Agenda of Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party

Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party ITEM: 4.5

11 July 2024Attachment 1

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Report: Tāiki ē - Resource Consents Review Report

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Option	Pros	Cons
TWWAG model	Involves a public call for ‘Expressions of Interest’, appointment of a selection panel (2 x NRC staff + 2 x TTMAC representatives) to review EoIs and recommend to TTMAC for endorsement to council	Does not have to be publicly tendered or comply with Procurement Policy as it does not entail procurement of services (remuneration is based on meeting allowances not procurement of services)	Remuneration is limited to rates in line with Non-Elected Member Allowances Policy (i.e. is tied to meeting attendance and does not reflect market rates of individuals)
Supplier Panel model	Involves a public tender inviting individuals/firms to be on a ‘preferred supplier’ list, council approving a list of preferred suppliers (based on TTMAC recommendations) from which staff can then select members of the Te Ao Maori Advisory Panel	Allows for market rates of individuals to be used for remuneration (in line with Procurement Policy)	Likely to restrict individuals who are not employed by a company or set up as commercial entities or sole traders from participating
Direct Appointment	This would entail seeking approval from the CEO to be exempt from complying with the Procurement Policy and directly appointing ‘shoulder tapped’ individuals (e.g. existing TWWAG members)	Avoids time constraints of other options Allows for market rate remuneration	Not very transparent or equitable Limits membership to select few

Option

Pros

Cons

TWWAG model

Involves a public call for ‘Expressions of Interest’, appointment of a selection panel (2 x NRC staff + 2 x TTMAC representatives) to review EoIs and recommend to TTMAC for endorsement to council

Does not have to be publicly tendered or comply with Procurement Policy as it does not entail procurement of services (remuneration is based on meeting allowances not procurement of services)

Remuneration is limited to rates in line with Non-Elected Member Allowances Policy (i.e. is tied to meeting attendance and does not reflect market rates of individuals)

Supplier Panel model

Involves a public tender inviting individuals/firms to be on a ‘preferred supplier’ list, council approving a list of preferred suppliers (based on TTMAC recommendations) from which staff can then select members of the Te Ao Maori Advisory Panel

Allows for market rates of individuals to be used for remuneration (in line with Procurement Policy)

Likely to restrict individuals who are not employed by a company or set up as commercial entities or sole traders from participating

Direct Appointment

This would entail seeking approval from the CEO to be exempt from complying with the Procurement Policy and directly appointing ‘shoulder tapped’ individuals (e.g. existing TWWAG members)

Avoids time constraints of other options

Allows for market rate remuneration

Not very transparent or equitable

Limits membership to select few

Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party item: 4.9

11 July 2024

TITLE:	Te Mana me te Mauri o te Wai - monitoring programme update
From:	Jason Donaghy, Natural Resources Monitoring Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Ruben Wylie, Pou Tiaki Taiao, on 4 July 2024

Whakarāpopototanga/Executive summary

At the 09 May 2024 TTMAC hui, the working party endorsed an approach to shift from developing a Mātauranga Monitoring Framework and move forward with a series recommendations that were developed through wānanga with council’s Mana Whakahono ā Rohe partners. The next steps from that meeting was for staff to set out a high level workplan for those recommendations and to set out the criteria for delivering monitoring grant funding to iwi and hapū partners for the upcoming financial year (2024/2025).

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommended actions

1. That the report ‘Te Mana me te Mauri o te Wai - monitoring programme update ’ by Jason Donaghy, Natural Resources Monitoring Manager dated 25 June 2024, be received.

2. That Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) endorse the work plan contained under heading 3 of this report.

3. That Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) endorse the Te Mana me te Mauri o te Wai - monitoring programme funding criteria contained in the attachment section of this report.

Background/Tuhinga

A high-level work plan to give effect to the recommendations endorsed by TTMAC at the 9 May 2024 meeting is provided later in this report. The following section provides some context around the work plan. Broadly the recommendations put forward at the 9 May hui fall into work that council will do with iwi and hapū and work that council needs to undertake to lift internal capacity, capability and cultural safety within the organisation.

Kaitaiki network conceptIn relation to external work, staff propose supporting the establishment of a kaitiaki network model to advance Action 8 from Tāiki ē. This model would build upon the Wānanga Waiora initiative, allowing Kaitaiki to learn from each other and for staff to provide support for capacity building as needed. The concept of a kaitiaki network emerged strongly in the Te Kawa Waiora research report. The Te Kawa Waiora project involved collaboration with iwi, hapū, whānau, and marae along the Waiora River to conduct research about issues of importance to them and to enhance the health, wellbeing, and mauri of the river. The kaitiaki network, in a broad sense, represents grassroots action rooted in kaitiakitanga, complementing approaches provided by the Crown/Government. Staff aim to implement these recommendations to achieve the anticipated outcomes of Actions 7 and 8, and as a way of acknowledging Te Kawa Waiora research recommendations and the connection with the mission outlined in Tāiki ē: Kāwanatanga and rangatiratanga working together for environmental wellbeing

Staff propose as a first step to meet with known Kaitiaki groups to discuss this approach in more detail, seeking their whakaaro on this concept.

For council to achieve action 8 on its own will require a significant level of engagement and time. Additionally council resourcing cannot be scaled up quickly as demand grows, it is reliant on the annual plan process to secure more resourcing and funding. Staff believe a kaitiaki network approach, for staff to work alongside kaitiaki who have the have the mana, trust and the existing relationships, will support the delivery of Action 8.The kaitiaki groups may require upskilling from council staff in certain monitoring aspects or funding to support their work programmes There may be a lag period, once training is completed, kaitiaki will have the ability to distribute this knowledge more effectively than council staff.Providing the kaitiaki groups with funding to host specific wānanga and connect their technical staff will strengthen their network. Networking at an operational level was a gap identified by hapū at the recent mātauranga project hui hosted by Putuharakeke. Another key learning from the engagement with Ngti Rehia and Patuharakeke regarding the mātauranga monitoring project was that it takes time for meaningful engagement to occur. With those learnings in mind, staff are proposing a different approach by focusing the time of key staff members to work with the kaitiaki groups that are already operating in the taiaoIn summary, the proposed approach:Allows hapū to develop their own mātauranga specific to their taiao whilst working with other Māori experts.Supports Māori to train Māori, which was a key theme that came through in earlier wānanga.Reduces engagement demand for both council and iwi/hapū.Provides a platform to distribute the knowledge out to iwi/hapū that reduces the reliance on council capacity or capability.Connects Māori technicians and experts across Te Taitokerau.Below are the eight recommendations endorsed by TTMAC at the 9 May 2024 hui. A high-level work programme covering the three-year period 2024 to 2026 is outlined in the table that follows.

1. Undertake a review of the current environmental monitoring programme (projects, processes, and tangata whenua involvement) to assess the cultural appropriateness and effectiveness of the programme.

2. Identify gaps from the review and processes that are currently used and create initiatives alongside tangata whenua to create a culturally responsive environmental monitoring programme.

3. Review and report on options for partnering with iwi/hapū to undertake monitoring that has traditionally been undertaken by council as a means of building capacity, capability and relationships to advance a partnership-based approach to council functions.

4. Review council’s current environmental grant funding schemes and identify opportunities to better align with actions 7 and 8 of Tāiki ē.

5. Review internal skills and needs from council staff to inform professional development pathways and increase cultural health and safety so staff can evaluate how in their roles they are able to uphold and apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

6. Develop an ongoing programme of wānanga between council and hapū focused specifically on practical topics to strengthen knowledge sharing and relationship building further.

7. Develop (or use existing models) to develop wānanga that build council

8. Develop internal processes and strategies that support a co-design approach to council monitoring projects.

Below is a table with timeframes and key delivery dates:

	Year 1: (01 July 2024-01 July 2025)	Year 1-3: (01 July 2024-01 July 2027)
	Engage with kaitiaki groups
	Initiate work to establish Kaitiaki network: Expected outcome: Build a relationship between kaitiaki teams and Council environmental monitoring staff in the lead up to wānanga waiora. Progress report to TTMAC: 01 Dec 2024.
	Work with Kaitiaki network to understand what they want to achieve and focus on. Identify what support Council can provide and then develop a joint work plan. Expected outcome: Build a joint work plan between Council and the kaitiaki network that gives effect to actions 7 and 8 and provides operational follow through with wānanga waiora. Progress report to TTMAC: First Quarter 2025.	Report back to TTMAC with a confirmed work plan for the Te Mana me te Mauri o te Wai - monitoring programme by 01 July 2025.
	Wānanga facilitated by kaitiaki by first quarter of 2025. Expected outcome: Key relationships established between technical staff from hapū and Council. Increase knowledge sharing and monitoring capability. Assist kaitiaki with building a technical network in Te Taitokerau. Kaitiaki can assist Council staff with staffs knowledge in a Te Ao Māori world view and integrating tikanga, kawa as well as mātauranga Māori into existing and new council frameworks. Progress report to TTMAC: First Quarter 2025	Ongoing wānanga hosted and facilitated by kaitiaki. Kaitiaki report back to TTMAC kanohi ki te kanohi if possible. Expected outcome: Improved links between Progress report to TTMAC: 01 April 2025
	Work with the Kaitiaki network on building hapū capability and understanding regarding Councils monitoring functions. Expected outcome: Increase hāpu knowledge of what is required to operate a state of the environment network as part of the s33 kaupapa. Progress report to TTMAC: 01 April 2025
	Review internal skills and needs from council staff to inform professional development. Establish development pathways to upskill. Expected outcome: Staff are clear on the pathway to develop and improve their skill engaging with hapū and upholding Council Te Tirirti obligations. Staff will begin implementing the various pathways, this will be monitored at an individual level via annual goal setting. Progress report to TTMAC: 01 December 2024	Begin implementing capability pathways. Expected outcome: All staff, teams and departments are clear on how they contribute to NRC’s partnerships with tangata whenua, deliver on Te Tiriti equity, and uphold the organisation’s Te Tiriti obligations. All staff are clear on the level they are expected to perform at with regard to Te Tiriti outcomes, and te ao Māori capability associated with their role. The above outcomes are taken form the draft Māori Employment Outcomes Framework for Northland Regional Council. Progress report to TTMAC: 01 December 2024
	Develop internal processes and strategies that support to incorporate co-design for council monitoring projects, assist with building hapū capability regarding Councils monitoring functions. Expected outcome: Working in partnership will ensure Council monitoring projects are balanced with a Te Ao Māori viewpoint and hāpu will learn more about Council monitoring. Progress report to TTMAC: 01 December 2024	Annual Reporting back to TTMAC after identifying projects and outcomes that have benefited from co-design approach
	current grant funding schemes. Expected outcome: Improve service and increase options for hāpu regarding funding to support environmental monitoring. Improve reporting on Councils expenditure on supporting hāpu with environmental monitoring. Progress report to TTMAC: 01 December 2024
	NRC culturally appropriate monitoring programme Stage 1: assess Council current monitoring programmes. Stage 2: develop draft monitoring plan. Expected outcome: Servicing action 7 from Tāiki Progress report to TTMAC: 01 December 2024	Report to TTMAC: First quarter of 2025

Funding Criteria:

As part of the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan, council established the Te Mana o te Wai fund. The fund is valued at $250K annually and is for the purpose of supporting the implementation of Te Mana o Te Wai. In previous years it has been used to support iwi and hapu involvement in the draft freshwater plan change. With the bulk of the plan change mahi going on hold whilst the government makes changes to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, and the work of TWWAG winding up, it is intended to commence delivering the funding to support iwi and hapū monitoring initiatives.

Council currently has funding criteria to support iwi and hapū to undertake environmental monitoring. The funding criteria policy was endorsed by Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party on 19 May 2022 and is attached to this report. The total funding pool for that policy was $20k. Through the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan, council approved increasing the funding by $100k (through allocating a portion of the Efund to that programme). Staff propose to top up the fund by a further $100k and utilise the same policy that is in place with some minor amendments that would provide for:

· A maximum allocation of $50k per project.

· A funding term of up to two years

The remainder of the Te Mana o te Wai fund is proposed to be used for:

· Supporting resourcing of independent Te Ao Māori expertise (i.e. support a new approach recognising the value of TWAGG and MTAG’s mahi).

· Supporting resourcing the establishment of a kaitiaki network

· Resourcing tangata whenua input into ongoing workstreams for the plan change (e.g. stock exclusion, water allocation).

Ngā tapirihanga / Attachments

Attachment 1: Tangata Whenua Environmental Monitoring Funding Criteria ⇩

Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party item: 4.14

11 July 2024

TITLE:	Chief Executive’s Report to Council
From:	Jonathan Gibbard, Tāhūhū Rangapū - Chief Executive Officer
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Jonathan Gibbard, Tāhūhū Rangapū - Chief Executive Officer, on 18 June 2024

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary

The Chief Executive Officer’s monthly report to council is provided for members information so they can get a broad view of activity across council.

4.141.0 Highlights

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

Staff have been working with hapū mandated representatives on implementation activities for the marine protected areas. A broad implementation plan covering communication, ecological monitoring, and regulatory enforcement has been developed and is currently under review by hapū.

Communication planning for community education leading into summer 2024/25 has commenced, which will also be developed and refined with input from hapū.

An Enviroschools “healthy marine ecosystems” package is being delivered to Kura local to the marine protected areas, partnering with Moana Futures, Young Ocean Explorers, and Experiencing Marine Reserves. These organisations provide a mix of in-school and ocean-based learning, delivering a hands-on experience with the moana and the values we are aiming to protect.

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Te Uri o Hikihiki / EMR community snorkelling day

With funding from NRC, Experiencing Marine Reserves have also been working to provide marine education and snorkelling experiences and even a night snorkel! with local hapū and communities.

With the help of Kerr and Associates an ecological survey of tāmure/snapper has been undertaken in Mimiwhangata Rāhui Tapu, and preparation is underway for a kōura/crayfish survey.

Staff and hapū have commenced discussions for the development of a broad ecological monitoring plan for Rākaumangamanga Rāhui Tapu, intending to draw in expertise from Auckland University, NZ Fisheries and DOC. We have also been collaborating on wider ecological initiatives such as kina barren mapping and management.

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On-water surveillance – Minimwhangata Rāhui Tapu

We have continued to hold regular on-water surveillance with hapū in both Rāhui Tapu, with approximately 190 vessels approached between October and May. Of those, around 60 were actively fishing in the Rāhui Tapu and 35 diving. There have been notably fewer vessels present in May, reflecting the cooler weather and less favourable boating conditions, however we continue to receive reports of people fishing in the protected areas.

Our enforcement processes have been finalised and we are introducing the data collection tool, Datascape, into our compliance practices, to assist with evidence gathering for formal enforcement of the rules which is expected to commence in or around September 2024.

Vessels approached in Rāhui Tapu

Month	Vessels Approached	Fishing	Diving
October 2023	12	4	0
November 2023	28	8	5
December 2023	10	1	0
January 2024	49	22	10
February 2024	51	6	1
March 2024	22	3	2
April 2024	16	3	2
May 2024	6	1	0
Totals	194	61	35

MĀORI EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK

In a commitment to building the capability and capacity of the Māori workforce so that it reflects the community of Te Taitokerau and the sector as a whole, work has commenced on a Māori Employment Outcomes Framework. The aim is to provide a clear pathway to support managers and staff across the organisation to be a part of improving the employment outcomes for Māori at NRC. We understand that by strengthening the Māori workforce at NRC we are better able to deliver for iwi, hapū and hapori Māori in Te Taitokerau.

OTIRIA MOEREWA SPILLWAY + ADDITIONAL WORKS

The spillway is nearing practical completion, with just the guard rails on Ngapipito Road Box Culverts to be completed. The remaining works include some fencing and spreading grass seed in a small area.

A contractor will complete complementary swale works on the KiwiRail line, necessary for the spillway's blessing. This is scheduled for two weeks starting late June.

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Stop bank by Te Rito Marae and box culverts under Ngapipito Road

DRAFT REGIONAL LAND TRANSPORT PLAN 2021/27 – THREE YEAR REVIEW

The Regional Transport Committee (RTC) undertook deliberations on the Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2021/27 – Three Year Review (RLTP) on 24 May 2024. 131 submissions were reviewed and direction given to staff on the way forward for each submission.

Whilst the above process was underway, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s (NZTA) amended their State Highway Investment Proposal to better align with the Draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 (GPS). These changes resulted in significant changes the “Value for Money Safety Programme” which in turn triggered the RLTP Significance Policy which required Targeted Consultation on these specific changes. This consultation ran from 15-29 May 2024. Six submissions were received. These submissions will be reviewed at the RTC Workshop on 11 June 2024.

In order to submit the RLTP to NZTA before 1 Aug 2024, staff will complete the draft RLTP through June. A special RTC meeting will be held early July for the RTC to approve any final changes to the draft RLTP. The RLTP will be presented at the NRC July council meeting for final approval before being submitted to NZTA by 1 August 2024.

4.142.0 Corporate Services

Finance

Fraud Corruption and Dishonesty Statement

I am not aware of any fraud nor am I investigating any incidents or suspected incidents of fraud at this time.

Property

Upon recommendation from council’s Health and Safety and Property Teams, the CEO has approved unbudgeted expenditure of up to $39,700 + GST for the purchase of two specialist flammables and hazardous substances containers, works to supply water for mixing and cleaning and provision of an emergency egress gate all for the Union East Street Storage Facility.

4.143.0 Regulatory Services

Current Legal Proceedings

Department	Description	Status
Consent decision appeal	Irrigation of avocado orchards and horticulture crops	Final set of conditions provided to the Court for the Northern and Middle groups of applications. There is, however, still disagreement in regard to the conditions for the South-Western group of applications. A Judicial Conference has been set for Monday 10 June 2024 to discuss this matter.
Consent decision appeal	Replacement of consents for Opononi Wastewater Treatment System, Hokianga	Court assisted mediation is to be held on Monday 10 June 2024.
Consent decision appeal	Site development works for a subdivision at Dip Road, Kamo	Appeal lodged on both WDC and NRC decision to grant consent. Court assisted mediation was held on Tuesday 4 June 2024 which did not resolve the appeal. A Judicial Conference has been set down for the week of 10 June 2024 to discuss Environment Court Hearing.

Consents in Process

During May 2024, a total of 138 Decisions were issued. These decisions comprised:

Moorings	1
Coastal Permits	41
Air Discharge Permits	1
Coastal Air Discharge Permits	2
Land Discharge Permits	27
Water Discharge Permits	3
Land Use Consents	53
Water Takes	1
Bore Consents	9

Of the 88 applications in progress at the end of May 2024:

Ÿ 38 were received more than 12 months ago;

Ÿ 9 were received between 6 and 12 months ago (most awaiting further information from the applicant);

Ÿ 41 less than 6 months.

Appointment of Hearing Commissioners

No commissioners were appointed in May 2024.

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

The current level of notified application processing activities at the end of May 2024 is (by number):

Progress on Applications Previously Notified	6
Hearings and Decisions	1
Appeals/Objections	3

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

The results of compliance monitoring for the period 1 to 31 May 2024 (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	35	32	1	0	0	2
Bore Consent	5	4	0	0	0	1
Coastal Discharge	22	12	5	4	0	1
Coastal Permit	200	71	50	60	9	10
Discharge Permit	1	0	1	0	0	0
FDE – Discharge Permit	83	0	0	0	0	83
Land Discharge	172	71	38	5	0	58
Land Use Consent	161	69	2	0	0	90
NES-F	123	33	15	75	0	0
Water Discharge	97	43	13	18	2	21
Water Permit	118	35	1	0	0	82
Water Take	212	111	63	5	0	33
Total	1229	481	189	167	11	381
Percentage		39.1%	15.4%	13.6%	0.9%	31.0%
Year to date	6584	4351	751	655	79	748
Percentage		66.1%	11.4%	9.9%	1.2%	11.4%

Municipal wastewater treatment plant compliance/enforcement

WWTP/Consent Status

Compliance for last 12 months

Enforcement Action/Response

Ahipara

Expires 2033

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Under ANs (reissued in September 2022).

SCUV project on track to be completed end of July. Ducting for power installed, shed in place, site visit with Ahipara Takiwa early June. Commissioning period to start end of July

Russell

Expired 30 April 2024

(replacement consent application received)

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Under AN.

Significant non-compliance currently being addressed.

Taipā

Expires 2029

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None currently.

Whatuwhiwhi

Expires 2025

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None currently.

Kaitāia

Expired 2021

(replacement consent being processed)

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Under AN (for reticulation overflows).

Ongoing works on reticulation system. Issues will be addressed in replacement consent.

Kawakawa

Expires 2036

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None currently.

Rāwene

Expired 2023

(replacement consent application received)

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Issues will be addressed in replacement consent.

Opononi & Omāpere

Expired 2019

(replacement consent under appeal)

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Under AN.

Issues will be addressed in replacement consent.

Paihia

Expires 2034

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None currently.

Kaikohe

Expired 2021

(replacement consent being processed)

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Issues will be addressed in replacement consent.

Kaiwaka

Expired 2022

(replacement consent being processed)

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Issues will be addressed in replacement consent.

Glinks Gully

Expires 31 July 2024

(replacement consent application received)

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None currently.

Kaeo

Expired 2022

(replacement consent being processed)

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None currently.

Kohukohu

Expires 2026

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None currently.

Rangiputa

Expires 2032

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None currently.

Hikurangi

Expires 2025

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Improvements to plant performance currently underway.

Dargaville

Expires 2043

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Under AN.

Issues addressed in replacement consent.

Hihi

Expired 2022

(replacement consent being processed)

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None currently.

Maungaturoto

Expires 2032

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Under AN.

Te Kopuru

Expires 2044

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None currently.

Ruakākā

Expires 2046

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None currently.

Mangawhai

Expires 2042

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Under AN.

Dam repairs completed. Extensive work being undertaken to address odour issues.

Tutukaka

Expired 31 May 2024

(replacement consent being processed)

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None currently.

Whāngārei City

Expired 2022

(replacement consent conditions being finalised)

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Under AN for odour from plant.

Issues will be addressed in replacement consent.

Portland

Expired 31 May 2024

(replacement consent being processed)

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None currently.

Oakura

Expires 2025

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None currently.

Waiōtira

Expires 2030

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None currently.

Kerikeri

Expires 2036

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None currently.

Waipū

Expires 2030

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None currently.

Ngunguru

Expires 2035

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None currently.

Compliance Status	Colour
Full compliance
Low risk non-compliance
Moderate non-compliance
Significant non-compliance

ENFORCEMENT

Abatement Notices, Infringement Notices and Formal Warnings

The following table gives the total numbers of abatement and infringement notices, and formal warnings issued in May 2024:

Nature of offence	Abatement notices	Infringement notices	Formal warnings
Burning and smoke nuisance	2	1
Earthworks/land use		2
Discharge to land	1	1
Illegal use of lake bed or river bed	3
Illegal activity in coastal marine area	1		1
Sewage	1
Sediment discharge
Other water discharge
Other air discharge	1	1
Total	9	5	1

Court Cases Update

Litigation	Next Court Event/Action
Prosecution District Court Contravention of enforcement orders requiring remedial work.	NRC filed sentencing submissions on 28 May 2024. The sentencing date is 18 June 2024.
Prosecution District Court Earthworks and vegetation clearance in and near natural wetland; and discharge of sediment.	At call over on 23 May 2024, Crown sought and was granted leave to withdraw charges for work in wetland in light of the Court of Appeal findings in Paige & Crosbie v Greater Wellington Regional Council. Section 15(1)(b) charge against the four defendants remains.
Prosecution District Court Discharge of raw farm dairy effluent to a stream; wastewater washed into stream; and overflow from pond.	Pre-trial hearing date is 10 and 11 July 2024.
Prosecution District Court Earthworks including: construction of tracks, earthworks and vegetation removal in and near wetland; stream crossings; discharge of sediment; and damming and diversions of tributaries.	Agreed summary of facts and sentencing submissions were filed on 30 May 2024. Sentencing indication hearing date is 18 June 2024.
Appeal against abatement notice & application for stay Environment Court Coastal works.	Successful outcome in relation to the unauthorised seawall (Hard Protection Structure) at Langs Beach on the WDC’s Reserve. The seawall has been removed. NRC made settlement proposal for costs for the abatement notice appeals and enforcement order proceedings. Clarification sought and awaited on initial response.
Mediation following appeal against abatement notice Environment Court Aerial spraying in the vicinity of the spray-sensitive areas.	On 5 June 2024, mediation agreement was signed and the abatement notice has been cancelled. NRC is waiting for response to proposal for costs.
Interim Enforcement Orders Environment Court Series of open burning in contravention of abatement notice.	Application for interim enforcement order was filed on 17 May 2024 requiring a property owner to cease, and prohibiting him from recommencing, any outdoor burning of material at his property in Cable Bay. On 20 May 2024, the Court made the order. NRC is waiting for response to proposal for costs.

4.144.0 Environmental Services

land management

Hill Country Erosion Programme

Key Milestones	Status
Fencing to support retirement of 118ha, 14km of erosion prone land / land susceptible to erosion.	In our land retirement project, we exceeded the target by 66 hectares of retired land, totalling 184 hectares. Additionally, the fencing target was surpassed by 8.4 kilometres, resulting in a total of 22.3 kilometres of fencing built. Despite the initial $250,000 budget, we have $35,186 remaining funds which will be equally allocated between the Northland Regional Council (NRC) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
10ha of native planting on erosion prone land.	In the recent land restoration efforts, ten hectares were successfully planted and audited for survival after the first summer. Additionally, post weed release was achieved across three properties. Looking ahead to the 2024/25 planting season, the budget has been fully allocated to cover the required 36 hectares across eight properties.

biodiversity

CoastCare

Some Coastal Biodiversity (CoastCare) highlights over the last month:

· Two working bees at Ocean’s Beach, weeding working bees with Ocean Beach Habitat Restoration, Aki Tai Here, Weed Action Whangarei Heads and Bream Head Trust

· Dune monitoring at Matapouri with Huanui College

· Site visits and hui with hapū groups, Department of Conservation and District Councils to plan planting and other restoration work.

· Visit to Matauri Bay Nursery with Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whangaroa to discuss dune restoration and shorebird protection work.



Clockwise from top left: delivery of spinifex and pīngao to Flyger Road; dune monitoring with Huanui College Geography students; visit to Ngunguru School dunes, working bee at Ocean Beach.

Lakes

The Taharoa Domain Operational meeting was held with Te Roroa iwi, Te Kuihi hapu, Kaipara District Council and the Department of Conservation to agree on recommendations to put to the Taharoa Domain Governance Group and Kaipara District Council regarding a programme to prevent gold clam reaching the Kai Iwi Lakes.

17 bags, estimated at 255 kgs of egeria oxygen weed was removed from Rotokawau on Poutō Peninsula with three contract divers and two NRC staff over two and a half days. A full reconnaissance survey will be done in the next financial year to assess the extent of remaining egeria.

General Advice

Staff spent the day with Ngati Rangi hapu at Ngawha to support their awa restoration project, giving advice on environmental weed control and stream side restoration. Staff visited the DOC Whangarei Heads wetland with Dept Conservation and local community group representatives to provide restoration advice. A wetland talk was given at the Northern QEII hui. Staff are also providing expert peer review for the Meridian Ruakākā solar energy farm consent application.

Terrestrial

The weekend fantastic fungi Botanical Ramble had a record turnout in Pēwhairangi (near Opua) and was also attended by local hapū (Ngāti Manu) members. Biodiversity management actions have resumed in Tāika forest with contracts arranged for winter pest plant and pest animal control operations. Acoustic bat equipment was trialled, and results indicate consistent bat activity in the block. A biodiversity values assessment at (WDC) Pukepoto Reserve (Glenbervie) and adjoining private land were complete with assistance from mana whenua. Kauri protection training was undertaken by several team members.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Hydrology

Rainfall

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· Northland averaged 112mm rainfall for May, 75% of the normal expected rainfall.

· The highest rainfalls were recorded in the west with 283mm at the Waimamaku at Wekaweka Road station (112% of normal) and 212.5mm at the Waimā at Tutamoe station.

· The lowest rainfall totals for the month were recorded at Cape Reinga with 46mm (40% of normal) and the Waitangi at McDonald Road station with 68mm (45%).

Autumn Rainfall

· For the three months of Autumn, Northland averaged 72% of normal expected rainfall.

· The wettest areas have been around the Kaipara Harbour, particularly Poutō Point with 113% of normal expected rainfall and around the Hokianga Harbour with 106%.

· The driest areas have been the Bay of Islands (the Waitangi at McDonald Road station was 51% and Kerikeri 53%) and Cape Reinga 55%. Ōruru/Taipā and Whangārei were both 56% of normal rainfall.

River Flow

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· Flows in most of Northland’s primary monitored rivers ranged from Below Normal to Very Low for the month of May.

· Low river flows in Northland reflect the low autumn rainfall.

· Rivers with Very Low flows for this time of year included two in the Bay of Islands (the Maungaparerua at Tyrees Ford station and the Rangitāne at Stirling station), the Hikurangi at Moengawahine station (northwest from Whangarei) and the Mangōnui at Permanent Station near Waiotira (southwest from Whangarei).

Groundwater

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· Most of Northland’s primary monitored aquifers were in the Normal to Below Normal range for May.

· Two primary monitoring bores in the Aupōuri and Mangawhai aquifers were Above Normal for the month.

· The Russell at Foreshore bore was Extremely Low.

Water Quality Field Operations

Staff attended training in Hamilton to learn Lamprey survey methodologies being developed by NIWA. Lamprey are a highly cryptic (hard to find), endemic species classified as Threatened. There is only one recorded observation of lamprey in Northland from Waipapa River in 1995. It is highly likely that they are widespread in the region but are not being picked up by existing survey methods. Having undergone the training, staff are now able to identify lamprey habitat in streams and will incorporate lamprey surveys into our normal fish monitoring work over summer.

Science

Air Quality

The Land, Air, Water, Aotearoa (LAWA) 2023 air quality data review was completed. Key findings include:

· PM_2.5 was monitored in 13 regions, with only one region (Northland) meeting both the annual and daily average World Health Organisation (WHO) non-regulatory guidelines. Less than a quarter of all PM_2.5 monitoring sites met the daily WHO 2021 guideline.

· Almost three quarters of the monitoring sites nationally showed a positive trend in reducing PM₁₀ levels over a 10-year period (including Whangārei).

POLICY AND PLANNING

Freshwater Plan Change

The feedback received on the draft freshwater plan change has been presented to a council workshop, and a summary report and full copies of all written responses received are now available on the ‘wai-it-matters' website. Acknowledgements are being sent to all those who provided written feedback in coming weeks. Staff will continue to work with primary sector and tangata whenua in further developing aspects of the freshwater plan change for public notification in 2026.

Central Government Policy Changes

A number of Bills have been progressed by central government over the last month that staff have prepared submissions too. These include the Fast Track Approvals Bill, the Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies Amendment Bill, the Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, and the Resource Management (Extended Duration of Coastal Permits for Marine Farms) Amendment Bill. Staff are also involved in the Regional Sector Reference group on the Freshwater Farm Plan improvements programme.

4.145.0 Biosecurity

INCURSIONS

Feral Deer Control

Approximately 150 people attended a hui held at Te Rawhiti Marae last month for the launch of the Russell Sika Deer eradication program. The contract commenced on 29 April with contractors working in small, two-man teams using thermal drones and ground shooters. This phasing continued throughout the month of May with TADS (Thermal Camera Animal Detection) shooting from a Helicopter, over a controlled two-week period.

As at 6 June a total of 32 Sika Deer had been shot and recovered for the purposes of DNA collection and all were distributed among the community via farm owners and members of the Te Rawhiti, Waikare and Ngaiotonga hapū.

The aerial thermal work has proven very effective with animals detected and taken in reasonably heavy bush while still grouped after the roar period, thus showing the value in this methodology.

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After a considerable amount of validation work at the Northland historic deer incursion site at Omāpere-Okaihau, contractors located and removed an aged fallow hind believed to have been the residue of an illegal release documented for Okaihau approximately 8 years ago. This was a great result attained via operational planning and thorough groundwork by the contractors involved.

Leading up to the Russell Sika Deer eradication, a two-day wananga was held at the Te Rawhiti Marae facilitated by NRC. This was to inform on topics such as Kauri ora contractor protocols, GPS usage, data collection and to give instructions on how to collect DNA samples both tissue and fecal.

CAULERPA

Caulerpa Update

Weather this month has made dredging quite problematic; however, we have been able to proceed during the weather windows we have had.

The trommels and equipment continue to operate very effectively, with a one-tonne bag of Caulerpa being filled in about 10 minutes. NRC, MPI, and Hapū remain very encouraged by the results.

Preliminary results from independent scientists (The Cawthron Industry) show that before dredging commenced, almost the entire surveyed area (99.4%) was heavily covered by Caulerpa, with only a small portion (0.6%) having moderate coverage. Post-dredging, approximately 62% of the area showed no Caulerpa presence, and 31.8% had minimal coverage. A small fraction still exhibited moderate to heavy coverage, likely due to areas missed by the dredge. On average, the Caulerpa coverage reduced significantly from 98% to just 2%. Despite this progress, some residual patches and fragments remain, which we are addressing with diver assisted suction dredging. Potential future investment will be used to address this issue.

The average removal rate of Caulerpa using the new tool is approximately 2000 m² per day, with a peak performance of 2800 m² in a single day. The cost of dredging is estimated at $10 per square meter, totalling $100,000 per hectare under optimal conditions.

4.146.0 Governance And Engagement

MĀORI RELATIONSHIPS

Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori has been representing her hapū, Ngāti Manu, and the work that is being done by the young people of Ngā Kaitiaki o te Ahi on the protection and preservation of the taiao after being invited by the indigenous leaders and the Sami people.

Ngā Kaitiaki o te Ahi presenting at the Indigenous Cimate Conference being held in Norway


Kaimahi Māori facilitating Te Uri o Hau hui with youth representatives in Kaipara

· Kaimahi Māori with partners Te Hiku, Wotmatters, Saphron Consultancy continue to facilitate hui across the region on marae, at events, hui and forum to consider the voices of marae, hapū and whānau in regards to the Te Taitokerau Resilience Action Plan to be presented to TTMAC at the formal July meeting for their endorsement.

· Pou Manawhakahaere and Pou Tiaki Taiao presented the oral submission for the Māori wards bill to the select committee, emphasising the importance of Māori representation within the context of a Te Tiriti partnership. Re-establishment of a poll was opposed, arguing that it is a divisive measure that undermines the significant work that done to build trusting and meaningful relationships with tangata whenua, from governance to on-the-ground delivery with kaitiaki and hapū. He maire tu ao!

· Resource Consents Review Report. Work has commenced to establish an action plan to undertake the recommendations from Barker and Associates to improve the processes of resource consents and associated activities with key GMs and staff, due to be presented at the TTMAC formal meeting in July for their endorsement.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

· Northland Inc Limited – following WDC’s deliberation decision to become a shareholder in Northland Inc, facilitated development of necessary documentation, including a common council paper for all four local authorities; worked to finalise consistent wording on Northland Inc in shareholder council LTPs.

· Regional Infrastructure Fund – support Northland Inc develop a list of potential projects for RIF funding; prepared papers for two NRC council workshops and JREDC workshop.

· Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust – term sheet for Mid North Water Scheme signed; co-ordination with other co-funders.

· Economic information – prepared presentation on data contained in first release of 2023 Census results for council workshop; presentation on regional labour market to Northland Tertiary Providers Forum

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Media liaison

In total, five Northland Regional Council media releases were created and distributed to media throughout Te Taitokerau during May. Topics included:

· Check before carrying out coastal works; NRC

· NRC to continue emergency services funding

· New Regional Land Transport Plan consultation

· $650,000 flood deflection bank for Kawakawa

· Te Parawhau ki Tai on behalf of Te Parawhau hapū, NRC sign important resource management agreement.

A number of media enquiries were also received and responded to. Combined, this activity helped generate 121 items mentioning Northland Regional Council as reported by media monitoring agency Fuseworks.

· Top five sources of Te Taitokerau coverage: Northern Advocate (25), NZ Herald (18) Northland Age (8), Northern News (7), Radio NZ (6).

· Content types were split as follows: A screenshot of a computer

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Key mahi supporting the business

· Techweek activity – We took the opportunity during national Techweek (20-26 May) to shine a light on some of the tech being used across council. Topics included hydrology tech, predator free AI cameras, kauri protection VR headsets and trommel that has been developed to help clear Caulerpa. Content ran through a number of channels including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and the online magazine on our website.

· Ballance Farm Environment winner’s field day - Oromahoe Farm Trust hosted the Ballance Farm Environment Awards Winner’s Open Day on 13 May following its selection as Northland’s Regional Supreme Winner in March. Farmers, agricultural cadets, and representatives of council were among approximately 100 people who gathered for a tour of the farm to learn about the Trust’s award-winning environmental practices. Staff from the community engagement team attended the event and created a video and written story to share via a range of online and offline channels.

· Tō Tātou Taitokerau Our Northland e-news – our quarterly council e-newsletter was developed and distributed in May. Stories included firewood to whānau under the Ngā Manga Atawhai project; the continuation of emergency services funding; CoastCare dune protection mahi; Caulerpa response innovation; and some of our TechWeek stories.
3,842 subscribers | 1,921 opens (51.3%)

· Ngā Karere o Te Raki TTMAC pānui – Community Engagement collaborated with Māori Relationships to develop and distribute this pānui highlighting the mahi of TTMAC. It’s the first time since 2022 that this pānui has been produced and we are intending to keep it going on a quarterly basis. 521 subscribers | 279 opens (54.4%)

· Taumata Taiohi eduction pānui – our quarterley education pānui was developed and distributed in May. It shone a light on Wai Fencing getting underway for 2024, an inspiring day for Kaiako at a Marine Pests workshop, Ngataki School’s food forest transformation and Kiwi Kids’ kai oasis. 253 subscribers | 112 opens (44.4%)

· RLTP limited consultation – Community Engagement provided support to the transport and policy teams for the supplementary Regional Land Transport Plan consultation from 15-29 May. The consultation was distributed and promoted through council’s online and social channels, supported by a media release. The consultation opened to schedule, despite limited time available for preparation, and closed on 29 May.

· Youth Week – free CityLink bus promotion – 20-25 May 2024 - Community Engagement developed the campaign and worked with Transport and Youth Space to deliver it. The campaign was a full online and offline campaign. Free bus tickets were available online, as a download and a paper version, with both English and Te Reo Māori tickets available. Paper tickets were available at several locations across the CBD. The primary online channels used were CityLink’s website and Facebook page, with the social campaign in particular being shared widely throughout Whangārei. The passenger stats demonstrate the developing success of the campaign over the past two years, with youth passengers during Youth Week increasing. Additionally, the QR code on Youth Week bus posters was used as follows. 92 scans to access Te Reo Māori ticket and 97 scans to access English ticket. This number of scans is a considered a good level in comparison with other campaigns.

Digital engagement

The most popular organic content was the ‘$650,000 flood deflection bank for Kawakawa’ media release. Impressions: 8,199 | Engagement: 818 | Engagement rate: 10%

*Engagement rate – how engaged people are with NRC content. Industry benchmark = 1% - 5%.

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

Key Performance Indicators	Apl-24	May-24
WEB
# Visits to the NRC website	52,819	39,995
E-payments made	6	19
# subscribed web alerts (cumulative)	1,357	1,591
# subscribed to eNewsletters (cumulative)	5,580	5,593
SOCIAL MEDIA (CUMULATIVE)
# NRC Facebook followers	12,359	12,388
# NRC Overall Facebook Reach	176,090	83,156
# NRC Engaged Daily Users	*N/A	*N/A
# CDEM Facebook fans	36,396	36,468
# CDEM Overall Facebook Reach	87,766	54,326
# CDEM Engaged Daily Users	*N/A	*N/A
# Instagram followers	1,786	1,799
# LinkedIn followers	2,819	2,847

* N/A - Metrics are being discontinued by the platforms.

Education

Kaipara Project Pest Control skills course

2024 Project Pest Control kicked off with the three Kaipara secondary schools at the Waikare Events Centre, Kai Iwi. The senior students learned new skills in trapping a range of animal pests, plucking and skinning possums and running a trapline on the adjacent farm. NRC Biosecurity staff, Can Train NZ and Animal Pest NZ provided the tuition.


A group of successful trappers.	NRC Biosecurity Officer, provides trapping tuition.

Whangārei Wai Fencing assessment workshop

The Whangārei NCEA-based assessment workshop was held on the Wiegersma farm in Kokopu. Students handed in their theory work, were assessed on their practical skills and fenced off a waterway. Eady Fencing and Can Train NZ provided tuition.


Walking the wire out for the waterway fence line.	Otamatea High School students repair a fence line.

Facilitating Enviroschools communities

During May the Enviroschools team visited or held specific online interactions with over 45 enviroschools’ communities.

Local government official information (LGOIMA) requests    

We received 35 LGOIMA requests in May 2024, a decrease from the previous month, however an increase over the previous year in May. There was one LGOIMA that failed to be responded to within 20 days. This was due to an unintentional oversight. Once the delay was identified, steps were taken to respond immediately and to ensure a similar oversight does not occur in the future.

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4.147.0 Community Resilience

MARITIME

There were 10 incidents reported in May comprising mainly of accidents and bylaw offences.

The maritime team assisted other departments with their projects on 12 days and 4 days of work were recoverable from assistance to other organisations.

Staff participated in the Navigation Safety Special Interest Group and the Safer Boating Forum meetings held in Wellington.

The sale of the Waikare is underway with initial proceedings started with the purchaser.

A report of this year’s ‘Nobody’s stronger than Tangaroa’ campaign was submitted. The safety campaign, that has been delivered annually for the past eight years, was once again very well received across the region. A total of 7 new lifejacket hubs were established and over 721 people engaged at community events. An application has been made to Maritime New Zealand for funding to continue the campaign.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The Government Inquiry into the Response to the North Island Severe Weather Events, led by Sir Jerry Mateparae, was released in May and the report provides a sobering analysis of New Zealand's emergency management system. In the wake of the devastating storms of early 2023, the Inquiry identified critical shortcomings and emphasized the need for a system that truly prioritises people and communities. Effectively the Inquiry concluded that the New Zealand emergency management system is not fit for purpose and said that “As a country, we are not ready to respond to large-scale emergencies. Significant changes to the design, funding and operation of our emergency management systems are needed.” The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet is evaluating the recommendations and will initially report to cabinet in June.

The Emergency Managers Special Interest Group made up of the 16 CDEM Group Managers met in Wellington on 21, 22 & 23 May to consider the inquiry, the recommendations, and to develop an initial response to the inquiry at the request of DPMC.

A national exercise, Exercise Ru Whenua is being held on June 12 led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Northland CDEM is one of supporting CDEM Groups. The Northland CDEM aim within Ex Ru Whenua is to test readiness and the ability to provide response and recovery capability to support the national response whilst maintaining capacity to respond to local and regional emergency events. The exercise is scheduled to run over three days in June with a focus initially on response and then on recovery.

A workshop was held with the key stakeholders and response agencies in Kaitaia to review and update the Kaitaia evacuation plan. The workshop was well attended. A similar workshop is planned for early June in Dargaville to review the evacuation plan for Dargaville.

RIVERS

Awanui Scheme Upgrade

Great progress with Lower Whangatane Stopbank construction. ~90% of stopbank completed to full height. Unfortunately, the last two weeks of May were relatively wet with little drying wind, so the newly formed stopbank has now been merged with existing stopbank for over-wintering. Continued survey monitoring of newly formed stopbanks is showing very little movement and revegetation of new stopbanks has provided a vital layer of protection for the winter months.

We were fortunate to be able to host visits from Minister Shane Jones (10/05/24) and Minister Mark Patterson (06/06/24), as well as our current Kānoa representative. NRC Chair and Councillor Carr accompanied the ministers on a tour of various sites along the scheme upgrade alignment and NRC staff answered any questions the ministers had. We also took the opportunity to highlight areas beyond the current upgrade that would benefit from funding to continue the flood protection work. The visits were well received by the ministers and Kānoa.

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L to R; Councillor Jo Carr, Minister Mark Patterson and Peter Wiessing looking downstream at the completed Waikuruki Bridge flood protection works.

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Looking South at a newly completed section of the Lower Whangatane Spillway stopbank.

Kawakawa Deflection Bank

The deflection bank has been constructed and topsoiling and stabilizing will occur this week, along with installing child safety grates on the large culvert. The final task is the floodwall near the Hundertwasser Library. As part of the project NRC are funding plants for a Matariki planting day to plant native species in the wetland across the river. It is anticipated that this will also serve as the opening celebration for the flood infrastructure. Details of the planting day will be provided to councillors once staff have received final confirmation from hapu.

Deflection bank looking towards the Hundertwasser Library

Deflection bank looking downstream from Old Whangae Road

Kaeo Catchment

Weed clearing in Wainui Bay began last week. We will proceed with stream benching to increase capacity and conveyance when weather permits.

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Before – valley overgrown with wild ginger and tobacco weed

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Beginning vegetation clearance in Wainui

Matangirau Floodway

Using the FNDC Better Off Fund, we collaborated with a local contractor to complete culvert works on Matangirau School Road, addressing a long-standing issue for residents.

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Before – culvert fully blocked and ponding over the road

After – culvert cleared, willows and vegetation removed, happy residents

Upper Kawakawa Catchment – Nature Based Solutions

We have compiled a master list of roads with flood issues from the community and school bus driver. Landowner consultations and concept design work for each location have begun.

Problem roads identified that flood regularly in the Upper Kawakawa Catchment

TRANSPORT

PASSENGER TRANSPORT

SchoolLink Services

Work continued in May 2024 on the Whangarei SchoolLink Bus service. There was a delay in the implementation due to the on-board ticket machines being held up German customs (where they had to be sent for reprogramming).

The SchoolLink Service is scheduled to commence on Monday 17 June 2024. This service will be operated by the normal white school buses and will be exclusive to schools and not available to the general public. It will provide runs directly from Onerahi, Raumanga/ Morningside to Kamo High School, Whangarei Intermediate, Whangarei Boys & Girls High Schools and Tikipunga High School. None of the buses will operate via the Rose Street Bus Terminus. Normal fares will apply to these services.

Youth Week

To celebrate Youth Week, the NRC provided free travel on the CityLink Bus Service to all young people aged 12-24 from Monday 20 May 2024 to Saturday 25 May 2024. This resulted in 5,901 youth passengers carried, compared to a normal average week 4,744, an increase of 1,157 passengers. This initiative is to encourage young passengers to become regular bus users. This initiative received extremely positive feedback from the public.

Bus Graphics/Wrap

To create more awareness in the Far North of the NRC contracted services buses on the Hokianga Link, Mid North Link 1, and Mid North Link 2 services received a “livery update”.

TOTAL MOBILITY SCHEME (TM)

Trips and client travel for May 2024:

· Whangarei – 1,762 active clients undertaking 4,177 trips during the month.

· Far North - 289 clients undertaking 304 trips for May.

Regional Road Safety

Road Safety Week was celebrated from 20-26 May with the theme of road safety heroes.

Several successful community events were held including three child restraint check points, in Raumanga where two seats were checked, in Onerahi where 12 seats were checked, and one in Otangarei where 16 seats were checked and 4 given away. Every child car seat that was checked needed to be corrected and the car seats that were given away were given to whanau with inappropriate seats or where they had no seat at all.

There were school visits and a workshop held with NorthAble to discuss getting around Whangarei safely.

Rugby League Northland dedicated their match days to road safety and all players, junior and senior, wore yellow socks with the message “seatbelts on”. Staff attended the match days to reinforce the road safety messages.

The annual road safety hero walk/relay was held where over 200 people participated from several organisations in support of road safety, celebrating our local heroes and reminding Northland that it takes everyone to reduce the road trauma in Northland. This week raised a lot of awareness and there were media campaigns leading up and during the week. The team were supported by other agencies: Northland Road Safety Trust, NZ Police, NZTA Waka Kotahi, ACC, Plunket, SADD, Auckland Transport, St John Ambulance, and Bike Northland.

CLIMATE ACTION

The Climate Change Commission met with staff as part of their consultation that has been open regarding proposed changes to the national emissions reduction targets and the fourth emissions budget for 2036-2040. They were interested in the potential for Te Taitokerau to become a strategic region to unlocking decarbonisation for the rest of the country. This concept will be explored further in June with staff from Northland Inc.

With the appointment of a Natural Hazard’s Specialist the Natural Hazard work programme is progressing. A preferred supplier for the risk portal has been identified, we are currently in contract negotiations with them to ensure the best value for money for Northland ratepayers. The early warning flood system tender was posted on the GETS, this project has been funded by central government as a part Cyclone Gabrille recovery. NRC are working with other regional councils around New Zealand to try and coordinate a consistent approach to early warning flood systems. Also, out for tender is the second funded project looking at modelling of the complex Wairoa River system near Dargaville, this modelling will incorporate river flooding, tides and storm surges.

We continue to field a steady stream of queries around coastal hazards and mitigation options, supporting the need the Coastal Protection Guidelines which are in development.

Natural Hazard and Rivers staff meet with staff from Whangārei District Council to establish a working group across both councils focused on understanding flood risk and implementing flood management for the city of Whangārei.

Two staff members attended the Te Tai Whanake conference, wrapping up the Resilience to Nature’s Challenge Science Challenge. The conference provided an opportunity to learn about the latest science on natural hazards and how to improve Aotearoa New Zealand’s resilience to hazard events. A highlight of the conference was the incorporation of Te Ao Māori perspectives on hazards and risks. Staff attended the Te Kāhui Hononga, Taiao Pou Wananga to explore how their three priorities – Biodiversity, Climate Change and Legislative Reform have synergies with our Climate Programme and how we can achieve outcomes more efficiently by working closer together moving forward.

The May 2024 OECD Economic Surveys of New Zealand includes a Chapter on adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Chapter 5). This report highlights the challenge of adapting to climate change while responding to extreme weather events and notes that exposure to these events will increase. The report talks to Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique emissions profile the need to increase the efficiency of greenhouse gas emissions removals across all sectors. It also explains why the role of forest removals in the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme needs to be revisited to achieve the emissions reduction targets. The full report can be found here with an excellent summary on page 144.

4.148.0 KAIPARA MOANA REMEDIATION

KMR is focused fully on winter planting with a view to ensuring we leverage all available resources to maximise results from this relatively narrow seasonal window.

Key Performance Indicators

Exactly two and a half years into operational delivery, KMR secured our 1,000^th formal expression of interest from landowners or groups – this is a significant milestone which we will celebrate when time allows.

KMR continues to make excellent progress in scaling up, as shown in the latest (30 April) consolidated results:

• KMR has supported close to $16 million in project value, sustaining local employment

• 905 eligible landowners have submitted an Expression of Interest to KMR

• KMR has engaged with just on two thirds of the estimated landowners in the catchment

• 66 Whenua Whānui Fund projects led by local groups are completed, in train or under discussion

• KMR has co-funded over 603 Sediment Reduction Plans and Tiaki Plans

• 105 more Plans are in development

• >1.7 million plants are in the ground or are contracted to be planted this winter

• >730km of fencing is in the ground or contracted (nearly the distance from Cape Rēinga to Taupō)

• >127,000 hectares are managed under KMR co-funded Plans.

As we are in the middle of the winter planting season, we expect to see big uplifts in some of these numbers when the May consolidated results are finalised (mid-June).

Communication and Engagement

As part of our engagement and promotion efforts, over the past month we have continued to host, support and participate in a large number of community- and landowner-led events around the catchment, including multiple events led by our ‘Navigators’ – landowners and groups who act as champions in the community and demonstrate large-scale or innovative projects. We have also developed and rolled out a record number of media articles, social media posts, newsletters, website updates, webinars and video content.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil

[1] Celia Witehira, Chevon Horsford, Delaraine Armstrong (co-chair), Fiona Kemp, Mira Norris (TTMAC representative), Ripeka Read (TTMAC representative), and Troy Brockbank

TITLE:	Record of Actions – 9 May 2024
From:	Sally Bowron, Strategy, Governance and Engagement Team Admin/PA
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 4 July 2024

TITLE:	Receipt of Action Sheet
From:	Sally Bowron, Strategy, Governance and Engagement Team Admin/PA
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 4 July 2024

TITLE:	Tāiki ē - Report on Priority Actions
From:	Kim Peita, Māori Relationships Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 4 July 2024

TITLE:	Te Taitokerau Maori and Council Working Party Review - update
From:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 4 July 2024

TITLE:	Tāiki ē - Resource Consents Review Report
From:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 4 July 2024

TITLE:	Te Tiriti Health Check 2024
From:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement and Kim Peita, Māori Relationships Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 4 July 2024

TITLE:	Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group update
From:	Alison Newell, Policy Specialist; April Nordstrom, Kaitātari Kaupapa Wai Māori and Tami Woods, Policy and Planning Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Ruben Wylie, Pou Tiaki Taiao, on 4 July 2024

TITLE:	Wetland mapping tool
From:	Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Ruben Wylie, Pou Tiaki Taiao, on 4 July 2024

TITLE:	Wananga Waiora 2024
From:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement and Kim Peita, Māori Relationships Manager
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 4 July 2024

TITLE:	Developing flood resilient marae
From:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement and Louisa Gritt, Group Manager - Community Resilience
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Louisa Gritt, Group Manager - Community Resilience and Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 4 July 2024

TITLE:	Economic Development: Update on various matters
From:	Darryl Jones, Economist
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 03 July 2024

TITLE:	Working Party Updates
From:	Meloney Tupou, Maori Governance and Engagement Support Admin
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on date 19 June 2024