoma elongatum (Australian droplet tunicate) and three incidents of Clavelina lepdaiformes (lightbulb ascidian) found on vessel hulls.  The incidents of the lightbulb ascidian were all located at Marsden Cove Marina where there is a known population present. 

This season was heavily impacted by Covid-19, especially for contracted divers that required a one month stand down period from diving after testing positive for virus (as set by WorkSafe NZ).  Council marine biosecurity staff were encouraged with the overall standard of the fleet surveyed with 52.6% of vessels compliant (if moving between designated areas) with the rules as stated in the Regional Pest Management Plan, this represents a cleaner fleet than last season where 44.6% of vessels were compliant.

The most prominent pest species found on vessels was the Australian droplet tunicate (Eudistoma elongatum) followed by the Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii).  A full analysis report of this season will be completed by council staff to disseminate to stakeholders and to council.

Table 1:  Hull Surveillance Programme Results to 30 June 2022

Hull Surveillance Programme Results	Total this period	Total YTD
Pathways Plan Compliance if Moving*
Number of vessels surveyed this period	279	2061
% Pathways Plan Compliance if Moving (all vessels) *	57.3	52.6
Vessels found with Marine Pests
Sabella spallanzanii (fanworm)	16	62
Styela clava (clubbed tunicate)	1	50
Undaria pinnatifida (Japanese kelp)	0	0
Eudistoma elongatum (Australian droplet tunicate)	6	125
Pyura doppelgangera (sea squirt)	0	0

* This is the percentage of vessels surveyed that complied with the acceptable level of ‘light fouling’ as defined in the Marine Pathway Plan. Note: actual compliance is higher given not all these vessels will move from one designated place to another.

eDNA and empowering communities 

eDNA (environmental DNA) is a relatively new scientific tool that can quickly scan the environment to provide information on local biodiversity.  It can also be utilised for early detection of marine invasive species.  The technology is practical for community use as it does not require people to get in the water and sampling techniques are relatively simple.  Council marine biosecurity staff have supported school groups and hapū throughout Northland, empowering groups to monitor their local moana while simultaneously contributing to council’s marine biosecurity surveillance program.  Samples have been collected at Houhora, Ōpua/Paihia (Bay of Islands College Papa Tāiao), Marsden Cove (Whangarei Girls High School) and Ngunguru (Te Waiariki hapū) this month.  There are also plans to start a regular monitoring project in Kerikeri next month (Ngāti Torehina ki Matakā).

A Whangarei Girls High School collects eDNA samples from Marsden Cove Marina.

NRC marine biosecurity staff were also acknowledged in a recent scientific publication which helped to validate molecular sampling protocols for application by non-scientist users to detect Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii).

LOF Workshop training in Auckland

Marine biosecurity staff attended a workshop hosted by the Cawthron Institute to discuss and review outputs from the Level of Fouling project funded by a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment large advice grant supported and submitted by council.  The aims of the project were to create a software application, electronic guidance manual, and a training and validation workshop to train and assist regional and unitary councils to apply the Level of Fouling ranking scale.  The successful outcomes of this project will enhance how regional councils assess the biofouling risk associated with their fleet.  Tools delivered will remove diver bias and subjectivity provide a greater level of confidence to both staff and the boating community that assessments are made with a high degree of accuracy. 

The workshop was attended by commercial divers, consultants, and central and local government (including representatives spanning from Whangārei to Invercargill).  Discussions revolved around discrepancies between individuals which allowed for those more experienced to share their knowledge. 

Mangonui mediterranean fanworm incursion response 

Divers were contracted by council and the Ministry for Primary Industries to conduct surveillance in the Mangonui Harbour for Sabella spallanzanii (Mediterranean fanworm) as a follow up in response to an incursion of Mediterranean fanworm in the harbour after a vessel was found with over fifty mature fanworm in 2020.  No Mediterranean fanworm were located during the survey. 

Matariki Ngātaki School hui

Council marine biosecurity staff attended a hui at Houhora heads with Ngātaki School to acknowledge Matariki through environmental monitoring.  Students learned about ecosystem stability, being kaitiaki, and participated in a modified shellfish sampling exercise.  Students were also introduced to marine biosecurity with discussions about the Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) as there had been a recent detection and response in the harbour after council divers detected this species on a vessel.

Ngātaki School students learning about Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) at Houhora Heads.

Invite to French Polynesia 

The Marine Biosecurity Specialist Alessandra Smith has been invited to speak at events in Tahiti and Moorea, French Polynesia this September.  The event aims to promote marine biosecurity and detection tools for non-indigenous marine species to research institutions, government agencies, and the communities.  Working together will help nations in the South Pacific advance research, exchange knowledge and strengthen collaborations.  This is an excellent opportunity for council to highlight our work in marine biosecurity on an international stage and support international marine biosecurity efforts.

PEST PLANTS

Pest plant seed germination trials

Biosecurity staff have been conducting trials on the seed viability for eradication pest mickey mouse plant (Ochna serrulata).  Work to date has shown that both green and black berries will germinate when they are fresh (although green seed has lower germination rates), but seed viability drops significantly after the first month.  This promising data has implications for the success of the eradication of this plant.  Mickey mouse plant seed planted at 3 monthly intervals but only fresh seed (far left) has germinated.

Similar trials with National Pest Plant Accord species Araujia hortorum (moth plant) pods has found viable seeds even in quite small pods (~5cm long) where they have been dried on cut off vines.  This work empathises the importance of removing and disposing of all moth plant pods to prevent reinfestation.  Size doesn’t matter…  Moth plant seed germinating from pods both large and small.

MĀORI ENGAGEMENT

Recently we were fortunate to have Tohunga Rereata Makiha celebrate with 30 staff and whanau at a Matariki Puanga event at the Hihiaua Cultural Centre and we were privileged to hear Rereata Makiha's kōrero on Puanga-Matariki and his stories of traditional practice and the Maramataka.  He was joined by Dallas King and Te Kaurinui Parata to present the “Korero Tuku Iho” initiatives and projects they are rolling out across Aotearoa.  Also an inaugural performance from the NRC staff kapa haka roopu being led out by Stella Kake-Schmid to bring values of whanaungatanga and kōtahitanga to life within NRC kaimahi.

Te Tiriti Health Check Update

Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) recommended, based on their experience in the areas of Treaty audits and similar reviews across councils in NZ, that Paul Beverley, Buddle Findlay and Tai Ahu, Whāia Legal be contracted as the independent evaluators of NRC’s performance against the Te Arawhiti Māori Crown Relations Framework as per the benchmarking and setting of expectations as below.

Confirmation of independent evaluators

After the March 2022 TTMAC meeting, approval was sought and received from the NRC Chief Executive to engage the services of Buddle Findlay (Paul Beverly) and Whāia Legal (Tai Ahu) to assist in the delivery of council’s Long Term Plan (LTP) Independent Treaty Health Check. The budget for the health check is $50,000  for Year 1, subsequent years $25,000 per annum for review. There is also $100,000 per annum allocated for implementation of recommendations.

The programme of works is now being confirmed by council, TTMAC and NRC’s Executive Leadership Team, and Treaty Health Check collation of data has commenced by Paul Beverly and Tai Ahu. TTMAC tangata whenua members will guide and lead a comprehensive check of council’s performance.

 

 

 

Te Whāriki Māori Responsiveness Framework

Level 2 Workshop Delivery

Vicky Morrison-Shaw (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pākehā) attended and presented at the most recent Te Whāriki workshop. Vicky’s experience spans environmental, local government, resource management, public and Māori law issues. The presentation covered the idea of integrating Mātauranga Māori into environmental decision making and she was able to share a few examples of the importance of this approach across the country. At this workshop we also engaged the services of David Tapene (Ngāti Hau, Ngāpuhi). David is well known across Te Taitokerau for his contribution and commitment to building knowledge and competency in regard to Maori performing arts internationally.

Approximately 30 staff attended from across the organization and the feedback given regarding the one-day training is provided from some of the attendees below:

Question: Has your understanding of how to work with Māori improved after completing this workshop?

·    Yes, better understanding of key concepts

·    I learned more about the difference between The Treaty and Te Tiriti

·    Better understanding of Te Tiriti and challenging traditional European approaches to how we do things

·    Has cemented a few things and I have been working in Te Taitokerau for a long time

·    We need to do this more regularly to keep building our knowledge and embedding Tikanga into our community engagement actions

Staff attending Level 2 Workshop at Kaka Porowini marae

 

Economic development: Examples from the Ngāwhā Innovation and Enterprise Park

Manga Wihongi and Alistair Clarke (Ngāti Rangi) provided a presentation on the production of mānuka/kānuka oil at Waiwhariki​ Pharmaceuticals​ Ltd based at Ngāwhā Innovation and Enterprise Park, followed by Wayne Rogers who presented on the ethos, concept and development of Ngawha Innovation and Enterprise Park near Kaikohe. Members appreciated the presentations and the Q&A afterwards. This included points on the unique properties of manuka grown in a thermal area, mātauranga Māori and western science walking together, the whakapapa of the seeds used, intellectual property, the critical role played by Provincial Growth Fund in providing capital, effects of climate change, ownership and governance process for the Park, and training collaboration with NorthTec.

Northern Waters – Te Wai Ora Mai Tāmaki ki Te Rerenga Wairua

GM Regulatory Services (NRC) and Terry Smith (Auckland Council) presented an overview of Northern Waters, an operational group established by Auckland Council and the four Northland councils to inform and prepare for the establishment of “Entity A” under the government’s Three Waters Reform Programme. They sought guidance on what engagement with Taitokerau hapū and iwi might look like regarding the establishment of Entity A.

Key feedback included the lack of meaningful consultation on 3 Waters to date, the importance of hapū/kaitiakitanga engagement, how to resource hapū to engage, what Northern Waters terms of reference (kaupapa) is, how Te Mana o Te Wai is being expressed through all the current legislative reforms, what role TTMAC should play in 3 Waters engagement, inadequacy of engagement timelines, where the Department of Internal Affairs sits in informing governance, what opportunities exist for hapū/kaitiaki and iwi.    

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Investment and Growth Reserve – Projects Report

Project	Update	Future developments/ reporting
REL	Repayment proposal agreed by all parties.	Monitor repayments

Other Work Undertaken

Ÿ Joint Regional Economic Development Committee (JREDC) – Organised JREDC visit to the Ngāwhā Innovation and Enterprise Park on 17 June. The visit included a tour of the Kaikohe Berryfruit LP developments and Matawii reservoir. The quarterly workshop with Northland Inc was held at Te Kona in Kaikohe.

Ÿ Water storage – Council workshops held to present investment options of the Kaipara and Mid-North water storage schemes being developed by Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust. 

Ÿ Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) – Organised an economic development update at the TTMAC meeting on 9 June. Ngati Rangi presented on their manuka oil distlliery and Northland Inc on the skills development and workforce management work being undertaken at the Ngāwhā Innovation and Enterprise Park.

Ÿ Land Use Geospatial Layer Project – Managed the evaluation of the tenders received on the RFP published on GETS. 

Ÿ CLUES scenarios and costings – The scenario costings report results where presented to the Primary Sector Liaison Group on 21 June.

Ÿ Northland Economic Quarterly (NEQ) – June issue prepared, distributed and available online at https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/jvnf45rx/economic-quarterly-issue-34-june-2022.pdf. The annual section reports on agricultural data for the year ended June 2021 while the spotlight section examines some of the impacts of the latest Covid-19 restrictions on Northland’s economy. The NEQ is available through council’s eNewsletter service, sign-up at: www.nrc.govt.nz/enewsletters

ONLINE CHANNELS

Most popular content on Facebook:  Facebook post on our media release about “Total Mobility comes to the Far North” (10 June 2022). Reaching 4,082 customers and with engagement of 143.

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

Key Performance Indicators	Feb-22	Mar-22	Apl-22	May-22	Jun-22
WEB
# Visits to the NRC website	34,400	35,900	37,900	31,600	26,946
E-payments made	16	14	7	11	14
# subscription customers (cumulative)	1,385	1,378	1,368	1,366	1,365
SOCIAL MEDIA (cumulative)
# Twitter followers	1,566	1,564	1,570	1,580	1,590
# NRC Facebook followers	10,600	10,600	10,600	10,700	10,682
# NRC Overall Facebook Reach	207,200	189,900	62,700	44,000	102,991
# NRC Engaged Daily Users	4,807	8,442	3,838	3,507	5,011
# CDEM Facebook fans	26,200	26,300	26,300	26,300	26,305
# CDEM Overall Facebook Reach	171,100	103,300	111,100	37,000	6,569
# CDEM Engaged Daily Users	19,500	5,564	7,168	1,895	147
# Instagram followers	1,506	1,520	1,526	1,540	1,547

 

ENVIROSCHOOLS / EDUCATION

Kete Aronui - Taking climate action
During June, 30 Kete Aronui - taking climate action kits - were delivered begun to Enviroschools. This - and a Google drive of resources - was our hybrid response to being unable to hold the Enviroschools Encounter events. The kete contains materials and korero for primary schools to measure rainfall and soil moisture (climate action: conserving water), set up a Bokashi waste management system (processing waste on site), make seed bombs (improving biodiversity), grow microgreens and vegies and make your own kai (grow your own food and reduce food miles), experiment with a solar kit (use renewable energy sources) and create a water catchment (find out about NRC large scale climate action - flood protection works).

Two dune lakes education days held
 On 1 and 14 June, dune lakes education days were held at Rotokawau (Pouto) and Waiporohita (Karikari), respectively.  The later formed part of a Noho Taiao event.  The Biodiversity and Enviroschools teams led the organisation and action stations focused on water quality, pest and native fish, kākahi and tuna.

Youth Engagement at the governance level
 On 8 June, members of the Community Engagement team ran a workshop with Whangarei District Council’s Whangarei Youth Advisory Group.  The Interactive workshop gained insight into what worked well and what could be improved for the group.  It also provided information on what a diverse, authentic and region-wide youth voice might look like at Northland Regional Council.

Enviroschools Silver celebration
 On 9 June, Cr Rick Stolwerk joined Portland Kindergarten on becoming a Silver Enviroschool.  Having implemented Green Walks, a firepit and intergenerational knowledge sharing, the Kindergarten intends to initiate Pest Free Portland, introduce beehives and a pātaka kai

Matariki celebrations
 Throughout Matariki, over 20 planting days were held by Enviroschools throughout the region.  Other celebrations included kai sharing, artworks and community events.

Project Pest Control held in the Far North
From 28 – 30 June, 60 senior secondary students from five secondary schools – Kaitaia Abundant Life, Kaitaia College, Northland College, Okaihau College and Taipa Area Schools – took part in the Far North Project Pest Control skills course at Lonsdale Park, near Kaeo.  The Biosecurity and Enviroschools teams were joined by the NDHB, Can Train NZ and DOC Livestock in running the event.

Enviroschools communities facilitated
During June Enviroschools Facilitators held specific interactions with 52 school and early childhood communities.

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Communications

Four media releases went out in June on the following topics:

·    Heads-up of nominations opening for future councillors

·    Total mobility scheme coming to Far North

·    Kiwi Coast partnership renewed

·    Adoption of annual plan

Local elections

Our first future councillor information session took place at Hihiaua Cultural Centre on 22 June in conjunction with WDC. Around 45 people attended the first session, which included a panel session and feedback was positive. Further sessions are planned throughout July across the region including a virtual session.

 

Our cross council-campaign is now live under the call to action of “it’s Time: Kua tae te wā” The local elections website can be viewed here and we have ads running across multiple channels including radio, social, print and bus-backs. The initial focus is on encouraging potential candidates to stand for nomination. In a few weeks’ time, this will switch to “vote” messaging.

 

 

Otiria-Moerewa and Panguru flood protection videos

2 videos have been finalised showcasing the work NRC has done alongside the community to address the flooding in the area. The videos highlight our social procurement policy in action. These videos were released on social media prior to the pre-election period, and we have encouraged the community themself to share them as well.

Watch the Panguru video

Watch the Otiria video

 

New car branding

We have a number of new fleet vehicles which have been wrapped with NRC branding and imagery. These vehicles are a great visual way of raising awareness of NRC and what we do, as they travel across Te Taitokerau.

Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards

The Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards were held in Whangarei in mid-June. NRC sponsors an award for Water Quality Enhancement. This year’s winners were Julian McPike and Trevor & Joy Smyth of Oneriri Station. We will be looking at PR opportunities to highlight their work and how it aligns with NRC.

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL INFORMATION (LGOIMA) REQUESTS

Total LGOIMAs	May 2020 to June 2021	May 2021 to June 2022
	16	17
Number of LGOIMAs not responded to within 20 working days		1

 

REQ.612486 was not responded to within 20 days as the information needed to be retrieved from external archives. The requestor was happy with this, and impressed by our ability to retrieve the records.

CUSTOMER SERVICES

Telephone inbound call statistics and enquiries

	April 2022	May 2022	June 2022
Call volume via Customer Services	2254	2072	1558
Average wait time	7.6 secs	5.4 secs	9 secs

 

 

 

Telephone call volume over the last three years

	1 July 2019 –   30 June 2020	1 July 2020 –   30 June 2021	1 July 2021 –   30 June 2022
Call volume via Customer Services	20812	30566	23669

Mailroom email processing performance

	April 2022	May 2022	June 2022
Mail processed	716	913	677

Satisfaction monitoring

Nine complaints were received for the month of June.

Feedback cards, compliments, and complaints

Compliments received	Total
Feedback cards	0
Total compliments recorded	0

 

Complaints received	Total
Ÿ City Link Ÿ Customer Service Ÿ Land Management	7 1 1
Total complaints recorded	9

 

TRANSPORT 

REGIONAL TRANSPORT PLANNING 

Draft Regional Land Transport Plan for Northland 2021/2027 – Three Year Review 

Section 18CA of the Land Transport Management Act 2003 directs that: -  

18CAReview of regional land transport plans 

(1) A regional transport committee must complete a review of the regional land transport plan during the 6-month period immediately before the expiry of the third year of the plan. 

(2) In carrying out the review, the regional transport committee must have regard to the views of representative groups of land transport users and providers. 

It is important to note at this time, is that the above will depend on the Strategic Objectives and Priorities contained in the yet to be released Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024/2027 (GPS). 

 

Should the GPS contain significant changes that will affect the delivery of the Regional Land Transport Plan for Northland 2021/2027, this could potentially trigger a complete rewrite of the plan. This rewrite will take approximately 24 months to complete. 

 

Should the GPS remain unchanged or contain minor changes that do not affect the Regional Land Transport Plan for Northland 2021/2027, then there is the option to either review the plan or continue with no changes. 

 

A briefing paper on the above will be tabled at the 2 August 2022 Regional Transport Committee meeting. 

 

PASSENGER TRANSPORT ADMINISTRATION 

Bus Link stats for   June 2022    (revenue ex GST)	Actual	Budget	Variance	Year/Date Actual	Year/Date Budgeted	Variance
CityLink Passengers	28,109	26,429	1,680	283,364	317,496	-34,132
CityLink Revenue	$35,058	$34,093	$965	$358,491	$409,569	-$51,078
Mid North Link Passengers	243	108	135	1,841	1,680	161
Mid North Link Revenue	$789	$540	$249	$6,576	$8,400	-$1,824
Hokianga Link Passengers	84	54	30	912	834	78
Hokianga Link Revenue	$330	$376	-$46	$4,740	$5,801	-$1,061
Far North Link Passengers	322	396	-74	2,998	4,623	-1,625
Far North Link Revenue	$639	$1,001	-$362	$6,767	$11,696	-$4,929
Bream Bay Link Passengers	65	30	35	568	312	256
Bream Bay Link Revenue	$230	$108	$122	$3,217	$1,123	$2,094
Hikurangi Link Passengers	14	30	-16	218	300	-82
Hikurangi Link Revenue	$36	$78	-$42	$503	$814	-$311

* = 50% Farebox + 50% Waka Kotahi 

*The fares collected are recorded at 50% actual fares taken + the 50% funded by Waka Kotahi (to be claimed) 

 

Whangārei CityLink Bus Service – Antisocial Behavior 

Damage to the contracted CityLink buses continues with several incidents relating to graffitiing, burning and cutting of seats reported during the month under review.  

In an effort to stop this damage, staff make use of the following to try and identify the perpetrators: -  

·           Driver incident reports. 

·           On bus video footage. 

·           Reports from the public. 

·           Security at Rose Street Bus Terminus. 

·           Whangarei District Council and CitySafe. 

·           New Zealand Police. 

·           Ritchies. 

 

Unfortunately, the above is not always successful, and whilst the operator makes every effort to make the relevant repairs as soon as is practicable, some vehicles will be released into service with repairs pending. This does not provide a good image of a service that staff have spent so much time trying to grow and promote. 

 

Due to verbal abuse and threats previously experienced, staff and drivers have been asked if they witness such behavior, not to confront the perpetrators but to report to the relevant authority. 

Staff continue to meet with Ritchies, New Zealand Police, Whangarei District Council staff and elected members through the Joint WDC NRC Public Transport Working Party in regards the above. 

 

National Bus Driver Shortage 

This national issue continues to worsen, with the Whangārei CityLink services being impacted on Monday 27 June 2022 resulting in 9 trips having to be dropped. Notices were placed on the CityLink website, Facebook and TrackaBus advising the public of the disruptions.  

Staff continue to monitor the situation and work with the contracted companies to identify and implement remedial action where possible. This situation will continue for the foreseeable future. 

 

Half Price Fares 

Half price fares will continue until 31 August 2022. From 1 September 2022, half price fares will only be applicable to those persons holding a Community Services Card. The variance in actual fare to discounted fare will be covered by the government. 

 

Rose Street Bus Terminus Upgrade 

The Rose Street Bus Terminus on road upgrade is scheduled to be completed mid-July with an opening ceremony planned for 18^th July 2022. 

 

Total Mobility (TM) 

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

	Total Clients	Monthly Actual Expend	Monthly Budgeted Expend	Monthly Variance	Year/Date Actual Expend	Year/Date Budgeted Expend	Annual Variance
May 2022	1258	$27,905	$25,000	+$2,905	$221,134	$275,000	-$53,866

 

Total Mobility half price fares 

From Friday 1 April 2022 until Wednesday 31 August 2022, Total Mobility journeys will have an additional discount applied to the already subsidised fare. This has been made available as part of the Government’s 50% public transport Initiative. These fares are 100% claimable from Waka Kotahi.  

 

For the month of May, the fares forgone were $13,640, making the sum of Total Mobility figures - $41,544.  

 

This government initiative will cease at the end of 31 August 2022. 

 

Total Mobility Scheme – Far North  

The Far North Total Mobility Scheme is on track to go live Friday 1 July 2022. 

 

The service will be starting out in the Kerikeri area. The approved Transport Operator – Driving Miss Daisy (DMD), based in Kerikeri, has had the equipment installed to take the Total Mobility electronic swipe cards that are linked to the system “Ridewise”. Northland Transport Alliance staff are working with the operator to finalise health and safety documents and driving training.      

 

ROAD SAFETY UPDATE 

Road Trauma Update 

Road Fatalities Statistics for the period 1 January 2021 – 4 July 2021  

Fatalities Jan – June 2021	Far North	Whangārei	Kaipara	Northland	National
Local roads	2	2	2	6	80
State highways	5	3	6	14	67
TOTAL	7	5	8	20	147

 

Road Fatalities Statistics for the period 1 January 2022 – 4 July 2022 

Fatalities Jan – June 2022	Far North	Whangārei	Kaipara	Northland	National
Local roads	3	3	0	6	100
State highways	6	3	2	11	87
TOTAL	9	6	2	17	187

 

Motorcycle Safety - Ride Forever (R4E) Rider Training Update 2021/2022 Year End (Another Covid affected year) 

·           R4E – 2020/2021 – 186 riders completed the three courses   

·           R4E – 2021/2022 – 182 riders have completed courses to date: 

·    Bronze Course – 78 

·    Silver Course – 50 

·    Gold Course – 54 

 

Motorcycle safety continues to be a high priority area of interest and focus. There have now been five motorcyclists killed on Northland roads since the beginning of this year. These crashes will be further investigated by the Police and the Coroner. 

 

Work continues on development of the draft Northland Motorcycle Safety Strategy.  

ACC continues to lead the Ride Forever Programme and together with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency are placing safety messaging on high risk and travelled motorcycle routes around Northland.   

 

 

Waka Kotahi & NZ Police Road Safety Promotion/Media themes for June 2022 

Alcohol & Distractions. 

Northland continues to promote the importance of wearing seatbelts. 

 

 

 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 

 

NATIONAL   

Work continues with the Trifecta programme - NEMA's Regulatory Framework Review.   Timeframes for the delivery of the bill have been extended, and a new timeline has yet to be released or confirmed. 

 

As part of NEMA’s response to the 2018 TAG Report, work to stand up a 24/7 ‘awake’ capability to replace the current ‘on call’ Duty System has been completed.  The Monitoring, Alerting and Reporting (MAR) Centre will be focussed on gathering and sharing information during the early stages of an event (including sending National Warning System messages or Emergency Mobile Alerts) or until the National Coordination Centre (NCC)/National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) is activated. 

 

NEMA has launched and is developing several national public education campaigns.  Flooding is the number one hazard in Aotearoa in frequency and cost but has historically not been a primary focus for hazard public education. During floods, there are reports, images and videos in the media of people at serious risk in flood waters. Print, social media, video, and radio adverts are being developed for use during readiness and response. The campaign will be delivered in two parts:  

  

•     Get the Flood Out - The Get The Flood Out advertising is intended to be delivered in readiness. In order to grab the attention of those who may be more likely to place themselves at risk. The campaign uses bold graphics and a play on words telling people to GTFO (get the flood out).  

•     Flood Waters are Deep Trouble - The Flood Waters are Deep Trouble campaign will be deployed when severe weather likely to result in flooding is forecast (particularly if a red weather warning is in place) or when flooding is already occurring. 

 

Tsunami evacuation zone campaign (and Long or Strong, Get Gone)  

A tsunami evacuation zone advertising campaign is being rolled out in support of the launch of the online Aotearoa Tsunami Evacuation Map. The “Own Your Zone” campaign is focused on people taking responsibility for knowing whether they live, work, or go to school in a tsunami evacuation zone.  

   

REGIONAL    

The Welfare Coordination Group held a meeting on 3 June 2022, the Northland CDEM Group Meeting and Northland Coordinating Executive Group Meeting meet on 14 June 2022. Work programmes that make up the Service Level Agreements for the three councils have been developed and are now with each of the respective councils for feedback and sign off.   

  

Work continues to progress on the Northland Tsunami Siren Network Upgrade.  A representative from HSS, the contractor building the siren units visited Northland in June.   The next priority for the project is to develop the tender for the next stages of the project including engineering, Geotech and installation.    

      

The feasibility study and concept design for the Multi Agency Coordination Centre (MACC) have been completed and discussions have also commenced between the contributing stakeholders on the ownership model.   

    

Tutukaka Marina Management Trust hosted a meeting with the Northland Regional Council Harbourmaster and four members of the Northland CDEM team on Thursday 23 June 2022 at the Tutukaka Marina. Discussion was had around the impacts, outcomes and learnings resulting from the tsunami surge event that impacted the marina on 15 January 2022. 

 

National Partnership Charter  

Over the past 15 months NEMA and the CDEM Group Managers have collaborated on the development of a Partnership Charter that sets out how NEMA and CDEM Group offices will collaboratively work together. This is a new initiative, having been developed by NEMA officials and the 16 CDEM group managers. The purpose of the Partnership Charter is to outline a shared vision for an effective and enduring strategic partnership at the regional and national level, which will provide a strong back-bone that supports the broader emergency management sector and stakeholders, and the roadmap to achieving this. It includes:   

 

·      A shared Kaupapa (vision) 

•     How our functions align and support each other   

•     How NEMA and Groups work together    

•     Partnership aspirations 

•     What actions to take to support the achievement of our partnership aspirations.  

 

MARITIME 

There were 17 maritime incidents logged in June, including two vessels sinking on their moorings, and another running aground. 

 

The Matariki public holiday was a busy weekend, in the Far North a vessel ran aground at Kuririki Bay east of Tapuaetahi Bay, Purerua Peninsula. The vessel was purchased by a new owner on Thursday afternoon and wrecked after it hit rocks later that night. All fuel and oil were removed by the maritime team, and a contractor organised to remove the vessel.  An environmental assessment was undertaken after removal.  The team liaised with local Iwi throughout who assisted with local advice and thanked the team for prompt action taken.  

 The same weekend a vessel sunk on a mooring in Whangaruru Harbour with 600lt of diesel on board; oil spill booms were deployed to contain spillage and a dive team mobilised to refloat the vessel. A further vessel that sunk of Onerahi was refloated the following week. Costs will be recovered where possible.  

Recruitment was successfully carried out to fill a vacancy as a Maritime Officer starting later in July.  

 

The harbourmaster participated in a national exercise organised by LINZ, testing the use of data available from different agencies and assisted running an oil spill training/assessment course in Auckland.  Also, attending with CDEM, a meeting in Tutukaka reviewing the tsunami impacts earlier in the year and reviewing options to modify the harbour to mitigate future tsunami effects. Modelling has been carried out by various experts and it's considered a modification and move of the southern breakwater would improve the safety of the marina.  

 

The deputy harbourmaster organised a joint oil spill exercise at Marsden point and assisted Marine Pollution Response Service (MPRS) in training staff based at Marsden Point from Northport, Channel Infrastructure Ltd and North Tugz Ltd over a further two days.  

 

RIVERS AND NATURAL HAZARDS 

RIVERS 

Awanui	Favourable Autumn weather conditions and 3 contracts currently in progress (1 completed).   Contract 21/05 - Northern Stopbanks. Approx. 70% complete. Satisfactory progress with stopbanks and benching earthworks with minimal issues. Reinstatement of first few sites now complete and prep for over-wintering of remaining sites in hand.  Contract 21/09 - Switzer Bench. Earthworks are now 90% complete and rock revetment at rear of Bell’s Produce well underway (25%) and will progress into winter (materials supply & river levels permitting).   Contract 21/10 - Rugby Club.  Earthworks 80% complete. Rock revetment is phased to continue into winter (materials & river levels permitting) and has the advantage that we have rock storage on hard stand, so less risk from wet weather.   Primary School bench now 100% complete and community incredibly happy with reinstatement of Showgrounds areas. FNDC cycle path ties in very nicely with NRC reinstatement.   Planting planned for several completed areas and local (Māori-owned) contractors being lined up for this work.
Otīria/Moerewa	Stage 1 is nearing completion.  Stage 2 Bridge tender on GETS (Government Electronic Tenders Service) closed 23 June. An outcome from the Māori Land Court hearing should be known mid-July to guide progression of stage 2.
Kerikeri	Waipapa Industrial Estate Flood Mitigation is approximate 85% completed.  Because of the wet weather the site has been winterise for completion next year.

 

NATURAL HAZARDS     

Work Streams	Status	Comments
Whangārei (CBD) River Catchment Flood Model	78% complete	Upgrade of the hydraulic model catchment(s) including new structures, updated LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and sea level rise values and recalibration. Specific river/stream structures inspections have been completed over the last month.     Following discussions with WDC (Whangārei District Council), Ewaters (consultants on the project) will now also be engaged to include the CBD stormwater network as part of the same package (variation).     WDC will be funding the additional costs, approximately $90,000, related to the additional tasks.  Our aim was to complete the project, including the additional tasks, but has been delayed until the end of 2022 due to resources issues by the consultant.
Website Natural Hazards Portal	95% complete	Morphum Environmental has been engaged to develop the portal with support and input from colleagues across various departments.     The third phase of the development of the portal is ongoing, e.g., landing page, flooding and Te Ao Māori aspects, story maps, property viewer and sea level rise viewer.     It is our vision to ‘go public’ has been delayed until the beginning August 2022 due to internal GIS (Geographic Information System) resourcing. Prior to that we will be presenting this to our Councilors, and other appropriate platforms, for feedback. Simultaneously it is our intention to share this with our District Council colleagues before going live.
Raupo Drainage Scheme – Coastal Flood Hazard Analysis & Mitigation Options	92% complete	Water Technology (WT) have been engaged 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 Consultants. NRC are taking the modelling analysis lead on this project, i.e., contract management (NRC Budget). KDC are collating the assets data covered under their budgets.    Surveys, data collection, assets inspection and ‘building’ of the hydraulic model have been completed. First draft ‘results’ have been reviewed by the project team. Further analysis and ‘flood event scenarios’ are underway with results expected at the end of April whilst a peer review is taking place. The project has been slightly delayed and is now expected to be completed no later than the end of August 2022.    This project will support the pilot project under the Te Taitokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy (TTCAS) in which scoping, and planning process is underway; support is being provided to KDC on all aspects of the engagement process, first public engagement was held from the 16-19 June which was extremely well organised and attended.
Natural Hazards technical and planning support to District Councils on Plan Changes and Rules	Ongoing	Following the publication of our coastal hazard maps and the regionwide flood maps, complimentary to the priority rivers flood maps, further technical, consultative, and planning support / guidance is provided to the DCs. This follows our commitment to DCs prior to the publication of the coastal hazard maps.  In relation to the above we are supporting WDC with their up-and-coming Plan Change and Rules for “Natural Hazards, Hazardous Substances and Esplanade Areas”. A public feedback period was held, 22,000 letter drop, before going to full public engagement expected to be by the end of 2022. Support was provided in planning and policy as well as in relation to the hazard maps.  Similar support will be provided for KDC, Plan Changes Engagement expected end of July, and FNDC whose Plan Changes Engagement is expected end of 2022.
Te Taitokerau Climate   Adaptation Strategy (TTCAS): Professional Services Panel	Ongoing	NRC, in collaboration with and on behalf of Kaipara District Council, Whangarei District Council and Far North District Council will be going out for Request(s) for Proposal (RfPs), 6th May 2022, to establish a regional Panel of Professional Services to support the implementation of the TTCAS actions, e.g., district’s pilot projects and beyond. This will provide all four Councils with informed and preselected providers, being able to have shared services, cost, and time effective. Subsequent contracts will be directly with the respective Council as per respective procurement procedures.  A total of 42 high quality submissions were received; assessment completion and agreement with preferred respondents has been delayed to the 15th of July 2022 due to the high volume of respondents.   The assessment will be conducted by representatives from all four councils.
Natural Hazards Work Programme 2022-23	Ongoing	Our current tentative programme, though not exclusive and in addition to the ‘business-as-usual' tasks, are:  ·      Developing the next generation of our Priority Rivers hydraulic models / flood maps commencing with: Waima & Punakitere Catchment (consultant has been engaged) and Kaihu Catchment (in collaboration with KDC)  ·      Regional beach profiles, including dunes, and coastal shorelines: this data and coastal erosion data has been analysed and reported upon by Auckland University (GIS spatial) and collected by NRC over many years though not for the whole coastline. We will be developing a ‘tool,’ which is based on our current data and coastal erosion hazard data (T&T), which informs us on our coastal erosion strategy, work programme, implementation and accessible to the public. This will be in collaboration with our science colleagues and DCs.  ·      Completion of our flood warning system for Awanui (DHI has been engaged for this) with input and co-lead from our hydrology and science colleagues and CDEM (Civil Defence Emergency Management).  ·      Completion of our hydraulic modelling guidelines for our region. Beca has been engaged for this project and is a collaborative approach amongst all our regional councils and will be peer reviewed by Auckland Council.  ·      Scoping out and phased implementation of drought, landslide / geotechnical instability mapping for the region in collaboration with our science colleagues and DCs. Nationally, in relation to the foresaid, we are members of the following steering / reference groups to support (and vice versa) our strategic approach:   a.      Risk and Resilience Portal - Local Government Reference Group (EQC),   b.      Soils Conservation Strategy Group (Regional),   c.       Te Uru Kahika Hub (Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa) Hazard Risk Management Group (SIG Portal),  d.       Te Uru Kahika (Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa) response to drought engagement,  e.      Hazard Risk Management SIG – Landslides,  f.        NIWA Drought Forecasting Group,  g.       Flood Warning Steering Group

 

NORTHLAND WIDE LIDAR SURVEY 

Work Streams	Status	Comments
Regional LiDAR Survey	In progress	Payment for final delivery initiated and dataset expected within 1st Quarter.

 

CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE 

The council Climate Change Strategy “Ngā Taumata o te Moana” and Implementation Plan touches every aspect of Council business, so progress is on-going. In undertaking a ‘stocktake’ of current actions, staff are meeting with teams across Council to build relationships, identify current climate-related actions and areas where more could be done.  This stocktake will form a baseline for work to set up a monitoring, evaluation, review, and reporting system to track our progress.  

 

Climate change considerations have been included in council’s draft procurement framework, the New Initiative planning process and work is underway to update Council report templates. This will prompt staff to ensure climate change is explicitly factored into and considered in key decision-making. These are not insignificant changes, and it is envisaged it will lead to a step-change in climate impact awareness within the organisation that will lead to better outcome for Te Taitokerau. 

 

Toitū are engaged in activities to baseline our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, certify our accounting and provide advice on where further reductions could occur. It is expected to take up to 5 months to get to certification stage (see below sequence). Over the next 2-3 months' work will include: 

✓ Prepare a plan and project team  

✓ Setting the base year and reporting period  

✓ Setting organisational boundaries 

✓ Set operational boundaries, identify emissions sources and set scopes 

✓ Collect and enter emissions source data into the calculation software 

✓ Generate emission results from the calculation software  

 

 

Te Taitokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy (TTCAS) - Programme Implementation 

All four Northland councils that form part of the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee have formally adopted the Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy. 

·      Far North District Council – adopted 22 March 2022 

·      Northland Regional Council – adopted 26 April 2022 

·      Kaipara District Council – adopted 27 April 2022 

·      Whangarei District Council – adopted 28 April 2022 

 

There are 46 'priority actions' listed in the Joint Strategy. Coordinating and reporting on these actions will happen through the JCCAC (Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee). Implementation on many actions is ongoing. See www.catt.org.nz. 

 

In June, Council formally endorsed the submission sent into the draft National Adaptation Plan by the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee. Staff also presented about the Strategy process at the Taituarā Climate Change conference in June (online). 

 

Stakeholder engagement has occurred with the Northland District Health Board, Collaboration Taitokerau (primary industry/rural sector collective), Climate Action Te Taitokerau (Peter Bruce-Iri), Northland Inc, Auckland University and other researchers with staff also attending the Carbon and Energy Professionals conference in Rotorua.  

 

Staff continue to support KDC’s adaptation pilot project at Raupo/Ruawai. Open days were held over 4 days at the Ruawai Memorial Hall in June with staff from across NRC supporting Kaipara District’s team. – see https://www.kaipara.govt.nz/news/post/350-Ruawai-Flats-Our-Stories-Our-Future 

 

Whangārei District Council, on behalf of the Northern Councils is investigating the development of a Te Ao Māori Decision-Making Framework for local government (the Framework). It is intended to respond directly to the way decisions are currently being made by local authorities. It is intended that the Framework is considered when making decisions at all stages on projects, policy or plans that may impact on the cultural values of Iwi and hapū. The project also seeks to understand what ‘Climate Change' means from a Te Ao Māori perspective in Te Tai Tokerau. The Framework is Priority Action # 2 within the Te Tai Tokerau Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. 

 

Following on from discussions at the last Climate Change Working Party, staff from across the four councils have met to discuss a potential new climate governance framework. This includes discussions about the ongoing roles and responsibilities of the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee, the ongoing role of NRC’s Climate Change Working Party and how these could be streamlined and improved to better support climate change adaptation and mitigation activities across the region. Staff from each Council are now researching and ideating potential climate governance arrangements, with the intention to come back together in July to agree on a potential way forward. This will result in a proposal that could be delivered post-election. 

 

KMR has made ongoing progress in scaling up sediment reduction mitigation projects in the Kaipara catchment.  Our (unaudited) Year 2 programme returns against our KPIs is shown in the infographic below, with demonstrated strong delivery from a low base over the 7 months since the Kaipara Maurikura was formed.  KMR delivery against the KPIs in the Year 2 Annual Work Plan are as follows:

·    225 Sediment Reduction Plans completed or in progress at year end (this compares to a KPI target of 248 Plans; and 61 Plans completed in Year 1)

·    73,000 Hectares of land covered by a Sediment Reduction Plan* (KPI target of 50,000 Ha;  11,413 Ha in Year 1)

·    205km of fencing completed or committed (KPI target of 168 km;  93.57 km in Year 1)

·    400,000 plants completed (planted) or committed (agreed in Plan) (KPI target of 650,000;  156,606 Ha in Year 1).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*When KMR’s digital tools suite is available, we will also be able to report on the area of project works.

KMR’s growing focus on ‘growing people while we grow trees’ has meant ongoing delivery in our Workforce Development programme, which spans training, mentoring, accreditation and building future career pathways (with partner support).   KMR has trained 51 people since November 2021, since the programme began.  Approximately 20% are now contracted as KMR Field Advisors. Last week, we ran a 4^th KMR Field Advisor training course in Auckland.  The statistics below are testament to KMR’s commitments to working with Kaipara Uri partners and bringing an equity lens to all aspects of our programme:

•     13 trainees, 7 of whom were women

•     11 trainees were of tangata whenua affiliation, including Te Roroa, Ngā Maunga Whakahī o Kaipara kaitiaki

 

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