Agenda of Council Meeting - Tuesday, 27 September 2022

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Adopt	Facilitate the adoption and public availability of the 2022 Annual Report and 2022 Summary Annual Report within the statutory timeframes set out in the LGA 2002.	None
2	Do not Adopt	The annual report can be amended if required	A special council meeting would need to be called before 31 October 2022 to adopt a revised 2022 Annual Report and comply with the Local Government Act 2002.

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Agree with Selection Panel’s recommendation	Takes advantage of both candidates’ skills and expertise, providing TWWAG with more resource Timely resolution allowing TWWAG to continue its work Aligns with advice from tangata whenua	None
2	Disagree with Selection Panel’s recommendations and ask them to reconsider	None	Selection Panel would have to be reconvened Would take time meaning TWWAG is without that capacity for longer Goes against advice from tangata whenua

Appeal topic	Subtopic	Status of appeal
Topic 1 - Coastal Activities	Moorings, Anchorage and Marinas	Largely resolved
Aquaculture	Resolved
Dredging, disturbance and disposal	Largely resolved
Reclamation	Ongoing
Marine pests	Resolved
Vehicles on beaches	Ongoing
Significant Ecological Areas and Significant Bird areas	Ongoing
Topic 2 - Activities in the beds of lakes and rivers		Resolved
Topic 3 - Allocation and use of Water		Resolved
Topic 4 - Water quantity		Resolved
Topic 5 - Water quality		Resolved
Topic 6 - Damming and diversion of water	Damming and diverting water	Resolved
Land drainage and flood control	Ongoing
Topic 7 - Discharges to land and water		Resolved
Topic 9 - Land use and disturbance activities		Resolved
Topic 10 - Infrastructure and energy		Largely resolved
Topic 11 - Biodiversity and outstanding natural features/landscapes		Resolved
Topic 12 - Natural hazards		Resolved
Topic 13 - Cultural		Resolved
Topic 14 - General provisions and plan structure		Ongoing
Topic 16 – Livestock Exclusion		Resolved
Topic 17 – Outstanding natural Landscapes		Ongoing

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Capital expenditure is approved for electric vehicle charging expansion.	Council can maintain its proactive high-emissions vehicle replacement schedule as a Climate Change response initiative. Council can take advantage of Water Street’s recently expanded solar generation. The new the intelligent chargers have the ability to manage power consumption. The new the intelligent chargers can track our power consumption, assisting in monitoring carbon emissions more accurately.	Funds are not available for other capital expenditure items.
2	Capital expenditure is not approved for electric vehicle charging expansion.	Funds are available for other capital expenditure items.	Council will have to re-evaluate its proactive high-emissions vehicle replacement schedule. Delays council uptake of the beneficial aspects of new intelligent chargers.

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Do not approve the minor amendment to add Cyprinus rubrofuscus, commonly known as Asian Koi carp” to the Pest Plan and; add the name “European Koi carp” alongside the species name Cyprinus carpio where it is appropriate.	Nil	The rules in our Pest Plan aimed at preventing the spread of and/or reducing known populations Koi carp become unlawful.
2	Approve the minor amendment to add Cyprinus rubrofuscus, commonly known as Asian Koi carp” to the Pest Plan and; add the name “European Koi carp” alongside the species name Cyprinus carpio where it is appropriate.	The rules in the Pest Plan will be in alignment with other regional councils where Koi carp are being managed. Ensure that any regulatory actions taken to prevent the distribution of both European and Asian Koi carp within Northland are lawful.	Nil

Date	Addressed To	Subject
01.08.22	Des Subritzky, Dargaville	Service recognition
25.08.22	Te Waihoroi Shortland (Chair)Tohe Ashby (Chair)Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hine	Invite - Mana Whakahono ā Rohe Agreement with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hine and Ngā Tirairaka o Ngāti Hine Trust
26.08.22	Director-General of the Department of Conservation	Northland Regional Council follow up letter to introduction with yourself as Director General of DOC and Henry as Operations Group DDG DOC
26.08.22	Chair and Chief Executive Officer Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited	Response to business case proposal

Council Meeting item: 8.2

27 September 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 21 September 2022

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the report ‘Chief Executive’s Report to Council’ by Malcolm Nicolson, Tumuaki - Chief Executive Officer and dated 31 August 2022, be received.

8.2.1 Highlights

Valedictory

It is with great pride that I come to the end of my tenure as Chief Executive Officer. I am eternally grateful for the privilege the council has bestowed on me to be able to serve the people of Northland over the past decade in this manner.

The many achievements the organisation has had over this period, have only been possible through the unity and foresight of governance, the passionate commitment of staff and the unswerving loyalty of the communities of the North to improving the lot of all. We hand to the next generation a strengthened relationship with tangata whenua, improved resilience of our communities and greater biodiversity than that which we inherited.

The financial reports contained in the agenda are a pleasing point to hand over, with as clean an Annual Report as could be expected, sound financial performance and a substantially strengthened Balance Sheet for the organisation. While the financial position of council appears to be substantial, I believe that council will be required to commit well in excess of $100M investment into Northland infrastructure requirements to support the continued strength of the Northland economy in the short to medium term, thus making the preservation of the financial and debt raising capacity a critical strategic imperative until there is greater clarity about these investments.

While the current picture looks rosy, we should not underestimate the working that lies ahead of the organisation:

· We are only commencing the journey of relationship building with tangata whenua and a true expression of partnership under Te Tiriti. I believe the leading-edge work council is undertaking on the development of co-governance models will stand Te Tai Tokerau in good stead in years to come.

· The impacts of climate change on the region will be significant and will require a fundamental rethink of our social and economic structures within the region. The start of this discussion through the Ngā Taumata o te Moana and Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy are a solid beginning but these will need to be followed with courageous discussions with our communities and brave leadership.

· The significant strides we have made to improvement of land-based biodiversity and biosecurity needs to be maintained if these gains are to be preserved and enhanced. The same level of commitment needs to engendered for our freshwater and marine environmental assets.

We can at best say we have laid a solid foundation from which future generations can build. So, in wishing Jonathan Gibbard well as our new Chief Executive from the beginning of October, I would encourage him and the in-coming council to preserve and further enhance this organisation commitment to environmental guardianship, resource stewardship and social equity for all the people of Northland.

I would take this opportunity to thank all the elected members, staff and colleagues across local and central government for their support and sound advice over the past ten years.

In the words of the Ariki of Ngati Hine, Te Ruki Kawiti uttered immediately after the battle

of Ruapekapeka in Jan 1846:

“Titiro atu ki ngā taumata ote moana”

Look to the horizons of the ocean – think strategically and maintain a global outlook while

appreciating the ground upon which we stand.

8.2.2 CEO’s Office

Current Legal Proceedings

Department	Description	Status
Consent decision appeal	Two separate consent applications for replacement and new consents relating to a proposed expansion of, Doug’s Ōpua Boat Yard in Walls Bay, Ōpua	Environment Court appeal hearing scheduled for week of 21 November 2022.
Consent decision appeal	Irrigation of avocado orchards and horticulture crops	Interim decision issued by the Court on 7 July 2022 stating that the consents could be granted with appropriate conditions. The Court has requested all parties to file a memorandum, preferably jointly, by 28 October 2022 advising on whether they have reached agreement on the consent.

8.2.3 CORPORATE SERVICES

Enterprise System Update

Unbudgeted operational expenditure of $65,000 has been approved for work on reviewing

council’s investment strategy.

Fraud Declaration

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

this time.

Quality Management System (QMS)

Over the past year, Council’s Continuous Improvement Steering Group, with support from ELT, have

been working to review council’s quality management system. The review discovered that the

system as it was, and accredited under ISO 9001, was not fit for purpose and presented multiple

challenges that were not able to be overcome despite ongoing work and improvement initiatives. In

acknowledgement of this, the group worked to develop a new council-wide quality management

system, which was successfully trialled across council activities.

The new system, ‘Te Huarahi Tika – The Pathway to Achieving our Goals’ has now been approved by

the Executive Leadership Team as the new QMS, replacing ISO 9001.

Accordingly, Telarc (Council’s ISO certification auditing body) have now been notified that council will not be proceeding with the ISO recertification process. References to ISO accreditation have been removed from council’s website.

Council Property Update

Good progress on the NIWA Kingfish RAS Project has been made on site in the last month with the equipment installation in progress and shelter frame construction complete (see photo). The shelter fabric installation is now in-train with the roof complete and side-walls pending (see photo). The works within the RAS treatment area (fibreglass, screens, diffusers, UV lights, RAS bridge) are critical to enable commissioning to commence in early October 2022. With the completion targeted for December 2022, the Project Manager is working with the head contractor to ensure slippage into early January 2023 is avoided if at all possible.

HR Update

In the last 10 years we have essentially doubled in size (154 staff in 2012 and 296 in 2022). The CEO has undertaken various restructures to reshape the organisation so that we are more fit for purpose. The human resources and health and safety delivery has changed significantly, moving from what was more of a transactional approach to one that is more collaborative, inclusive and focused on the wider organisation. It is now more of a partnership model between managers with specialist assistance when needed.

There has been a greater than ever focus on our culture, performance management, wellbeing, growth and development of staff, improved use of our network of managers and flexibility of working arrangements, which has been achieved through the leadership of HR working closely with a range of staff through the likes of our OD Group, Wellbeing Group and H&S Committee to gain better uptake and implementation of our HR and H&S strategies across the organisation. We have also been working to ensure that we have diversity of our people throughout the organisation including management. Although initial discussions have been had as it relates to all things HR, moving forward we will have more emphasis on ensuring our obligations under Te Tiriti are being met.

8.2.4 regulatory services

Consents in Process

During August 2022, a total of 226 Decisions were issued. These decisions comprised:

Ÿ Moorings	3
Ÿ Coastal Permits	38
Ÿ Air Discharge Permits	2
Ÿ Land Discharge Permits	25
Ÿ Land Use Consents	116
Ÿ Water Permits	30
Ÿ Water Takes	4
Ÿ Bore Consents	8

The processing timeframes for the August 2022 consents ranged from:

Ÿ 319 to 5 calendar days, with the median time being 119 days;

Ÿ 118 to 3 working days, with the median time being 79 days.

Forty-seven applications were received in August 2022.

Of the 124 applications in progress at the end of August 2022:

Ÿ 38 were received more than 12 months ago;
Reasons for being more than 12 months old:
- Awaiting additional information (including CIAs)	9
- Consultation with affected parties/stakeholders	7
- On-hold pending new rules becoming operative	6
- Other	16
Ÿ 18 were received between 6 and 12 months ago (most awaiting further information from the applicant);
Ÿ 68 less than 6 months.

Appointment of Hearing Commissioners

The following commissioner was appointed in August 2022 for one consent hearing:

· Ms Sarah Shaw as Sole Commissioner for consents associated with earthworks for a canal development. The hearing is scheduled for 28 September 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 August 2022 is (by number):

Ÿ Progress on Applications Previously Notified	7
Ÿ Appeals/Objections	2

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

The results of compliance monitoring for the period 1 – 31 August 2022 (and year-to-date figures) are summarised in the following table and discussed below.

Classification	Total	Full compliance	Low risk non-compliance	Moderate non-compliance	Significant non-compliance	Not exercised during period
Air Discharge	13	12	0	1	0	0
Bore Consent	27	26	1	0	0	0
Coastal Discharge	34	29	1	4	0	0
Coastal Permit	65	48	11	1	0	5
FDE – Discharge permit	80	65	0	8	0	7
FDE – Permitted activity	42	39	0	2	1	0
Land Discharge	62	45	6	9	0	2
Land Use Consent	46	43	3	0	0	0
Water Discharge	58	38	4	16	0	0
Water Permit	38	35	3	0	0	0
Water Take	245	141	69	18	0	17
Total	710	521	98	59	1	31
Percentage		73.4%	13.8%	8.3%	0.1%	4.4%
Year to date	1113	808	150	81	3	71
Percentage		72.6%	13.5%	7.3%	0.3%	6.4%

Coastal

Coastal structure permit monitoring in the Bay of Islands continued. There was also further enforcement action from the annual marine farm inspections, including the issuing of abatement and infringement notices, for non-compliances with consent conditions.

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

Ÿ Contaminated Land Management

Six incidents involving the discharge of hazardous substances and 21 enquiries regarding contaminated land were received and responded to. No hazardous waste was disposed of at the amnesty day, and nine sites were added to the Selected Land-Use Register.

· Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

WWTP/Consent Status	Issues (August 2022)	Enforcement Action/Response
Far North District
Ahipara Expires 2033	Ongoing non-compliance with bacteriological consent limits	Under AN FNDC investigating land disposal options; UV system to be installed in 2022/2023 to reduce bacteriological concentrations
Hihi Expires 2022	No recent issues	None currently
Kaeo Expires 31 October 2022; replacement consent application has been received	No recent issues	None currently
Kaikohe Expired 2021 (replacement consent application on hold)	Intermittent non-compliances with ADW flow, ammonia and bacteriological consent limits	None currently Issues will be addressed in replacement consent
Kaitāia Expired 2021; replacement consent application in progress	No recent issues	Under AN (reticulation overflows) Issues will be addressed in replacement consent
Kawakawa Expires 2036	No recent issues	None currently
Kerikeri Expires 2036	No recent issues	None currently
Kohukohu Expired 2016; replacement consent application publicly notified 10 August 2022 - 21 submissions received	Occasional issues with bacteriological conditions of consent	None currently
Opononi & Omāpere Expired 2019; replacement consent application on hold	Non-compliances with bacteriological consent limits	Under AN Issues will be addressed in replacement consent
Paihia Expires 2034	Plant upgraded 2019; alkalinity issues preventing optimal ammonia treatment	None currently Alkalinity improvement project still in progress (to optimise ammonia treatment)
Rangiputa Expires 2032	No recent issues	None currently
Rāwene Expires 2023	System overdue for de-sludging	None currently
Russell Expires 2024	Occasional non-compliances with E. coli consent limit post UV	Under AN Infringement notices issued January 2022 and June 2022 Improvements underway
Taipā Expires 2029	No recent issues	None currently
Whatuwhiwhi Expires 2025	Elevated TSS levels (consent limit may be unnecessarily restrictive).	FNDC to seek consent variation to address TSS levels Under AN for odour from Tokerau Beach pump station
Whangarei District
Hikurangi Expires 2025	Intermittent issues with plant performance	Plant performance being reviewed to identify improvements
Ngunguru Expires 2035	No recent issues	None currently
Oakura Expires 2025	Occasional spikes in E. coli	None currently
Portland Expires 2024	No recent issues	None currently
Ruakaka Expires 2046	No recent issues	None currently
Tutukaka Expires 2024	No recent issues	None currently
Waiōtira Expires 2030	No recent issues	None currently
Waipū Expires 2030	No recent issues	None currently
Whāngārei City Expires 2022; replacement consent application publicly notified – six submissions received and being responded to	No recent issues	Under AN for odour from plant
Kaipara District
Dargaville Expired 30 June 2022; replacement consent application has been received	Non-compliances with WQ discharge volume consent limits	Under AN
Glinks Gully Expires 2024	No recent issues	None currently
Kaiwaka Expires 31 October 2022; replacement consent application has been received	No recent issues	None currently
Mangawhai Expires 2042	Odour complaints and occasional exceedances of TDS consent limit	Under AN
Maungaturoto Expires 2032	Intermittent non-compliances, generally due to high rainfall	Under AN
Te Kopuru Expires 2044	Intermittent minor non-compliances	None currently

Environmental Incidents

No environmental incidents closed in August resulted in a significant environmental impact.

ENFORCEMENT

Abatement Notices, Infringement Notices and Formal Warnings

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

Action Type	Number
Abatement Notice	11
Infringement Notice	6

Farm dairy effluent (FDE) monitoring

FDE inspections commenced on 22 July 2022. NRC staff and the FDE contractor will be visiting a total of 753 farms this monitoring season (four less than last year). To date approximately 22% of farms have been visited and reported on. Comparisons of this season’s results so far with those for last season are given in the tables below.

Consented farms (571 to do)

Full Compliance		Moderate Non-Compliance		Significant Non-Compliance
This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year
90	125	21	22	0	2
81%	84%	19%	15%	0%	1%

Non-consented farms (182 to do)

Full Compliance		Moderate Non-Compliance		Significant Non-Compliance
This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year
50	48	3	11	3	1
89%	80%	5.5%	18%	5.5%	2%

Other Enforcement

· Open burning on industrial/trade property – Whangārei

Two charges were laid against an individual for open burning on industrial/trade premises; the burnt items included prohibited items. The Judge convicted the defendant on both charges. The defendant then applied for discharge without conviction. Sentencing took place on 15 September 2022 and the presiding judge convicted the defendant and fined him $15,520 of which we get 90% ($13,968).

· 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 which also required a resource consent. On 28 June 2022, a charging document was filed to court for prosecution for the breach of enforcement orders. In August 2022, the defendant appointed a contaminated land expert to finalise the resource consent application. They have advised that the application shall be lodged soon.

· Earthworks & 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 regarding one issue - whether the wetland is a natural wetland or a constructed wetland. This issue is relevant for some of the charges. NRC expert evidence was filed by 15 July 2022 and the defendants’ expert evidence was to be filed by 25 August 2022. The defendants have failed to file their expert evidence by the deadline. The next appearance date is 18 October 2022.

· Farm dairy effluent - Hikurangi

On 27 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 has been adjourned to 18 October 2022.

· Discharge of contaminated water to stormwater - Whangarei

On 14 July 2022, four charges were laid in Whangarei District Court against one defendant for offences relating to the discharge of contaminated water to stormwater that occurred in September 2021. First appearance date is 18 October 2022

8.2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

LAND MANAGEMENT

Sustainable Hill Country and Regional Priorities

Staff are working towards the delivery of objectives for the final year of the programme. A key focus will be working towards the soil conservation plan target 2022-2023 of either 136 plans or a total of 34,030 ha covered by completed plans. 3 soil conservation plans have been completed covering 296ha to date, with 10 covering 1224ha in progress.

Poplar and Willow nursery

As reported in July, work is underway to improve the productive capability of the nursery, which included the propagation of new poplar cultivars as containerised cuttings to supplement our pole, stake and wand supply. A parallel research programme is supporting nursery operations by diversifying our planting stock and field-testing new cultivars and planting methods.

Environment fund progress

Staff are preparing grant applications ready for approval late September. Staff are also working on criteria and processes for the new Community Fund, with the aim of ensuring a streamlined process is up and running to enable effective delivery of the fund by the 23/24 financial year.

Whangārei urban awa project

A mailout was sent to appropriate landowners in the Otaika catchment, as approved by the recent MFE deed variation. So far over 30 responses have been received, of which 29 are suitable for follow up. The team is busy working with fencing contractors to get quotes ready for fencing to get underway once ground conditions are dry enough.

The last of the planting projects for this year are currently being completed.

Waimā Waitai Waiora partnership

The partnership is currently completing its final season of planting with 70,000 native plants expected to be distributed to seven planting sites. The partnership has been successful at engaging with Māori with five of the seven planting sites being Māori owned whenua. This successful engagement has been created through utilising the partnership’s Mana Enhancing Agreement to instil the partnership’s values to Council staff which influences the manner that staff engage and work alongside landowners.

Waimā Waitai Waiora partnership staff off-loading native plants at Awarua

BIODIVERSITY

FIF Dune Lakes Project

Objective	Status
Aquatic weed and pest fish control	Staff responded to the Environmental Protection Agency Letter of Inquiry in relation to the accidental damage to wetland vegetation at Lakes Tutaki and Mt Camel North. Lake Tutaki was visited during the annual lakes ecological survey, no hornwort was found in the lake during snorkel surveys and the wetland damaged during the herbicide operation is showing signs of a full recovery. Planning is underway to control hornwort in Lake Karaka in October. Dive surveys are underway to see if the lakes treated in March need further treatment in October.
Sediment and nutrient mitigation	Feasibility study is complete. Awaiting engineers estimate to know if the project can go ahead due to budget constraints.
Education Days	The last two FIF Dune Lake Education days are planned for September 8 and 15 at Ruakākā and Kai Iwi.
Ministry for the Environment reporting	The Year 5 Annual Report and payment and Year 6 Annual Work Programme have been supplied to MfE.

Lakes Ecological Survey

Nine lakes were visited during the week of 8-13 August with a crew from NIWA. No oxygen weed (Lagarosiphon major) was found in Lake Ngatu, so we are one year closer to being able to declare eradication of the weed. Good populations of the rare native plant Trithuria inconspicua were found at Lake Ngatu. Hornwort has increased in Lake Karaka and is due for control in October. Hornwort was not found in any other lakes. NIWA will provide full reports by early November.

A person holding a fish

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NIWA staff with a rake full of hornwort in Lake Karaka during the Lakes Ecological Survey in August. The weed is programmed for control in October.

A picture containing plant

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The Critically Endangered plant Trithuria inconspicua was found on all transects at Lake Ngatu.

CoastCare

August has been busy for CoastCare with a lot of planting events.

· Planting days were held at Ruakaka wildlife refuge and reserve with Bream Bay Coastal Care Trust, volunteers and contractors. Over 3000 native dune plants, including spinifex, pingao, wiwi and sand coprosma were planted as part of restoring the natural dune ecosystem of the area. Extensive plant and animal pest control has been undertaken in this area, focused on the invasive coastal wattle, and animal pests including rabbits, stoats and rats.

· At Langs Beach the next stage of reshaping and planting was done as part of a project to gradually replace the eroding kikuyu bank with an active dune, albeit narrow due to the constraints of the road being very close to the beach.

· Oruaiti School's Rōpū Ngaio have been working on dune and dotterel protection at Taupo Bay, with CoastCare support. In August spinifex and pingao were planted on the sandspit and a new sign, designed by the students was printed and put up at the beach.

· Two planting days were held at Matapouri. North of Morrison Road a working bee was held with DOC, Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu Hapū, WSP and residents. An area of degraded dune was weeded, planted with natives and fenced off to protect it. Ngunguru School continued the great job they have been doing with weeding and planting in Te Wairoa Reserve and on the sandspit.

· Dune planting also took place at Long Beach Russell, Patauau North, Paraparea Bay, Glinks Gully and Baylys Beach.

· We have a new staff member who will be working in particular on further developing iwi and hapū relationships with CoastCare and on facilitating expanding kaitiaki ranger programmes.

· The new staff member was recently involved in Taipa Area weeding and planting days that hosted over 4 days along the Taipa area foreshore. This work included working alongside the tamariki from the Taipa area early childhood centres, Primary and Intermediate schools and a number of volunteers. An enormous effort was made by all and the result shows what can be achieved when we all work together as one.

Wetlands

Staff attended a site visit to the Hikurangi repo and hui with the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton. This was the initial scoping visit for the PCE Integrated Landscape modelling project involving the Northland case study, the Northern Wairoa catchment.

Natural Resources

Coastal/Water Quality Operations

The quarterly Litter Intelligence survey was undertaken at our Hātea and Onerahi sites. 332 items (mainly unidentified hard and soft plastic fragments) were found. At Onerahi 255 items were collected; the majority was foamed plastic. A slight increase of litter items was observed compared to the last quarter’s surveys (296 and 161 respectively). The August survey followed a period of prolonged rainfall.

Continuous dissolved oxygen data logger chains were fabricated for all water quality lakes and a number have been installed following discussion with landowners and tangata whenua. The remaining will be deployed following consultation. These devices will greatly increase our understanding of lake processes and ecosystem health, increasing from 12 data points a year to around 33,000.

Natural Resources Science

Air quality

A technical report was prepared providing evidence that the PM₁₀ exceedance on
25 May 2022 at council’s Mairtown air monitoring site was the direct result of illegal vegetation burning at Paranui Valley Road between 24 and 26 May 2022. This report was part of an application to the Minister for the Environment to consider that the exceedance on 25 May 2022 was an exceptional circumstance. The Air Report, along with a covering letter, has been sent to the Minister.

No breach of air quality standard for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 has occurred in July 2022.

Freshwater ecology

Nationally threatened mayfly, Zephlebia aff. pirongia sp. 1 has been identified at multiple streams in Whangārei using eDNA samples taken by Water Quality Operations, Biodiversity, and Science teams.

Freshwater quality

Natural Resources Data

The annual refresh for the LAWA water quality modules is now complete and the new data will be displayed on LAWA from late September.

Hydrology

	Rainfall · North-western and north-eastern areas of Northland received well over the typical (median) August rainfall totals, the wider Bay of Islands area being the highest at about 200% of normal. · Mid to northern central areas received close to typical rainfall totals for the month, with Kaikohe recording 90% of typical. · Most southern areas experienced lower than typical rainfall (except the Poutō peninsular). Mangawhai received only 53% of typical August rainfall.
	Winter Rainfall · There was significant regional variation in rainfall across the Northland region during the winter months. · North-eastern areas received well over the expected winter rainfall, with the highest at Oromahoe (Waitangi at McDonald Road) being 210% of normal. · South-western areas received less, with the lowest at Tutāmoe with 83% of normal winter rainfall.
	Rivers · Most river catchments along eastern Northland had normal to above normal flow for the month. · Most western and central river catchments had below normal flow for the month.
	Groundwater · Groundwater levels in all monitored aquifers were above normal for August, except Ruawai, which was normal.

POLICY AND PLANNING

Freshwater Plan

The Primary Sector Liaison Group (PSLG) had a full-day workshop with an external facilitator on 16 August 2022 to further develop their feedback on NRC’s freshwater plan change framework. A draft of their report will be presented at the next PSLG meeting in September.

NRC is developing a programme of internal workshops to develop a working draft of the freshwater plan change. The draft is to be workshopped with Council and TTMAC (scheduled for next year) as part of its development before going out for public consultation.

NRC commissioned NIWA to model some additional freshwater mitigation scenarios to support the freshwater plan change process. A final report has been received and is currently being checked by staff. It will be made available to the two advisory groups and key stakeholders under the same non-disclosure agreements covering the initial reports.

The Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group’s (TWWAG) advice on how council might engage with tangata whenua on the freshwater plan change was endorsed by TTMAC at its August meeting. TWWAG also held a wananga on 19 and 20 August at Ngāraratunua marae, where presentations from Te Mana o Te Wai project teams and korero from tohunga provided valuable input to TWWAG’s discussions on their recommendations to council on the freshwater plan change.

National Initiatives

Consultation on changes to the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-F):

The Ministry for the Environment released a discussion document outlining potential changes to the wetland regulations of the (NES-F). The consultation is focused on the application of the NES-F natural wetland regulations to the coastal marine area. Council lodged a submission stating a strong preference that the NES-F wetlands regulations should not apply in the coastal marine area. The submission was approved under delegated authority as the consultation timeframe did not allow for consideration at a formal council meeting.

Proposed Regional Plan Appeals

Staff continue to work to resolve the remaining appeals on the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland. Key points arising since the last report include:

· Topic 15 Mangrove Removal – final decision of the Environment Court was recieved 18 August. Overall the Court generally found in favour of the package of provisions supported by council. Parties had until 8 September to appeal this decision to the High Court. No appeals have been lodged

· Topic 14 Fishing Control – Hearings on this topic have concluded and parties are awaiting an interim decision from the Environment Court .

· Plan updates – The Proposed Regional Plan has been updated to reflect recent direction of the Environemnt Court on eathworks, land preparation and livestock exclusion. Another update will be rolled out in September to reflect decisions on Aquaculture, Mangrove Removal and Dredging in the Coastal Marine Area.

Proposed Far North District Plan and Kaipara Draft District Plan

Far North and Kaipara District Council’s have recently released their Proposed and Draft District Plans for public submission / comment. A workshop has been held with councillors to discuss the content and provide guidance to staff on matters to include in NRC’s input. These submissions are currrently being prepared and will be lodged under delegated authority by the Planning and Policy Manager. Copies of the submissions will be circulated to councillors and TTMAC.

8.2.6 BIOSECURITY

Biosecurity staff attended the New Zealand Biosecurity Institute Conference in Christchurch between 02 and 05 August. The theme was Changing Landscapes and it was a great chance to connect and share progress and new research with biosecurity practitioners from around the country kanohi ki te kanohi for the first time in a couple of years. The next national conference will be hosted in Northland in 2023 and we are looking forward to celebrating our strong regional biosecuity collaborations.

INCURSIONS

WILD ANIMAL CONTROL - Deer

Several successful operational activities were undertaken during the month of August targeting feral deer.

· Five red deer of mixed age and sex were culled during August at Mangonui. These animals were from a wild herd established from a farm outbreak three years ago. Significantly three of the animals were mature hinds and in fawn indicating an established healthy wild breeding herd. None of these animals had ear tags. This successful operation was a result of putting in place a managed plan to target these animals and allocating the required contractor hours to support operations.

· A mature fallow hind was also culled, and this lone hind had been seen periodically over the last two years and was finally located after some good intelligence gathering by the team. This combined contractor- staff operation used a combination of methodologies being with a thermal night vision camera on a drone guiding the ground hunter and indicator dog to the specific location.

WILD ANIMAL CONTROL – Feral Pigs

· Early reports from the public indicate a spike in feral pig numbers for this year. All Northland Regional Council (NRC) pig traps are out on loan with some catching well. The trial with landowners utilising collapsible cages has been very successful, with more to be ordered.

FRESHWATER PESTS

The annual work plan for 2022-2023 has been completed for operational fieldwork including grass carp and tench removal, and koi carp presence/absence surveillance outside the containment zones around Northland.

KAURI PROTECTION

Key tasks completed the month included workshops, interagency relations, Tiakina Kauri meetings, and landowner visits relating to fencing. Highlights included:

§ First workshop for the financial year with North Tec pest animal group

§ Staff attended plant pass workshop as part of the new NPMP rule relating to nursery standards

§ Staff also attended a Tiakina Kauri roles and responsibilities meeting for the new rules

inductions of new team member

PARTNERSHIPS

Northland Regional Council – Kiwi Coast partnership

Over the last month Kiwi Coast Trust has been focussed on administrative tasks to complete the last financial year and planning the operations of the upcoming financial year. This included prioritising Kiwi Coast Co-ordinator work streams and planning the key operations and events for the year, including a Northland Kiwi Hui for 02 October in collaboration with Save the Kiwi Trust, the summer series of public events such as the various A+P shows and early discussions for upcoming kiwi and pāteke translocations and releases. Kiwi Coast were also proud to support Mangawhai School’s Photography Competition and sponsor prizes for the winners:

Kiwi Link High Value Area

The inaugural Kiwi Link High Value Area (HVA) steering group meeting was held in August, with Kiwi Coast confirmed in a coordinating role, and a representative from Kohinui Stream Landcare appointed as Secretary. The budget for the financial year was confirmed and key operational and monitoring tasks were planned and scheduled.

All regular predator control work was completed, with some pleasing catches of feral cats and large adult mustelids across the Kiwi Link network. Due to the prolonged rains and series of storms, trapping contractors took extra health and safety precautions to keep themselves safe and no accidents or incidents occurred despite the wet, slippery conditions. Annual late-winter possum and rat knockdowns have been delayed due to the weather but are poised to be implemented shortly once the weather clears.

The focus weed of the month for control was Taiwan Cherry, their bright pink flowers identifying new hotspots and an opportunity for “Weed Action” groups to eradicate them before the seeds are viable and spread to new sites.

Taiwan cherry in full bloom

Whangārei Heads High Value Area

This month saw a fantastic weed control collaboration on the slopes of Mount Manaia. Weed Action Whangarei Heads obtained funding from the Whangarei District Council, and in partnership with Aki Tai Here, a local hapū based weed and pest team used the funding to undertake an impressive amount of weed control work in a highly invaded part of this significant maunga. The effort also doubled as a great training opportunity for Northtec students and members of Ngatiwai’s Kauriora team, extra hours were able to be undertaken, and skills and knowledge shared. Over 500 weed control hours will be spent on the Manaia by the completion of the project.

Aki Tai Here and Weed Action Coordinator Mike Ulrich with members of Kauriora, Manaia Forest Care and students from Northtec preparing to tackle weeds on the slopes of Manaia.

Tutukaka High Value Area

Predator control

Predator trapping continued as normal with monthly checks during July-August, baited with whole eggs and/or rabbit. The total catch of cats and mustelids for the two months July-August was 23; 17 of which were caught in Tutukaka Landcare and Rayonnier (forestry) projects. Rat catches are now at 66 per cent of the long-term mean. A pair of pigs at Riverlands have been sighted for about five weeks and attempts are being made to trap them. Double Tap (possum bait) will be laid in the Crawford Reserve bait stations within the next 2 or 3 weeks and the KiwiSaver (1080) operation is progressing well, with the first round of Feratox (cyanide) prefeed put out last month. The uptake has been great, and the possum knockdown has been successful. However, there was pig interference at the stations, so hunting dogs have been put through the operation area during the month. The group intend to keep the pressure on the pigs to push them out of the operation area until the toxin is deployed.

Biodiversity and kiwi monitoring

Kākā are continuing to be seen regularly at Tutukaka – with groups of up to six at a time, often squawking and whistling loudly. Tutukaka Landcare Coalition (TLC) have been keeping pests at low numbers for over two decades now and the increased presence of kākā most likely visiting from offshore islands may indicate the habitat is more favourable for them to nest and breed on the mainland.

Species enhancement

Enhancing kiwi recruitment with Operation Nest egg (ONE) continues with monitoring of birds that have transmitters as part of community Pest Plans. Tracking of three of the birds released in April 2021 around the Tutukaka coast continues and their movements are described below...

A male kiwi called Awanui has now been sitting for 44 days in a valley on Blue Water Heights in Matapouri and with the assistance of the Ngunguru School interns (Figure 1) his general location was identified. Thanks to community initiatives we have two trail cameras on the nest and some great footage has been obtained, showing both Awanui, and we presume his attentive girlfriend.

A male kiwi named Mango has been in the forest adjacent to the top of the Tutukaka Quarry. His transmitter has switched to mortality mode however the terrain is safe, this is most likely because the transmitter has come off rather than the kiwi has been injured or has died. It is planned to search and locate Mango during September. Searching at the eastern end of Horseshoe Bay has also found the third transmitted kiwi called Kotahi which was still active.

Advocacy

The group coordinated with the year-seven interns from Ngunguru school to assist with locating the re-introduced kiwi Awanui. This was a great hands-on experience for the interns in an activity engaged directly with our kiwi population.

TLC’s education project interns from Ngunguru School assisting with locating Awanui, the re-introduced kiwi, via his radio transmitter at Blue Water Heights, as part of the Enhancing kiwi with the Operation Nest Egg project.

Piroa Brynderwyn (PLB) High Value Area

PBL has teamed up with Waipū community groups “About Terns” and Kiwi North to develop packages of curriculum- based activities that can be undertaken in the classroom, on the beach, in the bush and on school camps. Learning is led by qualified teachers with a raft of experience working with conservation and community-based volunteer groups. The group recognise the importance of raising awareness and understanding among young people and involving them in conservation projects.

PBl have also recently worked with the Mangawhai Beach School and Mangawhai Nature School to establish a rat trapping programme for their grounds and with the Waipu Surf Club Rookie Camp where the focus was on shorebirds and dune planting as well as trapping.

Mid North High Value Area

A Toxin Plan for Puketōtara across several private landowners is nearing completion and will soon be submitted for approval. A successful “Trap NZ” workshop was run as well as Controlled Substances License (CSL) training section for those in the area who are either applying for or about to renew their CSL.

Western Northland Pest Control

Maunganui Bluff, Te Toa Whenua, Native Forest Restoration Trust, Waipoua Forest Trust, Wekaweka and Pupurangi CPCA’s are doing the operational planning for toxin operations through their bait station networks with a first pulse of toxin to go out in September.

Data analysis of the kiwi listening acoustic devices that were put out as part of the baseline monitoring for the Kohaututaka Otaua project has been completed. Kiwi (including a pair) were detected at only one of the eight sites. Kiwi recovery is needed, and this result provides baseline information about the current distribution of kiwi in their project area and will contribute towards future decision making about priority areas for pest control.

PREDATOR FREE

Predator Free Whangārei

August saw a wide range of engagement activities to help build and strengthen relationships. With the visit of newly appointed CE of PF2050 Ltd, Rob Forlong. A hui was held with community groups and Predator Free 2050 Limited in both Whangārei and Pēwhairangi Whānui.

The Predator Free Whangārei team is currently reviewing its governance structure to ensure our treaty partners particularly hapū are represented into the future.

For Pēwhairangi Whānui, ongoing hui are held to finalise the eradication plans and governance structures for each respective peninsula.

Predator Free Whangārei

· Continuous servicing of bait stations and traps from field team.

· A Dog Advisory Group was established to be able to consult with community on the best way to approach the possum dog methodology at Whangārei heads.

· The Whangārei project welcomed onboard Aki Tai Here, a mana whenua working group based at Pataua who will be working with our field team over the next 3 months to gain skills and experience in the eradication space, and to also share their knowledge of matauranga maori.

· Parua Bay School and Whangārei Heads welcomed our team into their schools to kick start the Guardians on the Lookout programme, a interactive education programme in which students are monitoring their local environments using trail cameras and lure devices.

· Predator Free Whangārei was involved with Enviroschools’ event Project Pest Control, held at Kiwi North.

Predator Free Pēwhairangi (Bay of Islands)

Predator Free 2050 Pēwhairangi Whānui (Covers three projects)

The first collective hui between all project partners from each peninsula was held successfully at The Landing. This was a meaningful way for each group to meet all key project partners involved in the development and implementation of the PF2050 Pēwhairangi Whānui kaupapa. It was also a good opportunity to meet kanohi ki te kanohi with PF2050 Ltd.

PF2050 Kororāreka (delivered by Russell Landcare Trust (RLT))

PF2050 Kororāreka under RLT has recently contracted new Project Manager, Ken Thwaites. They are developing Methodologies and the Eradication Plan 1st year roll out plan. The Eradication Plan is still yet to identify the importance of working with mana whenua, this is currently being agreed upon. RLT continue to develop the Trap Infrastructure of trap lines.

PF2050 Rakaumangamanga (delivered by 3B2 Ahu Whenua Trust)

3B2 Ahu Whenua Trust are still ongoing with engaging with hapū and local trappers to pull together the Eradication Plan. Input from local trappers has been of huge value with regards to how the eradication is being shaped.

PF2050 Mataroa (Purerua) (delivered by Ngāti Rēhia, Ngāti Torēhina, Kiwi Coast)

Ngāti Torēhina requests the name of the peninsula to be changed from Purerua to Mataroa, the historically correct name of the rohe, which we are working towards getting honored and changed for this Predator Free 2050 project. Ngāti Rēhia are developing their hapū plan in support of the overall eradication plan. This still needs to be tabled at the next Governance meeting planned for the end of the month. Ngāti Torēhina and Kiwi Coast Trust will be working collaboratively to deliver the eradication plan.

Predator Free 2050 Pēwhairangi Whānui

Met with Eastern Bay Society who has asked for financial support for their work in suppressing Norway rats in the Southwestern area of Rakaumangamanga. This area is in the Eradication Zone for the PF2050 Rakaumangamanga kaupapa. The projected financial cost is $5000.00 annually. It is envisaged that this funding will come from the PF2050 Rakaumangamanga budget.

MARINE BIOSECURITY

Hull surveillance

This month saw the formal start of the marine biosecurity surveillance season slightly earlier than previous years. Staff directed dive contractors to inspect all hulls in Houhora after a weak positive signal of fanworm was detected in an eDNA sample taken by staff during an educational event a month earlier.

Divers surveyed all 29 vessels present and found three individual fanworm on a commercial fishing vessel. Apart from the three fanworm, the vessel was otherwise clean and without this pest present would have been compliant to travel. Staff directed divers to carefully remove the fanworm thus mitigating the risk. Subsequent analysis of the fanworm revealed that there was two males and one female. The size of the female and histological analysis confirmed that while it had a significant number of eggs it was still immature and had not achieved a size where it was reproductively viable.

The vessel owner was contacted, and the vessel traced back to having spent time in Auckland where it had likely picked up the unwanted hitchhikers. In this instance, the vessel owner had maintained the hull to a high standard, however, the application of the antifouling coating was inadequate in a niche area of the vessel. Situations like this highlight the need for industry antifouling and cleaning standards. Staff will continue to work with the Ministries and the Top of the North partners to facilitate the creation of these standards.

Staff have been engaging with Ngāti Kuri’s taiao team who are interested in continuing eDNA sampling in the area to contribute to and complement NRC’s marine biosecurity programme.

Table 1: Hull Surveillance Programme Results to 08^th September 2022

Hull Surveillance Programme Results	Total this period	Total YTD
Pathways Plan Compliance if Moving*
Number of vessels surveyed this period	56	86
% Pathways Plan Compliance if Moving (all vessels) *	67.9	64.3
Vessels found with Marine Pests
Sabella spallanzanii (fanworm)	1	1
Styela clava (clubbed tunicate)	0	0
Undaria pinnatifida (Japanese kelp)	0	0
Eudistoma elongatum (Australian droplet tunicate)	4	4
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.

Ngāti Kuri Partnership

Members of the NRC marine biosecurity staff supported kaiārahi tikanga māori, attended a three-day wānanga hosted by Ngāti Kuri at the taiao unit’s headquarters in Te Paki. This wānanga focussed on the whanaungatanga of NRC and the taiao unit in hope of future collaborations in the marine monitoring space. The taiao unit presented their current work through field trips and storytelling across their rohe with presentations from other attending organisations including Auckland Museum, Department of Conservation, and 4^th Generation in the evenings. The wānanga was concluded with a planning and reflection session of what collaboration would look like between Ngāti Kuri and its partners. A reciprocal wānanga hosted by NRC in Whangārei is being planned for late September 2022.

Additionally, a representative of the marine biosecurity team was invited to ‘He Wai Ora, He Puna Mātauranga’ – a wānanga organised by Te Ara Whānui Research Centre (part of the Ngāti Kuri Trust Board) and the University of Auckland to discuss and plan short-term and long-term research goals for the moana rohe of Ngāti Kuri. After two days of deep discussions, a draft five-year plan was developed, centred around the unique physical oceanography of the rohe, and will be taken back to the Ngāti Kuri Trust Board.

Attendees at the Ngāti Kuri Taiao Wānanga held at Te Paki in August.

Members of the Ngāti Kuri Taiao unit, staff from Auckland Museum, DOC and NRC help to identify and count biodiversity in Lake Ngakeketo.

eDNA Work and Partnership with NorthTec

NRC’s marine biosecurity team and students from North Tec joined forces with Ngāti Torehina ki Matakā and TriOceans Marine Research and Technology Institute to conduct environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling of Opito Bay, Kerikeri. eDNA as a tool for pest surveillance is a relatively new approach that allows for the detection of genetic material shed by organisms into the environment and is a rapid way to detect if an unwanted organism is present. Stormy conditions on the day couldn't deter the team from collecting the samples and they were processed and labelled for later analysis in the laboratory. This project is in collaboration with Ngāti Torehina ki Matakā who will be conducting regular monitoring of their rohe moana.

Wet and windy conditions during eDNA sampling at Opito Bay, Kerikeri.

PEST PLANTS

An extended survey beyond known sites was undertaken in Kerikeri this month for the eradication weed called Micky mouse plant Ochna spp. A substantial number of new sites have been identified indicating the need for additional inspection resource for this area.

The southern regime inspections for progressive containment species Mile-a-Minute, Dipogon lignosus, were also completed. In total the proportion of seedling, juvenile and adult regrowth across eight active sites was 5:3:0, indicating good progress is being made toward towards eradication of active sites. Pultenaea (Pultenaea daphnoides) inspection and control also began this month outside of the Progressive Containment Zone, with further contracts due to take place in the next month during the peak flowering season.

Demand for Sustained control rule enforcement continues, particularly for gorse and privet. This work can be time consuming and has to be balanced with the eradication and Progressive Containment Programme workload.

Weed Workshops

The annual weed workshops attracted 165 participants this year and were spread over 11 workshops from mid-July until early August. Two of these workshops were put on especially for larger groups of people engaged in the forest or weed space. Te Rarawa in Kaitaia had a team of 13 people engaged in work in the bush from Kauri Ora and the jobs for nature programme. 20 people from City Care, the new contractors for Whangarei District Council, also participated in a separate workshop.

A group of people in an office

Description automatically generated with low confidence A few people looking at a plant

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A group of people in a room

Description automatically generated with medium confidence A group of potted plants

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Participants working on identification

National Wilding Conifer Control Programme

A new partnership with Ngāi Takoto is now underway at Kaimaumau. This work seeks to support the existing Job for Nature program, which is targeting a number of weeds species in the Kaimaumau gumland/wetland, including wilding pines. The Regional Council managed work is focusing on removing hazardous burnt, and partly burnt, seed source trees that are beyond the capacity of the Ngāi Takoto jobs for nature crew. This work will complement the other restoration planning and delivery work underway at the site after the major fire that started in December of last year and will help to reduce the reinvasion rate of wilding conifers in this very disturbed landscape.

8.2.7 GOVERNANCE AND ENGAGEMENT

MĀORI ENGAGEMENT

TTMAC Governance Review

During August 2022, a survey was conducted with iwi and hapū members of TTMAC and also distributed throughout their networks to form the basis of a number of recommendations for the incoming council to consider when they establish the wider governance structure of council. This is separate to the Tiriti Health Check evaluation in which a separate independent report will be provided in conjunction with these recommendations by Whaia Legal and Buddle Findlay to TTMAC (refer to Item 7.8 of the agenda).

The survey questions and findings are collated and attached. MTAG considered that the survey results complemented the Te Tiriti Health Check draft report, and, at a high level, both support the view that:

· TTMAC continue as it represents an important relationship with council focused on reflecting and enacting council’s Te Tiriti obligations and commitments

· Māori councillors are there to represent the region Te Raki and TTMAC provides representation of the multiple layers across council, the voice of iwi and hapū

· That better recognition is needed for the significant work done by iwi and hapū members to maintain their considerable level of commitment.

Waitai, Waimāori Wānanga

Recently our Kaiārahi Tikanga Māori, supported NRC staff to attend the Ngāti Kuri Waitai, Waimāori wānanga held at the Te Haumihi Headquarters at Te Paki. Ngāti Kuri invited a number of agencies to share their home fire and to connect with the intention of building enduring relationships. Those present were NRC, DOC, Habitat, Auckland Museum and Whitebait Connection.

As well as being treated to the amazing manaakitanga and hospitality of Ngāti Kuri our staff were able to learn first-hand from Ngāti Kuri about:

· Te Ara Whanui – Ngāti Kuri Flight path and Strategic Plan

· best practice when working with whanau, hapu and Iwi using the Wai262 Best Practice Guidelines

· knowledge exchange in practice out in the field

· opportunities to co create and collaborate together

There were monitoring activities throughout the hui and kaitiaki were given the opportunity to learn more about equipment and processes.

At the end of the hui Ngāti Kuri posed the question – how can you support us? Those who attended (Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao GM Biosecurity, Biosecurity Manager Marine, Biosecurity Specialist Marine, Kaiārahi Tikanga Māori) have undertaken to host a Kaitiaki wānanga here in Whangārei to reciprocate what was generously offered by Ngāti Kuri, to continue to strengthen our relationships and provide the meaningful support. The wānanga will take place from 28-30 September and we look forward reporting back next month.



Pictures from Waitai, Waimāori Wānanga

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Investment and Growth Reserve – Projects Report

Project	Update	Future developments/ reporting
REL	Initial payment under the Deed of Settlement received.	Quarterly financial statements and resulting repayments to be received beginning for the period ending 30 September.
Extension 350	Attended evaluation meeting and provided comments on draft final report to consultants.	Final evaluation and project reports to be released and reviewed end of September.

Other Work Undertaken

Ÿ Regional Projects Reserve – Prepared a business case for an investment proposal from Marsden Martime Holdings Ltd.

Ÿ Regional Economic Development Strategy – Attended the Steering Group’s second meeting and organised the second meeting of the local government staff group.

Ÿ Northland Inc – Prepared letter from the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee regarding agreement to the Board approved Statement of Intent 2022-2025.

Ÿ Economic Information – Facilitated training session on the Infometrics platform for the Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust.

Ÿ CLUES scenarios and costings – Presented the scenario costings report to Te Taitokerau Water Advisory Group and provided comments on the additional scenarios report prepared by NIWA.

Ÿ Destination Management Workshop – Participated in workshop organised by Northland Inc.

ONLINE CHANNELS

Most popular content on Facebook: Facebook post on “Snapped! Feral Deer” (5 August 2022). Reaching 16,884 with engagement 3,181.

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

Key Performance Indicators	Apl-22	May-22	Jun-22	Jul-22	Aug-22
WEB
# Visits to the NRC website	37,900	31,600	26,946	50,527	57,337
E-payments made	7	11	14	77	50
# subscription customers (cumulative)	1,368	1,366	1,365	1,364	1,359
SOCIAL MEDIA (cumulative)
# Twitter followers	1,570	1,580	1,590	1,591	1,593
# NRC Facebook followers	10,600	10,700	10,682	10,817	10,884
# NRC Overall Facebook Reach	62,700	44,000	102,991	117,053	75,741
# NRC Engaged Daily Users	3,838	3,507	5,011	8,692	5,195
# CDEM Facebook fans	26,300	26,300	26,305	26,717	27,049
# CDEM Overall Facebook Reach	111,100	37,000	6,569	203,071	120,694
# CDEM Engaged Daily Users	7,168	1,895	147	25,258	12,890
# Instagram followers	1,526	1,540	1,547	1,557	1,559

COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Media Liaison

The following media releases were created and distributed.

· Awanui flood scheme proves worth

· Changes to Freshwater management

· Pest control programme educates students

· Marine pest worker off to French Polynesia

· Courtesy call, warning as spring burning season looms

· Twenty-four put names forward for regional council

· Wilding Pines

Media monitoring agency Fuseworks recorded 159 items mentioning Northland Regional Council. Top five sources of Northland coverage were:

1. Northern Advocate (50)

2. Northland Age (15)

3. Northern News (10)

4. Stuff.co.nz (9)

5. Kaipara Lifestyler (6)

Local Elections

The 2022 Local Government elections is a historic occasion for Te Taitokerau. All four councils in the region, including NRC, will be introducing Māori constituencies. Te Taitokerau and Taranaki are the only regions in the entire country to be introducing Māori constituencies throughout all councils in their respective regions.

As a part of the elections campaign, all four councils in Te Taitokerau combined forces for a joint campaign focussing on three distinct phases: Enrol, stand, and vote. Over this campaign, a series of regional future councillor information sessions were held throughout the region. These sessions featured panels composed of local government staff, councillors, electoral commission staff, and TTMAC members Mike Kake and Nora Rameka. The purpose of the workshops was to provide information and encouragement to those interested in standing in the elections.

Another aspect of the strategy has been a joint social media and advertising campaign which featured a series of short videos produced by a local media agency. Other paid ad spaces are being utilised also, such as bus backs and billboards. The results (as at time of the report) of the campaign and snapshots of the ads are included as an attachment to this report. There has also been media coverage of the elections campaign to date, including print, radio, and television coverage.

Finally, NRC has engaged the services of local media personality Luke Bird to further assist with the campaign. As part of his services, Luke has produced a series of audio ads to be played out via radio stations throughout Te Taitokerau. He will also be participating in weekly interviews on all three major iwi radio stations in the region, as well as sharing content via his social media channels.

In total, NRC received 24 nominations for nine seats. One Councillor, Rick Stolwerk, was elected unopposed in the Coastal South General Constituency. There were four nominations received for the two Te Raki Māori Constituency seats.

Freshwater Plan Change

The communications element of the Freshwater Plan Change requires significant resourcing and is a key priority for the team. General communications and tangata whenua engagement comms plans have been created and adopted. Work to date includes print advertising in newspapers, flyers and social media content. The focus at this stage is around making people aware that change is coming and that they’ll have the opportunity to have their say.

ENVIROSCHOOLS / EDUCATION

Enviroschools in Taitokerau – 2012 to 2022

During our current CEO’s time with NRC, the Enviroschools Programme in Te Taitokerau has experienced massive growth in the breadth and depth of the sustainability kaupapa across all education sectors. The number of schools and centres becoming Enviroschools has continued to increase, as has the number of environmental actions per Enviroschool - evidenced as they move through the stages of Bronze, Silver, and Green-Gold. This growth has been possible due to an associated increase in Enviroschools Facilitators working in Enviroschools communities on a daily basis.

NB: Not all Enviroschools opt into the Enviroschools stage framework.

Then: NRC CEO speaks with ngā tamariki at Oturu School’s Enviroschools Green-Gold celebration, 2013.

Now: NRC CEO with One Tree Point Envirokids at the school’s Enviroschools Bronze celebration, 2022.

Project Pest Control – Whangārei and Far North

In August, the wet weather did not deter students or council’s Biosecurity tutors at either the Project Pest Control Whangārei skills course (Kiwi North) or the Far North assessment day (Lonsdale Park). A total of 100 students from 13 secondary schools were immersed in multiple-animal pest trapping, possum skinning and machine plucking, plus biology and environmental and economic impact knowledge. The Predator Free Whangārei team made an excellent addition to the skills course by showcasing high-tech pest control tools.


Students taking part in Project Pest Control at Lonsdale Park, near Kāeo.

Technology and Science fair presentations made

Council’s special category ‘Environmental Excellence Award’ was presented in both Whangārei (Central) and Kerikeri (Far North) Science and Technology Fairs. The award recognises creative and innovative students whose projects demonstrate a strong scientific approach to solving environmental issues and concerns which will in turn enhance and protect Northland’s environment.

The Central winners were Hannah and Harshinni Nayyar from Whangarei Girls’ High School with their project ‘Slurp it! This ‘wobbly water’ product aims to reduce the impact of single-use plastic bottles in our hapori by creating edible water bottles using food grade chemicals.

At the Far North Fair, the award was split amongst four winners from Kerikeri High School. The projects covered: pine versus native carbon sequestration, the effectiveness of solar panels and how to optimise their output, vegetable pest control using a noxious weeds spray repellent and the cleanliness of water sources.

Enviroschools’ sustainability milestones celebrated

Kaingaroa and Waiotira schools both celebrated becoming Bronze Enviroschools. These schools have laid the foundations and can show changes in their practices towards becoming a sustainable school community.

Kaingaroa School is actively involved in growing its own kai, composting, strengthening relationships with local hapu, generating solar power, and participating in community planting days and the local māra kai. The school looks forward to providing more habitat for native wildlife, controlling animal pests, and investigating local waterways.

Kaingaroa School’s ‘crop swap’ was part of their Enviroschools Bronze celebration

Waiotira School celebrates becoming a Bronze Enviroschool

Waiotira School enjoys bee keeping, gardening, raising chickens, supporting monarch butterflies, composting, and propagating native plants. Next steps for the school include creating a pataka kai and nature play areas using learnings from Harko Brown and Te Mara Hupara.

Enviroschools communities facilitated

During August Enviroschools Facilitators held specific interactions with 59 school and early childhood communities.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL INFORMATION (LGOIMA) REQUESTS

Total LGOIMAs	August 2020 to August 2021	August 2021 to August 2022
Total LGOIMAs	23	13
Number of LGOIMAs not responded to within 20 working days		0

CUSTOMER SERVICES

Telephone inbound call statistics and enquiries

	June	July	August
Call volume via Customer Services	1558	1959	2073
Average wait time	9 secs	9.6 secs	10 secs
Calls answered in under 30 seconds			2030

Average wait time is up due to staff away.

Telephone call volume over the last three years

	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022
Call volume via Customer Services	20812	30566	23669

Mailroom email processing performance

	June	July	August
Mail processed	677	741	909

Satisfaction monitoring

Feedback cards, compliments, and complaints

Compliments received

Total

· City link

· Zivana and Nyla

Total compliments recorded

Complaints received

Total

Ÿ City Link

Ÿ Compliance Monitoring

Total complaints recorded

All complaints have been attended to and are closed.

No feedback cards were received via mailroom.

8.2.8 COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

TRANSPORT

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

Bus Link stats for July 2022 (revenue ex GST)	Actual	Budget	Variance	Year/Date Actual	Year/Date Budgeted	Variance
CityLink Passengers	21,282	25,740	-4,458	21,282	25,740	-4,458
CityLink Revenue	$28,599	$33,205	-$4,606	$28,599	$33,205	-$4,606
Mid North Link Passengers	209	160	49	209	160	49
Mid North Link Revenue	$841	$709	$131	$841	$709	$131
Hokianga Link Passengers	53	48	5	53	48	5
Hokianga Link Revenue	$301	$334	-$33	$301	$334	-$33
Far North Link Passengers	286	325	-39	286	325	-39
Far North Link Revenue	$740	$822	-$82	$740	$822	-$82
Bream Bay Link Passengers	77	24	53	77	24	53
Bream Bay Link Revenue	$545	$173	$372	$545	$173	$372
Hikurangi Link Passengers	17	24	-7	17	24	-7
Hikurangi Link Revenue	$39	$63	-$24	$39	$63	-$24

National Bus Driver Shortage

This issue continues to effect services nationwide and, while our services in the Mid and Far North can continue to operate all trips, the Whangārei CityLink have had two days where one trip has been dropped due to illness and driver shortages. Notices continue to be placed on the CityLink website, Facebook and TrackaBus advising the public of these disruptions.

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.

TM Whangarei	Total Clients	Monthly Actual Expend	Monthly Budgeted Expend	Monthly Variance	Year/Date Actual Expend	Year/Date Budgeted Expend	Annual Variance
July 2022	1277	$28,457	$25,000	$3,457	$28,457	$25,000	$3,457
TM Far North	Total Clients	Monthly Actual Expend	Monthly Budgeted Expend	Monthly Variance	Year/Date Actual Expend	Year/Date Budgeted Expend	Annual Variance
July 2022	95	$587	$6,250	-$5,863	$587	$6,250	-$5,863

Total Mobility figures

The total TM figures including the extra government subsidy is $42,685, we have seen an increase in travel due to the extra central government funding (50% discount on fares) $14,228 is fully claimable.

Total Mobility National meetings

The structure of the national TM meetings is changing, this is coordinated by NTA staff. There will be 4 meetings a year, two will be operational, dial in optional, no agendas or minutes, discussion on challenges/ issues faced by TM coordinators across the country and scenarios they want to share with the group who are in a similar role. There will also be two formal meetings, updates from Waka Kotahi and MOT.

Transport Operators – Wheelchair hoist vehicles

Since COVID-19 transport operators all over NZ are struggling to stay in business, some operators are closing who have fleets of vehicles, including wheelchair capable vehicles, effecting our Total Mobility clients across the country. NTA staff gathered this information from all the regions and presented this to Waka Kotahi - The chart with evidence around taxi operating environment pressures will be provided by MoT directly to Minister Wood.

Total Mobility Scheme – Far North

NTA staff met with the Disability Action Group (DAG) in the Far North on 01 August, to update them on the Total Mobility scheme that started in the Kerikeri area on 01 July, there were 45 trips for the month of July, and for the month of August there were 100 trips, the TM scheme continues to grow.

ROAD SAFETY UPDATE

Road Trauma Update

Road Fatalities Statistics for the period 1 January 2021 – 6 September 2021

Fatalities Jan – June 2021	Far North	Whangārei	Kaipara	Northland	National
Local roads	3	2	2	7	119
State highways	5	3	7	15	94
TOTAL	8	5	9	22	213

Road Fatalities Statistics for the period 1 January 2022 – 6 September 2022

Fatalities Jan – June 2022	Far North	Whangārei	Kaipara	Northland	National
Local roads	3	6	0	9	134
State highways	10	4	2	16	109
TOTAL	13	10	2	25	243

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

• R4E – 2019/2020 – 240 riders completed courses for that financial year.

• R4E – 2020/2021 – 186 riders completed courses for that financial year.

• R4E – 2021/2022 – 182 riders have completed courses for this financial year just completed.

• R4E – 2022/2023 - Financial YTD - 29

o Bronze Course – 10

o Silver Course – 6

o Gold Course – 13

ACC Ride Forever (R4E) Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (MAM)

· 1 September: Ministerial Launch at Parliament Grounds

· Local Media: Road Safety Messages on More FM and the Rock

· Northland Events include -

· Saturday 24 September from 10.00am to 2.00pm in store at North Coast Honda, Port Road, Whangarei. A Britton motorcycle will be on display. The Ride Forever trainers will be in store to talk to. An opportunity for a visual check of your motorcycle and go in draw for 1 of 10 checks by mechanic. Free coffee and BBQ. Trade-in your helmet discount. Draw for an Alpinestar Airbag vest.

· Wednesday 28 September from 5.00pm to 7.30pm at the Old Pak n Save car park, Commerce Street, Kaitaia. Slow speed skills testing – Who is the slowest rider in Te Hiku over 20 metres? Visual checks of motorcycles. Free BBQ, Basic Handling Skills trainer.

Statistics

On average a motorcyclist involved in a serious crash will be off work for 168 days. Total number of days of lost productivity (2019) Motorcycle and Mopeds related claims:

· Whangarei District 46,963 New Zealand 1,744,288. Recent evaluations of ACC data for the Ride Forever Coaching programme participants have shown a decrease in the likelihood of a crash by 27% for those riders who have completed a Ride Forever course. Number of Ride Forever courses delivered in Northland Financial year 2021/22 as at July: 182

· Northland Partners for MAM: Northland Road Safety Trust, Northland Regional Council, Building Safer Communities – Kaitaia, Far North REAP, North Coast Honda, Pro-Rider, Passmasters, AA rider training, Media Works, Northland Transportation Alliance, Waka Kotahi.

Waka Kotahi & NZ Police Road Safety Promotion/Media themes

Drugs, Speed, Motorcycling & Safe Vehicles.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

New Emergency Management Bill

· Drafting of the Bill is underway with the intention to introduce it to the House of Representatives after the local government elections.

· There will be an opportunity to provide feedback via the Select Committee process.

· Written submissions to the Select Committee are likely to be called for in late November 2022, with hearings in early 2023.

National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan and Guide

· The review of the National Civil Defence and Emergency Management Plan and accompanying Guide is happening alongside the development of the new Emergency Management Bill to ensure alignment.

· As a result of feedback from stakeholders and the rapidly changing emergency management environment, the intention is that the new Plan is more accessible, user-friendly, and responsive as things change.

· NEMA is aiming to engage with sector partners on an early draft of the National Plan from October to December 2022.

Response

On 17 and 18 August widespread flooding and damage to roading in the Far North, particularly around Kaitaia, occurred as a result of a northerly weather event. The Northland CDEM Group coordinated the response and provided regular briefings and updates for partner agencies.

As a result of this event, SH1 Mangamuka is closed as assessments are carried out on damage to the road. Also, part of State Highway 10, Kaeo to Kaitaia, was closed for a period.

Although there was widespread flooding there were only a small number of evacuations and requests for welfare assistance near Awanui. Of note, the Awanui river and the recent flood mitigation works carried out reduced the potential for flooding and damage to the Kaitaia township (see Rivers update).

Declarations in the immediate period post Local Government elections

As noted in the NEMA update the following arrangements exist in the event there is a need to declare a local emergency over the period post Local Government elections. During the period from the official announcement of the election results to the date of the first meeting of the local authority, a state of local emergency will only be able to be declared by the Minister for Emergency Management.

Marae Preparedness Planning

From recent events over the past year and through our engagement with our Māori communities it has highlighted the need to refresh and update our Marae Preparedness Plan documentation. A word version of a templated plan is currently with a designer being refreshed and a few members of the team have been meeting regularly to workshop the content and to plan for a roll out with Marae who are interested in having their own plans in place. Members of the team plan to consult with some of our iwi partners in October before finalising all the documentation.

Multi Agency Coordination Centre

A reviewed concept design has been developed for the Northland Multi Agency Coordination Centre together with updated quantity surveyor estimates. The updated concept has reduced the overall projected costs, however there is still a gap between what is currently budgeted and the proposed concept design.

Youth in Emergency Services Program

The Youth in Emergency Services program for the 2022-23 year is planned to be held in the Far North District in May next year. A preliminary meeting has been undertaken to determine the potential location and availability of venues. The tentative location will be in Paihia during the month of May 2023.

Welfare Coordination Group (WCG)

The WCG met on 2 September 2022 with presentations on the Tai Tokerau Support Services Directory (Hearts and Minds – Linda Marsh), FENZ Community Readiness and Recovery Team (FENZ – Kim Boyce, Michael Champaloup and Kori Puckey) and the main feature for the meeting: Kaimaumau – A Community of Action (CDEM - Sarah Boniface and FENZ - Wipari Henwood).

EMAT Annual Deployment Camp

Over the week 21 – 24 November 2023, Northland will host the Emergency Management Assistance Team (EMAT) Annual Deployment Camp at the Orongo Bay Holiday camp in Russell. A site visit with NEMA personnel was completed 3-4 August to identify scenario opportunities and look at opportunities for to integrate the home agency into EMAT training.

The programme for the week is being developed and will include a one-day desk top exercise, cultural development, and further training on technical and soft skills. The exercise scenario allows for a multi-agency response with a series of complex and novel problems.

The Northland CDEM team will be included in the exercise, providing the opportunity for the team to further develop capability.

Tsunami Siren Upgrade

Representatives from HSS Engineering, Denmark recently accompanied CDEM staff in visiting a selection of the proposed new tsunami warning siren sites on their trip to Northland. They also undertook a demonstration of the new tsunami siren. The voice test message and siren warning tone were demonstrated. A flyer drop was made to neighbours within an approximately 2km sound radius advising of the demonstration as a precaution prior to the demonstration.

Representatives from the CEG, CDEM Group and interested Stakeholders attended the demonstration. This was an opportunity to test exactly what the sirens sound like when activated, both voice and siren in the Northland environment and for those attending to engage with HSS engineering representatives.

Photos of the demonstration and recordings will be available as part of the engagement campaign.

The Northland sirens are three and five tiers and will be mounted on poles 8-10 metres tall, along with the cabinet hardware.

MARITIME

During August a total of 15 maritime incidents were recorded. These incidents were predominantly mooring issues. Relating to either vessels in deteriorating condition on moorings, or incidents where vessels broke away from moorings during weather events and washed ashore. It has been identified that some of these incidents are the result of inexperienced vessel owners mooring their vessels incorrectly. To help address this the Maritime team is working on an education campaign around mooring and anchoring best practices.

Summary of costs associated with Abandoned, Derelict, and Unseaworthy Vessels 2021-2022

Derelict vessels and wrecks pose a substantial risk for Northland, both have the potential to be a source of pollution and navigational safety hazards. Removal can be expensive and complex; it is often unpredictable and must be dealt with quickly to minimise negative impacts. Preventative measures are taken by the team through closely monitoring vessels in declining states with the aim to avoid them becoming wrecks. The costs summarised below were incurred through undertaking activities to address derelict vessels and wrecks.

2021/22 Budget $56,581

Total costs of NRC staff and NRC vessel hours - $78,703.85
Total external costs - $73,685.00

External costs

· External waste management contractors are required for transport and disposal of derelict vessels.

· In the case of larger derelict or wrecked vessels external contractors with tugs and/ or barges are required.

Recovered costs $4,284.00

· Wherever possible the Maritime team seek to recover costs through the selling of scrap metal off vessels.

· When the owner of a vessel can be located an invoice is issued for costs including NRC staff and vessel hours.

This summary accounted for 24 vessels:

· 17 vessels destroyed

· 7 restored to an acceptable seaworthy condition.

This is very effective way to reduce costs to the environment and ratepayer. Salvage costs for wrecked vessels are generally very expensive and time consuming.

The maintenance of the Aids to Navigation in Whangārei Harbour continued this month and buoys to replace the Kioreroa Reach beacons have been fabricated by the Maritime team and are ready to be deployed by a contractor.

The review of the Safety Management System for the Bay of Islands received a good report and was found to be code compliant. 54 Cruise ships are booked to visit the Bay of Islands this season.

RIVERS AND NATURAL HAZARDS

AWANUI

Weather Event 18 August 2022

Kaitāia experienced a three-day weather event from 18 to 20 August. Peak flows between 300 m³/s and 320 m³/s were recorded at the School Cut gauge, which are approximately 25% larger than the next biggest flow ever recorded since the gauge was installed in 1958. This is approximately 45% bigger than the January 1958 flood which recorded a flow of 220 m³/s, an event which saw floodwaters up to a metre deep inundating Kaitāia township and vast areas of the rural farmland under water for weeks (see below graph).

Image 1 – 1958 flood event along Kaitāia main street (220m3/s = 1m deep along main street)

Subsequent analysis from NRC Hydro team and independent consultants are indicating this to be in the neighbourhood of a 1 in 100yr event (in terms of flow). A comparison of the recent flooding to that of 1958 is given in the table below.

Graph 1 – Flow events recorded at School Cut Gauge between 1958 and 2022

No overtopping was recorded through Kaitāia township; however, some overtopping was experienced in the lower Whangatane spillway, and a small number of properties were inundated in this area. Floodwaters had largely dissipated by the 24th of August, including in the lower Whangatane.

The improved scheme performed as designed and successfully mitigated widespread flooding of the Kaitāia township, potential risk to life and property and possibly millions of dollars’ worth of damage.

Image 2 - Awanui River looking SE towards Rongopai Place – Kānoa funded Awanui Scheme Upgrade works

The scheme upgrade is designed to increase protection of Kaitāia to 1:100-year flood from 1:30 year flood and the rural area to 1:20 year protection from 1:10 year.

A media release was distributed and multiple messages of positive feedback from the community have been received.

Image 3 - Awanui River at the rear of Bell’s Produce, Kaitāia – Kānoa funded Awanui Scheme Upgrade works

Image 4 - Awanui River looking North-East, Matthew’s Park in the foreground – Kānoa funded Awanui Scheme Upgrade works

Awanui Scheme Upgrade Progress

The winter period has been busy with design & procurement for the final year of Kānoa funded scheme upgrade works.

There is a full programme of works this earthworks season, including benching, stopbanks and floodwalls. There are also improvements programmed to improve flows around several bridges along the scheme. Programming of the proposed works has been updated to focus on the lower reaches of the Whangatane Spillway to help address the overtopping in this area.

We are pursuing the purchase of a further 3 properties to enable improved channel alignments, particularly downstream of SH10 bridge, these will be re-sold after flood works are completed.

Two to three tenders are expected to be released to GETs in the coming month, with others following as the designs and property purchases are completed.

Positive feedback has been received from Kānoa, particularly regarding the recent flooding event and it is understood the Rivers SIG group plan to make media releases over the coming weeks which highlight the positive effects of the scheme upgrade during the flood event.

Otīria/Moerewa

Stage 1 is now 100% complete. The team has awarded the Stage 2 Bridge construction to Ventia Contractors. The budget has increased from $5.1 million to $6.6 million mainly due to inflation and re-design of the bridge from a 42-meter-long bridge to 60-meter-long bridge due to road safety concerns.

The project will continue while additional funding sources are investigated.

There is a cultural induction for Stage 2 with hapu, NRC, Ventia and WSP next Wednesday 14 September.

The landowner agreement has been signed and has been submitted to the Māori Land Court and a response is expected before mid-September.

Stage 3 tenders were received on the 8September and will be evaluated next week.

Kerikeri

The job is 90% completed and has been over-wintered. It performed well, despite the wet weather through August.

NATURAL HAZARDS

Work Streams	Status	Comments
Whangārei (CBD) River Catchment Flood Model	80% complete	Nothing new to report Consultant: Ewaters
Website Natural Hazards Portal	Complete	The Natural Hazards Portal is now complete and live on NRC’s website. https://www.nrc.govt.nz/environment/natural-hazards-portal/ Consultants: Morphum
Raupo Drainage Scheme – Coastal Flood Hazard Analysis & Mitigation Options	95% complete	Nothing new to report Consultants: Water Technology
Natural Hazards technical and planning support to TAs in Te Taitokerau on District Plans	Ongoing	We have provided support to WDC with their Plan Change and Rules for “Natural Hazards, Hazardous Substances and Esplanade Areas.” Similar support will be provided for KDC and FNDC throughout the year: · KDC’s Exposure Draft District Plan change is currently open for consultation https://www.fndc.govt.nz/Whats-new/Have-your-say/Proposed-District-Plan-notification · FNDC’s Proposed Plan is currently open for consultation https://www.fndc.govt.nz/Whats-new/Have-your-say/Proposed-District-Plan-notification .
Natural Hazards Work Programme 2022-23	Ongoing	Additions to previously reported tasks are: · Scoping out the need for a Regional River Flood Risk Management Strategy following the completion of the new regionwide flood maps and in relation to the above point.

CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE

MITIGATION

· Staff drove a Council EV to Auckland and attended the Smart and Sustainable Building Summit where the CEO of New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga spoke to the urgency with which we must move toward a carbon neutral economy and the role that local government can facilitate this by setting ambitious targets and implementing relevant legislative change.

· Staff visited Whangārei Girls High School science students alongside Whangārei District Council climate staff to deliver a message of hope and opportunity in the fight against the climate crisis and inspire them to be future leaders in this field. The intention is to continue to deliver these messages to our Tai Tokerau rangitahi through periodic engagements and continued collaboration with EnviroSchools.

· Work is coming to completion collating the required information for the carbon inventory audit scheduled with Toitū for October 5. We can expect the verified inventory report to be available for distribution by December 2022. Next steps with this project are to engage additional expertise to develop a Corporate Climate Positive Transition Plan. This Plan will look at the costs and benefits of various scenarios, options for emissions reduction within NRC and identify existing and future potential carbon credits to offset our residual emissions. It is anticipated this Plan will set a clear and urgent goal for the organisation being carbon neutral. Procurement for this work will commence later this year, with the intent of the plan being finalized by mid-2023.

· Staff visited Tahi honey with the Planning and Policy team to look at the native ecosystem restoration work they have undertaken on their land at Pataua North. Meetings with various staff across council have begun to discuss how NRC might be able to contribute to enabling more indigenous carbon sequestration and the associated biodiversity benefits that come with it. Tahi are currently getting their estimates of native forest and wetland sequestration verified – this will provide valuable evidence to assist in influencing Government (MPI) to undertake changes to the ETS settings to enable alternatives to exotic pine plantations to be considered by landowners.

· Consideration is being given to how the council might play a role in community scale solar generation and have been approached by several solar providers keen to explore potential in Te Taitokerau.

NRC CORPORATE EMISSIONS

Below is a snapshot of the organization's greenhouse gas emissions for the April-June quarter of 2022 (Q2).

Fuel use is still the dominant source of emissions, particularly Diesel. Travel increased from 4% in Q1 to 11.2% in Q2.

REGIONAL EMISSIONS

· Statistics NZ has this week released an updated summary of regional emissions around Aotearoa.

· Staff are in the process of analysing this update, but a snapshot is provided below.

· In Northland there was the drop in industrial emissions (due to the refinery closing) but a rise in household emissions. The large majority of what is called ‘household emissions’ comes from transport

· Over the same period, Northland’s manufacturing emissions decreased the most of any NZ region due to the closing of the oil refinery at Marsden Point.

ADAPTATION

· Community Adaptation Planning: Kaipara District Council continues to lead the way in developing the region’s first Community Adaptation Plan in the Raupō / Ruawai area. NRC staff are supporting through project management of a new detailed flooding and inundation model of the drainage system and by providing advice into the procurement of new work on facilitation and risk assessment. FNDC and WDC are in the early stages of scoping out their future adaptation work programmes.

· Tom FitzGerald has been appointed to the newly established Climate Change Special Interest Group under the umbrella of Te Uru Kahika.

· The Aotearoa Climate Adaptation Network (ACAN) that was founded and convened by Tom FitzGerald is meeting kanohi-ki-te-kanohi in Wellington 22-23 September. The Network has grown from a small event last year in Lyall Bay, Wellington focused on coastal adaptation to now connecting over 120 local government practitioners across at least 40 councils from all round the motu with a broad remit to look at adaptation more generally.

This is one of two staff-led Networks on climate change in the country, the other being led by Tony Moore is focused on mitigation. The huge growth in both of these Networks represents the urgency and desire of local governments to do more to address the climate crisis. Both Networks have arisen in advance of anything from Taituarā or LGNZ and has formed 4-5 years before the Ministry for the Environment anticipated in its National Adaptation Plan. As the group is run on a volunteer basis by a small steering group, work is ongoing to establish a more permanent level of support and discussions are ongoing with LGNZ and MfE in this regard.

Below is a snapshot of the intended work programme for this Financial Year from across the four Te Taitokerau Councils. Many of these projects support the implementation of the Te Taitokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy. The recently established Professional Services Panel will likely be called upon to assist in the development and implementation of many of these work streams.

Project	Description
NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL
Climate change communications	King Tides initiative, climate survey, CoastSnap
Review of RMA policies and plans	Review of key NRC external plans and policies such as the Regional Plan and Regional Policy Statement, to ensure alignment with legislative landscape. Also to test alignment with NRC's climate change strategy, find areas for improvement and identify areas of potential inconsistency.
Tangata whenua adaptation grant programme development	Scoping and establishment of grant fund to support hapū-led adaptation planning facilitation programme. In coordination with NRC IHEMP programme.
Regional flood risk approach	Region-wide flood risk strategy scoping.
Corporate climate positive transition plan	Development of corporate climate positive transition plan including an optimised greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan and carbon removal/offset investment plan. Will define organisational GHG emissions reduction and carbon removal targets and set out prioritised actions for council to become net-zero emissions before 2050, with an end goal of reaching climate positive (i.e., net negative emissions). Dependent on carbon footprint work currently underway.
Climate governance and reporting review	Climate governance and reporting review. Gap analysis and review of key NRC internal policies to test alignment with various strategies and best practice. Includes review of governance arrangements at joint regional level to ensure best fit for future and ensure delivery.
WHANGAREI DISTRICT COUNCIL
Alignment of Climate change policies	Review of WDC plans and policies such as the Draft Climate Action Plan, sustainability policy, Te Tai Tokerau Climate adaptation strategy, to ensure alignment across council workstreams and including future proofing for anticipated legislative requirements. Identify areas for improvement and inconsistencies.
Climate change education	Design a flexible education resource to disseminate Northland specific climate information across multiple audiences.
Community engagement support	Manage engagement process (including Community meetings) ensure accountability to the Terms of Reference, secure the necessary outcomes from community engagement in an efficient, fair, and transparent manner.
Vulnerability assessment	Assess coastal and natural hazard impacts on communities. Assess cultural, socio-economic, environmental effects. Assess risk tolerability against Community Objectives to identify thresholds and explore signals / triggers (STATs) – including cultural indicators. Option to develop tool / dashboard to support visualisation and communication of impacts. Will include monitoring and evaluation, reporting.
Adaptation technical support	Specific scientific assessments of particular issues e.g., freshwater, groundwater, stormwater, wastewater, land instability, flooding, geomorphological, natural hazard and emergency management etc. Other relevant science expertise may include geography, ecological, hydrological, climate science, adaptation science, social sciences.
Option evaluations and adaptive pathways report	Identify range of adaptation options + pathways, preliminary design advice, costing advice, and impact assessments. Assess adaptation options + pathways against Community Objectives using selected decision analysis/decision framework (including MCDA, RDM, BCA etc.). Produce report detailing process and recommended pathways.
Values Survey	Assist in the design/ adaption of community values survey to monitor and respond to changing social structures over time. May include graphic design and web design.
KAIPARA DISTRICT COUNCIL	For Raupō/Ruawai
Community Panel Facilitation
Hazards Risk Assessment
Vulnerability and Impact Assessment/s:	Define vulnerability standards and framework and identify key vulnerabilities based on framework.
	Assess social, community wellbeing and livelihood impacts.
	Assess ecological impacts.
	Identify cascading and/or transitional impacts to wider KDC services.
	Support KDC staff to scope options to visualise and communicate key impacts across domains.
Tangata Whenua impact assessment based in Te Ao Māori	Build from decision making guidance for local government based on Te Ao Māori.
	Establish a partnership process with Te Uri o Hau kaumatua, haukainga, ahikaroa, and Settlement Trust kaimahi to identify and assess impacts from coastal hazards and river flooding.
	Engage wider Tangata Whenua in Ruawai area to review impacts.
FAR NORTH DISTRICT COUNCIL
Adaptation engagement	Pick up on initial engagement with community groups in the Bay of Islands.
Risk Assessment	Looking for help in Asset risk assessment.
New Council Workshop	Proposal to finalise community adaptation pilot locations. Will request for Nov/Dec post new council induction. Will require some consultant help pulling this together.
Implement Adaptation Pilot project	Feb commence pilot project.

8.2.9 KAIPARA MOANA REMEDIATION

As a Jobs for Nature investment, KMR has a dual focus on growing people into new ‘green economy’ jobs. Since November 2021, KMR developed training courses to upskill 51 local ‘KMR field advisors’, including tangata whenua, to work alongside landowners. KMR also accredited 19 nurseries and 22 local contractors, and generated more than 60,000 hours of work, bringing tangible benefits to local communities. While much more is to be done through the KMR Workforce Development programme, progress to date in the programme is encouraging:

· 22 Contractors and 19 nurseries have been assessed and accredited since October 2021

· 51 people attended training programmes since November 2021, with 21 currently contracted as KMR Field Advisors and a further 13 likely to be contracted this financial year.

· Over 61,000 hours of additional activity (~39 FTE) was supported by KMR by 30 June 2022, with a further 34,000+ hours committed for the current financial year (~21 FTE)

· KMR and MSD have shared the costs of a Kaitiaki Workforce Coordinator based with the Kaipara Uri environmental units, with a similar commitment to other Kaipara Uri as circumstances allow.

Importantly, KMR is actively mentoring and supporting the Field Advisors we have trained. To this end, we are implementing a strategic partnership with NZARM, the NZ Association of Resource Management, to build the capacity of current KMR Field Advisors, including Kaitiaki Advisors, in support of future Freshwater Farm Plans. Under the partnership, NZARM will access and roll-out third-party-funded support for KMR Field Advisors across the following areas, subject to third-party discussions:

· Pastoral care support

· ‘Engaging with landowners’ training

· ‘Soils 101’ – a very basic overview of soil types/classification relevant to the KMR catchment

· ‘Wetlands 101’ – a very basic overview of wetlands and wetland identification relevant to the KMR catchment (in partnership with NRC, TBC)

· ‘Riparian management classification training’ that is relevant specific to the KMR catchment (in partnership with NIWA)

· Development of formalised teaching documentation / teaching approach for KMR Field Advisors to assist potential future accreditation of a FEP Sediment Module micro-credit

· Relevant business support – the ABCs of setting up a business

As a co-governance programme, KMR takes care to monitor equitable access to our opportunities as one of our informal KPIs. The attached document sets out how we monitor KMR activity (including training and employment) by iwi/hapū affiliation.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil

Council Meeting item: 8.4

27 September 2022

TITLE:	Chief Executive Officer's Key Performance Indicators - final report
From:	Kyla Carlier, Corporate Strategy Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 21 September 2022

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary

This report presents a brief summary of the tenure of the Chief Executive Officer, Malcolm Nicolson, including the report of Chief Executive Key Performance Indicators for the year ending 30 June 2022.

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the report ‘Chief Executive Officer's Key Performance Indicators - final report’ by Kyla Carlier, Corporate Strategy Manager and dated 19 September 2022, be received.

Background/Tuhinga

The tenure of Malcolm Nicolson, Chief Executive of the Northland Regional Council, comes to a close this month with his retirement. This is the last meeting of council where Malcolm will be Chief Executive Officer.

Malcolm’s 11 years with council, beginning in January 2012, have spanned three general elections, three local body elections and two by-elections, and four different councils. The number of elected members on council has changed, constituency boundaries have moved, and demographics have shifted from the 100% male council elected in 2012 to a council with improved demographic and gender balance.

Early on in his role as CEO, Malcolm traversed the implementation of the 2012 Local Government Amendment Act which saw the purpose statement of local government change to focus on infrastructure, service delivery and cost-effectiveness, and saw this through to the 2019 amendment bill that changed focus again to community well-beings.

The first purpose of local government remained throughout these changes to be to “enable democratic local decision making and action by, and on behalf of, communities”; Malcolm’s consistent leadership as CEO over these years saw this purpose continuously brought to the forefront of the minds of those serving on council, as he advocated for increasing levels of participatory democracy and, worked with elected members and staff to negotiate the community’s increasing involvement and expectations.

The organisation itself has also changed a lot in that time to keep pace, with annual operating revenue increasing from $30M in 2012 to $73M, and staff numbers increasing from 142 to 296 today, with diversity, equity and inclusion now much more central to growth.

Malcolm’s tenure has seen the development of multi-million dollar flood schemes and the Hopua te Nihotetea Detention Dam in Whangārei, the launching of the Kaipara Moana remediation programme, and the launch of the successful predator free project at Whangārei Heads. He was instrumental in the establishment of council’s economic development agency Northland Inc, and in collaborations such as the civil defence emergency management group, Northland | Forward Together, the climate change working party and the Northland Transportation Alliance.

In recognition of council’s responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, partnerships between māori and council were strengthened under Malcolm’s guidance with the establishment of Te Taitokerau Māori advisory committee, an MoU with Te Uri O Hau, the signing of Whanaunga ki Taurangi by Iwi Chairs and Mayors, and the signing of a mana whakahono-ā-rohe agreement with two hapū. The two new dedicated māori seats on council are the most recent achievement in this partnership work.

In addition, Malcolm has led the organisation through an ever-increasing BAU workload, the expansion of council’s network of service-centres, and other projects such as the granting of a loan to the Northland Emergency Services Trust to enable procurement of two rescue helicopters for the region.

Malcolm’s astute financial mind has provided oversight of council’s multi-million dollar investment portfolio, and developments such as the Kensington Crossing mixed-use development.

Each year Malcom has worked with his Executive Leadership Team and council (or a sub-committee) to establish a set of measures of his performance as Chief Executive Officer. These key performance indicators are closely tied to delivery of council’s long term plan goals, and are reported on at the end of each year. This year they are aligned with council’s six groups of activities.

Malcolm’s final set of indicators, for the financial year ending 30 June 2022, are presented below. Where targets are not achieved an explanation is provided, including where these have been affected by the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Biodiversity - Maintain and enhance indigenous biodiversity and eco-systems

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Number of plants provided through CoastCare programme

2021/22: 14,000
2022/23: 15,000
2023/24: 16,000
2030/31: 20,000

12,290 plants

Not achieved

COVID-19 restrictions in July and August 2021 meant several planting events couldn't go ahead. Planting was also lower than normal in May/June 2022 due to availability of contractors required to undertake animal and plant pest control prior to planting; weather restricting both pest control work and planting; and the ability of schools to attend planting days with staff sickness.

Number of top-ranked lakes identified in the Northland Lakes Strategy that are under active management¹ with stock excluded

20 Lakes

19 Lakes 

Not achieved

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, one of 20 lakes listed in the Northland Lakes Strategy did not have its LakeSPI monitoring carried out in the time period, and therefore did not meet the criteria of active management.

Land and water - Improved water quality, sustainable land management and soil conservation

How we'll measure performance	2021/22 - Target	Results	Commentary
Number of subsidised poplar poles provided for erosion-prone land by the council-owned nursery	2021/22; 5,000 2022/23: 7,000 2023/24: 9,000 By 2031/31: 25,000	Achieved	8,030 poles.
The percentage of Environment Fund allocation (in dollar value) that proceeds to completion of successful projects that meet council objectives	95% or more	83% Not achieved	83% There were several issues farmers faced this year – COVID-19, price rises, and supply chain hold-ups – all of which all impacted the number of projects completed. This result is calculated on general environment fund allocation and does not include contributions towards central government funded projects.
Percentage of routinely monitored river sites with a Water Quality Index (WQI) score of ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’	Maintain or increase (baseline not yet established)	37% Baseline established	As this is a new measure, the data collected from this period establishes the baseline. Data collected from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2020 shows a result of 38%, so there is a slight downward trend when compared to this.
Percentage of NRC freshwater activities implemented in accordance with the NRC Freshwater Improvement Framework.	100%	NA Too early to report on this.	The framework outlines key activities NRC will undertake to improve freshwater management across a 3- and 10-year time period. It was adopted by council in July. The process was put on hold when the government released the essential freshwater package, and reporting on completed activities is not yet available.

Kaipara Moana Remediation Project - The Kaipara Remediation Project is continuing to work successfully. With a high performing business unit within the NRC team

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Achievement of three key indicators of the project and business unit:
- Council’s obligations under the programme’s Deed of Funding
- Implementation of KMR Joint Committee decisions in a timely and effective manner.
- Operation of the Kaipara Maurikura operational vehicle

33.3% - 100% of obligations are met
33.3% - Zero issues raised by the committee on programme operations
33.3% - Operation of the Kaipara Maurikura is consistent with the principles set out in the KMR MOU.

Achieved

NRC has met all obligations under the Deed of Funding, with the most recent audit identifying no areas of concern.

All KMR Joint Committee decisions have been recorded and actioned in a timely way, in line with expectations.  Previous outstanding decisions have been recorded, actioned and reported back to the Joint Committee.

Regular feedback from the Chair and Deputy Chair indicates that the Kaipara Maurikura is operating in a manner consistent with the MOU.

Successful delivery of Kaipara Moana Remediation Project workplan milestones through the contribution of financial, governance, staff and technical support

100% of milestones (as set out in the project workplan)

Achieved

Planning - Developing and maintain regional planning documents and strategies

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Percentage of environmental planning legislative requirements achieved each
year

100% of requirements met

 Achieved

The Freshwater Plan Change is publicly notified by Sept. 2023.

100%

 Not achieved

The aim is now to notify in April 2024.  The change in timeframe has been discussed and endorsed by council.  The statutory requirement is notify the plan change by the end of 2024 – so council is still well within that timeframe.  TTMAC have endorsed the approach for involving tangata whenua in the plan change development process, of particular note is the establishment of the Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group and appointment of three TTMAC members to work with councillors in the council workshops for the development of the draft plan change.  

Monitoring - Gathering and analysis of robust environmental data for the response, resolution and sustainability of a healthy environment in Northland with a climate change context.

How we'll measure performance	2021/22 - Target	Results	Commentary
Percentage of NRC environmental networks monitored for water quality and quantity, and ecology, with results made available to the community	100%	Achieved
Percentage of time that continuous monitoring of air sheds is achieved, with any exceedances of National Environmental Standards reported and made available to the community	100%	Achieved
Percentage of data from routinely monitored sites that meets quality standards and is made available to the community within 12 months of collection	90% or more	95.9%  Achieved

Consenting - Providing efficient and effective processing and administering of all regulatory instruments.

How we'll measure performance	2021/22 - Target	Results	Commentary
Percentage of applications that are processed within the statutory timeframes	100%	Not achieved	99.92% One out of 1,201 consents was not processed within the statutory timeframes due to an administration error that has now been rectified.
Percentage of consents that are monitored as per the council's consent monitoring programme	90%	Achieved	95%
Percentage of environmental incidents reported to the Environmental Hotline resolved within 30 working days	80% resolved within 30 working days	Achieved	80%

Natural Hazard Management - Effective responses to Identified natural hazards

How we'll measure performance	2021/22 - Target	Results	Commentary
Percentage of engaged communities subject to significant hazards that are supported to develop community response plans to guide their responses	100%	Achieved
Water Resilience Fund has been granted towards activities and projects that support improving water resilience infrastructure for vulnerable communities.	100% of the $500,000 Water Resilience Fund has been granted, and there is a grant plan for the following 2 financial years.	Achieved	Two community water resilience infrastructure projects have been funded in the year 2021-2022. Te Kotahitanga e Mahi Kaha Trust ($172K) and Whaingaroa Whaihanga Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa, Tūtū Te Wai ($376K), have received funding. Remaining funds have been used to pay the contractor leading this project.
Number of flood events occurring as a result of failures of flood protection systems below specified design levels, for the Awanui, Whangārei, Kaeo, Panguru and Otiria/Morewa schemes	Zero	Achieved

Navigational management - Ensuring the region's navigable waters are safe for people to use in an environmentally sustainable manner.

How we'll measure performance	2021/22 - Target	Results	Commentary
Maintain a regional oil spill response plan, including a minimum of 30 up-to-date trained responders	Maintain a minimum of 30 responders at all times	Achieved
Marine activities are safely managed, with nationally compliant Harbour Safety Management Systems that comply with the Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code Operational safety management system²	100% compliance	Achieved
Survey at least 2000 vessel hulls for marine pests each year as part of marine biosecurity surveillance programme	2,000 hulls annually	Achieved

Transportation - Providing an efficient and effective public bus service

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Percentage of passengers surveyed on the Whangarei, Kaitāia and Mid-North bus services that are satisfied with the overall service provided

90% or more compliance from 3/3 measures

Not achieved

Whangārei CityLink - 93% compliance.

Far North Link and Mid North Link – survey not carried out as both services were being retendered in 2021/2022.

Climate Change Adaptation - Developing a regional climate change adaptation strategy that guides communities to identify and manage risk.

How we'll measure performance	2021/22 - Target	Results	Commentary
Development, delivery and implementation of key regional climate change plans and documents	Project goals as per methodology	Achieved

Biosecurity - Measures to slow the introduction and spread of new and established pests

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Increase in hectares of land under Community Pest Control Area Plans (CPCAs) per annum

5,000ha annually

 Achieved

7,345 ha

Governance – Maintaining an effective relationship between Governance and Management

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Average effectiveness score achieved by an annual Survey of ELT (50% weighting) and Councillors (50% weighting), rating effectiveness of their relationship from 0 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

Survey result of 4 or higher.

Achieved

Average rating 4.2

Survey completed by all ELT members (one acting) and 6 of 9 councillors.

Māori relationships - Integration of Māori in council decision making.

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Achievement of two key indicators:

· Average TTMAC satisfaction score achieved by an annual survey rating satisfaction from 0 (not satisfied) to 5 (very satisfied) (50% of weighting);

· Implementation of recommendations resulting from the Te Tiriti/Treaty Health Check (50% of weighting)

· Survey result of 4 or higher

· 100% of recommendations implemented in accordance with approved implementation plan.

50% - Not achieved

50% - Not applicable

The TTMAC survey referenced a 1-10 scale; the target score for this KPI of 4, when converted, is a target score of 7-8. The average score for the survey was 5.6.

It is of note that overall 78% of participants in the survey were satisfied in terms of meaningful outcomes that were achieved for iwi and hapu.

Te Tiriti Health Check is at the recommendation stage, not at implementation stage yet. The Tāiki e (NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan) document has been formally adopted.

Community engagement - Promoting transparency and honesty in all community engagement.

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Percentage of time that information is made available to the community in a timely, accurate and accessible manner.

33.3% - Agendas and minutes made available on our website, within reasonable timeframes, 100% of the time.
33.3% - Unqualified summary document audit report on AR summary doc achieved annually.
33.3% - Website meets best practice 100% of the time.

Achieved

Part one: Conditionally achieved^{^[10]}

Part two: Achieved - 2021 Annual Report Unqualified audit opinion achieved

Part three: Achieved – ALGIM rating of “good rated website experience provided”

Economic development - Facilitating economic development through a collaborate vehicle to improve Northland's economic sustainability and social equity.

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Percentage of key performance indicators set out in Northland Inc's draft annual report that are achieved by 30 June each year

100%

 Not achieved

88%

14 of the 16 KPIs (88%) set for Northland Inc for 2021/22 were met. The two not met relate to the number of inward delegations hosted and the number of high impact projects that are implemented. Business disruptions caused by the on-going COVID-19 pandemic has been the primary reason for all three.

Customer services - Providing meaningful customer service

How we'll measure performance	2021/22 - Target	Results	Commentary
Percentage of customers surveyed who are satisfied with the quality of service received following an interaction with council	Maintain or increase	Achieved 68.9%

Organisation - Establishing a strong positive organisational culture in which staff wellbeing is prioritised.

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Achievement of three key indicators of culture and wellbeing prioritisation.

(A wellbeing group is maintained, culture is progressed through the OD plan, and action is taken following the annual staff survey)

90% achievement from three part measure:
33.3% - Wellbeing group maintained at all times
33.3% - Achievement in all four of the objectives set out in the 'culture' pillar of the plan.
33.3% - Report to staff completed

Achieved

Part 1: group maintained

Part 2: achievement occurred in all four pillars as determined by OD group at their meeting on 20 July 2022.

Part 3: ‘what you said, what we did’ report on express.

Investments - Managing the organisations investment portfolio within the risk profiles as set by Governance

How we'll measure performance	2021/22 - Target	Results	Commentary
Percentage of time that council's investment portfolio is managed within risk profiles.	100% of the time.	Achieved	Managing the organisations investment portfolio' means managing within the target ranges specified in the current SIPO, which is approved by council. Acting Finance manager (Vince) confirmed that the target has been met with any breaches reported and approved by governance.

Property Development - Investing in commercial development projects and ventures to improve the stability of the organisation’s income streams.

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Number of commercial development projects in progress at any time.

At least one.

 Achieved

Three in progress:

· Kaipara Service centre at code of compliance stage.

· NIWA – mid construction

· Hannah Street – due diligence state (early)

Organisation Development - Improving the operational efficiency.

How we'll measure performance

2021/22 - Target

Results

Commentary

Percentage of time that a continuous improvement steering group and strategy is maintained.

100% of the time

100% - Achieved

Continuous improvement steering group maintained 100% of the time.

Strategy was approved by ELT in Feb 2022 as part of the CISG Terms of Reference. The strategy is being implemented primarily by way of the review of the Quality Improvement system.

Enterprise system - Successful staging of and implementation of new Enterprise system

How we'll measure performance	2021/22 - Target	Results	Commentary
Key project milestones for the council’s technology solutions are met as per the project plan	40% of enterprise system modules implemented	Achieved – 54%

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil

[1] Recused due to potential perceived conflict of interest

[3] Council meeting, 28 June 2022 and TTMAC meeting 19 May 2022

[6] Council meeting, 28 June 2022 and TTMAC meeting 19 May 2022

[9] Northland Regional Council meeting 17 December 2019.

[10] Due to staff changes, the measuring of working party and committee agendas and minutes is very difficult. This measure has been altered to relate to council minutes and agendas only, but relates to the full 12 months, not just a one-month sample. This was 100% achieved. Can be evidenced by timeliness of emails send from Chris Taylor to Penny and Malcolm altering them of minutes being issued to webteam.

TITLE:	Confirmation of Minutes - 23 August 2022
From:	Meloney Tupou, Maori Governance and Engagement Support Admin
Authorised by:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist, on 21 September 2022

TITLE:	Receipt of Action Sheet
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist
Authorised by:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist, on 20 September 2022

	August YTD
Gross salary variance	$612K
Less: Subsidised work programmes	($16K)
Less: Annual leave earned not taken	($124K)
Net salary variance	$472K

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	The incoming CEO’s start date is brought forward to 1 October 2022.	We would have a CEO in place if there was an emergency on 1 and or 2 October or if any other decision making is required over the weekend.	No disadvantages
2	We leave the start date for the incoming CEO until 3 October 2022.	No advantages	We would not have a CEO in place if there was an emergency on 1 and or 2 October or if any other decision making is required over the weekend.
3	Council delegate acting responsibilities to the Deputy CEO	We have someone who has delegated responsibility on 1 and or 2 October or if any other decision making is required over the weekend.	No disadvantages

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to make decisions in respect of Proposed Regional Plan appeals matters during the council recess period	Ensures measures are in place in the event an urgent decision is required during this time.	Council does not have the opportunity to participate in appeal decision making.
2	Do not delegate authority to the Chief Executive	Ensures that council is given the opportunity to participate in the appeal decision making, but at the cost of potentially major delays with the resolution process.	If an urgent matter arises during the council recess period, there are no measures in place to address it.

TITLE:	Financial Report to 31 August 2022
From:	Vincent McColl, Financial Accountant and Taka Skipwith, Financial Accountant
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 20 September 2022

TITLE:	Adoption of the 2022 Annual Report
From:	Simon Crabb, Finance Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 21 September 2022

TITLE:	Change to start date for incoming Chief Executive Officer
From:	Beryl Steele, Human Resources Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 15 September 2022

TITLE:	Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group - replacement members
From:	Alison Newell, Policy Specialist
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Ruben Wylie, Pou Tiaki Taiao – Group Manager Environmental Services, on 12 September 2022

TITLE:	Matauranga Māori Freshwater Framework
From:	Ben Lee, Planning and Policy Manager and Jason Donaghy, Natural Resources Monitoring Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Ruben Wylie, Pou Tiaki Taiao – Group Manager Environmental Services, on 14 September 2022

TITLE:	Delegations for decisions for resolving appeals on the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland
From:	Michael Payne, Policy Specialist
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Ruben Wylie, Pou Tiaki Taiao – Group Manager Environmental Services, on 12 September 2022

TITLE:	Water Resilience Fund - Long Term Plan Year 2 and 3 Allocations
From:	Tony Phipps, Contracted Advisor
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Victoria Harwood, Pou Tiaki Hapori - GM Community Resilience, on 13 September 2022

TITLE:	Electric Car Charging Expansion and Vehicle Purchasing Policy
From:	Phil Heatley, Strategic Projects and Facilities Manager and Glen McKenzie, Vehicle Fleet Coordinator
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 21 September 2022

Rear carpark, 10 chargers on 5 pedestals	$60,800 + GST (quote)
Visitor carpark, 2 swipe access chargers for Chairperson/CEO carparks (ability to add further stations)	$7,700 + GST (quote)
26 Water Street (behind Food for Life) 2 power points for KMR chargers	$1,500 + GST (estimate)
Cabling through building (terminal and solar)	$2,500 + GST (quote)
Preliminary and general (also perhaps bollards, asphalt)	$7,500 + GST (staff estimate)
TOTAL	$80,000 + GST

TITLE:	Minor Amendment to Regional Pest Plan
From:	Don McKenzie, Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity and Raymond Tana, Biosecurity Specialist - Freshwater Pests
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Don McKenzie, Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity, on 21 September 2022

TITLE:	NRC Tiriti Organisational Review (Te Tiriti Health Check)
From:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 21 September 2022

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

TITLE:	Residents' survey results to year end 30 June 2022
From:	Kyla Carlier, Corporate Strategy Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 12 September 2022

	This really matters to me	It’s pretty important	It’s important but not top priority	This is not important to me
How important is having healthy waters for you?	67%	24%	9%	0%
How important is it to you that we protect and care for native life?	64%	26%	8%	2%
How important is a prosperous and thriving Northland for current and future generations?	61%	32%	5%	2%
How important do you think community resilience and climate change is?	45%	36%	12%	7%
How important is it for you to have safe, effective and low emission transport options connecting our communities?	33%	35%	19%	13%
How important do you consider partnerships between council and tangata whenua to be?	27%	26%	20%	27%

How well do you think we’re doing at achieving this?	You’re doing great	You could do better	Not doing a good job	I don’t know
Protect and care for native life	17%	57%	18%	8%
Partnerships between council and tangata whenua	16%	28%	12%	44%
Having healthy waters	13%	49%	27%	11%
Community resilience and climate change	9%	45%	27%	19%
A prosperous and thriving Northland for current and future generations	8%	46%	30%	16%
Safe, effective and low emission transport options connecting our communities	4%	33%	39%	24%

TITLE:	Receipt of Committee Minutes
From:	Meloney Tupou, Maori Governance and Engagement Support Admin
Authorised by:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist, on 21 September 2022

TITLE:	Working Party Updates and Chairpersons' Briefings
From:	Sally Bowron, Strategy, Governance and Engagement Team Admin/PA
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist, on date 21 September 2022

Item No.	Item Issue	Reasons/Grounds
10.1	Confirmation of Confidential Minutes - 23 August 2022	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, as stated in the open section of the meeting -.
10.2	Human Resources Report - August 2022	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons s7(2)(a).
10.3	Purchase of Whangārei CBD Properties	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information s7(2)(b)(ii), the withholding of which is necessary to enable council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities s7(2)(h) and the withholding of which is necessary to enable council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations) s7(2)(i).
10.4	Progressing an Investment Property Redevelopment	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information s7(2)(b)(ii), the withholding of which is necessary to enable council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities s7(2)(h) and the withholding of which is necessary to enable council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations) s7(2)(i).
10.5	Nomination of Directors to Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons s7(2)(a).
10.6	Independent Director Nomination	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons s7(2)(a).
10.7	Bonus Payment	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons s7(2)(a).