Agenda of Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party

Task	Timing
Review terms of reference and bring back to TTMAC for endorsement and recommendation to council for approval.	Next formal TTMAC hui (November 2024) Next formal council meeting (December 2024)
Confirm meeting schedule for marae-based hui for 2025 calendar year taking into account recommendations.	December 2024
Develop scope for Annual Hui and annual report and confirm hui date.	Staff to present scope and options to TTMAC co-chairs and CEO by December 2024.
Develop options for a supplier panel for te ao Māori expertise, confirm budget and seek endorsement from TTMAC.	December 2024
Staff to look at ways to enhance support for haukāinga to increase value of marae based hui.	On-going

Task

Timing

Review terms of reference and bring back to TTMAC for endorsement and recommendation to council for approval.

Next formal TTMAC hui (November 2024)

Next formal council meeting (December 2024)

Confirm meeting schedule for marae-based hui for 2025 calendar year taking into account recommendations.

December 2024

Develop scope for Annual Hui and annual report and confirm hui date.

Staff to present scope and options to TTMAC co-chairs and CEO by December 2024.

Develop options for a supplier panel for te ao Māori expertise, confirm budget and seek endorsement from TTMAC.

December 2024

Staff to look at ways to enhance support for haukāinga to increase value of marae based hui.

On-going

Recommendation linked to the action	Year 1: (01 January 2025 to 01 January 2026)	Year 1-3: (01 January 2026 to 01 January 2027)
Recommendation 6	Engage with kaitiaki groups
Recommendation 6	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 October 2025.
Recommendation 6 & 8	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: 01 October 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 2026.
Recommendation 6 & 7	Wānanga facilitated by kaitiaki by mid 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: 01 October 2025	Ongoing wānanga hosted and facilitated by kaitiaki. Kaitiaki report back to TTMAC kanohi ki te kanohi if possible. Expected outcome: Improved links between kāwanatanga and Rangatiratanga Progress report to TTMAC: 01 April 2026
	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 October 2025
Recommendation 5	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 June 2025	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 June 2026
Recommendation 3 & 8	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 June 2025	Annual Reporting back to TTMAC after identifying projects and outcomes that have benefited from co-design approach
Recommendation 4	Review Council’s 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 June 2025
Recommendation 1 & 2	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 ē Progress report to TTMAC: 01 October 2025	Report outcomes of review and recommendations for changes to monitoring programmes Report to TTMAC: 01 October 2026

Recommendation linked to the action

Year 1:

(01 January 2025 to 01 January 2026)

Year 1-3:

(01 January 2026 to 01 January 2027)

Recommendation 6

Engage with kaitiaki groups

Recommendation 6

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 October 2025.

Recommendation 6 & 8

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:

01 October 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 2026.

Recommendation 6 & 7

Wānanga facilitated by kaitiaki by mid 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:

01 October 2025

Ongoing wānanga hosted and facilitated by kaitiaki. Kaitiaki report back to TTMAC kanohi ki te kanohi if possible.

Expected outcome:

Improved links between kāwanatanga and Rangatiratanga

Progress report to TTMAC:

01 April 2026

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 October 2025

Recommendation 5

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 June 2025

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 June 2026

Recommendation 3 & 8

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 June 2025

Annual Reporting back to TTMAC after identifying projects and outcomes that have benefited from co-design approach

Recommendation 4

Review Council’s 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 June 2025

Recommendation 1 & 2

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 ē

Progress report to TTMAC:

01 October 2025

Report outcomes of review and recommendations for changes to monitoring programmes

Report to TTMAC:

01 October 2026

Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party item: 4.10

14 November 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 15 October 2024

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

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.

1 Highlights

Pest Plants

Sea Spurge

Evidence of sea spurge populations in the western far north of Taitokerau have prompted an agency and hapū response. Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) have agreed to fund a $50,000 proposal to eradicate this invasive coastal weed and staff have been in liaison with them concerning the next steps. In addition, a new five-hectare site of sea spurge was recently discovered near Mitimiti and this large area will require several years of management before the seed bank is fully eradicated. MPI have also agreed to consider a second proposal to eradicate this new site.

National Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed – Department of Conservation (DoC), Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) and Regional and Unitary councils.

A national MOU was signed during May between Biosecurity New Zealand, Department of Conservation and Te Uri Kahika (regional and unitary councils). The MOU provides a collaborative framework for the signatories to work together on biosecurity matters with the underlying principles of communication, sharing information, working co-operatively and making the best use of collective strengths. The scope of the MOU includes readiness (including surveillance and preparedness), response (including long term management and investigation) and the transition to and from the different states along this continuum.

Staff from the three agencies developed the MOU, which was recently endorsed by Regional Chief Executives. On Friday 16 August, the MOU was signed by Michael McCartney (RCEO chair) on behalf of Te Uru Kahika (regional and unitary councils), Stephanie Rowe on behalf of DOC and Stuart Anderson on behalf of BNZ. A copy of the MOU can be found on the council’s website once loaded: MOU - BNZ-DOC-Te Uru Kahika

Maritime

Maritime NZ Marine Response Services (MRS) conducted a National Response Team (NRT) training exercise in Opua with assistance from maritime staff. NRT team members flew in from around NZ. Waikare II was chartered for the entire 3-day exercise along with the crew and the small support vessel Karetu. The exercise involved deployment of large oil response booms that the Waikare II has built in capability for. This includes a custom hydraulic drive to operate the large winches as shown.

MNZ Funding for the “Nobody’s Stronger than Tangaroa” summer safety campaign has been approved for another year; this is yet to be announced by Maritime New Zealand. The deputy harbourmaster presented directly to the board of Maritime NZ recently on the benefits the funding has had in Northland as they considered whether to continue the funding.

The ocean data buoy located off the Bay of Islands was brought in and serviced, including an upgrade to 5G. A problem with the directional wave sensor is being explored.


NRT exercise pictures

4.102 Corporate Services

Fraud, Corruption and Dishonesty statement

An investigation is underway concerning a potential breach of the contract management policy and a related conflict of interest reporting issue.  The Fraud Limitations Officers investigation and report on this matter is currently being externally peer-reviewed by the Audit and Assurance Partner of BDO Whangarei. Once complete the BDO report will be presented to the CEO.

Corporate Strategy

Over the past month (ending 5 October) the corporate strategy team have supported the business with successful management and delivery of:

· The final Annual Report 2024, summary document, and audit.

· An internal audit of contract management.

· An internal audit of warrants.

· A new services agreement between the Kaipara Maruikura and NRC.

· Funding agreements with the five recipients of funding via the Regional Rescue Services Rate; work now commences on sponsorship marketing plans.

· The launch of the Te Taitokerau Regional Accessibility Strategy following adoption by the Far North, Whangārei and Northland Regional councils, and 'noting' by the Kaipara District Council; this included launching on the council (NRC) website as nominated host, and issuing of a collective media release. Work now commences on the implementation of this Strategy.

· New sponsorship policy and guidelines.

The team are on track to deliver:

· A review of legislative compliance process (internal) to be completed by December 2024.

· A review and update of all council process in Process Manager (three-year project).

· A project to improve the management, storage, development and review of all policies across council, due for delivery by December this year.

· A review of council’s Submission (feedback) policy and Policy on Capturing Images and Footage.

· The Annual Plan 2025/26 in June next year, with coordination and investigation of resourcing needs and funding sources well underway.

· Review of User Fees and Charges for 2025/26 in June next year, with initial scoping of required changes complete.

Horizontal Group Structure

The Horizontal Group Structure has been formalised as an outcome of the Strategic Delivery Refresh work. The structure is comprised of a number of steering and working groups (as per below), with membership based on staff from across the organisation, that report to the Executive Leadership Team.

A diagram of a group structure

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4.103 Regulatory Services

Current Legal Proceedings

Department	Description	Status
Consent decision appeal	Irrigation of avocado orchards and horticulture crops	A final clean set of template conditions was provided to the Court by 30 September 2024. Response from the Court pending.
Consent decision appeal	Replacement of consents for Opononi Wastewater Treatment System, Hokianga	Court assisted mediation resulted in an agreed resolution of the appeal by a Consent Order, which was lodged with the Court by 18 September 2024. Response from the Court pending.
Consent decision appeal	Site development works for a subdivision at Dip Road, Kamo	Environment Court Hearing has been held. Awaiting the decision from the Court.
Consent decision appeal	Proposed port expansion project to include reclamation and port activities	No further progress to report.
Consent decision appeal	Solar farm at Ruakaka	Environment Court notified council on 15 October 2024 that it had received an appeal on the consents granted for the solar farm from Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Incorporated.

Consents in Process

During September 2024, a total of 63 Decisions were issued. These decisions comprised:

Coastal Permits	8
Air Discharge Permits	6
Land Discharge Permits	13
Water Discharge Permits	4
Land Use Consents	27
Water Takes	2
Bore Consents	3

Thirty-one applications were received in September 2024.

Of the 96 applications in progress at the end of September 2024:

Ÿ 33 were received more than 12 months ago;

Ÿ 14 were received between 6 and 12 months ago (most awaiting further information from the applicant);

Ÿ 49 less than 6 months.

Appointment of Hearing Commissioners

The following commissioners were appointed in September 2024 for one consent hearing:

· Mr Hugh Leersnyder and Ms Sheila Taylor for a groundwater take consent for an avocado orchard. The hearing is scheduled for 12 November 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 September 2024 is (by number):

Progress on Applications Previously Notified	5
Hearings and Decisions	1
Appeals/Objections	4

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

The results of compliance monitoring for the period 1 to 30 September 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	25	25	0	0	0	0
Coastal Discharge	13	10	1	2	0	0
Coastal Permit	81	59	19	1	0	2
FDE - Discharge permit	54	48	0	6	0	0
FDE - Permitted activity	21	19	0	1	1	0
Land Discharge	75	57	9	7	0	2
Land Use Consent	45	42	2	1	0	0
NES-F	10	1	3	6	0	0
Water Discharge	49	35	4	8	2	0
Water Permit	25	23	2	0	0	0
Water Take	139	109	17	12	0	1
Total	537	428	57	44	3	5
Percentage		79.7%	10.6%	8.2%	0.6%	0.9%
Year to date	1785	1426	173	137	23	26
Percentage		79.9%	9.7%	7.7%	1.3%	1.5%

Municipal wastewater treatment plant compliance/enforcement

WWTP/Consent Status	Compliance for last 12 months	Compliance for last 3 months	Enforcement Action/Response
Ahipara Expires 2033			Under ANs (reissued in September 2022). New SCUV unit has been installed and is in commissioning phase. Initial water quality results show significant improvement (reduction in faecal coliform concentrations). The abatement notice will be cancelled when there has been 6 months of compliant water quality results.
Russell Expired 30 April 2024 (replacement consent application received)			Under AN Significant non-compliance currently being addressed.
Kohukohu Expires 2026			None currently.
Taipā Expires 2029			None currently.
Opononi & Omāpere Expired 2019 (Awaiting Court decision on Consent Order resolving the appeal)			Under AN Issues will be addressed in replacement consent.
Whatuwhiwhi Expires 2025			None currently.
Kawakawa Expires 2036			None currently.
Rāwene Expired 2023 (replacement consent being processed)			Issues will be addressed in replacement consent.
Paihia Expires 2034			None currently.
Kaiwaka Expires 2049			Conditions imposed on the new consent to improve WWTP performance/discharge quality.
Kaitāia Expired 2021 (replacement consent being processed)			Under AN (for reticulation overflows). Ongoing works on reticulation system. Issues will be addressed in replacement consent.
Kaikohe Expired 2021 (replacement consent being processed)			Issues will be addressed in replacement consent.
Hikurangi Expires 2025			Under AN Abatement notice issued in July 2024 as discharge standards still not being consistently met after improvements made to plant performance
Hihi Expired 2022 (replacement consent being processed)			None currently.
Dargaville Expires 2043			Under ANs Plant performance issues addressed in replacement consent. Abatement notice issued in September 2024 regarding non-compliance with consent reporting requirements.
Te Kopuru Expires 2044			None currently.
Maungaturoto Expires 2032			Under AN; IN issued September 2024 Infringement notice issued for non-compliant discharge.
Rangiputa Expires 2032			None currently.
Glinks Gully Expired 31 July 2024 (replacement consent being processed)			None currently.
Mangawhai Expires 2042			Under ANs; IN issued September 2024 Dam repairs completed. Extensive work being undertaken to address odour issues. Abatement notice and infringement notice issued in September 2024 regarding non-compliance with monitoring requirements.
Ruakaka Expires 2046			None currently.
Kaeo Expired 2022 (replacement consent being processed)			None currently.
Waipū Expires 2030			None currently.
Tutukaka Expired 31 May 2024 (replacement consent being processed)			None currently.
Whāngārei City Expired 2022 (replacement consent conditions being finalised)			Under AN for odour from plant. Issues will be addressed in replacement consent.
Portland Expired 31 May 2024 (replacement consent being processed)			None currently.
Oakura Expires 2025			None currently.
Ngunguru Expires 2035			None currently.
Kerikeri Expires 2036			None currently.
Waiōtira Expires 2030			None currently.
Compliance Status
Full compliance
Low risk non-compliance
Moderate non-compliance
Significant non-compliance

Farm dairy effluent (FDE) monitoring

FDE inspections commenced on 6 August 2024. NRC staff and the FDE contractor will be visiting an estimated 701 farms this monitoring season (13 less than last year). To date approximately 35% of farms have been visited and reported on. Comparisons of this season’s results so far with those for last season are given in the tables below. To date, the rate of fully compliant farms is high for both consented and non-consented farms.

Consented farms (530 to be done in total)

Full Compliance		Moderate Non-Compliance		Significant Non-Compliance
This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year
147	204	23	98	11	21
81%	63%	13%	30%	6%	7%

Non-consented farms (171 to be done in total)

Full Compliance		Moderate Non-Compliance		Significant Non-Compliance
This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year	This Year	Last Year
59	74	5	14	4	10
87%	76%	7%	14%	6%	10%

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 September 2024:

Nature Of Offence:	Abatement Notice	Infringement Notice
Stormwater discharge	0	1
Illegal activity in coastal marine area	1	0
Sewage	3	1
Burning and smoke nuisance	2	1
Illegal take, use, dam or diversion	1	0
Illegal use of lake bed or river bed	0	1
Earthworks/land use	4	1
Other water discharge	6	4
Farm dairy effluent	4	19
Total	21	28

Court Cases Update

Litigation	Next Court Event/Action
Prosecution District Court Discharge of sediment. Now Crown case.	The Crown filed additional formal witness statements on 2 September 2024. At the judicial review conference held on 4 October 2024, the presiding judge set the timetable for proceedings for the defendants’ application to dismiss the charges (hearing 22 Janauary 2025) and the jury trial (17-28 February 2025) if needed. One of the defendants also filed an application for costs – no directions on application given by the judge.
Prosecution District Court Discharge of raw farm dairy effluent to a stream; wastewater washed into stream; and overflow from pond. Now Crown case.	On 16 August 2024, Court released a pre-trial hearing decision on a propensity evidence application filed by the Crown. The application was declined. At the judicial conference on 16 September 2024, the judge directed that final evidence for the jury trial is to be filed 21 October 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.	A joint memorandum was filed on 27 September 2024 recording that the defendant will plead guilty and request for sentencing date after an agreement was reached on an enforcement order and NRC’s position regarding defendant’s capacity to pay a fine.
Interim Enforcement Orders Environment Court Discharge to air from the manufacturing of Asphalt and open burning	On 12 July 2024, NRC filed an application for interim enforcement orders to prohibit the discharge to air from the manufacturing of asphalt and cease open burning on a property in Kerikeri. A judicial conference was held on 25 July 2024. The respondents agreed to an undertaking in terms of the orders sought. They have subsequently lodged a consent application to authorise the air discharge. The Court may convene a conference after 16 March 2025 to address remaining issues.

4 Environmental Services

Submissions lodged under delegated authority during the month of September 2024.
Jonathan Gibbard, CEO	Submission to the Petitions Committee regarding the wreck of the RMS Niagara supporting Maritime NZ oil spill risk assessment of the vessel

Land Managment

Hill Country Erosion Programme

Funding for 36 ha of planting over eight applications valuing $149,760 were approved for the 2024/25 financial year (June, July, August 2024 planting). 40 percent of the application value is paid when the plants have been planted and the remaining 60 percent is paid after they survive the first summer and have been released from weeds. All applicants have achieved the first milestone with $59,904 being paid. The second milestone is expected to be achieved in April 2025.

Poplar and Willow nursery

1,630 3m poles and 26,740 1m wands were supplied in 2024, equating to 69.8ha of space planting on highly erodible land (LTP target 116% achieved).

Biodiversity

CoastCare

· A dune planting day held at Sandy Bay by Dunescape with the North Coast Boardriders Club and community volunteers. Plants provided by NRC CoastCare and Whangarei District Council (WDC). WDC constructed a fence to protect the planted area.

· A working bee at Ocean Beach was attended and a site visit conducted with Weed Action Whangarei Heads to prioritise weed control work needed in the dune and adjacent area.

· Lizard shelters and tracking tunnels were deployed in the Bream Bay area as part of the dune monitoring project being undertaken there in conjunction with Patuharakeke Trust Board.

Lakes

Around 35kg of Egeria densa was removed from Rotokawau on the Poutō Peninsula by staff from the Biosecurity Marine Team and dive contractors in two days. A reconnaissance of the remainder of the lake found two other beds of egeria that will need to be controlled.

The NRC website was updated with a summary of the Dune Lakes Kaitiaki Partnerships Project for 2024.

Wetlands

With assistance from the biosecurity team their thermal drone was deployed for the first time using new protocols in search for female Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) nests to monitor over the breeding season at the Flaxmill wetland, Dargaville. Male booming was heard, no nests were sighted. This monitoring work is to support threatened species knowledge in Te Taitokerau in collaboration with DOC Kauri Coast.

Biodiversity staff provided advice for three landowners for wetland monitoring and enhancement.

Hatea Hikoi

A public nighttime spotlighting event was held on the banks of the Hatea River for Conservation Week. The hikoi was led by Mountains to Sea and staff from across NRC work streams attended, with displays, prizes and activities including several fern hunt adventures and a bat and ngahere discovery walk.

Terrestrial

Planning support has been provided for the upcoming New Zealand Plant Network Conference in Whangārei, and the Kai Iwi Lakes Botanical Ramble was delivered. Staff are assisting Biosecurity with an upgrade of the Bait station network in Tāika forest and the first round of the lizard and weta survey is complete. Specialist skills were provided to the Bream Head Conservation Trust for their annual white head and robin bird count.

NATURAL RESOURCES

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Rainfall

· The Northland region averaged 63mm of rainfall for September, which is 50% of the long-term median, or expected rainfall.

· The Aupōuri peninsular and the east coast from the Bay of Islands down to Whangārei received the least rainfall for the month.

· The lowest rainfall totals were recorded at the Waitangi at McDonald Road station with 38.5mm, 28% of normal expected rainfall, Kerikeri at BOI Golf Club station with 46.5mm (29%) and the Ngunguru at Dugmores Rock station with 42mm (29%).

· The highest rainfall totals were recorded at the Waimamaku at Wekaweka Road station with 196mm, 80% of normal expected, Waimā at Tutamoe station with 140mm (80%) and the Hokianga Harbour at Ōmāpere/Opononi station with 101.5mm (96%).

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River Flow

· River Flows for most of Northland’s monitored catchments were below normal to extremely low for September.

· The lowest average flows for the month were recorded in east coast catchments around the Bay of Islands area and Whangārei and this reflects the rainfall distribution.

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Groundwater levels

· Groundwater levels in Northland’s primary monitored aquifers are primarily below normal to very low for September.

· The lowest median levels for the month were recorded in east coast and central Northland aquifers, whereas groundwater levels are closer to normal and above normal in the far north and far south of the region.

Science

Air Quality

· Statistics New Zealand released the updated air indicators on 26 September 2024 (Air pollutant trends decrease at most monitoring sites over the last eight years | Stats NZ.). The indicator report finds the concentration of air pollutants decreased at many air quality monitoring sites including Robert Street, Whangārei between 2016 and 2023. However, Marsden Point PM₁₀ concentration trend was indeterminate for the same period. This report is a part of the Ministry for the Environment and Statistics New Zealand’s report on Our air 2024, to be published in October 2024.

Science Team Mahi with hapū

The Data team has engaged with Kaitiaki Whangaroa to assess options for displaying results of monitoring completed by the mana whenua groups on the NRC environmental data hub. This is a pilot project to assess the resourcing required to service this type of mahi in the future and what platforms and processes work best.

Ngati Rēhia Kaitiaki have begun training for their pāua monitoring program. Council supported the program via grant funding as part of the Mana Whakahono a Rohe agreement.

The deed of grant supporting Lake Ōmāpere Trust restoration work has been signed by both parties, the $50k payment will be made in October 2024.

Policy And Planning

Far North District Council District Plan Hearings

The hearings on the Proposed Far North District Plan are continuing with Hearings with the next hearing of relevance to the NRC submission being on earthworks provisions (primarily relating to removing duplication / overlaps between district and regional earthworks provisions). Staff have reviewed the council recommendation reports, and consider the matters raised in the NRC submission have been adequately addressed. Therefore, it was decided that there was no need to attend the hearing. Hearings on other topics are scheduled to continue till late next year and staff will continue to review reports as they become available.

Whangarei District Plan Change

Whangarei District Council notified Plan Change 2 – General Amendments (PC2) to the Whangarei District Plan. The purpose of Plan Change 2 is to fix various technical issues and errors in the District Plan. Submissions closed 4 September 2024. Staff did not consider a submission by NRC was warranted.

Marine and Coastal Area Act

Government has referred the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) (Customary Marine Title) Amendment Bill to the Justice Select Committee with submissions open until 15 October 2024. The Bill would if enacted substantially change the Customary Marine Title clauses in the Act. A submission on the Bill was lodged 15 October 2024 under delegation by the Executive Leadership Team on behalf of council. Retrospective approval for the submission is to be sought in accordance with council’s Delegations Manual.

Resource Management Reform

The Primary Production Select Committee has reported back on the Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill and recommends the Bill be passed. Key recommendations by the committee include:

· Excluding the Te Mana o te Wai hierarchy of obligations in the NPS Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM) from consenting

· Amending national instruments (NPS Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB), NPS-FM and NES Freshwater) to align consent pathways for coal mining with other mineral extraction activities

· Suspend requirements under the NPS-IB to identify significant natural areas for three years

· Amend the Stock Exclusion Regulations to remove the map of low-slope land and associated regulations

· Amend the intensive winter grazing standards in the NES Freshwater (repeal current standards and require a 5m setback from waterbodies

· Exempt development of national instruments from section 32 RMA evaluation requirements

· Amend section 107 RMA to enable grant of discharge consents which may contribute to significant adverse effects on aquatic life under certain circumstances.

5 Biosecurity

Marine Biosecurity

Caulerpa Response

The Omakiwi Cove Exotic Caulerpa Removal Phase II report was finalised and approved by MPI this month, and the Cawthron Institute is now preparing it for wider publication. A key finding from the report highlighted that, prior to this trial, New Zealand's incursion response lacked the capacity and tools to address large-scale infestations of soft-sediment seafloor pests, particularly beyond one hectare. However, the trial has demonstrated that, within a relatively short timeframe, a viable method and toolset have been developed to address this gap. While challenges remain in achieving greater consistency, continuity, and efficacy in active dredging, the potential for mechanical suction dredging to become a crucial management tool for controlling Exotic Caulerpa and other invasive species in soft-sediment seafloor habitats is achievable.

The exotic Caulerpa mechanical suction dredging system at the end of the Phase II trial. The system included a dredge head operated from an excavator, an on-barge trommel system for separating sand and sediment from captured dredge spoil, a stinger pipe for returning sediment to the seafloor, one-tonne collection bags to capture exotic Caulerpa, and a secondary barge for dredge spoil offloading and transfer to a disposal site (Image credit: Kirsten Revell of Revell Design)

Biosecurity Act review

A review of the Biosecurity Act began in 2019 and public submissions on the amendments were advertised on 19^th September - submissions close on 29^th November. The amendments cover seven themes which are listed below. Each theme has its own review document and biosecurity managers from councils and unitary authorities met during September to discuss a sector response which will be developed over the coming weeks. Staff expect the amendments concerning the long - term management of pests will be of particular interest to regional councils and the public. Staff have also proposed a Taitokerau submission to highlight issues of regional concern and this along with the sectors submission will be presented to a council workshop later in November and prior to the submission deadline.

1:Overview

2: System-wide issues

3: Funding and compensation

4: Border and imports

5: Readiness and response

6: Long-term management

7: Surveillance and legislative interfaces

Further information about the review and the discussion documents can be found at

https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/proposed-amendments-to-the-biosecurity-act/

Freshwater Pests

Following a farmer's report of numerous orange fish in a farm dam in Mangapai, just south of Whangārei a netting operation was conducted to investigate the site for koi. The operation revealed that the fish were Rudd, confirming this as a newly discovered site in Northland. This site will now be added as priority for summer operations.


Farm Dam in Mangapai and Rudd caught using a gill net

Staff will commence our pest fish mahi tahi with Te Uri o Hau next month. In preparation, we deployed the new floating fish feeder in Lake Parawanui to feed fish for two weeks ahead of the pest fish removal training operation. This initiative is part of our new partnership with Te Uri o Hau to provide capability and capacity to support the management of pest fish in their rohe.

Floating fish feeder set in Laka Parawanui

Undaria Removal in Bay of Islands

The Marine Biosecurity team were notified of Undaria pinnatifida plants in Onepoto Bay on 26 August 2024. The team visited the location on 4 September and delimited the bay to understand the spread. There were several sexually mature plants found on a mooring which were removed but divers then discovered a substantial population along the rocky reef.

NRC divers along with Commercial Dive Specialists undertook 2 days of removal on 30September to 1 October. Based off the delimitation undertaken on 4 September divers worked systematically through the area in 20-meter intervals removing Undaria. Approximately 1.1 tonne of Japanese Kelp was removed and disposed of to land. Follow up surveys will be conducted over the coming years to ensure all plants have been successfully removed

Incursions

Wild Animal Control

To date a total of 55 sika deer have been removed and samples sent away for DNA analysis. When animals are able to be recovered, they are distributed among local farm owners and the Te Rawhiti, Waikare, and Ngaiotonga communities.

Additional scat dog detection and samples are being collected for analysis to verify current deer locations and individuals remaining.

The image shows a sika stag with malformed antlers, taken from Russell Forest. The Sika Foundation has been supporting the project using the jaw bones to provide estimates of ages of the animals recovered. This animal, (yet to be aged) is thought to be over 15 years old.

Kauri Protection

The international Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) conference was based in Waitangi this year and ran from 9-13 September. This event hosted nearly 100 from across the world in all things pathogen and disease related. the event started with an intimate pōwhiri hosted by Matua Ashby and Matua Hori, Rongoa practitioners and mana whenua to the Far North.

A new platform from MPI called Kete Aronui is being rolled out this month, this is being co run by LINZ and will allow the national kauri dieback database to be more user friendly with many needed upgrades.

A busy engagement month was had in September with 62 students from 4 different schools reached, key messaging regarding kauri hygiene delivered and a display from our very own VR headsets.

6 Governance And Engagement

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

· Northland Inc: Annual Report for the year ended June 2024 and Statement of Intent 2024/25 made available on council website as per legislative requirement https://www.nrc.govt.nz/your-council/economic-development/northland-inc/

· Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust – provision of comments on draft funding agreement to support the construction of the Mid North Water scheme.

· Digital Enablement Group – organised meeting of DEG on 16 September with a view to providing an update to JREDC meeting on 6 December.

· Resource management - continue to refine benefit/cost model for Caulerpa outbreak in Bay of Islands; provided peer review comments on an assessment of economic effects associated with a land development consent.

· Northland Economic Quarterly e-newsletter – Issue 43 distributed on 1 October and available online at https://www.nrc.govt.nz/your-council/online-services/enewsletters/. The annual section focused on tourism activity in the year ended June 2024 while the spotlight section examined some recently released data relating to Northland.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Digital engagement

Overall performance across social media platforms:

Profile	Audience	Net audience growth	Published posts	Impressions	Engagements	Engagement rate (per impression)	Video views
Reporting period 1 – 30 Sept	18,530 ↑1%	173 ↓25.4%	72 ↓15.3%	127,279 ↓30.4%	11,653 ↓12.3%	9.1% ↑26%	19,052 ↑46.2%
Compare to 1 – 30 Aug	18,368	226	85	181,626	13,272	7.3%	12,143
Facebook	12,987	73	25	109,768	10,389	9.5%	10,950
LinkedIn	3,141	73	8	11,151	968	8.7%	1,027
Instagram	1,864	16	24	6,360	223	3.5%	3,226
YouTube	538	11	15	N/A	73	N/A	3,849

Top three posts, by reach: Media releases on transport funding and the Bream Bay solar farm consent, and photos of the recent Hātea Hīkoi event.

*Reach: total number of people who saw the content.

Sentiment: Te Wiki o te reo Māori posts were positively received. The launch of the Climate Resilience Fund and a post promoting the Hill Country Erosion fund received an equal amount of both positive and negative feedback.

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Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

NRC proudly supported Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) by highlighting kupu (words) council uses in our day-to-day mahi, an NRC waiata featuring our internal waiata rōpū and showcasing our staff supporting the initiative.

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eNewsletters distributed during this period:

· Our Northland – Your Stories: 3,843 subscribers, 65.6% open-rate.

· Ngā karere o Te Raki: subscribers, 53.3% open-rate

Top three website pages:

· Pest Control Hub

· Environmental data hub

· Online Maps

Key Performance Indicators	May-24	Jun-24	Jul-24	Aug-24	Sep-24
WEB
# Visits to the NRC website	39,995	44,565	37,988	40,231	37,942
E-payments made	19	11	53	49	33
# subscribed web alerts (cumulative)	1,591	1,601	1,608	1,622	1,631
# subscribed to eNewsletters (cumulative)	5,593	5,574	5,583	5,595	5,554
Cdem sOCIAL MEDIA (CUMULATIVE)
# CDEM Facebook fans	36,468	36,823	36,835	36,825	36,823
# CDEM Overall Facebook Reach	54,326	212,487	41,682	19,623	65,820

Sponsorship policy and guidelines

At Northland Regional Council, we receive many requests for support each year. It’s important that any sponsorships we accept align with our outcomes and are a justified use of ratepayer funds.

We carefully review each proposal, taking into consideration the suitability, alignment with our sponsorship criteria and available budget.

To ensure better clarity and understanding for staff and external stakeholders we have created a new sponsorship policy and guidelines. Further information is available on our website.

Media liaison

In total six Northland Regional Council media releases were created and distributed throughout Te Taitokerau and beyond during September. Topics included:

· Consent granted for 172-hectare Bream Bay solar farm

· Climate Resilient Communities Fund open for applications

· New red seaweed found in Northland and Auckland

· Northland tsunami siren testing at the start of daylight saving

· New Te Tai Tokerau Regional Accessibility Strategy

· $991 million transport funding welcomed.

A number of media enquiries were also received and responded to. Combined, this activity helped generate 96 items mentioning Northland Regional Council as reported by media monitoring agency Fuseworks.

Top five sources of media coverage mentioning Northland Regional Council: Northland Advocate (21); Northland Age (7); Radio New Zealand (7), Kaipara Lifestyler (6); New Zealand Herald (5). Content types were split as follows:

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Content creation and storytelling

Strengthening marae flood resilience in Te Taitokerau

Working together to improve resource consent processes

Bittern beware on our roads!

Hātea Hikoi a magical experience

Working Together: Building Resilience – a video highlighting the completion of flood protection works at Otiria/Moerewa and the genuine partnership at the heart of the project.

Supporting the business

Throughout the past month, the Community Engagement team has provided a variety of support and services to help the business achieve the following:

· Weeds workshops across the region

· Hātea Hīkoi event

· Production of Shorebird Nesting signs for beaches, for the start of nesting season

· Updated website content for Biodiversity Dune Lakes, including the Dune Lakes Kaitiaki Partnership Project

· Promotion of the opening of the Climate Resilient Communities Fund

· Updated marine protected areas signage and promotional material

· Carried out user testing of the catchment context, challenges and values document and map viewer to support the rollout of freshwater farm plans

· Citylink Northland Rugby promotion – providing an online and offline campaign including filming social media content with Chair Crawford (ex Northland Rugby player), design of promotional bus backs, posters and web content.

Education

Ngā Wai Enviroschools Encounters – Kaipara event

The 2024 Enviroschools Encounters kicked off on 26 Sept in the Kaipara at the Kauri Coast TOP 10 camp. The theme was Ngā wai (freshwater) and hands-on sessions included: river hydrology, electric fishing, te whakapapa o te wai and aquatic bug bags. Over 60 students, with their accompanying kaiako and whanau, took part from Aranga, Arapohue, Dargaville Intermediate, Ruawai College, Selwyn Park (Dargaville) and Tangowhahine schools.


Students enjoyed working out water quantity levels at the River Hydrology action station.	Students created their own aquatic bug bags to be deployed in local awa to gauge water quality.

Final Project Pest Control workshop – Far North assessment day

The 2024 Project Pest Control NCEA-based courses culimnated with the Far North assessment day at Lonsdale Park, near Kaeo, on 17 September. Over 50 students from Broadwood Area School, Kaitaia College, Okaiihau College and Taipa Area School were put through their paces in trapping multiple pests and machine plucking and skinning possums.


Students are assessed on the quality of their raised leg-hold sets – paramount in avoiding capture of non-target species, such as kiwi.	Secondary Enviroschools Facilitator – works with students to complete their theory mahi covering trapping and health and safety.

Facilitating Enviroschools communities

During September, despite one staff member being on extended leave, Enviroschools Facilitators visited or held specific online interactions with 66 enviroschools’ communities.

Local Government Official Information Requests (LGOIMA)

We received 29 LGOIMA requests in September 2024. Overall, we have received 36 more requests than at the same time in 2023. This calendar year, there have been three LGOIMAs that have not been answered within the statutory timeframe. These have been reported in previous CE’s reports.

7 Community Resilience

Climate Change

The team is continuing to work with groups and sectors of the community that have raised resilience to a changing climate as a concern. With the recent launch of the Climate Resilient Communities Fund, we have received a number of enquiries from community groups interested in support, but also from sector groups looking to a strategic approach to build climate resilience for their interests. Establishing relationships and working with these sectors will be ongoing and in addition to the delivery of the fund, provides an opportunity to start connecting relevant stakeholders to achieve more, faster.

The Fund not only gives Council a tool to support local resilience mahi, but also enables partnerships and opportunities to collaborate with other funding entities. Further work is happening across Council that will connect funding providers, identify gaps and build a better understanding of funding opportunities for our communities. An example of this collaborative approach, is a project with a national organisation that will invest significant pūtea in the installation of solar panels at community organisations in Northland. This project is progressing well and we hope to be able to share this story in the near future.

Applicants in the Sustainability and Climate Action category of the business excellence awards have been reviewed, it was encouraging to see businesses talking about measuring their emissions and creating a plan to reduce these over time.

MfE have produced a data portal to provide public access to the recently released updated climate projections for New Zealand. We had a session with MfE staff to provide feedback on the usefulness and usability of the portal, with key feedback being we would like to see regional summaries provided.

Natural Hazards

We have contracted Submergent to undertake the integrated flood model for Wairoa River. While Submergent are a new consultancy, their staff have years of flood modelling expertise and have completed modelling work in Te Taitokerau. We are working with Hydrology and the Data Team to provide the information needed for the model.

Work on the trial of the Early Flood Warning for the Waitangi Catchment is progressing well, the focus in September was gathering data and access to live information from NRC Hilltop system. Also, in the data gathering stage is Resilience Explorer where we are working with data specialists in NRC and other organisations to gather hazard and ‘element’ data. Elements are things that may be affected by the hazard – including infrastructure, building, and places of importance to communities. We presented to the Northland Lifelines Group on 27 September 2024 – this group are keen on improving their risk understanding and we will continue to work with CDEM to obtain lifelines information and permission to use that information. Planning is underway for a series of risk workshops and demonstrations in early November.

Staff continue to support FNDC with the site-specific investigation stage of their FOSAL (Future of Severely Effected Land) programme. Using Resilience Explorer has provided a robust and repeatable risk assessment process to identify sites which were potentially badly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. This risk assessment process will be available in future emergency events.

We have received the final version of the Waimea and Punakitere flood model. The Rivers Team have begun their quality assurance checks of this model. We are working with our consultants to resolve minor issues with the Whangarei Flood Model and the Ruawai Flood Model. There is lots of interest from the local councils and communities on these models and as soon they have passed the quality assurance process, we will provide the final versions to local councils and then work with our GIS team to update the publicly available maps in NRC’s Natural Hazards Portal.

On 1 July 2025 the provisions of the LGOMIA Act requiring local councils to provide all known natural hazard data on LIMs comes into effect, and Regional Councils will be required to provide local councils with all of their hazard data. The Department of Internal Affairs is currently consulting on the regulations and guidance to support this change which is being reviewed by the Policy Team. We will need to work closely with the Local councils to implement this change.

A joint project on Whangarei Urban Flood Adaptation has been established between NRC and WDC, this project has co-sponsors from the senior leadership of both councils and a steering group to oversee the project has been established and has had their first meeting. This is a significant project with a multi-year implementation so the focus in year 1 is establishing the project team, governance, and planning work to better understand the risk to Whangarei. The project team will report to both councils and there will be opportunity to hold council workshops either joint or by council. NRC is contributing funding to this project from 2025/26 financial year.

Maritime

Six maritime incidents were reported in September, the majority related to abandoned/ unseaworthy vessels or moorings. Routine maintenance was carried out on the Tutukaka Harbour rear lead light and starboard buoy.

The team conducted 14 skipper assistance trip supporting other NRC departments and external organisations.

A summary of totals from the last FY is attached below for interest.

Summary of Maritime activities for financial year 2023 - 24

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Rivers

Awanui Scheme Upgrade

Remaining Lower Whangatane Spillway site work below SH10 is still over-wintering. Planning underway for recommencement as ground conditions allow. Proposing to complete new stop bank up to SH10 this earthworks season.

Finalisation of all easements affected by scheme upgrade is underway – expected to take around 2-4 months.

Good progress has been made with Regional Infrastructure Fund – Tranche 1 Quarry Road Bridge Works in preparation for the start of the construction season. Detailed design currently sitting at ~70% and planning is underway for procurement and physical works. A full road closure is required, and staff are working with FNDC to achieve this.

An aerial view of a bridge

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Quarry Road Bridge looking South. RIF – Tranche 1 finding agreement will enable an extra span of the Bridge on the true LH to increase flood flow capacity.

Upper Kawakawa Catchment – Nature Based Solutions to Flooding

We have received the long-list options for our 4 locations of possible nature-based solutions to construct. All options would require retiring private land into wetlands or replanting/bunding. Before speaking with landowners, we have investigated possible economic incentives for landowners to retire land into these nature-based mitigations. Carbon credit schemes may provide an income on retired land and are working with the Climate Action Team on the feasibility of these options.

Example of possible nature-based solutions to reduce impacts of flooding on Matawaia-Maromaku Road

Kaeo Stage 2 Flood Mitigation

The options and modelling are complete for Kaeo catchment, the Kaeo River Liaison Working Group met on the 11th of October and members agreed that further modelling was required before they could agree whether or not to support the Stage 2 option. Modelling will be completed and taken to an additional meeting in November for members to consider. Until then we are working in the wider Whangaroa Coastal catchments, Wainui and Te Ngaere to construct flood protection structures for the marae and road access to provide Marae flood resilience protection.

We are also working with FNDC to see if collaboration on flood risk reduction for the wastewater treatment plant in Kaeo would be beneficial.

Matangirau Floodway

We have been unable to secure approval from landowners whose land is critical for the spillway to function. We have decided against progressing the full floodway design and are now working with individual landowners in the catchment with existing houses in the floodplain to produce onsite mitigation measures. The community is supportive of this approach. There are 6 individual jobs scoped for completion this summer. Each will provide flood mitigation to the landowner’s that we have agreement and protect houses. The 2 properties where we have not been able to get agreement, these are multi-owned and do not have houses on these properties.

Additional Otiria Works

We have engaged ARC Civil to begin design work on re-opening of blocked overland flow paths around Otiria Marae. This is important to manage residual flood flows and overdesign events; by re-opening these pathways this will allow floodwater to flow into Waiharakeke River through improved roadside swells and lowered driveways.

Blocked overland flow paths around Otiria Marae on Kingi Road, Moerewa

Punaruku

Hydraulic modelling is completed, Cultural Impact Assessment and resource consent is being drafted, the hapū led Punaruku Awa Committee is engaging with landowners to get buy-in for the works.

Marae Resilience – 35 Most Flood Prone Marae in Northland

Marae hui continued this month with the team visiting Mangamuka Marae 2^nd hui and Te Arohanui Marae 1^st hui. The team are modelling a variety of options to reduce flood risk and anticipate works to begin in the New Year.

Emergency Management

Government to Merge NIWA and MetService

The government has decided to combine NIWA and MetService to improve weather forecasting. This will help better prepare for and respond to extreme weather and climate change. The recent reviews identify that NIWA and Metservice were often competing with each other and on occasions providing differing and conflicting weather forecasts. NIWA will take over MetService, but MetService will still be in charge of official weather reports. This change will need new laws and a lot of planning. It is expected to start this process in the middle of 2025.

CDEM Team Visits Mangamuka Gorge Repairs

The CDEM team visited the Mangamuka Gorge to see the ongoing repairs on State Highway 1. The government has allocated $150 million to fix 15 major slips along the road. Heavy rain in 2023 caused more slips, making the repairs more difficult. The number of slips has increased to 35, with 15 being very serious. The repairs done in 2021 held up well during the recent bad weather. The visit enabled the CDEM team to understand the complexity and scale of the work that is being undertaken to repair the road and to build in future resilience to the roading network.

Lifeline Utilities Group meeting

The Northland Lifelines Utility Group, made up of representative from key asset managers across the region, held its quarterly meeting in the last week of September. This group provides critical services across the region during any emergency. The group was established as a requirement of the CDEM Act 2002 and has been operating as the Northland Lifelines Group under the guidance of the group Project Manager Lisa Roberts, since 2004. The group has done extensive planning for emergency response and continually looks to build resilience across Northland. At the recent meeting the focus was on a tabletop exercise to test agencies information management processes and the relationships during and emergency response.

Multi Agency Coordination Centre project team and agreements

The agreements required to get the project up and running have been drafted by NRC and are with FENZ and the three councils for feedback. The agreements propose a governance structure which includes a Project Advisory Group made up of key FENZ and NRC staff which will report to the CEG. Governance of the project is provided by the CDEM Group Joint Committee through the CEG.

Transport

CityLink Service

Staff are continuing to work with the Citylink operator to finalise pricing for the increase in service on the proposed Kamo T2 lanes. Early indications suggest that three additional peak buses will be required to maintain a 15-minute frequency during peak hours and a 30-minute frequency during off-peak hours. Whangārei District Councils have advised that additional funding is needed to implement the Whau Valley to Rose Street section of the project. Staff are awaiting formal confirmation of construction and implementation dates.

The Northland Regional Council, working in conjuction Northland Rugby and TranzNorth, provided free CityLink buses to the Northland Rugby double header home games. Bus users had to show their ticket to the game to the driver.

SchoolLink Service

The improved availability of bus drivers in Whangarei has assisted with a patronage increase for the school services with over 2500 students being conveyed during the month of September 2024.

Rose Street Bus Terminus

The tender for this project closed on 25th September 2024, with contractors expected on-site by late October 2024 or early November 2024. Meetings with the Whangārei District Council and the bus operator are ongoing to ensure there is a seamless relocation of services to Vine Street and the implementation of temporary facilities, including an office and toilet block.

National Ticketing System (NTS)

The transport team has received the first draft of the transition strategy for the National Ticketing System (NTS), which is expected to go live in November 2025. The new system will introduce the ‘Motu Move’ card for CityLink services. National communications are currently focused on the Version 0.5 release, which will be piloted in Timaru and Christchurch. Further updates, along with a detailed regional communication plan, will be provided as the implementation date approaches.

Total Mobility Scheme (TM)

Total mobility Trips and client travel for August 2024:

· Whangarei – 1,819 clients undertaking 3,989 trips

· Far North – 318 clients undertaking 263 trips

Northland Road Safety

The team are gearing up for the next Driver Reviver fatigue stop season with stops being held on the following days:

· Friday 25 October 2024 - Labour Weekend

· Friday 13 December 2024 - Christmas Lead up

· Friday 24 January 2025 - Auckland/Northland Anniversary Weekend

· Wednesay 5 February 2025 - Waitangi Weekend

· Thursday 17 April 2025 - Easter Weekend

8 KAIPARA MOANA REMEDIATION

This month we will table to the KMR Joint Committee the KMR Annual Report 2023-2024. It is a compelling read and highlights the ongoing scale-up and performance of the programme.

Since we last reported, KMR has been focused on wrapping up an excellent winter of planting. In parallel, we have deepened and widened landowner and community engagement. Increasingly, KMR’s outreach is led by Navigator project leaders and other strategic partners across the catchment.

Key Performance Indicators

Despite economic headwinds, the latest Key Performance Indicators continue to demonstrate solid uptake across the catchment, with KMR’s investments in erodible hill country driving the uplift. As at 30 September 2024 – 2¾ years into full operational delivery – KPI results were as follows:

Jobs & Skills

· Training support for 171 people, many from local iwi/hapū

· New work created in rural communities – a year’s work for >180 people (30 June 2024 data)

· Over $18.9m in sediment reduction project value, sustaining local, nature-based employment

Engagement & Participation

· 1081 landowners/groups have submitted an Expression of Interest to KMR

· 738 co-funded project plans have been developed with landowners

· A further 96 Plans are in development

· 76 projects led by hapū, marae, whānau, community, catchment groups or other collectives

Nature & Resilience

· >1.91 million plants in the ground or contracted to plant

· 773 hectares planted, contracted to plant, or regenerating into native forest

· 830km of fencing completed or contracted (the same distance from Cape Rēinga to Taranaki)

· >130,000 hectares are managed under KMR co-funded plans

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil

TITLE:	Record of Actions – 12 September 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 7 November 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 7 November 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 7 November 2024

TITLE:	Revised Terms of Reference
From:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 7 November 2024

TITLE:	Iwi Honorary Enforcement Officers
From:	Jim Lyle, Harbour Master and Maritime Manager; Peter Thomas, Deputy Harbourmaster Operations 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 7 November 2024

TITLE:	Marine Protected Areas
From:	Kim Peita, Māori Relationships Manager; Don McKenzie, Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity; Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement and Nicola Hartwell, Kaiwhatahaere Moana Ora
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Don McKenzie, Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity, on 7 November 2024

TITLE:	Marine Biosecurity update
From:	Kaeden Leonard, Biosecurity Manager - Marine and Don McKenzie, Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Don McKenzie, Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity, on 7 November 2024

TITLE:	Te Mana me te Mauri o te Wai - monitoring programme
From:	Jason Donaghy, Natural Resources Monitoring Manager and Ruben Wylie, Pou Tiaki Taiao
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Ruben Wylie, Pou Tiaki Taiao, on 7 November 2024

TITLE:	Resourcing Māori Technical Expertise
From:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 7 November 2024