Huihuinga O Te Kāhui Māori O Taitokerau Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party Thursday 10 September 2020 at 11.00am - 3.30pm

 

10 September 2020

Rārangi Take O Te Kāhui Māori O Taitokerau

(Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party Agenda)

 

 

Please note: working parties and working groups carry NO formal decision-making delegations from council. The purpose of the working party/group is to carry out preparatory work and discussions prior to taking matters to the full council for formal consideration and decision-making. Working party/group meetings are open to the public to attend (unless there are specific grounds under LGOIMA for the public to be excluded).

 

NGĀ MANA WHAKAHAERE

(MEMBERSHIP OF THE Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party)

 

Co-Chair,  Marty Robinson

Co-Chair, Te Whakaminenga O Te Hikutu Hapu-Whanau, Rudy Taylor

 

Councillor Penny Smart	Councillor John Bain	Councillor Justin Blaikie
Councillor Jack Craw	Councillor Colin Kitchen	Councillor Amy Macdonald
Councillor Rick Stolwerk	Councillor Joce Yeoman	Ngāti Hau, Mike Kake
Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board, Juliane Chetham	Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust, Georgina Connelly	Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa, Rihari Dargaville
Ngāti Kuta, Patukeha, Michelle Elboz	Te Parawhau Hapū Authority Charitable Trust, Mira Norris	Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Rehia, Nora Rameka
Te Whakapiko Hapū, Rowan Tautari	Ngāti Tara, Victor Holloway	Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi, Janelle Beazley
Ngātiwai Trust Board, Hadyn Edmonds	Te Rūnanga O Whāingaroa, Toa Faneva	Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Whātua, Alan Riwaka
Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri, Victor Goldsmith	Te Roroa, Thomas Hohaia	Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hine, Pita Tipene

 

 

 

KARAKIA / WHAKATAU

 

RĪMITI (ITEM)                                                                                                                                              Page

1.0      NGĀ WHAKAPAHĀ (apologies)   

2.0      NGA WHAKAPUAKANGA (declarations of interest)

3.0      Ngā Rīmiti (Items)

3.1      Record of Actions – 9 July 2020                                                                                 4

3.2      Māori Elected Members on Council                                                                       12

3.3      Northland Inc Update                                                                                                 38

3.4      Long Term Plan 2021-2031                                                                                       39

3.5      Overview of the government’s action for healthy waterways package (August 2020)                                                                                                               57

3.6      Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group                                                               59

3.7      Regional marae-based hui                                                                                         64

3.8      Updates from other working parties                                                                      66

3.9      Any other business

An opportunity to raise issues not already covered or issues to be considered for discussion at a future meeting.   

   

10 September 2020

 

TITLE:	Record of Actions – 9 July 2020
ID:	A1352749
From:	Sally Bowron, Strategy, Governance and Engagement Team Admin/PA

 

The purpose of this report is to present the Record of Actions of the last meeting (attached) held on 9 July 2020 for review by the meeting.

 

Attachment 1: Unconfirmed record of Actions (9 July 2020) ⇩  

Name:	Jonathan Gibbard
Title:	Group Manager - Environmental Services
Date:	25 August 2020

 

10 September 2020Attachment 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 September 2020

 

TITLE:	Māori Elected Members on Council
ID:	A1354590
From:	Auriole Ruka, Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori and Jonathan Gibbard, Group Manager - Environmental Services

 

The purpose of this report is to seek the views and input of Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) as an integral component of the process that council has undertaken to date in the consideration of Māori representation ahead of the 2022 election.

Furthermore, this is an acknowledgement of the relationship and commitment that has been fostered since the establishment of TTMAC in 2013, and of the TTMAC tāngata whenua members advice in 2017 that they supported Māori constituencies.

Councils are directed by the Local Electoral Act 2001 (LEA) to undertake a representation review every six years and, although it does not have to be done prior to the 2022 elections, the new group  of councillors have expressed an interest in understanding more about the issues regarding Māori representation in Te Taitokerau with a view to bringing about a change three years earlier than would otherwise be the case.  If this is not done now it will be considered again in three years’ time as it is a legislative requirement.

As there were a number of new councillors elected in 2019, the main impetus for the programme/process has been for the current council to fully understand and consider the wider context of Māori participation and representation including benefits and disadvantages of Māori constituencies and guaranteed seats and any enquiries or questions that may arise as a result of the workshops and programme.

These schedule of council workshops began in July with the formal decision needing to be made by 23 November 2020 if Māori seats are to be provided for in the 2022 local government elections (LEA).

On 20 August TTMAC tāngata whenua members held a caucus meeting to prepare a recommendation to bring to this meeting, with the intention that it be presented to council for their consideration when deciding on Māori representation at their October 2020 meeting. The recommendation is attached.

 

1.         That the report ‘Māori Elected Members on Council’ by Auriole Ruka, Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori and Jonathan Gibbard, Group Manager - Environmental Services and dated 20 August 2020, be received.

2.         That the recommendation from the TTMAC tāngata whenua caucus be presented to council to inform their decision on Māori representation at October’s council meeting. The recommendation is:

“That the TTMAC Maori Caucus seeks that the Northland Regional Council resolves to establish Māori constituencies for the 2022 local body election to support and grow existing participation and relationships with Te Taitokerau Māori and to enable compliance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”

Tip for writing good recommendations:

·  Recommendations should identify all decisions that are needed. 

·  If only one recommendation do not number.

·  Write the option out in full, rather than referring to an option in the report.  Set out clear options for councillors to decide between if necessary. 

·  Recommendations must be within the power of the meeting to make the decision. 

·  Avoid redundant or unnecessary statements and acronyms.

·  If a report is proposed, recommend a realistic date and state to which committee the proposed report back is to be made.

·         If it is deemed that there is high risk associated with a decision then include recognition of risk in the resolution.

Council conducted its last representation review in 2018 where it resolved not to establish Māori constituencies.  At that time, TTMAC and Iwi CEOs Forum indicated that they supported the establishment of Māori constituencies and saw this as an opportunity to strengthen council’s partnership with Māori and provide a real opportunity for Māori to participate in council decision making

The new council have agreed to progress further investigation into the establishment of Māori seats ahead of when they are required by the legislation with preliminary discussions endorsing support to begin a process as below:

·    more detailed discussion on the case for and against establishing Māori constituencies

·    experiences / comment from other councils who have already introduced Māori seats

·    feedback from Māori leaders and those who have experience in Māori constituencies

·    options for the number of elected representatives, and

·    possible scenario for workable constituency boundaries.

 

A formal decision must be made by 23 November 2020 if council want to establish Māori seats.  In order to inform this decision, staff have arranged a workshop programme to provide additional information and perspectives on the issues surrounding Maori representation from people with direct experience and/or different perspectives who can present as wide and diverse a view to inform councillors thinking and decision-making processes as possible. The programme is detailed below.

Programme of workshops including guest speakers:

Date	Guest speakers
9 July 2020	TTMAC advised of council undertaking a Māori representation review
22 July 2020	Councillor Doug Leeder, Chair of Bay of Plenty Regional Council
	John Cronin, Politician and previous Chair of BOPRC
	Meng Foon, Race Relations Commissioner and previous Gisborne Mayor
	Arapeta Tahana, Councillor Okūrei Māori Constituency, BOPRC
	Andrew Judd, politician and previous New Plymouth Mayor
5 August 2020	Don Brash, Politician
	Murray Reade, CE Northland Inc.
11 August 2020	Iwi Chief Executives (zoom)
	Dame Naida Glavish, Iwi leader and Chair Ngāti Whatua Trust
20 August 2020	TTMAC Tāngata whenua caucus meeting (zoom)
8 September 2020	Iwi Leaders Group Chief Executives (ILGACE)
10 September 2020	TTMAC Formal Meeting
16 September	Te Kahu o Toanui (to be confirmed)
End September 2020	Final workshop
October 2020	Council decision / formal resolution

 

Attachment 1: Statutory Process and Timing ⇩

Attachment 2: Recommendation from TTMAC tāngata whenua caucus held on 20 August 2020 ⇩

Attachment 3: Te Taitokerau Māori in Local Government Symposium final report ⇩  

 

Name:	Jonathan Gibbard
Title:	Group Manager - Environmental Services
Date:	2 September 2020

 

10 September 2020Attachment 1

Maori representation - Statutory process and timing

 

By 23 November 2020	A local authority MAY resolve to introduce Māori representation for the next triennial election.	Section 19Z of LEA
By 30 November 2020	IF a resolution has been made by a local authority to introduce Māori representation, a local authority MUST give public notice of the right of 5% of the electors to demand a poll on Māori representation.	Section 19ZA of LEA
By 28 February 2021	IF a resolution has been made by a local authority to introduce Māori representation, a certain period MUST be given following the public notice on Māori representation allowing electors to gather sufficient signatures to demand that a poll be held on Māori representation for the next two triennial elections.  This is the last date for the council to receive a valid demand for a poll on Māori representation for the 2022 election.	Section 19ZC of LEA
By 28 February 2021	A local authority MAY resolve to undertake a poll of electors on a proposal that Māori representation be introduced for the next two triennial elections.	Section 19ZD of LEA
By 21 May 2021	If a successful demand has been received by 28 February 2021 to hold a poll or a local authority has made a resolution by 28 February 2021 on Māori representation, then a poll MUST be held within 82 days of notification.  This is the last date to conduct a poll on Māori representation for the 2022 elections.	Section 19ZF of LEA
By 31 August 2021	Representation Arrangements Review completed by the local authority.	Section 19H of LEA
By 8 September 2021	A local authority MUST give public notice of the resolution containing the representation arrangements review proposals, including the proposed number, names and boundaries of constituencies.  One month submission period.	Section 19M of LEA
By 8 October 2021	Close of submissions.	Section 19M of LEA
By 19 November 2021	Submissions heard by the local authority.	Section 19N of LEA
By 19 November 2021	A local authority MUST give further public notice of its proposals. One month appeals/objection period.	Section 19N of LEA
By 19 December 2021	Close of appeals/objections to “final” representation arrangements.	Section 19O of LEA
By 11 April 2022	Determination by Local Government Commission.	Section 19R of LEA
October 2022	Local Body Elections

 

 

10 September 2020Attachment 2

 

 

 

10 September 2020Attachment 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 September 2020

 

TITLE:	Northland Inc Update
ID:	A1356030
From:	Auriole Ruka, Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori

 

The purpose of this report is for Chief Executive of Northland Inc (NINC), Murray Reade to present and update to Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party.

 

That the report ‘Northland Inc Update’ by Auriole Ruka, Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori and dated 24 August 2020, be received.

Tip for writing good recommendations:

·   Recommendations should identify all decisions that are needed. 

·   If only one recommendation do not number.

·   Write the option out in full, rather than referring to an option in the report.  Set out clear options for councillors to decide between if necessary. 

·   Recommendations must be within the power of the meeting to make the decision. 

·   Avoid redundant or unnecessary statements and acronyms.

·   If a report is proposed, recommend a realistic date and state to which committee the proposed report back is to be made.

·             If it is deemed that there is high risk associated with a decision then include recognition of risk in the resolution.

Nil

 

Name:	Jonathan Gibbard
Title:	Group Manager - Environmental Services
Date:	2 September 2020

 

10 September 2020

 

TITLE:	Long Term Plan 2021-2031
ID:	A1352854
From:	Sheila Taylor, Kaiarahi - Kaupapa Māori and Auriole Ruka, Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori

 

The purpose of this report is to present the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 recommendations of the Māori Technical Advisory Group (MTAG) to Te Taitokerau Māori and Council working party (TTMAC) for review and endorsement.  MTAG have summarised their LTP initiatives into five key initiative groups that are relevant across the organisation:

1.    Independent evaluation and treaty health check

2.    Māori representation and leadership (considered essential)

3.    Enabling tāngata whenua participation (building capacity and capability of tāngata whenua, building capability of council, Māori economic development)

4.    Enhancing the value of TTMAC, including their representation on working parties

5.    Taitokerau kotahitanga advocacy and investment fund - Taitokerau Forward Together

 

A presentation will be made by MTAG members providing further detail to the high-level priority initiatives identified within this report. Subsequent to TTMAC’s review and endorsement, TTMAC’s recommendations will then be fed into council’s consideration of LTP initiatives to be consulted on in early 2021.

 

1.         That the report ‘Long Term Plan 2021-2031’ by Sheila Taylor, Kaiarahi - Kaupapa Māori and Auriole Ruka, Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori and dated 17 August 2020, be received.

2.         That the Māori members of Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party endorse the recommendations of the Māori Technical Advisory Group for council’s consideration of LTP initiatives to be consulted on in early 2021.

 

In developing LTP recommendations, MTAG recognise the financial pressures currently facing council and empathise, as members of similar organisations facing these same pressures. Council however remains in the fortuitous position of being able to increase its cash inflow via rates increases (and, to a lesser extent, debt). It is for this reason that MTAG firmly believe any future rates increase should be prioritised and associated with improving council’s commitment to Te Tiriti and He Whakaputanga in the first instance.

Below is a high-level summary of MTAG’s recommended priority initiatives and it is by no means exhaustive. MTAG consider most of its detailed recommendations to be priority initiatives.

 MTAG would like staff to review the full list of recommendations and provide feedback as to how the initiatives could fit within existing baselines or how staff consider they fit amongst other LTP initiatives being considered for consultation in early 2021.

Initiative Grouping	Summary of priority initiatives		indicative budget
Independent Te Tiriti health checks	Health check initiative	Te Tiriti health check that could focus on six organisational focus areas (as outlined below). MTAG workshop notes also highlight specific areas that could be considered as a part of a Te Tiriti health check.	$100k one off
Māori representation and leadership	Governance initiatives	Creation of Māori seats on council (excludes any public poll required).	$100k/triennium
		Project to assist increase the number of Māori candidates applying to either the Māori or general electoral process.
	Leadership initiative	Review of the need for Māori representation within council’s leadership structures. Budget to undertake findings of review.	$100k/annum
Enabling tangata whenua participation	Pathway planning initiatives	Support for pathway/planning for youth leaving school now.	$15k/annum
		Promoting Māori youth into environmental sciences. Secondary school level summer holiday science scholarships to encourage Māori into secondary school level science pathways.
	Induction initiatives	Secondment and induction programme developed to build capability of both Māori entities and council.	$50k/annum
	Platforms - Software as a service	Initiative to develop long term strategic plan to identify how council’s platforms and software can enable tangata whenua participation.	$50k one-off
		Improved service and online channels specifically targeted towards supporting tangata whenua to have access to information and engage with council.	Multi-year funding identified via long term strategic plan above.
		Better service provision to tangata whenua through online channels will allow councils to enable tangata whenua and broader communities to self-serve and allow councils to redeploy staff to front-line services.
	Records Management and digitisation initiative	Initiative to recognise the ability for council to configure its document storage and repository in a manner that will enable tangata whenua participation.	$100k/annum
Enhancing the value of Te Taitokerau Māori and council advisory committee (TTMAC)	TTMAC allowances extended	Increased funding to recognise time and effort of TTMAC - Budget be increased to administer TTMAC. Members allowance to be extended to include: pre-work/reading, caucus. Funding needs to reflect the level of technical capability/experience and opportunity cost of representatives. NRC need to understand the value of the advice they are receiving via MTAG/TTMAC and the pre-existing level of voluntary commitment members make to their respective communities.	$50-100k/annum
	TTMAC administered:
	Consultant fund	Budget to distinguish between MTAG function and the need for council to seek professional technical advice. Budget to be made available to TTMAC to seek professional advice to respond to council requests.  Budget should be considerate of non-maori vs maori technical consultant budgets across council. Initial year to include additional budget to develop an evaluation framework that will meet the needs of TTMAC.	$50-100k/annum
	Wananga/education fund	A fund to develop an annual wananga schedule that may address some of the initiatives associated with upskilling Māori across council business groups (includes planning workshop to align with LTP process).	$50k/annum
	Climate change fund	Prioritised funding to increase iwi/hapū resourcing, capacity for hapū/marae communities to develop risk management plans and resilience strategies.	$50-100k/annum
	Health check response fund	Fund to undertake changes to regional policy statement or plan because of Te Tiriti health check.	$50k/annum
Taitokerau kotahitanga advocacy and investment fund - Taitokerau Forward Together	Recognising that Taitokerau has a relatively small population in comparison to the number of territorial authorities operating, the pressure on the capacity of Māori entities is intensified. MTAG believe council should develop an advocacy fund that can be utilised for cross council streamlining of policies and processes.		$300-500k/annum

 

 

10 September 2020

On 9 July 2020, staff presented the high-level plan for incorporating TTMAC feedback (via MTAG) into council’s long-term planning process. Underlying this plan was the assumption that three workshops would be held with MTAG, each with a unique kaupapa Māori focus (past, present and future). Along with this process plan, was the allocation of additional staff resource to support MTAG in developing their LTP recommendations.

 

Primary focus of MTAG’s long term planning process

MTAG’s primary desire is to see Te Tiriti and He Whakaputanga honoured. MTAG recommendations therefore focus on achieving this.

Achieving the primary focus

MTAG have translated the above desire into a primary driver underpinning their recommendations. MTAG consider this the primary driver for determining how council should resource itself, in order to transform into an organisation that not only honours Te Tiriti and He Whakaputanga but promotes the benefits and value of its partnership with tangata whenua.

Better community outcomes = Enhanced organisational capability

MTAG believe council should consider how it can build organisational capability when developing its long-term plan and developing a programme of work for Te Tiriti health checks. Key focus areas that will drive the initiatives required to achieve MTAG’s primary focus are:

1.    Governance

2.    Relationships with Māori (specifically tangata whenua)

3.    Structural considerations

4.    Workforce capability

5.    Environment, and

6.    Policy development and service delivery.

Detail associated with these organisational focus areas are detailed in Attachment 1 to this agenda – Enhanced organisational capability.

Initiative groupings

In summarising MTAG recommendations, five key initiative groups were identified that were relevant across the organisation:

1.    Independent evaluation and treaty health check

2.    Māori representation and leadership

3.    Enabling tangata whenua participation

4.    Enhancing the value of Te Taitokerau Māori and council advisory committee (TTMAC), and

5.    Taitokerau kotahitanga advocacy and investment fund - Taitokerau Forward Together.

 

Evaluation of TTMAC long term planning process and opportunities to enhance future

MTAG valued the 2018-2028 LTP planning process and welcomed the additional staff resource that has supported the development of their key drivers and priority initiatives for the 2021-2031 LTP process. It was beneficial to have the prior LTP feedback to build and inform MTAG’s thinking.

 

Unfortunately, the additional resource was not able to counter some bottlenecks identified in the process. Bottlenecks identified are:

1.    Impact of civil emergencies (drought, covid-19 and floods) on the LTP planning process

2.    Limited time (six weeks) assigned for MTAG to discuss, analyse and prepare recommendations for TTMAC (in part due to the quick turn-around required by the legislated process)

3.    Availability of MTAG members and staff to prioritise MTAG’s long term planning process

4.    Limited funding allocated to secure MTAG time. MTAG do not currently receive an allowance for preparation or reading material outside of the scheduled meeting time, and

5.    MTAG are unaware of council’s current resource and funding contribution to tangata whenua.

These bottlenecks have somewhat hindered MTAG’s participation in the long-term planning process and has resulted in lower than desirable MTAG member contribution. MTAG believe there is a future opportunity to enhance planning by including a new section to activity management plans, that outlines how the activity is achieving TTMAC priorities, Māori representation or enabling tāngata whenua participation in council (building capacity and capability of tāngata whenua and council equally). These sections could then become the starting point for MTAG’s review, analysis and input into council’s future corporate planning cycle (annual planning and reporting, as well as, long term planning) and may allow for meaningful MTAG input into an already time constrained process.

 

Attachment 1: Organisational focus areas ⇩

Attachment 2: Draft MTAG LTP 2021 - 2031 recommendations ⇩  

 

Name:	Jonathan Gibbard
Title:	Group Manager - Environmental Services
Date:	2 September 2020

 

10 September 2020Attachment 1

 

 

 

 

 

10 September 2020Attachment 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 September 2020

 

TITLE:	Overview of the government’s action for healthy waterways package (August 2020)
ID:	A1352868
From:	Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist

 

This item provides an overview of the ‘Action for healthy waterways’ package recently released by central Government. The package is intended to halt degradation of water resources, improve water quality within five years, reverse past damage and bring freshwater resources, waterways and ecosystems to a healthy state within a generation.

1.         That the report ‘Overview of the government’s action for healthy waterways package (August 2020)’ by Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist and dated 17 August 2020, be received.

In early August, the Government released a ‘package’ of new rules and policy direction under the Resource Management Act 1991 intended to:

·    stop further degradation of water resources and improve water quality within 5 years.

·    reverse past damage and bring freshwater resources, waterways and ecosystems to a healthy state within a generation.

 

The ‘package’ includes:

1.    A revised National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM2020). This replaces the NPS-FM 2014 (as amended in 2017) and sets out new requirements for regional councils for managing freshwater, including:

i.     Prioritising the health and well-being of freshwater

ii.    Greater emphasis on Te Mana o te Wai

iii.   Working with tangata whenua and communities to set a long term vision and environmental outcomes for water

iv.   Managing 22 water quality ‘attributes’ to improve ecosystem health, human health, threatened species and mahinga kai. Notably, there are 13 new ‘attributes’ to be managed for the purposes of ecosystem health, human health, threatened species and mahinga kai.

v.    Setting limits and targets for water quality attributes and developing actions plans to meet environmental outcomes.

vi.   Setting environmental flows and levels and take (allocation) limits

vii.  Accounting and reporting on water quality and water quantity

viii. Avoiding further loss of wetlands and streams (including the requirement to map and monitor wetlands)

ix.   Addressing barriers to fish passage and working toward outcomes for fish abundance and diversity.

 

Regional councils are required to notify plan changes to implement the NPS-FM2020 by 31 December 2024. The Northland Regional Council intends to develop a plan change to implement the water quality elements of the NPS-FM2020 in late 2021 / early 2022. All plan changes related to freshwater and implementation of the NPS-FM2020 are now required to use a new ‘streamlined’ process set out in the recently amended Resource Management Act 1991.

 

2.    New National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-FW). This is a suite of rules that apply nationally and set out standards for:

i.     Farming activity (such as stock holding areas, feedlots, intensive winter grazing, intensification, increased irrigation and conversion of land to pasture);  

ii.    Activities that affect natural wetlands (such as earthworks, vegetation clearance and taking, damming and diversion of water) and structures that affect fish passage in rivers (such as culverts, weirs and flap-gates)

The standards in the NES-FW prevail over more lenient rules in regional plans, but plan rules can be more restrictive (in other words the stricter of the two applies).  Staff are assessing the difference between the Proposed Regional Plan rules and the NES-FW. Most of these standards came into force on 3 September 2020.

 

3.    Regulations requiring livestock (pigs, dairy cattle, dairy support cattle, beef cattle and deer) to be excluded from specified wetlands, lakes and rivers within certain timeframes. The regulations differ in some areas to the stock exclusion rules in the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland – for example the regulations require a 3-metre setback from rivers and lakes. Like the NES-FW, the regulations prevail over rules in regional plans (unless the plan rule is more restrictive). These regulations came into force on 3 September 2020.

 

4.    Resource Management (Measurement and Reporting of Water Takes) Amendment Regulations 2020 – these require holders of consent to take between five and more than 20 litres of water a second to measure their water use every 15 minutes and submit daily records to councils electronically.

 

Staff will present a more detailed summary of the Action for healthy waterways package at the meeting of the Working Party.  For more detail and access to the documents see: https://www.mfe.govt.nz/action-for-healthy-waterways

 

The Action for healthy waterways ‘package’ means council’s draft freshwater strategy will need a significant review given new the directions / requirements on regional councils. Staff hope to complete this review and bring the revised draft freshwater strategy to the Working Party in November of this year. 

 

Nil

 

Name:	Ben Lee
Title:	GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Date:	2 September 2020

 

10 September 2020

 

TITLE:	Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group
ID:	A1354347
From:	Ben Lee, GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement

 

Council is in the early stages of preparing a plan change to give effect to the water quality planning requirements of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management^[1] (the water quality plan change).  The plan change is scheduled to be notified late 2021. 

 

Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) recommended to council^[2] proposals for involving tāngata whenua in the plan change development:

·    Establishing a 12-member “Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group” as the main vehicle for providing tāngata whenua-led analysis, feedback and advice on the development of the plan change (refer Attachment 1 for details).

·    The appointment of a 4-member selection panel for considering and appointing the members of the Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group:^[3]

o  Mira Norris and Juliane Chetham, or Janelle Beazley if Juliane Chetham is unavailable (tāngata whenua members of Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party);

o  Councillors Justin Blaikie and Joce Yeoman.

·    Three tāngata whenua TTMAC members to sit alongside councillors in their workshops to prepare the water quality plan change (Nora Rameka, Rowan Tautari and Alan Riwaka (and Antony Thompson as an alternative to Alan Riwaka)).

·    The same members to also sit on the Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group (they will take up three of the 12 places); and

·    the members to be paid in accordance with council’s Appointed Members’ Allowances Policy.

Council approved the proposals as recommended by TTMAC with no changes.

 

The next step is to seek expressions of interest to make up the remaining nine places on the Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group.  Council requested advice from TTMAC on how the requests for expressions of interest would be sought, given the importance of the group’s role and trying to get the best possible people on the group.

 

Proposed avenues are:

·    Pānui to all contacts on council’s tāngata whenua database

·    Pānui to freshwater kaitiaki groups, such as:

o  Ngā Kaitiaki O Ngā Wai Māori

o  Te Wai Māori

·    ‘Shoulder tapping’ known active freshwater kaitiaki

·    Tāngata whenua TTMAC members putting out Pānui through their networks (council staff can provide the text for this).

 

 

1.         That expressions of interest for the Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group be sought by:

a.        Pānui to all contacts on councils tāngata whenua database

b.        Pānui to freshwater kaitiaki groups

c.         Asking known active freshwater kaitiaki

d.        Tāngata whenua TTMAC members sending Pānui through their forums

 

 

Not applicable

 

Attachment 1: Maori engagement approach - Water quality plan change ⇩  

 

Name:	Jonathan Gibbard
Title:	Group Manager - Environmental Services
Date:	25 August 2020

 

10 September 2020Attachment 1

Māori engagement approach:  Water quality plan change

 

Version	Date	Purpose
1	7 May 2020	Initial draft for review by Juliane
2	12 May 2020	Draft for MTAG
3	26 May 2020	Updated post MTAG meeting
4	28 May 2020	Further update
5	29 May 2020	Update in response to Juliane C comments
6	5 June 2020	Updated post MTAG meeting for TTMAC endorsement
7	31 July 2020	Post TTMAC endorsement for council approval
8	24 Aug 2020	Approved by council

 

Scope

This document sets out the proposed approach for Māori engagement on the water quality plan change.  It covers the period up until the plan change is notified for public submissions.

 

This document does not address

·    Governance arrangements.

·    How the plan change will be implemented, e.g. monitoring and enforcement of rules and consents.

 

Background

The Northland Regional Council (NRC) is required to undertake a plan change to implement the water quality requirements of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2017^[4].

 

NRC are aiming to formally notify the plan change for submissions in late 2021. 

 

Proposed Māori engagement approach

Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group

Set up a 12 member “Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group” (name TBC) to be the main vehicle for providing tāngata whenua-led analysis, feedback and advice on the development of the plan change.

 

The group to be set up as follows:

·    three tāngata whenua members of TTMAC members to be appointed to the Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group

·    a pānui to all Māori contacts will be sent seeking nominations for membership on the group for the nine remaining places

·    TTMAC to appoint a selection panel consisting of four TTMAC members (two councillors and two tāngata whenua members)

·    the selection panel to select members by assessing nominations against the criteria in Appendix one.

 

 

The Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group members will be eligible for payments for council approved meeting attendance and mileage in accordance with the council’s ‘Appointed Members Allowance Policy’. Payments will include:

·    meeting allowance

·    mileage (one claim per vehicle)

·    attendance at other working parties, as endorsed by council.

 

The Northland Regional Council to allocate a $20,000 budget to the Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group to commission advice^[5].

 

It is anticipated the Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group will meet six to 10 times starting in September 2020 through to mid 2021.

 

Development of Wai Māori assessment framework

An initial focus of the Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group will be to identify a framework to assess the likely consequences (impacts) on tāngata whenua values^[6].  The framework will seek to identify:

·    key tāngata whenua values in fresh water

·    evaluation criteria to assess the impacts of management scenarios on the values, and

·    any associated indicators to ensure the future impacts on these values can be observed.

 

 

Appendix 1:

 

Individual membership criteria (desired)

 

·    tāngata whenua (whakapapa to Te Taitokerau)

·    freshwater kaitiaki knowledge and/or experience 

·    an understanding of Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view)

·    knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi and He Whakaputanga (Declaration of Independence, 1835)

 

Collective membership criteria (desired)

 

The group may consist of up to 12 freshwater kaitiaki experts allowing for a diverse range of knowledge/experience whilst ensuring agile decision making is achievable.

 

Many of the issues that need to be addressed to improve water quality are challenging –

technically, legally, economically, socially and culturally. To ensure the group, as a collective, possess the breadth of knowledge and experience needed to consider these challenges and fulfil its purpose, the below criteria will be applied prior to final selection. The final group makeup should allow for:

·    diverse representation of member gender and age

·    balanced geographical affiliation/connections across Te Taitokerau

·    a mix of people who have practical experience gained at a national, iwi, hapū, and/or whanau level

·    at least one person with legal and/or policy background

·    at least three people with on-the-ground freshwater kaitiaki experience

·    at least two people with experience in Māori land management

·    at least one person should have project management experience

·    at least 50% of the working group are competent with Te Reo me ona tikanga / kawa o Taitokerau (competence in Te Reo and Māori processes in Northland).

 

 

10 September 2020

 

TITLE:	Regional marae-based hui
ID:	A1354551
From:	Arama Morunga, Cultural Advisor

 

 

1.         That the report ‘Regional marae-based hui’ by Arama Morunga, Cultural Advisor and dated 20 August 2020, be received.

2.         That TTMAC re-confirm the schedule of regional hui workshops.

3.         That TTMAC consider and provide feedback on the purpose of these hui and any opportunities to respond to the COVID-19 restrictions.

 

The most recent TTMAC regional hui was scheduled for 13 August 13 and was to be hosted jointly by Ngāti Whātua, Te Roroa and Te Uri o Hau at Te Houhanga Marae.  However, due once again to recent Covid-19 restrictions this hui, in agreement with the hosts, was postponed. 

The following is an update of the schedule for TTMAC to consider:

Date	Venue
Thursday, 9 April 2020	Regional marae-based hui Undetermined during Level 4 Alert Lockdown (cancelled due to COVID-19)
Thursday, 11 June 2020	Regional marae-based hui Parapara Marae:  Ngāti Tara – Victor Holloway (cancelled due to COVID-19)
Thursday, 13 August 2020	Regional marae-based hui Te Houhanga Marae:  Ngāti Whātua, Te Roroa, Te Uri o Hau (cancelled due to COVID-19)
Thursday, 8 October 2020	Regional marae-based hui Te Houhanga Marae, Ngāti Whātua, Te Roroa, Te Uri o Hau
Thursday, 10 December 2020	Regional marae-based hui Bay of Islands:  Ngāti Rehia – Nora Rameka
Thursday, 11 February 2021	Regional marae-based hui Hokianga:  Te Hikutu – Rudy Taylor
Thursday, 8 April 2021	Regional marae-based hui Parapara Marae:  Ngāti Tara – Victor Holloway

 

The proposed schedule has been updated for 2021 in anticipation that regional hui will continue given the positive outcomes noted by previous TTMAC members, including opportunities for:

1.    Hapū and iwi to lead the discussions

2.    Hapū and iwi to be informed about NRC’s work in their respective rohe

3.    Hapū and iwi to raise issues within their respective rohe, and

4.    Councillors and staff to engage and interface with tāngata whenua on the issues that matter to them.

Below is the procedure established in previous triennium for hosting TTMAC regional marae-based hui:

1.    Through a formal TTMAC meeting, members are asked to register their interest to host a regional marae workshop and nominate a marae venue for where the workshop will be held. 

2.    The nominating TTMAC members hosting the hui will communicate with whānau and wider hapū from the rohe to invite them to attend the hui and to seek feedback on what they would like to discuss and or any agenda items for the workshop (these matters should relate to council’s key activities).

3.    Once a draft agenda is completed by the host member/s and discussed with the working party chairs, the agenda will be provided to council staff at least two weeks prior the meeting to:

·    Ensure TTMAC is aware of the issues and has the ability to provide a response, seek further information, and ensure appropriate staff are able to attend, and

·    To provide the agenda to all working party members in advance of the marae workshop.

4.    Any follow up required from the workshop, may be provided by staff or through the working parties formal meeting (depending on the nature of the matter).

5.    Advertising and catering of the marae-based workshops will be the responsibility of the host committee member (costs will be covered by council).

 

Nil

 

Name:	Jonathan Gibbard
Title:	Group Manager - Environmental Services
Date:	2 September 2020

 

10 September 2020

 

TITLE:	Updates from other working parties
ID:	A1352770
From:	Sally Bowron, Strategy, Governance and Engagement Team Admin/PA

 

The purpose of this report is to present a summary of the record of discussion and agreed actions of council’s other working party meetings (that have occurred since the last Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) meeting).  This paper provides an opportunity for working party Chairs, and TTMAC Māori members appointed onto those working parties, to provide a verbal update to TTMAC, and for TTMAC members to ask any follow up questions.

In October, council is undertaking a governance structure review. We would like to include as part of that review tāngata whenua members’ feedback regarding their participation on working parties to feed into the governance structure review. That feedback can be directly to this meeting or members may prefer to provide their written comments to staff by 18 September 2020.

 

1.         That the report ‘Updates from other working parties’ by Sally Bowron, Strategy, Governance and Engagement Team Admin/PA and dated 17 August 2020, be received.

2.         That the feedback given by TTMAC tāngata whenua members to this meeting, or to staff by 18 September, about participation in working parties be fed into the October review of council’s governance structure.

Tip for writing good recommendations:

·  Recommendations should identify all decisions that are needed. 

·  If only one recommendation do not number.

·  Write the option out in full, rather than referring to an option in the report.  Set out clear options for councillors to decide between if necessary. 

·  Recommendations must be within the power of the meeting to make the decision. 

·  Avoid redundant or unnecessary statements and acronyms.

·  If a report is proposed, recommend a realistic date and state to which committee the proposed report back is to be made.

·         If it is deemed that there is high risk associated with a decision then include recognition of risk in the resolution.

Water and Land Working Party* (Chair: Cr Justin Blaikie)

(TTMAC representatives: Janelle Beazley, Georgina Connelly, Victor Holloway, Mira Norris, Alan Riwaka)

The Water and Land Working Party met on Wednesday 29 July.  The topics for discussion included:

·        Review of Action Points from the last meeting

·        Preparing for the next Drought – 2020 Drought and Improving Water Resilience

·        Catchment Restoration Contracting Gangs (deferred until the next meeting)

·        Dung Beetles

Following discussion, the Water and Land Working Party agreed on the following next steps:

·        Draft a letter to MPI to find out when it plans to undertake a more comprehensive review of the National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry, noting the council’s concerns about the accuracy of the standards erosion classification with respect to Northland’s soils.  The recommendation from the Working Party was that the draft letter be reviewed and approved by council prior to it being sent to the Minister for the Environment.

·        Present the “Preparing for the next Drought – 2020 Drought and Improving Water Resilience” presentation (or similar) to TTMAC.

·        Dr Dymock was asked to provide the capital and operation costs of undertaking a Dung Beetle trial in Northland.

·        Dr Dymock be invited to present her Dung Beetle proposal to the Kaipara Moana Remediation entity.

 

Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party (Chair: Cr Jack Craw) 

(TTMAC representatives: Juliane Chetham, Georgina Connelly, Barb Elboz, Nora Rameka) 

The Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party met on 27 August.  The topics for discussion included: 

·      FIF Dune Lakes Herbicide Programme 

·        2018 - 2019 Annual Report - Regional Pest and Marine Pathways Management Plan  

·       2020 - 2021 Biosecurity Operational Plan draft.

Following discussion, the Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party agreed on the following next steps: 

·      Investigate wider distribution of the 2019-2020 Annual Report - Regional Pest and Marine Pathways Management Plan once finalised 

·      Revising wording of several KPIs for the 2020-2021 Biosecurity Operational Plan 

·      At a future TTMAC meeting, discuss the level of provision for Kauri Dieback works in iwi/hapū plan requirements.

 

Planning and Regulatory Working Party

(Chair: Cr Joce Yeoman, Juliane Chetham, Mira Norris, Rowan Tautari, Pita Tipene)

The Planning and Regulatory Working Party met on 26 August. The topics for discussion included:

·        Planning and Policy Work Programme

·        Regulatory Services Update / Work Programme

·        National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020

·        Aquaculture NES

·        Water Services Bill

·        Fast-tracked Consents

·        Regional Plan Update.

Following discussion, the Planning and Regulatory Working Party agreed on the following next steps:

1.    Strategic Policy Specialist to get in touch with TAs and give them a heads-up on implications of the new Freshwater NES

2.   GM, Regulatory Services to provide an update on fast-tracked consents to the next Working Party meeting in October

3.            GM, Regulatory Services to check with EPA as to whether the names of the nominees for the expert panel are public information, and if so, provide them to the Working Party (Note: this has subsequently been done and the information circulated).

 

Nil

 

Name:	Jonathan Gibbard
Title:	Group Manager - Environmental Services
Date:	2 September 2020