Council

Tuesday 26 April 2022 at 10.30am

 

 

AGENDA

 


Council Meeting

26 April 2022

Northland Regional Council Agenda

 

Meeting to be held in the Council Chamber

36 Water Street, Whangārei

on Tuesday 26 April 2022, commencing at 10.30am

 

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

 

RĪMITI (Item)                                                                                                                                                                 Page

1.0       Ngā Mahi Whakapai (Housekeeping)

Key Health and Safety points to note:

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

·         Earthquakes – drop, cover and hold

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

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

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

2.0       Karakia Timatanga – Tauāki ā roto (Opening karakia)

3.0       Ngā Whakapahā (apologies)

4.0       Ngā Whakapuakanga (DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

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

5.1       Confirmation of Minutes - Council Meeting 23 March 2022 and Extraordinary Council Meeting 12 April 2022                                                                                                                                                       6

5.2       Receipt of Action Sheet                                                                                                                          18

6.0       Ngā Ripoata Putea (Financial Reports)

6.1       Financial Report to 31 March 2022                                                                                                    20

7.0       Ngā Take (Decision Making Matters)

7.1       Continuity over council recess                                                                                                             24

7.2       2022 Local Body Triennial Elections                                                                                                   29

7.3       Audit Fee Proposal For Year Ending 30 June 2022 and 30 June 2023                                    59

7.4       Future Harbour Remediation Business Case                                                                                   67

7.5       New Land Management Approach                                                                                                     71

7.6       Request to Carry Forward Operating Expenditure Budget for S-Map                                   82

7.7       Council submission on ETS changes - retrospective approval                                                   85

7.8       Adoption of Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy                                                          97

8.0       Ngā Ripoata Mahi (Operational Reports)

8.1       Health and Safety Report                                                                                                                     189

8.2       Chair's Report to Council                                                                                                                     193

8.3       Chief Executive’s Report to Council                                                                                                 195

9.0       Receipt of Committee Minutes and Working Party/Group Updates

9.1       Receipt of Committee Minutes                                                                                                          226

10.0    Kaupapa ā Roto (Business with the Public Excluded)                                                           258

10.1    Confirmation of CONFIDENTIAL Minutes - Council Meeting 23 March 2022 and CONFIDENTIAL Minutes - Extraordinary Council Meeting 12 April 2022

10.2    Receipt of Committee CONFIDENTIAL Minutes

10.3    Human Resources Report - March 2022

10.4    Summary Report on the Kensington Crossing Redevelopment Project

10.5    Private Equity Consideration   


 

ACC - Accident Compensation Corporation

ALGIM - Association of Local Government Information Management

AMA - Aquaculture Management Area

AMP - Asset Management Plan/Activity Management Plan

AP - Annual Plan

BOI - Bay of Islands

BOPRC - Bay of Plenty Regional Council

CAPEX - Capital Expenditure (budget to purchase assets)

CBEC - Community, Business and Environment Centre

CCO – Council Controlled Organisation

CCTO – Council Controlled Trading Organisation

CDEM - Civil Defence Emergency Management

CEEF – Chief Executives Environment Forum

CEG - Co-ordinating Executive Group

CEO - Chief Executive Officer

CIMS - Co-ordinated Incident Management System (emergency management structure)

CMA - Coastal Marine Area

CPCA - Community Pest Control Areas

CRI - Crown Research Institute

DHB - District Health Board 

DOC - Department of Conservation

DP – District Plan

E350 – Extension 350 programme

ECA - Environmental Curriculum Award

ECAN - Environment Canterbury

EECA - Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority

EF - Environment Fund

EMA - Employers and Manufacturers Association

EOC - Emergency Operations Centre

EPA - Environmental Protection Authority

ETS - Emissions Trading Scheme

FDE - Farm Dairy Effluent

FNDC - Far North District Council

FNHL - Far North Holdings Limited

FPP - First Past the Post

GE - Genetic Engineering

GIS - Geographic Information System

GMO - Genetically Modified Organism

HBRC - Hawke's Bay Regional Council

HEMP - Hapū Environmental Management Plan

Horizons - Brand name of Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council

HR - Human Resources

HSNO - Hazardous Substances & New Organisms Act 

HSWA - Health and Safety at Work Act 2015

IEMP - Iwi Environmental Management Plan

ILGACE - Iwi and Local Government Chief Executives Forum

IPPC - Invited Private Plan Change

IRIS - Integrated Regional Information System

KDC - Kaipara District Council 

KPI - Key Performance Indicator

LAWA – Land, Air, Water Aotearoa

LEA - Local Electoral Act 2001

LGA - Local Government Act 2002

LGNZ - Local Government New Zealand

LGOIMA - Local Government Official Information & Meetings Act 1987

LIDAR – Light detection and ranging

LTI – Long time injury

LTP - Long Term Plan

MBIE – Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

MFE - Ministry for the Environment

MFL – Māori Freehold Land 

MHWS - Mean High Water Springs

MMH - Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited

MNZ - Maritime New Zealand

MOH - Ministry of Health

MOT - Ministry of Transport

MPI - Ministry for Primary Industries

MSD - Ministry of Social Development

NCMC - National Crisis Management Centre

NDHB - Northland District Health Board

NEMA – National Emergency Management Agency

NES - National Environmental Standards

NFT – Northland Forward Together

NGO - Non-Governmental Organisation

NIF - Northland Intersectoral Forum

NINC - Northland Inc. Limited

NIWA - National Institute of Water and Atmosphere

NORTEG - Northland Technical Advisory Group

NPS - National Policy Statement

NZCPS - New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement

NZRC - New Zealand Refining Company (Marsden Point)

NZTA – Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency

NZTE - New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

NZWWA - New Zealand Water and Wastes Association

OFI - Opportunity for Improvement\

OPEX – Operating Expenditures

OSH - Occupational Safety & Health

OTS – Office of Treaty Settlements

PCBU - Person Conducting Business or Undertaking

PGF – Provincial Growth Fund

PPE - Personal Protective Equipment

RAP - Response Action Plan

RBI - Regional Broadband Initiative

RCP - Regional Coastal Plan

RFI - Request for Information

RFP - Request for Proposal

RLTP - Regional Land Transport Plan

RMA - Resource Management Act 1991

RMG - Resource Managers Group (Regional Councils)

RMZ - Riparian Management Zone

ROI - Return on Investment

RP – Regional Plan

RPMP - Regional Pest Management Plan

RPMS - Regional Pest Management Strategy

RPS - Regional Policy Statement

RPTP – Regional Public Transport Plan

RRSAP – Regional Road Safety Action Plan

RSG – Regional Sector Group

RSHL - Regional Software Holdings Ltd

RTC - Regional Transport Committee

RTO - Regional Tourism Organisation

SIG – Special Interest Group

SIPO - Statement of Investment Policy and Objectives

SITREP - Situation Report

SOE - State of Environment (or) State Owned Enterprise

SOI – Statement of Intent

SOLGM - Society of Local Government Managers

STV - Single Transferable Vote

TAG - Technical Advisory Group

Tier 1 - Site level plan or response for an oil spill

Tier 2 - Regional level plan or response to an oil spill

Tier 3 - National level plan or response to an oil spill

TLA - Territorial Local Authority – City & District Councils

TON – Top of the North (regions)

TTMAC – Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party

TTNEAP – Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan

TMP - Treasury Management Plan

TOR - Terms of Reference

TPK - Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry of Maori Development)

TUANZ - Telecommunications Users Association of NZ

UNISA - Upper North Island Strategic Alliance

WDC - Whangarei District Council

WHHIF - Whangarei Harbour Health Improvement Fund

WRC - Waikato Regional Council

WSMP - Workplace Safety Management Practices

 

 

 



Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 5.1

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Confirmation of Minutes - Council Meeting 23 March 2022 and Extraordinary Council Meeting 12 April 2022

From:

Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist

Authorised by:

Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist, on 21 April 2022

 

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the minutes of the council meeting held on 23 March 2022 and the extraordinary council meeting held on 12 April 2022 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Minutes of the council meeting - 23 March 2022

Attachment 2: Minutes of the extraordinary council meeting - 12 April 2022   


Council Meeting  ITEM: 5.1

26 April 2022Attachment 1

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting  ITEM: 5.1

26 April 2022Attachment 2

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 5.2

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Receipt of Action Sheet

From:

Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist

Authorised by:

Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist, on 19 April 2022

 

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary

The purpose of this report is to enable the meeting to receive the current action sheet.

 

Nga mahi tutohutia / Recommendation

That the action sheet be received.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Council Action Sheet - April 2022   


Council Meeting  ITEM: 5.2

26 April 2022Attachment 1

PDF Creator 


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                                                             item: 6.1

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Financial Report to 31 March 2022

From:

Vincent McColl, Financial Accountant

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 14 April 2022

 

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary

This report is to inform council of the year to date (YTD) financial result to March 2022. Council has achieved a YTD surplus after transfers to and from reserves of $6.80M, which is $1.31M favourable to budget (February YTD per agenda $760K and then updated verbally at the meeting to $195K after incorporating February investment losses).  No gains have been accrued for March as it is expected to have little movement in either gains or losses for the majority of fund managers. An update on fund performance to the end of March will be provided to the April council meeting.

 

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the report ‘Financial Report to 31 March 2022’ by Vincent McColl, Financial Accountant and dated 11 April 2022, be received.

 

Background/Tuhinga

    

 


 

Revenue

Year to date revenue is $50.89M, which is ($1.62M) or (3.1%) below budget.


 


Expenditure

Year to date expenditure is $39.20M, which is $3.66M or 8.5% below budget. 


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 6.1

26 April 2022

Salary Variances

Across council there is a $1.19M (February YTD: $1.07M) favourable salaries variance predominantly due to the time to complete recruitment of positions identified in the LTP (Long Term Plan) and some vacancies already present at the end of 2020/21. Of this $117K (February YTD: $82K) is related to subsidised work programmes and $361K (February YTD: $242K) relates to unbudgeted KMR staff salaries offset by budgeted grant expenditure. The total salaries variance is partially offset by $294K (February YTD: $218K) of annual leave earned not taken.

 

Transfers to reserves

For the year to date there has been a net transfer to reserves of $4.90M compared to a budgeted net transfer to reserves of $4.17M.  This is predominantly due to:

Ÿ $580K more than budgeted transfers to flood infrastructure river reserves due to higher than budgeted subsidies for capital flood works.

Ÿ $193K more than budgeted transfers to river reserves due to lower than budgeted YTD expenditure relating to maintenance and river clearance works not occurring when budgeted and higher than budgeted subsidies on flood schemes.

Ÿ $876K lower than budgeted transfers to externally managed funds due to lower than budgeted gains

Ÿ $66K more than budgeted transfers to bus reserves due to lower than budgeted YTD expenditure.

Ÿ $518K more than budgeted transfers to the Kaipara Moana Remediation reserve due to the Kaipara Maurikura not yet requiring funding this financial year.

Ÿ $431K lower than budgeted transfers from the enterprise system reserve representing lower costs than budgeted at this point in the project.

 

Capital Expenditure

Capital expenditure of $3.77M is lower than the budget of $4.08M due to the timing of expenditure on numerous capital works programmes.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 7.1

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Continuity over council recess

From:

Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 19 April 2022

 

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

This report seeks to address two key matters:

·    Ensure arrangements are in place to enable urgent decisions to be made if required during council recess (the time between the current council going out of office and the swearing in of the incoming council following the local body elections which will be held on Saturday 8 October 2022).

·    Seek a council resolution that certain subordinate bodies are not discharged following the triennial election.

 

Recommendations:

1.         That the report ‘Continuity over council recess’ by Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist and dated 13 April 2022, be received.

2.         That in the period between the day following the Electoral Officer’s declaration until the new council is sworn in for the 2022-2025 triennium, the council delegates to the Chief Executive Officer the authority to make decisions over and above the Chief Executive’s normal delegations in respect of urgent matters, except those responsibilities, duties and powers specifically excluded in terms of clause 32(1)(a)-(h) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002.

3.         That any instances where the Chief Executive Officer exercises powers, in accordance with 2 above, shall be presented to the first ordinary meeting of the incoming council for ratification.

4.         That, for the avoidance of doubt the following subordinate bodies be deemed not to be discharged on the coming into office of the council elected at the October 2022 triennial elections;

i.      The Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (in accordance with section 12(2) of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002);

ii.     Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē Beach Board (in accordance with section 62(2)(b) of the Te Hiku Claims Settlement Bill); and

iii.    The Kaipara Harbour Remediation Committee, the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee and the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee (in accordance with their Terms of Reference adopted by all founding members).

5.         That the Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) be deemed not to be discharged on the coming into the office of the council elected at the October 2022 triennial elections.

 

5.         That the Māori Technical Advisory Group (MTAG) and its members be deemed not to be discharged on the coming into office of the council elected at the October 2022 triennial elections; subject to endorsement by TTMAC at its 12 May 2022 meeting.

6.         That the Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group (TWWAG) and its members (including the three TTMAC representatives) be deemed not to be discharged on the coming into office of the council elected at the October 2022 triennial elections; subject to endorsement by TTMAC at its 12 May 2022 meeting .

 

Options

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

1(a)

Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to make decisions in respect of urgent matters during the council recess period

Ensures measures are in place in the event an urgent decision is required during this time.

Nil

1(b)

Do not delegate authority to the Chief Executive

Nil

If an urgent matter arises during the council recess period there are no measures in place to address it.

 

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

2(a)

Confirm the continuation of the subordinate bodies listed in the recommendations.

·   Provides certainty that these groups will continue until such time the new council has confirmed its governance structure.

·   Ensures ongoing workstreams/projects are not stalled.

Nil

2(b)

Do not confirm the continuation of the subordinate bodies listed in the recommendations.

Nil

·   Potential confusion as to the status of these groups through the election period.

·   Potentially stalls the ongoing work by these groups.

 

The staff’s recommended options are 1(a) and 2(a).

 

 

Considerations:

 

1.         Significance and engagement

This is a purely administrative matter, hence in relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, is deemed not significant.

However, it is noted that if these measures were not in place and an emergency occurred or an urgent decision was required during the council recess period, the consequences could be considerable.

2.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

             This report complies with Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act in terms of:

·        The ability for a local authority to delegate certain functions; and

·        The ability for a local authority to resolve not to discharge a committee, subcommittee or other subordinate decision making body following a triennial general election.

     If the resolutions contained within the report are approved by council it minimises its      exposure to risk.

 

Being a purely administrative matter, Environmental Impact, Community Views, Māori Impact Statement, Financial Implications and Implementation Issues are not applicable.

 

Background/Tuhinga

Urgent decisions during council recess

The current council can make urgent decisions from election day (Saturday 8 October 2022) until the Electoral Officer’s declaration of the results of the election (anticipated on Thursday 13 October 2022 or as soon as practicable).  However, the new council cannot act until councillors have made their statutory declarations at the inaugural council meeting (provisionally 25 October 2022).

The council is therefore in recess between the current council going out of office and the swearing in of the incoming council.

Standard ‘best practice’ for local authorities is to authorise the Chief Executive Officer to exercise the powers of the council during the recess (except those powers expressly excluded from delegation by Clause 32(1)(a) – (h) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002, or those delegated to an undischarged subordinate decision making body).  It is expected that the Chief Executive Officer would exercise these powers only for matters requiring formal council approval, but no significant political debate.

Any use of the Chief Executive Officer’s delegation, outside of normal delegations, will be reported to the first ordinary meeting of the incoming council.

Continuity of council business

Clause 30(7) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002 states ‘A committee, subcommittee, or other subordinate decision-making body is, unless the local authority resolves otherwise, deemed to be discharged on the coming into office of the members of the local authority elected or appointed at, or following, the triennial general election …’.

Statutory and Joint Committees

It is important to note that:

·    The continuation of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group and Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē Board is set in legislation and not at the discretion of council.  The relevant sections of legislation are 12(2) of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 and 62(2)(b) of the Te Hiku Claims Settlement Bill.

·    The continuation of the Kaipara Moana Remediation Committee, the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee and the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee was stipulated in their Terms of Reference which were adopted by each of the founding members.

·    Section 105 of the Land Transport Management Act 2003 states that ‘As soon as practicable after each triennial election, every regional council must establish a regional transport committee’ and is therefore disestablished at the end of the triennium by law. 

 

Non-decision making subordinate bodies

Although not technically decision making bodies, for the avoidance of any doubt, a recommendation is sought from council for the continued activity relating to its key subordinate bodies (as below).

It should be noted that such resolutions will not limit the new council from appointing different members, amending the Terms of Reference or disestablishing subordinate bodies when establishing its governance structure for the 2022-25 triennium.

 

Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC)

Although TTMAC has no delegated authority to make decisions it is recommended that council resolves that it not be discharged at the end of the triennium, for the following reasons:

·    TTMAC has been building momentum since it was first established in 2013 and it has confirmed its Strategic Intent 2021 – 2040 giving it a clear focus for the future.  It would be disappointing to lose this traction.

·    The membership of TTMAC is broad consisting of twenty-one appointed iwi and hapū members from Taitokerau Māori (one representative per iwi and hapū).  A strategic review was undertaken of TTMAC membership at the beginning of the triennium to ensure Te Taitokerau was well represented which took considerable time and effort.  This new configuration has worked well and remains fit for purpose

·    There is nothing preventing the new council from re-configuring or disestablishing TTMAC when it sets its governance structure.  However, if the current council resolves that it will not be disestablished then it sends a clear message and recommendation for consideration as part of this process.

It is important to note that if TTMAC is not disestablished and the new council does decide that it continues, then all members would need to be re-mandated to ensure they continue to represent their respective iwi or hapu.

 

Māori Technical Advisory Group (MTAG)

MTAG consists of non-elected members and has provided meaningful technical input into a broad range of council workstreams.  At present some of the key areas include the Draft NRC Freshwater Framework, Mapping ONLs in the CMA, Coastal Occupation Charging, Te ao Māori framework – climate change and Te Tiriti Health Checks.

In the period between the outgoing council and establishment of the new governance structure, it would be beneficial for MTAG to continue to have input into council processes and technical workstreams, especially given the raft of changes facing local government.  This is also important given that there may be some downtime before the new council confirms its governance structure and the re-mandating process for TTMAC (if it continues) is complete. 

 

Being a ‘subsidiary’ of TTMAC, endorsement will be sought from TTMAC for the continuation of MTAG at the 12 May 2022 meeting.

 

Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group (TWWAG)

Council established the Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group (TWWAG) to work with council to develop the freshwater plan change required by the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (2020) (NPS-FM).  The members of TWWAG were selected based on their professional and personal expertise relating to water management in Te Taitokerau.  It is also important to note that three TTMAC representatives are members of this group and its Terms of Reference require at least one of these to be present for a quorum.

 

The timeline for this piece of work is notably challenging in order to notify the proposed freshwater plan change by April 2024.

 

The Terms of Reference for the Advisory Group imply but are not explicit that it will not be discharged (refer to the extract below).  However, for the avoidance of any doubt council is requested to confirm its continuation.

Again given that TTWAG is a ‘subsidiary’ of TTMAC, endorsement will be sought from TTMAC for the continuation of TTWAG at the 12 May 2022 meeting.

 

Collaborative Community Engagement Groups

Council’s Collaborative Community Engagement Groups include the Catchment Working Groups and River Working Groups.  These are external to council’s governance structure and are not included within the scope of this report.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 7.2

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

2022 Local Body Triennial Elections

From:

Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist

Authorised by Group Manager:

Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 19 April 2022

 

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

The triennial local body election will be held by postal voting from Friday 16 September 2022, culminating in Election Day on Saturday 8 October 2022.

 

This report seeks to:

 

i.      Outline key election dates;

ii.     Provide the opportunity for council to choose by resolution the order of candidate names appearing on voting documents; and

iii.    Familiarise councillors with pre-election protocols during the three month pre-election period.

 

 

Recommendations:

1.         That the report ‘2022 Local Body Triennial Elections’ by Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist and dated 30 March 2022, be received.

2.         That the report ‘2022 Triennial Election’ by Dale Ofsoske, NRC Electoral Officer, and dated 10 March 2022, be received.

3.         That the ‘Local Authority Elections 2022 – Election Protocols for Elected Members’ be noted.

4.         That council resolves for the 2022 triennial election to adopt the alphabetical order of candidate names on voting documents (in accordance with Regulation 31 of the Local Electoral Regulations 2001).

 

Options

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

1

Random Order

·    Although there is no compelling evidence that candidates being listed first are more likely to be elected; it prevents any doubt in the process.

·    NRC will be consistent with KDC on voting documents.

·   May cause confusion amongst voters as they compare an alphabetical candidate handbook with the randomised ballot paper. 

·   Possible voter criticism/confusion as specific candidate names are not easily found, particularly where there are many candidates.

·   NRC will be inconsistent with FNDC on voting documents.

2

Pseudo-Random Order

·    Although there is no compelling evidence that candidates being listed first are more likely to be elected; it prevents any doubt in the process.

·   May cause confusion amongst voters as they compare an alphabetical candidate handbook with the pseudo-randomised ballot paper. 

·   Possible voter criticism/confusion as specific candidate names are not easily found, particularly where there are many candidates.

·   NRC will be inconsistent with both KDC and FNDC on voting documents.

3

Alphabetical Order of surname

·   Voters are easily able to find candidate names for whom they wish to vote for.

·   The order of candidates on the voting documents matches the order of candidates listed in the candidate directory that accompanies voting documents.

·   NRC will be consistent with FNDC on voting documents.

·    NRC will be inconsistent with KDC on voting documents.

 

The staff’s recommended option is Option 3: Alphabetical Order.

Considerations

1.         Significance and engagement

In relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is considered to be of low significance given it is an administrative matter and part of normal day to day operations of council.

2.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

This report complies with section 31 of the Local Electoral Regulations 2001 which provides the opportunity for council to choose by resolution the order of candidate names appearing on voting documents from the three options; alphabetical order of surname, pseudo-random order or random order.

 

Being a purely administrative matter, Environmental Impact, Community Views, Māori Impact Statement, Financial Implications and Implementation Issues are not applicable.

Background/Tuhinga

Planning is well underway for the 2022 triennial local body elections.  Dale Ofsoske of Independent Election Services has been reappointed as the Electoral Officer for the Northland Regional Council.  A report from the Electoral Officer is included as Attachment 1 which outlines the election process and also provides a timetable and fact sheet (pages 7 and 8 of the report, respectively).

 

Raising awareness

Voter turnout in local elections has been declining since the 1980s.  In 2019, voter turnout nationally was just 41.7 percent (45.56% in Northland).  This year Local Government New Zealand and Taituarā (previously known as the Society of Local Government Managers – SOLGM) are joining forces to deliver the Vote 2022 campaign; the aim of which is to lift nationwide voter turnout in local elections, increase people’s engagement with their local council and ultimately have local government elected by a majority of New Zealanders.

 

In tandem, the four Northland councils are again working together to provide a regional campaign specifically tailored for Te Taitokerau.

 

Order of candidate names on voting documents

Regulation 31 of the Local Electoral Regulations 2001 provides the opportunity for council to choose by resolution the order of candidate names appearing on the voting documents from three options – alphabetical, pseudo-random or random.  If no resolution is made by council the default position is alphabetical order.

 

Of interest, FNDC has resolved to retain the alphabetical option for the 2022 local body elections, KDC has resolved to adopt random and WDC is yet to consider the matter.  For the last five triennial elections (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019) NRC resolved to adopt the alphabetical listing of names.

The Electoral Officer’s report (pages 4 and 5) provides greater detail on each option but in summary:

-     Random Order – all candidate names are randomly selected by computer and the order of surnames is different on every voting paper.

-     Pseudo-Random Order – the order of candidate names is randomly selected and appear on all voting documents in that order.

-     Alphabetical Order of surname – candidates are simply listed alphabetically by surname and is the order traditionally used in local authority and parliamentary elections.

 

To note, there is no cost difference between the three options.

 

Pre-election period

All candidates (whether current elected members or not) are impacted by the three month ‘pre-election period’ which comes into effect on 8 July 2022.  This period is the subject of the good practice advice ‘Communications in the pre-election period’ (accessible via https://www.lgnz.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Pre-election-communications-2021.pdf) issued by Local Government New Zealand and Taituarā and peer reviewed by legal advisors from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).

Council’s protocols for candidates during the pre-election period have also been reviewed and are provided as Attachment 2.  The purpose of this document is to provide greater clarity, guidance and direction for both candidates and council during the pre-election period.

Members are encouraged to be familiar with both documents and staff are available to discuss these at any time.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Electoral Officer's Report - March 2022

Attachment 2: Pre-election protocols for elected members   


Council Meeting  ITEM: 7.2

26 April 2022Attachment 1

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting  ITEM: 7.2

26 April 2022Attachment 2

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 7.3

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Audit Fee Proposal For Year Ending 30 June 2022 and 30 June 2023

From:

Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 05 April 2022

 

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

Deloitte had proposed an increase in base audit fees from $122,300 to $170,300 for FY22. 

 

Through negotiation Deloitte has agreed to a lower increase in base audit fees of $156,300 for FY22 (refer attachment).  This fee has been approved by the Office of the Auditor General. An additional $15k of audit fees is proposed for FY22 for the Enterprise Project implementation workstream which requires additional audit effort (as noted in the original and revised Deloitte fee proposals).

 

In addition to this Deloitte has proposed base audit fees of $178,800 for FY23, reflective of Council’s FY22 growth (additional $14,000) and 5% inflationary adjustment ($8,500).  An additional $25k of audit fees is proposed for FY23 for the Enterprise Project implementation workstream which requires additional audit effort (as noted in the original and revised Deloitte fee proposals).

 

Deloitte has also outlined an approach to the setting of audit fees for FY24 and FY 25.  The approach is based on three key factors:

·    scope changes - this would include things such as material new business activities, and addressing new regulatory requirements (such as new reporting standards).

·    adjust the fee (up or down) based on 10% +/- annual changes in budgeted annual expenditure from year to year (as set out in the LTP or Annual Plan).

·    inflationary cost escalation – this aspect of the fee would be referenced to the CPI adjustment published annually by Stats NZ.

 

This approach to audit fees has been endorsed by the Audit and Risk Subcommittee at its meeting of 30 March 2022, with the subcommittee recommending to council that it approve the Audit fees proposed by Deloitte for FY22 & 23, and agreement in principle to the approach outlined by Deloitte for setting of audit fees in FY24 & FY25.

 

 

 

Recommendation(s)

1.         That the report ‘Audit Fee Proposal For Year Ending 30 June 2022 and 30 June 2023’ by Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services and dated 5 April 2022, be received.

2.         That council approve the base audit fees of $156,300 for FY22 and a further $15k in audit fees for the Enterprise Project implementation workstream.

3.         That council approve the base audit fees of $178,800 for FY23 and a further $25k in audit fees for the Enterprise Project implementation workstream.

4.         That council agree in principle to the approach outlined in the attached Deloitte proposal for the setting of audit fees for FY24 and FY25.

5.         That council approve the NRC Chair to sign the audit engagement letter with Deloitte on behalf of council for the FY22 audit.

 

Options

 

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

1

Approve proposed Audit fees for FY 22 and FY 23 and agree in principle to the approach for the setting of audit fees for FY24 and FY25.

We will have certainty (pending councils approval) of audit fees and an auditor available to undertake our audit work.  Approving both FY22 & FY23 provides certainty for both parties and is much more efficient than attempting to renegotiate fees again in FY23.  Agreement in principle to the approach for the setting of audit fees for FY24 and FY25 has the same advantages.

Increase audit fees, however these are imminent given the current economic conditions and council’s growth.

2

Do not approve proposed Audit fees for FY 22 and FY 23 and do not agree in principle to the approach for the setting of audit fees for FY24 and FY25.

Potential to attempt to negotiate lower audit fees in FY23, however negotiations are unlikely to be successful or favourable to council based on factors such as council’s growth and projected inflation.

Further efforts to continue to negotiate audit fees in future years and greater uncertainty.

 

The staff’s recommended option is 1.

Considerations

1.         Significance and engagement

In relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is considered to be of low significance as it is part of council’s day to day activities.

2.         Financial implications

Budget provision has been made from existing budgets for the increased cost in FY22 audit fees.  The increased audit fees for FY23 are unbudgeted (with the exception of the Enterprise Project audit fees which will be funded from the project budget) and will need to be built into the 2023/24 Annual Plan or found from other funding sources.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: FY22 and FY23 Audit Fee Proposal NRC Final   


Council Meeting  ITEM: 7.3

26 April 2022Attachment 1






Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 7.4

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Future Harbour Remediation Business Case

From:

Ruben Wylie, Land Management Programme Manager

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Jonathan Gibbard, Pou Tiaki Taiao – Group Manager Environmental Services, on 13 April 2022

 

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

Council’s Equalisation Reserve was created to represent accumulated surplus forestry income and includes the 2021/22 operational surplus.  These reserved funds are intended to provide future funding for any council activity, with a view to smoothing future rating increases. At the time of writing, the Equalisation Reserve has an available balance of $366,000. It is recommended that $300,000 of that balance is allocated to fund a harbour remediation business case.

 

Recommendations

1.         That the report ‘Future Harbour Remediation Business Case’ by Ruben Wylie, Land Management Programme Manager and dated 11 April 2022, be received.

2.         That Council approve the allocation of $300,000 from the Equalisation Reserve to fund the development of a Harbour Remediation Business Case, to be commenced during the 2023/2024 financial year.

3.         That, prior to undertaking the Harbour Remediation Business Case, staff present an options assessment to Council in order to gain Council approval to confirm which harbour(s) will be subject to the business case and the scope and purpose.

Options

 

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

1

Undertake a business case utilising the equalisation reserve.

A business case will help Council, mana whenua and communities to understand the benefits and investment requirements necessary to achieve long term community outcomes for water quality and sustainable land use.

Using the equalisation reserve means there will be no rating impact associated with progressing the business case.

This option will result in a substantial reduction in the equalisation reserve.

 

2

Undertake a business case utilising other budgets.

Would retain the Equalisation Reserve balance for other purposes.

This is not considered a viable option because it would be reducing budgets from other projects that NRC has committed to deliver through the LTP.

3

Do not undertake a business case.

This option would mean Council retain the balance of the equalisation reserve, providing a larger buffer to smooth out any rating increases in the future.

Business cases are effective decision making tools for understanding investment options, risks and benefits. Without a business case, there is a risk of sub-optimal investment and limited buy in from potential future funding partners.  

 

The staff’s recommended option is Option 1

Considerations

1.    Environmental Impact

The development of the business case itself will not have an environmental impact. However, it will lay the foundations for a potentially substantial investment towards future catchment scale remediation initiatives.

2.    Community views

Community views are not known, however it’s anticipated the community would be supportive of an approach that seeks to optimise environmental benefits relative to investment.

3.    Māori impact statement

It is considered that Māori would be supportive of the potential for greater environmental outcomes that are anticipated through the development of a harbour remediation business case.

4.    Financial implications

The proposed business case is to be funded via the Equalisation Reserve. Council’s Equalisation Reserve was created to represent accumulated surplus forestry income and includes the 2021/22 operational surplus. These reserved funds are intended to provide future funding for any council activity, with a view to smoothing future rating increases. At the time of writing, the Equalisation Reserve has a balance of $366,000. This excludes the Equalisation Reserve floor of $250,000, which was recently established to enable a minimum reserve balance to be able to fund unforeseen and unbudgeted forest activities (i.e. forest infrastructure repairs due to storm damage).

 

It is recommended that $300,000 of Equalisation Reserve balance is allocated to fund harbour remediation business case(s).

 

5.    Implementation issues

It is anticipated that the business case development will require substantial staff input. This will prove challenging within the Environmental Services Group due to the heavy workload to implement the freshwater reforms and significant staff turnover within the Land Management Team.  It is therefore recommended that the business case development commence in the 2023/2024 financial year.

 

Critical to the success of any business case is the need to build strong partnerships between mana whenua, local and central government and key stakeholders. Our learnings from the Kaipara Moana Remediation Programme process is that a great business case is only as good as the partnerships that are built around it.  It is critical that any business case is progressed within a partnership model and at a pace that allows everyone to come along for the journey.  While the technical development of a business case can be outsourced to consultants, the development of those relationships and partnerships will require strong staff support. 

 

At the stage of confirming which harbour(s) will be the subject of a business case, council will also need to consider staff resourcing.  This may include the need for an additional fixed term role.

 

6.    Significance and engagement

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

7.    Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

There are no known policy, risk or legislative compliance issues associated with this decision.

 

Background/Tuhinga

The Northland’s 15 harbour systems play a major role in supporting the environmental, cultural, economic and social wellbeing of the Northland community and represent expansive tracts of unique ecosystems critical to indigenous plants and animals. Moreover, these harbours are of significant traditional, cultural, historical and spiritual importance to tangata whenua. Northland harbours, and the rivers that flow into them, are affected by contaminants, particularly sediments from pastoral systems and stream bank erosion. As a consequence, the mauri of many of our harbours, and their associated freshwater tributaries, is degraded.

 

Te Pae Tawhiti: Our vision is a summary of the activities council plans to deliver as set out in the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 and council strategies, in the context of council’s longer term aims for the region. One of the key community outcomes within Te Pae Tawhiti is that the quality of water in Northland’s fresh and coastal waters is clean and abundant, supporting a healthy environment and the needs of our people. In order to achieve that outcome, and in conjunction with its regulatory functions, the Council will need to partner with landowners, mana whenua and Central Government to support regulatory and non-regulatory initiatives aimed at improving water quality across northland.

 

In this report, it is recommended that Council allocate funding towards the development of harbour remediation business case(s), to support Council, mana whenua and Central Government investment partners to identify strategic investment options, associated costs and net benefits for harbour scale remediation programmes.

Harbour Remediation Business Case

The Kaipara Moana Remediation programme (KMR) represents a hugely ambitious investment into the remediation of the Kaipara Harbour. A comprehensive business case we first developed to enable Kaipara Uri, Council, and Central Government to establish the best approach for remediating the harbour. The purpose of the business case was to examine options to remediate the Kaipara Moana and set out the strategic, environmental, cultural, economic, financial, commercial and management cases for its remediation.

 

It is recommended that a similar business case is completed for a yet to be determined harbour(s) in the Northland Region. A harbour remediation business case would set the platform for potential future investment decision by:

 

·    describing of the challenges facing the harbour from an environmental and cultural perspective;

·    demonstration of the need for a sustained and coordinated programme of works at scale to reduce contaminants entering the waterways and improve water quality;

·    analyses of the benefit in remediating the moana, including direct environmental benefits but also wider wellbeing impacts; and

·    analyses the focus of remediation, including the types of activities that could be undertaken and how, and a preferred approach.

 

The criteria and analysis for determining which harbour should be subject to the business case is to be developed and workshopped with Council in 2023.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 7.5

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

New Land Management Approach

From:

Ruben Wylie, Land Management Programme Manager

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Jonathan Gibbard, Pou Tiaki Taiao – Group Manager Environmental Services, on 13 April 2022

 

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

Significant and ongoing changes have occurred at the national level and on the ground that have led to the need for council to review the current focus of its land management activities and services.  To date the land team has focused on working with those who have proactively approached council for support and towards fencing of waterways.  With new regulatory requirements coming and new digital tools available, it is timely and appropriate for council to reconsider how it best targets and prioritises the allocation of its limited resources to areas that will benefit most from these services.

This paper sets out staff recommendations for reprioritising the land team’s delivery model, with the aim to provide greater emphasis on priority environmental outcomes. 

 

Recommendation(s)

1.         That the report ‘New Land Management Approach’ by Ruben Wylie, Land Management Programme Manager and dated 12 April 2022, be received.

2.         That Council approve revisions to the Environment Fund criteria set out in this report by:

a.         ceasing to support stock exclusion activities as and when they become statutory requirements, with the exception of fencing wetlands and where mitigation measures exceed what is required by regulation;

b.        adopting revised mitigation treatments as set out in Table 1 of this report.

3.         That Council approve the new Catchment Funding to be included in the general Environment Fund and that the additional funding is made available for:

a.         general Environment Fund grants;

b.        supporting tangata whenua and catchment groups for those activities set out in Table 2 of this report.

4.         That Council acknowledges that there are no additional staff resources to deliver the new Catchment Funding and that this will therefore be advanced as resources become available.

5.         That Council approve the co-funding of 70% of the total project value for approved Environment Fund grant applications on Māori freehold land (as defined in Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993).

6.         That Council approve that, provided Councils overall year end budget is in surplus, all unallocated Environment Fund budget, including new Catchment Funding, is to be retained within the Land Management Reserve.

7.         That Council approve the funding of multi-year Environment Fund projects with approval for any associated budget carry-forwards to be delegated to the Chair and that any multi-year projects are capped at a maximum term of three years.

8.         That Council approve the following Environment Fund financial delegations to the Chair, with allocation above those thresholds requiring a council decision:

a.         $40,000 maximum for any single year allocation. 

b.        $20,000 maximum per year for any multi- year allocation.

9.         That Council approve transitional arrangement for all Northland Regional Council priority catchment groups by:

a.         Continuing to support Priority Catchment Groups over the 2022/2023 financial year with a focus to enable them to become self-governing;

b.        Discontinuing on-going funding support at the conclusion of the 2021/2022 financial year.

10.       That properties located in the area administered by the Kaipara Mona Remediation Programme will not be eligible for grant funding or land management services that duplicate the functions of the Kaipara Moana Remediation Programme.

11.       That staff review the new Land Management Approach and report to Council by December 2023, with the opportunity to make any adjustments and refinements.

 

Options

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

1

Status quo land management approach.

Environment Fund likely to be overallocated each year as demand for riparian fencing increases.

Limited optimisation of Environment Fund investment.

Environment Fund funding activities that are required by regulation.

2

Recommended Approach

Provides for diversification and optimisation of Environment Fund grants, greater support for Māori and improved decision making for deciding on grant applications.

Represents a transition away from working with willing landowners, which will mean more resourcing is required to engage and work with landowners. Brings the risk of under allocation of the Environment Fund, particularly given the Land Team is under capacity.

 

The staff’s recommended option is 2.

Considerations

1.         Environmental Impact

The recommended changes to the land management delivery model is expected to bring about improved environment outcomes because it will enable a greater diversity of mitigation options aimed at bringing about improvements in freshwater quality. Moreover, given stock exclusion from water bodies is now becoming a regulatory requirement across New Zealand, providing greater diversity of approaches will enable landowners to seek council support to compliment freshwater improvement initiatives required through regulations.

 

2.         Community views

Community views on the proposed changes to the Land Management approach are not known, however it is anticipated the community would be supportive of an approach that seeks to optimise environmental benefits relative to investment.

3.         Māori impact statement

It is considered that Māori would be supportive of greater environmental outcomes that are anticipated through the revised approach recommended in this report, in addition to the additional funding support for multiply owned Māori freehold land.

4.         Financial implications

The proposed changes to the land management delivery model is to be completed utilising existing budgets approved under the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan and so there will be no immediate material financial implications.

5.         Implementation issues

Implementation of the recommendations contained within this report will be a challenge in light of the current resourcing constraints within the Land Management Team. The implications will be the potential for under allocation of the Environment Fund. Moreover, the team may have limited capacity to engage with landowners outside those that engage with NRC on their own will. These challenges carry the risk of under allocation of the Environment Fund.

 

In addition, there is no capacity within the Land Management Team to deliver the new catchment funding approach.  This will mean that this new funding stream will be progressed as resourcing becomes available. 

 

6.         Significance and engagement

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

 

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

There are no known policy or legislative compliance issues associated with this decision.  The main risks of this decision are outlined in the Implementation Issues and Financial Implications sections of this report.

Background/Tuhinga

The land management team has been providing advice and support to landowners to enable them to achieve improved environmental outcomes on their land for many years.  Traditionally this work has concentrated on working with individual landowners in an advisory capacity, with a core focus directed towards supporting the preparation of Farm Environment Plans, the delivery of the Environment Fund grants to fence off waterways and delivering soil conservation treatments, including the establishment and operation of a poplar and willow nursery.

 

The land management team’s delivery model is generally based on working with landowners that proactively make contact with council to seek advice and support towards improving land management practices. This model has resulted in a strong uptake of farm environment plans and Environment Fund grants, in addition to the development of good working relationships with landowners and sector groups.  However, the approach lacks the structure needed to target resourcing towards environmental priorities.  This lack of prioritisation means there are significant opportunities to optimise the way the team directs its resourcing to maximise environmental benefit and to better align its work focus with the strategic directions of council and the changing national regulatory environment.

 

This report sets out a proposal for a revised land management approach, with the aim of achieving the following guiding objectives.

 

·    Water quality in Te Taitokerau is improved through the provision of land management services and funding in areas that will provide the most benefit for the improvement of water quality from these services.

·    The land management team supports and empowers tangata whenua, landowners and catchment groups to achieve Te Taitokerau long-term aspirations for sustainable land use and freshwater quality.

·    Environment grant funding supports a prioritised range of environmental improvement initiatives that achieve multiple environmental benefits.

Funding statutory requirements

Changes to the Environment Fund criteria are required to support a wider variety of land mitigations and to reflect changes in the statutory requirements that are being placed on landowners. In that regard, it is recommended that Council transition away from funding stock exclusion from waterways for farming activities where stock exclusion is a statutory requirement. It is recommended that the timing for this transition is aligned with the timelines contained within the Resource Management (Stock Exclusion) Regulations 2020. Dates and timing for those regulatory requirements are summarised in Attachment 1. The implications of this transitional arrangement are as follows:

·    the Environment Fund to be allocated over the 2022-2023 financial year to co-fund stock exclusion based on the merits of any given grant application, irrespective of farming activity type.

·    From July 2023 onwards, some farming activities will be captured by the regulation, and so these will not be co-funded.

·    From July 2025 onwards, a full suite of farming activities will be subject to the stock exclusion regulations.

 

The exception to the above, is the ongoing support for fencing of wetlands and where mitigation measures substantially exceed statutory requirements.  Please see Table 1 below for more details.

Mitigation approaches

As Council transition away from co-funding stock exclusion activities required by regulation, it will be necessary for Council to diversify the portfolio of land mitigation options it will fund. The recommended mitigation approaches that are subject to the revised Environment Fund are set out in Table 1 below.

 

Table 1. Proposed Environment Fund mitigation approaches.

 

Treatment

Description

Erosion treatment

Sediment from erosion on farmland is one of the most significant contaminant in Northland’s waterways. Erosion treatment options such as poplar pole planting, retirement fencing, and afforestation are important mitigation options for improving water quality.

Stock exclusion from wetlands and wetland enhancement.

Supporting landowners to maintain and protect wetlands is considered an appropriate mitigation approach given the substantial amount of wetland loss that has occurred in Northland and their ability to hold and retain sediment. This is despite the regulatory requirements to exclude stock from these ecosystems. Moreover, those regulatory requirements only apply to wetlands that exceed 500m² in area. Support to exclude stock from smaller wetlands will also help with the overall protection of wetlands across the region. In addition, there are likely to be opportunities to enhance wetlands through pest plant control and planting and opportunities to fence and enhance wetlands as a package of work.

Wetland creation

Northland has lost many of its wetlands through drainage. New wetland creation through fencing and returning water tables back to natural levels may be an appropriate means of enabling wetlands to be created and thus start to reverse the current trend of wetland loss.

Stock exclusion that exceeds the statutory requirements

Stock exclusion that exceeds the statutory requirements (for example substantially exceeding the buffer between the stream bank and the fence line) could provide enhanced environmental benefits over statutory requirements.

Biodiversity enhancement adjacent to or within outstanding waterbodies or waterbodies with high biodiversity values

Biodiversity enhancement activities can have major flow on effects to improve stream health.  Improved biodiversity within riparian margins can support a more diverse, resilient and intact stream ecosystem.  Key mitigation options could include riparian planting, pest plant control and improved management of fish passage.

 

Given planting can be costly compared to other mitigation options, it is proposed that planting is limited to outstanding waterbodies, top 150 wetlands and streams adjacent to mapped Terrestrial Top 30 Sites (e.g. sites that are in the top 30% ranking by biodiversity potential).

 

Please refer to Table 3 below for further details on application assessment criteria and associated weighting.

Tangata whenua and catchment group grant funding

During deliberations on the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan, council approved the following extra funding to support work in catchment: $311,000 in 2022/2023 and $500,000 each year following. The criteria to allocating that extra funding was not determined at the time of deliberations. It is recommended that the fund is incorporated into the general Environment Fund budget; and that the Environment Fund is made available to build capacity and capability with tangata whenua and catchment groups to plan, gain funding for and implement multiyear catchment improvement initiatives.

 

Proposed eligible funding projects are outlined in Table 2 below.

 

Table 2. Proposed eligible catchment funding projects

 

Project

Description

Professional services

This would include professional services for the following:

·    To support the development of catchment management plans and grant funding applications.

·    Technical work to support prioritisation of mitigation investment approaches.

·    GIS analysis and mapping

Engagement and awareness

Approaches to improve awareness and build understanding and engagement amongst the wider community in respect of the catchment work underway. This includes initial work to build relationship between industries, landowners, hapū and marae to share values and aspirations.

Support for Kaitiaki engagement

Support for both engagement with kaitiaki and for kaitiaki to engage with one another in order to articulate catchment values.

Training

Support for catchment group members to develop skills directly linked with the catchment management initiatives.  Training could include:

·    Technical aspects associated mitigation options e.g. planting, wetland management;

·    Upskilling in critical technical skills e.g. simple GIS.

·    Water quality monitoring using community toolkits.

On the ground mahi

This would include the same mitigation measure identified in Table 1 available for Environment Fund support for individual landowners.  This work would be for tangata whenua and catchment groups to award.  It is proposed that the criteria for this follow the same criteria for the Environment Fund, including the timing and transitional arrangements.  Greater flexibility may be required, especially initially, so that funding can support what tangata whenua and catchment groups want to deliver.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, tangata whenua and catchment group funding:

a)    is available for support staff to deliver the functions listed in Table 3; and

b)    is not available for capital expenditure (e.g. purchase of equipment). 

 

In order to ensure the funding is allocated appropriately, it is proposed that all applications must demonstrate that there is collaboration between landowners/community groups or marae/hapū within the catchment with a view to working together to improve water quality in the long term.  Please refer to Table 3 below for further details on application assessment criteria and associated weighting.

Environment Fund application assessment approach

It is proposed that all Environment Fund grant applications are assessed using a weighted scoring. Such an approach would enable the assessment of qualitative criteria in an objective and collaborative way by ranking projects relative to an agreed set of criteria and assigning each criteria agreed weightings that reflect their relative importance to achieving the project objective.

 

By having clear criteria, it enables a clearer application process, with applications specifically addressing the criteria against which they will be assessed.  The benefits of the proposed revised approach are that it enables council to set the strategic direction in respect of the grant funding awards, whilst the operational work associated with assessing and decision making on application is undertaken through an efficient and effective process.  Any applications advanced that are outside the agreed criteria (or exceed a the delegations of the chair) would require a council decision.  The proposed criteria are set out in Table 3 below.

 

The Land Team already has a number of landowners on board for grant funding over the 2022/2023 financial year and this has been undertaken under the old criteria. In addition, the new criteria requires the development of new reporting templates that review and assess each application against the criteria. The Land Team is also severely short staffed at present and development and implementation of a new reporting and assessment approach would be a major challenge for the team currently. For these reasons, it is proposed to give effects to the new assessment approach for applications lodged during 2023/2024 financial year.

 

Table 3. Proposed Environment Fund assessment criteria.

 

Assessment Criteria

Description

Weighting

Demonstrated collaboration with neighbouring properties

Extent to which the project takes into account the wider catchment and demonstrated collaboration with neighbouring properties or landowners within the same catchment.

10%

Benefits to improved water quality

The extent to which the project will contribute to improved water quality within the catchment in the long-term taking into account relevant available information.

50%

Extent to which the project meets wider environmental objectives

How will the project support the mitigation of other environmental issues?  For example, will the project have co-benefits associated with increase climate resilience, improved biodiversity, improved coastal management, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, pest control.

20%

Extent to which the project supports social or cultural wellbeing

Extent to which the project meets the objectives and values of the wider community and/or mana whenua.  For example, is the project consistent with the wider catchment goals of the community, is the project supported by mana whenua; is it specifically identified as a priority by marae, hapū or iwi and does it enhance their cultural values, interests and associations.

10%

Prioritisation ranking

Staff are in the process of developing a prioritisation framework, based on scientific evidence and greater use of current and future digital tools, to guide work effort of land management advisors. As the framework is still in development, and is yet to be field tested, staff intend to use the initial output as an assessment criteria for Environment Fund applications. Doing so will give a practical application of the framework and in doing so enable staff to ground truth the framework whilst giving applications in priority areas more weight when it comes to grant decision making. An outline of the initial framework is attached as Attachment 2.

10%

 

Supporting Māori freehold land

Traditionally the Environment Fund has had limited uptake within multiply owned Māori land blocks. While there are likely to be many reasons for this, one of the key inhibitors of Environment Fund uptake on Māori land is the requirement to co-fund 50% of land mitigation work. Staff recommend increasing the level of co-funding to 70% for Environment Fund initiatives located on multiple owned Māori land blocks. Doing so may go some way to increasing the level of uptake of grant funding, and in doing so provide greater levels of support for land management initiatives to be implemented on whenua Māori.

 

Multi-year projects and carry forwards

The additional grant funding made available through the new catchment fund, coupled with a transition away from supporting primarily riparian fencing projects, creates an opportunity to substantially diversify the types of land mitigation treatments Council invests in alongside landowners. A number of the mitigation options proposed in Table 1 and 2 represent activities that would need to span across multiple years. For example, wetland protection and enhancement could include fencing, pest control, water table management, and planting. A project of that nature would benefit from sequencing key project tasks across multiple financial years in order to enable flexibility with landowners and to align implementation with any seasonal constraint (e.g. ensuring that planting occurs during the optimal planting season).  This approach also aligns with the approach adopted by the Kaipara Moana Remediation Programme where multi year remediation programmes are negotiated with landowners as a reflection of landowners ability to contribute co-funding and as an efficient and effective means of engagement by staff.

 

In addition, supporting Environment Fund delivery on whenua Māori will require that staff work with tangata whenua to deliver the Environment Fund in a holistic manner bearing in mind the role of Māori as kaitiaki. Committing grant funding to single year projects will be a substantial inhibitor.

 

With all of the above considered, staff recommend Council provide some degree of flexibility with Environment Fund carry forward in order to enable the funding of multi-year projects. It is recommended that approval of multiyear projects, and associated carry forwards, rest with the Chair capped at a maximum of $20,000 per annum and for a maximum of three years.

 

Financial delegations

To enable the efficient and effective allocation of the Environment Fund it is recommended that the Chair be authorised to approve grant fund allocations up to a maximum of $40,000 for any single application within a single financial year and up to a maximum of $20,000 per year for multi-year applications up to a maximum of 3 years (i.e. maximum allocation of $60,000 over 3 years).  For the avoidance of doubt, any approval of applications seeking funding above these financial thresholds will require a council decision.

 

 

 

Land Management Reserve

The Land Management Reserve was created to allow Council to set aside unutilised Land Management rates for the purpose of funding projects in future years. The Land Management Reserve has essentially been fully utilised on Freshwater Improvement Fund projects and has a remaining balance of $17,000.

 

The Land Management Reserve is a highly valuable funding mechanism for supporting environmental initiatives. Staff recommend that all unallocated Environment Fund Budgets (includes budgets for work in catchments) is retained within the Land Management Reserve, provided Councils overall year end budget is in surplus.

 

Priority catchment groups

NRC has worked with communities in several ‘priority’ catchments in Northland to develop catchment plans to better manage freshwater. The catchment specific provisions contained in the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland are an outcome of the collaborative planning processes. Following the notification of the Proposed Regional Plan the priority catchment groups transitioned to a more operational nature with each of the five catchment groups awarded $10,000 per annum to invest in catchment initiatives within their respective catchment areas. There are presently no investment criteria for this funding and allocations currently require staff to identify a project and manage the delivery. Whilst the priority catchment groups have enabled NRC to engage with stakeholders with an interest in a priority catchment, the groups have been led and resourced by the NRC, which has proven to require substantial staff time to ensure the groups run effectively.

 

With the above context, it is recommended that the catchment groups have achieved what they initially set out to and it is proposed that the priority catchment groups are supported to transition (if they want to) to becoming autonomous and self-governing. If they do not, then the groups will need to wind up. It is proposed that staff engage with the groups over the 2022/2023 financial year to support those who wish to transition to self-governance to do so.  Some groups, such as the Pouto Catchment Group, may continue but in a different form, perhaps more performing a liaison type function.  These considerations will be part of the transitional engagement activity by staff.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Summary of Livestock timing

Attachment 2: Proposal datasets for prioritisation   


Council Meeting  ITEM: 7.5

26 April 2022Attachment 1

PDF Creator


Council Meeting  ITEM: 7.5

26 April 2022Attachment 2

PDF Creator


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 7.6

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Request to Carry Forward Operating Expenditure Budget for S-Map

From:

Ruben Wylie, Land Management Programme Manager and Lester Bridson, Far North Land Manager

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Jonathan Gibbard, Pou Tiaki Taiao – Group Manager Environmental Services, on 13 April 2022

 

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

S-map is a national soils information tool maintained by Manaaki Whenua and currently covers approximately 50% of NZ’s agricultural productive land. S-map delivers substantially better soils information compared to existing fundamental soils layer, providing comprehensive quantitative data and improved accuracy of soils information.

 

Through the 2021-31 LTP, council committed $1.2M (over 5 years) to support the expansion of S-Map across the Northland region. In partnership with Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Northland Regional Council sought an additional contribution of $6M from MPI, however this was later declined leaving a significant project shortfall. 

 

Advice from MPI staff indicates the Sustainable Futures and Fibers Partnership Fund is an appropriate funding avenue to support S-Map. However significant co-funding is required from applicants. Work has commenced on preparing an application for submission later in 2022. A decision on the application is unlikely before late 2023. 

 

Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research is currently planning reduced scale surveys in Northland utilising $1M funding provided to Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research from the Ministry for the Environment. The bulk of that work is intended to be completed over the 2022/2023 financial a year. Staff will be providing work in kind support by assisting with field work and arranging access permissions with landowners. 

 

It is recommended that funds allocated through the 2021/22 and 2022/23 LTP years be transferred into the Land Management Reserve, provided council’s year end budget is in surplus, and held until sufficient central government funding has been secured to co-fund regional scale roll out of S-map.

 

Recommendation(s)

1.         That the report ‘Request to Carry Forward Operating Expenditure Budget for S-Map’ by Ruben Wylie, Land Management Programme Manager and Lester Bridson, Far North Land Manager and dated 12 April 2022, be received.

2.         That council approve the transfer of LTP Year 1 and 2 budget allocations for S-Map to the Land Management Reserve, provided council’s year end budget is in surplus.

 

Options

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

1

Transfer allocated funds into Land Management Reserve.

Ensures funding options maintained to enable co-funding of S-Map alongside MPI.

Risk that S-Map co-funding from MPI is not secured.

2

Use allocated funds to support reduced scale S-Map.

Ensures the funds are spent.

LTP funding only sufficient to cover 10-15% of region.

 

The staff’s recommended option is 1.

Considerations

1.         Environmental Impact

Accurate soils information is critical to informing on-farm practices aimed at reducing sediment, nutrients and other contaminants reaching our waterways. Regional S-map will provide baseline soil data for freshwater farm plans (FW-FP) required through the National Policy Statement.

The protection of highly productive soils in primary production zones is also important, and in the Regional Policy Statement it looks to TA’s to ensure the production potential of our most versatile soils are protected from the impacts of subdivision, use and development.

Partial regional coverage of S-Map would limit Regional and District council’s ability to use this tool as a resource to support sound regional decision making.

2.         Community views

The economic benefit of S-map information to current users is estimated nationally at $19.5M per year and this is growing as coverage is expanded.  Analysis of online searches in S-map Online demonstrate that Northlanders are looking for quality soil information and through the LTP process there is an expectation that S-map will be developed for the whole region.

3.         Māori impact statement

Partial regional coverage of S-Map has the potential to disadvantage Māori land blocks which remain un-mapped.

4.         Financial implications

As part of the 2021-31 LTP, Council committed $1.2M over five years to support the development of S-Map in partnership with Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. The total project cost was estimated at $7M, with the additional funding expected to come from MPI’s S-map expansion project. However this funding did not eventuate.  MPI staff have indicated the project is a good fit for the Sustainable Futures and Fibers Fund and as such staff are working with Manaaki Whenua to prepare an application for submission in late 2022, with an outcome likely by late 2023.

 

Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research has begun work on a reduced scale mapping exercise utilising approximately $1M funding awarded by the Ministry for the Environment. The funding awarded to Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research does not require co-funding from NRC and so staff propose that Council retains the S-map funding allocated for LTP years 1 and 2 until any outcome from SFFF application is known.  This effectively means council will have $460,000 in reserve in preparation for commencing delivery of S-Map in the 2023/2024 financial year.

 

 

 

There are no known financial implications of carrying forward the Year 1 and 2 S-map funding, provided council’s year end budget is in surplus.  Carrying this funding forward, rather than spending it on small scale mapping in the interim, will ensure that NRC can leverage this contribution to gain region wide coverage.

 

5.         Implementation issues

There are no known implementation issues associated with this decision. Should S-Map co-funding not be received, then a further council decision will be required as to how best to allocate the budgeted funds.

 

6.         Significance and engagement

In relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is considered to be of low significance when assessed against council’s significance and engagement policy because it has previously been consulted on and provided for in council’s Long-Term Plan and/or is part of council’s day to day activities.  This does not mean that this matter is not of significance to tangata whenua and/or individual communities, but that council is able to make decisions relating to this matter without undertaking further consultation or engagement

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

The recommendations in this report are consistent with council policy or any legislative requirements.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 7.7

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Council submission on ETS changes - retrospective approval

From:

Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Jonathan Gibbard, Pou Tiaki Taiao – Group Manager Environmental Services, on 14 April 2022

 

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

This report seeks retrospective approval by council for a submission on potential changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) set out in a government discussion document: Managing exotic afforestation incentives - A discussion document on proposals to change forestry settings in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.

 

The proposals include an option to exclude exotic species from the permanent forest category in the ETS - meaning financial incentives for permanent exotic forestry would be significantly reduced. This could adversely impact the effectiveness of council and landowner soil conservation / sediment mitigation efforts by reducing financial incentives provided by carbon rewards earned through the ETS. It would also limit a good land use option for parts of Northland where establishing permanent forests can bring water quality and biodiversity co-benefits.

 

The proposals are of significant interest to council and warrant a submission, however the consultation timeline did not align well with the council meeting schedule (submissions closed 22 April) and the draft submission was not able to be considered in a formal council meeting. Therefore, a draft submission was developed and circulated to councillors and non-elected TTMAC members for comment. The draft submission was revised in response to feedback received and approved by the Executive Leadership Team under delegated authority before being lodged with government.

 

The delegation requires that council retrospectively approve the submission at the next council meeting. The submission is Attached and retrospective approval is sought from council.

 

 

Recommendation(s)

1.         That the report ‘Council submission on ETS changes - retrospective approval’ by Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist and dated 12 April 2022, be received.

2.         That council retrospectively approve the attached submission on the discussion document: Managing exotic afforestation incentives.

 

Options

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

1

Council retrospectively approves the submission

The government is aware of council concerns with the proposals and councils submission informs government decisions.

None

2

Council does not approve the submission (the submission would be withdrawn)

None

The government would not formally recognise the submission and councils concerns would not inform government decisions. 

 

The staff’s recommended option is Option 1

Considerations

1.         Environmental Impact

 

2.         Community views

The government proposals / subject matter of the submission is likely to be of interest to communities and could influence carbon sequestration and land use options for landowners – however, the decision to retrospectively approve the council submission does not require public / community consultation.

3.         Māori impact statement

The government proposals / subject matter of the submission is likely to be of interest to Māori and could influence carbon sequestration and land use options. A draft of the submission was circulated to non-elected members of the Te Taikerau Māori and Council Working Party for comment prior to being lodged. However, the decision to retrospectively approve the council submission does not require consultation.

4.         Financial implications

There are no financial implications associated with this decision.

5.         Implementation issues

There are no implementation issues associated with this decision

 

6.         Significance and engagement

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

There are no known legislative compliance or risks associated with this decision.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: NRC submission - changes to the ETS   


Council Meeting  ITEM: 7.7

26 April 2022Attachment 1

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 7.8

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Adoption of Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy

From:

Tom Fitzgerald, Climate Change Manager

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Victoria Harwood, Pou Tiaki Hapori - GM Community Resilience, on 13 April 2022

 

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

Adapting to the effects of climate change presents significant challenges and opportunities for Te Tai Tokerau Northland – these effects are already apparent and predicted to intensify. Local government has a significant role in this given its various functions. Adaptation approaches and actions by Northland’s councils need to be coordinated in order to be successful and efficient. For these reasons Northland councils have developed the Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy (the Strategy).

The purpose of the Strategy is to set the direction for a robust, collaborative approach to developing adaptation responses to the impacts of climate change in Te Tai Tokerau, by building a foundation for action while acknowledging the changing legislative environment and remaining agile. Key objectives of the Strategy are:

·    improving understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities posed by climate change to our region

·    clarifying adaptation needs and responsibilities

·    identifying opportunities to improve local government adaptation responses

·    recommending priority actions for local government

·    outlining a review process by which the strategy will respond to feedback and changing circumstances

The Strategy is intended to be a ‘living document’ that evolves as the climate, environment, legislative and policy context and communities change. A review process is outlined in Part 4 of the Strategy.

On 7 March 2022, the Joint Committee recommended additional minor amendments be made and endorsed the final Strategy to member Councils for adoption.

This report seeks adoption of the Strategy by Northland Regional Council.

 

Recommendation(s)

1.         That the report ‘Adoption of Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy’ by Tom Fitzgerald, Climate Change Manager and dated 13 April 2022, be received.

2.         That Council adopt the attached Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy, and Appendices.

 

Options

 

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

1

Adoption of the Strategy

Confirms a collaborative regional approach to climate adaptation that recognises the inter-related governance of undertaking climate adaptation actions.

The Strategy provides a broad direction for climate change adaptation but allows individual councils flexibility to tailor approaches and plans to suit the specific needs of their communities.

Provides significant opportunities for capacity, capability building and shared learning.

Allows for a consistent regional platform to advocate and lobby central government in various legislative reforms processes and new policies (e.g. National Adaptation Platform).

Allows for efficiencies in terms of funding, policy development and other actions.

None.

2

Non-adoption of the Strategy

None.

Inconsistent with our own climate change strategy (Ngā Taumata o Te Moana).

Reduced mandate for work that supports climate adaptation across the region, including shared actions with District Council partners.

Councils revert to operating in silos, resulting in reduced efficiency and even counter-productive work.

Climate change response will be severely impacted across the region leading to potentially significant economic, environmental and socio-cultural impacts.

 

The staff’s recommended option is Option 1.

Considerations

1.         Environmental Impact

With climate change accelerating, adaptation to its impacts is becoming increasingly critical. A coordinated approach across councils in Northland will be foundational in responding to those impacts. The Strategy provides this foundation by identifying core principles, goals, consistent approaches and coordinates future and ongoing adaptation actions.

The effects of climate change on our environment are far reaching and significant. The adoption of the Strategy provides an opportunity to navigate a path through those impacts while encouraging consistent, systematic action to reduce impacts.

The decision to adopt the Strategy is expected to have a positive impact on the ability of councils to anticipate and proactively respond to climate change impacts that are already happening or expected to happen.

 

2.         Community views

There are a broad range of community views and understanding of climate change and measures to adapt to climate change impacts. The Strategy provides a foundation for enabling communities to understand the impacts of climate change on their lives and supports participation in adaptation planning processes occurring across the region.

The decision to adopt the Strategy for adoption by councils is therefore of benefit to all Northland communities.

 

3.         Māori impact statement

Climate change poses significant risks to Māori, with potentially disproportionate impacts as noted in the National Climate Change Risk Assessment.

The effects of climate change will have ‘significant impacts in relation to land or a body of water’. As stated in section 77 of the Local Government Act 2002, council decisions must therefore “take into account the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral land, water, sites, wāhi tapu, valued flora and fauna, and other taonga”.

The Strategy (Attachment 1, page 24) discusses the impacts of climate change on Māori. Priority actions are also listed which relate directly to Māori (see Attachment 2, actions 1,2,9, and 10).

The adoption of the Strategy and its ongoing implementation is anticipated to have positive effects for Māori.

 

 

4.         Financial implications

The implementation of priority actions under the Strategy will be undertaken using existing operational budgets as set out in the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan. Where further funds or resourcing is identified to be required, additional assessments will be made, business cases developed, and specific allocations sought through upcoming Annual Plan and Long Term Plan processes. Therefore, adopting the Strategy today does not commit Council to specific expenditure amounts.

 

5.         Implementation issues

Appendix One of the Strategy There are 46 Priority Actions recommended in the Strategy. Northland Regional Council is solely responsible for 9 priority actions (Actions 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 32 and 33). Apart from Actions 16 (Biosecurity risk assessment), 17 (Ecosystem and biodiversity risk assessment) and 22 (Coastal aquifers), all NRC led actions are able to be undertaken out of existing operational funding.

 

Another 32 Priority Actions are the responsibility of either individual councils or all councils.

 

Action 13 (roading risk assessment) is the responsibility of the Northern Transport Alliance and Action 14 (lifelines risk assessment) is the responsibility of the Northland Lifelines Group.

 

The Joint Committee has carriage of two specific actions – being Priority Action 3 (clarify funding responsibilities) and 4 (advocacy).

 

A key initiative for staff in the immediate term is to undertake a stocktake of current or planned NRC work that aligns or supports the 46 Priority Actions. It is staff’s intention to subsequently develop a robust and efficient monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system that enables the tracking of progress on climate adaptation actions, supports the ongoing legitimacy of the Strategy and provides improved transparency and accountability. This sort of reporting is also critical in ensuring the Strategy is dynamic and can respond to the changing nature of climate risks.

 

 

6.         Significance and engagement

In line with Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy, the level of significance for the Strategy is low, as the Strategy is consistent with Council’s plans and policies. That said, effective community engagement is essential to the implementation of the strategy. Best practice principles of public participation will be applied as appropriate regarding specific priority actions. 

Anticipating that the Strategy will be adopted by the four individual councils, a Regional Climate Adaptation Te Tai Tokerau Communications collaborative group has been established that is overseen by the Joint Committee. This Group includes staff from the communications and engagement teams of each of the four councils. The collaborative group is developing a communications plan to assist the public release of the Strategy.

 

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

 There are risks associated with climate change adaptation – these include an uncertain and changing legislative / policy environment, uncertainty over the timing and severity future of climate change impacts and the costs, cost-effectiveness and impacts of responses. The Strategy acknowledges these and provides for review under a range of circumstances. Many of the Priority Actions in the Strategy are also flexible, agile and can respond to these risks as implementation progresses – they are also based on / informed by best practice and government guidance where available. It is very likely that the risks of ‘inaction’ or uncoordinated response are far greater than any risks posed by adoption and implementation of the Strategy.

 

Background/Tuhinga

The impacts of climate change are already affecting people and natural systems in Tai Tokerau | Northland. Climate impacts are projected to continue on an upward trend, with the expected severity of impacts depending on the success of global emissions reductions efforts. Climate change adaptation, that is responses to the current and projected impacts of climate change, is a key responsibility for local government, particularly as it relates to natural hazards, the provision of infrastructure and statutory planning. This is the core focus of the Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy (the Strategy).

During a series of workshops with relevant governance bodies in each Council in September/October 2021, specific feedback was sought on the contents and approach of the draft Strategy.

On 29 November 2021, the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee (the Joint Committee) endorsed the draft Strategy for adoption by the individual local councils subject to two amendments:

1.    implementation of Three Waters Reform to trigger a ‘major’ rather than a ‘minor’ review of the Strategy

2.    text regarding the Aupōuri aquifer to be amended to refer to the uncertainty of the effects of climate change.

On 7 March 2022, the Joint Committee again endorsed the draft Strategy, requesting additional minor amendments be made relating to the position of the foreword, signatory page and process of selection of Tangata whenua representatives. The Chair and Deputy Chair of the Joint Committee have approved these changes and the Strategy is now recommended for adoption by all member councils.  

Council’s Role regarding Climate Change Adaptation

A range of current legislation and government advice supports council actions to adapt to climate change:

·    The Local Government Act 2002. As climate change will have many impacts on the “four well-beings” at the community level, council must play a key role of “prudent stewardship” in assisting communities adapt to climate change both in the present and for future generations

·    The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).  Under the RMA, council is required to have “particular regard to the effects of climate change”

·    The first National Climate Change Risk Assessment. The government released this Assessment in August 2020. This identified 43 risks that could have major or extreme consequences for New Zealand and noted that Māori will be disproportionately impacted by these risks

·    The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 requires managing of coastal hazard risks “taking account of climate change".  The associated advice, Coastal Hazards and Climate Change: Guidance for Local Government 2017, outlines an adaptive planning approach for council and communities to plan for the impacts of climate change on coastal communities. A priority action in the regional Strategy is to work with at risk coastal communities using this adaptive planning approach.

 

Relevant Planned Future Legislation

·    Climate Change Adaptation Act will be passed into law as part of RMA reforms. This Act will address the complex issues associated with managed retreat and the funding and financing of adaptation and is scheduled for 2023.

·    National Adaptation Plan will be published in 2022. It will address the risks identified in the National Climate Change Risk Assessment and will set out the government’s objectives, strategies, policies, proposals, and timeframes regarding climate change adaptation.

Overview of the Strategy

The Strategy focuses on climate change adaptation (responding to and managing the effects of climate change) rather than on mitigation (reducing carbon emissions). The content of the Strategy is summarised in the following diagram:

 

 

Objectives

Key objectives of the Strategy include:

·    improving understanding of the risks of climate change to the Northland region by Northland councils

·    clarifying adaptation needs and responsibilities in the region

·    identifying opportunities to improve local government adaptation responses

·    listing priority climate change adaptation actions for local government in Northland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principles

The Strategy lists ten climate adaptation principles which broadly align with the core values, commitments and actions under Ngā Taumata o te Moana.

1

Treaty of Waitangi and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Working collaboratively with tangata whenua

2

Whanaungatanga

Working together to build relationships and a sense of connection across the region

3

Co-production of knowledge

Alongside western science, enable mātauranga to help understand climate changes and inform decisions

4

Equitable

Empower communities to ensure no-one is left behind

5

Considered

Research-led, evidence-based, values-driven policy and decision-making

6

Ka mua, ka muri

Balance present-day needs and responsibilities with the rights of future generations

7

Transformative

Use innovation to take advantage of opportunities

8

Transition

Align adaptation with emissions reductions and transition actions

9

Holistic

Enhance the four wellbeing’s

10

Integrated

Embed a climate change lens across all council activities

 

The Strategy is Designed as a Living Document

To stay up-to-date, relevant and adapt, the Strategy includes processes to respond to changing circumstances, such as emerging government legislation and learnings from adaptation projects.

 

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy Appendix One - Priority Actions

Attachment 2: Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy Appendix Two - Climate risk overview

Attachment 3: Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy Final Version 2022 04 05   


Council Meeting  ITEM: 7.8

26 April 2022Attachment 1

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting  ITEM: 7.8

26 April 2022Attachment 2

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting  ITEM: 7.8

26 April 2022Attachment 3

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 8.1

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Health and Safety Report

From:

Beryl Steele, Human Resources Manager

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services, on 21 April 2022

 

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary

This report is to inform the council of the activity in health and safety for the month of March 2022.  An overview/summary of the activities include:

·        Completed H&S inductions for new staff remains low.

·        There have been no changes to the top H&S risks to the organisation.

·        The number of reported incidents/hazards/near misses continues to trend down.

·        A report on the stress survey has been written and has been finalised.

 

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the report ‘Health and Safety Report’ by Beryl Steele, Human Resources Manager and dated 21 April 2022, be received.

 

Background/Tuhinga

1.         Health and safety performance

Table 1: Health and safety performance lead and lag indicators

*Based on calendar year

Table 1 outlines the key lead and lag indicators in health and safety. 

 

·         

·    One contractor has been identified as successfully completing the contractor health and safety pre-engagement process in March. As for February, there continues to be low numbers of contractors completing this process. There remains a risk that contractors have been engaged without the required health and safety information being completed or recorded correctly.  

·    Numbers of completed health and safety inductions for new staff completed remain below performance targets. This will not increase until staff are able to return to the offices.

 

2.         Risk management

The top risks are:

Risk 

Residual Score 

Working with Contractors

16

COVID-19 pandemic

16

Dealing with aggressive people – psychological harm

10

Extended workload/stress

9

Workplace bullying and harassment

Note: This due to potential risk, not high numbers 

9

Sedentary work – ergonomic harm

8

Working under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol

8

Slips, trips, and falls

8

Driving motor vehicles – accident and injury related

8

Note: The top risks are identified by the residual risk scores. There risks are the highest after all controls have been put in place. Risk scores are between 1 and 25.

A review of the scores for the top health and safety risks to the organisation is to be carried out in April.  We are currently waiting on additional information as it relates to dealing with aggressive people as there have evidently been a few incidents but they have not been reported.

 

Risk Updates

·          A report on the results of the stress survey has been finalised.  This will be released to staff in April.

 


 

3.         Injuries, incidents, and hazards

Figure 1: Number of hazard and injury related events for previous 12 months

Figure 1 shows a that numbers of both injury/incident related events and hazard related events reported continue to trend down. Health and Safety Representatives (H&S Reps) will be asked again to remind and encourage teams to report all near misses and hazards.

 

Events reported

Figure 2: Top event types for previous 12 months

Vehicle speeding events are not included in this month’s report as the process for recording these has changed following staff movements and resignations.

 

Events of interest

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

·        A hook on the bike rack broke while a staff member was hanging up their bike. The bike fell and they were able to stop it from landing on them without hurting themselves.

·        Following the heavy rain event, there was flooding in the eastern corner of the ground floor of the Water Steet office. Ceiling tiles fell down while there was staff member nearby.

·        Two staff were visiting a property as part of a routine incident site inspection when the landowner attempted to block their vehicle from leaving the property following an aggressive interaction. They managed to leave the property as their vehicle just fit through the gap.

·        One team reported that they were struggling with the working from home requirements and requested they be able to come back to the office soon.

 

4.         Health and safety strategy work programme

Hazards and risks

·        Nil

Injury and illness

·        Nil

Wellbeing

·        28 staff took up the Wellbeing Challenge (5 teams of 5 and 3 individuals) which started in March and ran until the 11th April.

Communication and engagement

·        CERT Training (Situational Awareness and Tactical Communication) is underway with a mix of online modules and a 1-day in-class session scheduled for May

·        Four-wheel drive training was undertaken.

5.         Legislative changes

Nil

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 8.2

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Chair's Report to Council

From:

Penny Smart, Chair

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Penny Smart, Chair, on

 

Purpose of Report

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

 

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the report ‘Chair's Report to Council’ by Penny Smart, Chair and dated 12 April 2022, be received.

 

Meetings/events attended

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

·    LGNZ Supporting communities (and leaders) under pressure

·    LGNZ Reforms update

·    LGNZ FFLG workshop: The system of local governance

·    Special Sector Zoom, three waters Working Group Report

·    NEMA Trifecta zoom meeting with Minister Allen

·    NRC Meeting with Northland Labour Ministers

·    LGNZ Zone One meeting

·    Northland Forward Together Strategic Planning Workshop - Councillors 

·    Northland Mayoral Forum

·    Northland Forestry Environmental Working Group

·    Weekly zooms with Northland Mayors

·    LGNZ Covid update

Correspondence

During March I sent out the following correspondence:

Date

Addressed To

Subject

01.03.2022

Project Coordinator, Northern New Zealand Seabird Trust

NRC Letter of support for Northland Seabird Trust

02.03.2022

 

Urban Water Team, Ministry for the Environment

NRC submission - Changes to the National Environmental Standards for Human Sources of Drinking Water

04.03.2022

Ngāti Takapari, Te Waiariki, Ngāti Kororā

 

Letter of response re Ngunguru sandspit

28.03.2022

Te Roroa Board of Trustees

Congratulatory letter for GM at Te Roroa at Board of Trustees re Māori Award in Biosecurity

30.03.2022

NRC Education Manager

Biosecurity Award for the NRC Education Manager

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 8.3

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Chief Executive’s Report to Council

From:

Malcolm Nicolson, Tumuaki - Chief Executive Officer

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Malcolm Nicolson, Tumuaki - Chief Executive Officer, on 21 April 2022

 

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

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

 

8.3.1   Highlights

Resilient River Communities Newsletter – April 2022

The full article can be found at this link: https://www.resilientrivers.nz/news/building-bridges-into-the-future

 

 

 

 

8.3.2   CEO’s Office

Current Legal Proceedings

Department

Description

Status

Consent decision appeal

Two separate consent applications for replacement and new consents relating to a proposed expansion of, Doug’s Opua Boat Yard in Walls Bay, Ōpua

A memo from the council has been provided to the Court advising of progress to date with appeals, and that agreement has been reached with the applicant on a set of draft conditions to satisfy the appeal.  The council awaits further direction from the Court on this appeal.

Consent decision appeal

Irrigation of avocado orchards and horticulture crops

Additional expert conferencing for hydrogeologists and planners has taken place.  Final rebuttal evidence due 8 April 2022.  Court Hearing still scheduled to commence on 9 May 2022.

 

8.3.3   CORPORATE SERVICES

Fraud Declaration

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

Council Property Update

Kaipara Service Centre Practical Completion is expected later this month and the opening ceremony is fixed for 29 April 2022. KDC and NRC will move in over the month of May and KDC’s lease commences 1 June 2022.

The NIWA Kingfish RAS site works have been focused on progressing the fish tanks and RAS tanks, the majority of the eight fish tanks are now cast. Despite the project having incurred additional Covid-19 related costs and delays, the project remains on budget and is only a few weeks behind the target delivery date. The website used to publicly promote the kingfish production project has information on the science and the environmental benefits of land based aquaculture. We are also developing a fact sheet. See https://niwa.co.nz/aquaculture/our-services/our-facilities#goals

 

Enterprise System update

Status

Notes

 

Timeline

 

After working through timeline challenges with the vendor, this is now back to green

Budget

 

Tracking under budget

 

Quality

 

After working through implementation approach challenges with the vendor, this is now back to green

Key:

 

Tracking according to plan

 

There are challenges, but they can be addressed at project level

 

There are issues that cannot be resolved at project level, need help from the project governance group

 

8.3.4   regulatory services

Consents in Process

During March 2022, a total of 82 Decisions were issued.  These decisions comprised:

Ÿ Moorings

5

 

 

Ÿ Coastal Permits

11

 

 

Ÿ Land Discharge Permits

9

 

 

Ÿ Land Use Consents

25

 

 

Ÿ Water Permits

14

 

 

Ÿ Bore Consents

18

 

 

The processing timeframes for the March 2022 consents ranged from:

Ÿ 179 to 7 calendar days, with the median time being 29 days;

Ÿ 110 to 5 working days, with the median time being 20 days.

Sixty-eight applications were received in March 2022.

Of the 120 applications in progress at the end of March 2022:

Ÿ 29 were received more than 12 months ago;

Reasons for being more than 12 months old:

-    Awaiting additional information (including CIAs)

12

-    Consultation with affected parties/stakeholders

4

-    On-hold pending new rules becoming operative

6

-    Other

7

Ÿ 16 were received between 6 and 12 months ago (most awaiting further information from the applicant);

Ÿ 76 less than 6 months.

Appointment of Hearing Commissioners

No commissioners were appointed in March 2022.

 

 

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

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

Ÿ Applications Publicly/Limited Notified During Previous Month

0

Ÿ Progress on Applications Previously Notified

5

Ÿ Hearings and Decisions

0

Ÿ Appeals/Objections

2

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

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

Classification

Total

Full compliance

Low risk non-compliance

Moderate non-compliance

Significant non-compliance

Not exercised during period

Air Discharge

31

26

1

1

0

3

Bore Consent

28

26

2

0

0

0

Coastal Discharge

21

13

3

4

1

0

Coastal Permit

90

71

12

1

0

6

Land Discharge

101

80

6

5

0

10

Land Use Consent

64

55

1

3

0

5

Water Discharge

66

49

8

3

5

1

Water Permit

59

52

4

2

0

1

Water Take

139

67

30

39

0

3

Total

599

439

67

58

6

29

Percentage

 

73.3%

11.2%

9.7%

1.0%

4.8%

Year to date

4734

3488

578

329

62

277

Percentage

 

73.7%

12.2%

6.9%

1.3%

5.9%

Coastal

There were ongoing inspections of, and reporting on, coastal permits in the Far North District. The coastal compliance officers have also been supporting the Water Quality Field Operations Team in shellfish surveys and estuary monitoring work.

Compliance monitoring for all marinas has been completed. Marine farm compliance monitoring has commenced with aerial inspections completed for the Kaipara and Bay of Islands areas. Annual sediment compliance monitoring has been undertaken for Mangōnui Mill Bay. Enforcement action was undertaken against Russell Boating Club and in relation to the Tutukaka Slipway.

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

Ÿ Contaminated Land Management

Six incidents involving the discharge of hazardous substances and 18 enquiries regarding contaminated land were received and responded to. 693kg of hazardous waste was disposed of at the amnesty day, and six sites were added to the Selected Land-Use Register. There are now 1,288 sites recorded on the register.

 

 

 

Ÿ Municipal Wastewater Treatments Plants

WWTP/Consent Status

Issues (April 2022)

Enforcement Action/Response  

Far North District

Ahipara

Expires 2033

Ongoing non-compliance with bacteriological consent limits

Under AN  

FNDC investigating land disposal options

Hihi

Expires 2022

No recent issues

None currently

Kāeo

Expires 2022

No recent issues

None currently

Kaikohe

Expires 30 November 2021

Intermittent non-compliances with ADW flow, ammonia & bacteriological consent limits.

System overdue for de-sludging

None currently

Issues will be addressed in replacement consent

Kaitaia

Expires 30 November 2021

No recent issues

Under AN (reticulation overflows)

Issues will be addressed in replacement consent

Kawakawa

Expires 2036

No recent issues

None currently

Kerikeri

Expires 2036

No obvious issues from new plant (commissioned in December 2020)

 

Under AN 

Kohukohu

Expired 2016 (replacement consent application on hold)

Occasional issues with bacteriological conditions of consent

None currently

Opononi & Ōmāpere

Expired 2019

Non-compliances with bacteriological consent limits

Desludging overdue

Under AN

Issues will be addressed in replacement consent; desludging to be undertaken

Paihia

Expires 2034

Plant upgraded 2019; alkalinity issues preventing optimal ammonia treatment

None currently 

Alkalinity improvement project still in progress

Rangiputa

Expires 2032

No recent issues

None currently

Rāwene

Expires 2023

System overdue for de-sludging

Infringement notices issued in February 2022 in relation to a discharge from the reticulation

Russell

Expires 2024

Occasional non-compliances with E. coli consent limit post UV

Under AN

Infringement notices issued January 2022

Taipā

Expires 2029

No recent issues

None currently

Whatuwhiwhi

Expires 2025

Elevated TSS levels (consent limit may be unnecessarily restrictive)

FNDC to seek consent variation to address TSS levels – however this is not a priority

Whangarei District

Hikurangi

Expires 2025

Intermittent issues with plant performance

None currently

Plant performance being reviewed to identify improvements

Ngunguru

Expires 2035

No recent issues

None currently

Ōākura

Expires 2025

Occasional spikes in E. coli

None currently

Portland

Expires 2024

No recent issues

None currently

Ruakākā

Expires 2046

No recent issues

None currently

Tutukaka

Expires 2024

No recent issues

None currently

Waiōtira

Expires 2030

No recent issues

None currently

Waipū 

Expires 2030

No recent issues

None currently

Whāngārei City

Expires 2022

Odour issues

Abatement notice issued requiring actions to be implemented to mitigate the odour emanating from the treatment plant

Kaipara District

Dargaville

Expires 2022

Non-compliances with WQ discharge volume consent limits

Under AN

Glinks Gully

Expires 2024

No recent issues

None currently

Kaiwaka

Expires 2022

No recent issues

None currently

Mangawhai

Expires 2042

Odour complaints and occasional exceedances of TDS consent limit

Under AN

 

Maungaturoto

Expires 2032

Intermittent non-compliances, generally due to high rainfall

Under AN

Te Kopuru

Expires 2044

Intermittent minor non-compliances

Second aerator installed 2020

Environmental Incidents

There were no environmental incidents reported in February which resulted in a significant environmental impact.

ENFORCEMENT

Abatement Notices, Infringement Notices and Formal Warnings

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

Action Type

Number

Abatement Notice

15

Infringement Notice

3

Other Enforcement

Ÿ Open burning on industrial/trade property – Whangārei

Charges were laid in the Whangārei District Court on 27 November 2020 against an individual for open burning on industrial/trade premises; the burnt items also included prohibited items. There are two charges against the individual who pleaded not guilty on 30 April 2021. The Court has allocated new hearing dates to 25 – 27 May 2022. Witnesses have confirmed their availability.

Ÿ Farm dairy effluent – Parapara

Charges were laid in the Kaitaia District Court on 6 May 2021 against a farm owner for offences which occurred in August 2020. There are four charges against the farm owner. Following reports that were received confirming that the farm owner was not able to enter plea and provide instructions, the judge has made the following two decisions:

1.  The farm owner is unfit to stand trial.

2.  Based on the NRC’s summary of facts, the farm owner caused acts that formed the basis of all four offences. Those offences are very serious. The psychologist will provide a final report by 16 May 2022.

The court adjourned the case to 2 June 2022 with the farm owner to attend. 

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

The Court has issued an enforcement order on 8 April 2022 against the individual responsible for the vessel requiring him to cease occupying the coastal marine with the vessel in a manner that contravenes Rule C.1.2.1. of the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland - Appeals Version October 2021. The enforcement order proceeding for the costs is on hold while the parties are in the process of negotiating a settlement of the costs claim.

·   Earthworks & vegetation clearance within a wetland – Teal Bay

Charges were laid in the Whangarei District Court on 7 December 2021 against four parties for offences that occurred in December 2020. During a court appearance via Teams in March 2022, defendants’ lawyers have requested more time to consider disclosure, provide advice, get instructions and discuss with NRC. Court has adjourned the case to 2 June 2022 with pleas having to be entered on that day.

 

8.3.5   ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

land management

Sustainable Hill Country and Regional Priorities

Milestones

Status

Soil conservation Plans

To date, 50 (37%) of 136 soil conservation plans have been completed in 2021-2022. Nine are in progress. We will not meet our soil conservation plan KPI’s for the SHaRP programme and are engaging with MPI around the reasons for this and seeking agreement on a way forward.  A full report was provided to the February Land and Water Working Party.

 

biodiversity

FIF Dune Lakes Project

Objective

Status

Aquatic weed control

Resource consent was lodged to add Lake Karaka to the hornwort control programme. Karaka is currently experiencing an algal bloom, and pre-monitoring Lake Submerged Plant Index (LakeSPI) has been postponed until cooler weather in April. 

A contract was signed with Skywork to carry out Aquathol treatment of five lakes.  Several Covid and weather-related postponements meant that the operations were finally undertaken in the last week of March.  Follow–up accidental by-kill and water quality monitoring was carried out 48 hours later with no by-kill found and water quality parameters within guidelines.   However, subsequent monitoring has revealed wetland non target vegetation by-kill.  Both regulatory bodies have been notified – NRC and EPA.   Further investigations are ongoing.  While it is anticipated that vegetation will naturally regenerate, a remediation plan will be developed if required.  Staff will continue to monitor this situation and provide ongoing updates.

 One lake was dropped due to a rain event filling the lake and establishing an outflow to the beach.  Treatment will be done once the flow closes off.

Lakes Ecological Survey / Monitoring

Permission was granted from mana whenua and other landowners around the rohe to access 26 lakes during the 10-day lakes ecological monitoring however, NIWA divers were stood down due to Worksafe requirements around COVID-19 and the survey was cancelled.  Plans are underway to get at least some of the lakes monitored before year end.

CoastCare

Dune vegetation annual monitoring is almost complete, continued with the Uretiti transects measured in March.  Eleven sites have been monitored this year and the data can be found on the Coastal Monitoring Database.   The only remaining site to be surveyed this year is Waipū Cove which will be measured in May with Renew School who helped set up this site last year.

NRC Biodiversity and Natural Resources staff,  Patuhareke Te Taiao Environment Unit and volunteers from Bream Bay Coastal Care Trust, met in March to check the lizard shelters which were placed in the dunes at Ruakākā and Waipū Cove late last year.  Native copper and shore skinks were present, as well as exotic plague skinks.  Several katipō spiders were also found in the shelters.   A permit was obtained to allow us to catch, handle and release lizards for the purpose of identification.

A person holding a lizard

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Shore skink found in shelter in Ruakākā dunes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wetlands

Wetland Condition Index (WCI) monitoring of approximately 30 wetlands is continuing, with a further four properties visited this month and results and recommendation letters sent to landowners. 

Terrestrial

An interim report on the biodiversity values of council’s Mount Tiger Plantation Forest (also known as Taika) was presented to the Property and Investments Committee.  The survey covered vegetation, fauna, stream and culvert and pest surveys and involved ground survey, spotlighting for lizards and installation of listening devices for kiwi and bats.  Staff from several teams alongside a mana whenua representative assisted.  Taika contains five native forest enclaves totaling 160ha and two wetlands, which are contiguous with large tracts of native forest on neighboring properties, some of which are under the care of Kiwi Coast.  A fuller biodiversity plan with recommendations will be completed in May. 

The forest was found to be home to many rare species including long-tailed bats, kiwi, kaka, elegant gecko, long-finned eel, velvet worm and many nationally and regionally threatened plant species.  Five out of seven stream sites surveyed have good water quality and high macro-invertebrate scores.  A survey of the six culverts found that four require minor improvements to allow fish passage.  Weeds and pests were recorded, and recommendations will be made around management of these in the final report, especially to prevent the spread of some environmental weeds which are still in the initial stages of invasion.  The forest is closed to the public, but the survey team saw widespread evidence of recreational use including established bike and tracks through kauri areas, which is of concern because of the risk of kauri disease spread.

Mt Tiger Survey / Biodiversity plan

Working from home enabled the field programme to go ahead without distractions.  which was a positive outcome.  Staff stayed connected and motivated with a common purpose and sharing of knowledge in the field increased capability across this and other teams.  A positive outcome for our staff and their wellbeing.

 

Natural resources

Water Quality Operations

·   All routine monitoring programmes were completed, despite significant disruptions relating to COVID-19 and current staff shortages.  All samples were required to be delivered to Wellsford or Auckland due to courier reliability issues.

·   Saltwater wedge site scoping visits were undertaken as part of a wider inanga spawning project led by Mountains to Sea Trust.  Multiple surveys will be undertaken at each site over the coming months.

Natural Resources Science

Air quality and carbon emission

·   A report titled “Whangārei and Kaitāia Airshed Investigation: Phase 2 – Target Locations for Air Quality Monitoring Sites” from Pattle Delamore Partners (PDP) has been received.  The main objective of this report was to identify potential hotspots suitable for NESAQ PM10 and PM2.5 monitoring within the Whangārei and Kaitāia airsheds. The report recommended possible monitoring locations based on factors such as the density of solid fuel home heating devices, topography of the area, wintertime meteorology, emission from industry and traffic and dispersion modelling (Whangārei airshed only).  Recommended monitoring locations are;

·   For the Kaitāia airshed, approximately 200 meters northwest from the NRC office in Kaitaia.

·   For Whangārei, anywhere most central location within Whangārei airshed.  The reason behind this is in the wintertime low wind speed occurs in similar frequency from all directions. Mairtown is recommended as a priority because council already has a monitor there and data for last two years can be utilised for future data analysis.

·   Tikipunga south and Morningside are also suitable locations as the model predicted high PM10 and PM2.5 concentration in these locations.

Freshwater quality

·   The NEMS (National Environmental and Monitoring Standards) for planktonic cyanobacteria sampling protocol is being developed. The NEMS planktonic cyanobacteria protocol will mainly focus on lakes and rivers to assist in implementing the NPS-FM attributes related to cyanobacteria. The first draft of this NEMS protocol (NIWA Algae expert Karl Safi as lead technical writer) is currently being reviewed by the NEMS working group.

·   Feedback has been provided, together with the Policy and Planning team, to the draft MfE Guidelines for Freshwater Accounting Framework. The report is an update to the MfE 2015 guidance document for the design, preparation and operation of an integrated freshwater quality and quantity accounting system to give effect to the NPS-FM (2020) requirements and Te Mana o te Wai.

 

Hydrology

Rainfall

·    A wet month for the bulk of the region, particularly those areas impacted by the thunderstorm activity on 21 March.  Rainfall intensity during this weather event was extreme, with records broken for 1 hour rainfall intensity in Northland (123.2mm at NIWA Maungatāpere gauge, and 112mm at NRC Waihoihoi at Brynderwyn Gauge).

Diagram, map

Description automatically generated

 

Rivers

·    Median flow for the month of March was “Normal” to “Below Normal” at most recorders. Median flow through the month at the Kaihu River on the west was “Extremely Low” as this area has been sheltered from North Easterly weather events.

 

Map

Description automatically generated

 

Groundwater

"Normal” to “Above Normal” throughout the region.

POLICY AND PLANNING

Freshwater Plan Change

Ÿ The Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group met on 18 March.  The group continued to move ahead with its workplan and agreed the scope of work for a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultancy services to support the group to develop its recommendations and plan content for Māori freshwater values.  Tenders closed on 4 April and the selection process is underway.

Ÿ The Primary Sector Liaison Group meet on 15 March 2022.  A presentation was given on the GIS FMU viewer river water quality data and on NRC’s Freshwater Plan Change Framework.  The PSLG are continuing to provide feedback on the framework.

Ÿ An external review of NRC’s Freshwater programme has been completed. Awaiting feedback from the review panel.  Once received, a workshop will be scheduled to discuss panel recommendations.

Ÿ Staff participated in Te Paatu ki Kauhanga Trust’s stakeholder wananga for their hapu-based freshwater project funded by MfE under Te Mana o Te Wai.  The Peria hapū river project provides opportunities for council to support the hapū including in the planning and policy space, to learn lessons from the project that can help inform the freshwater plan change, and that might provide a model for other hapū, complementary to other iwi and hapū Te Mana o Te Wai projects funded in Te Taitokerau.

Proposed Regional Plan Appeals

Ÿ Topic 16 (Livestock exclusion) - decision released 11 February 2022.  Next step is for council to circulate final wording of provisions to all appeal parties and for finalised wording to be submitted to the Court for a final decision.

Ÿ Topic 14 (Marine protected areas / Fishing controls) - this topic is still awaiting the Court decision following the August 2021 hearing. In the interim, the Court has directed parties to continue to work towards resolving outstanding matters and report the outcome of ‘substantive discussion’.

On 29 March the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, as part of periodic fishery review, announced indefinite closure of the recreational and commercial scallop fishing starting 1 April and extending from Ahipara to Cape Rodney (SCA1 Scallop fishery).  This includes areas in the Bay of Islands where marine protection is sought under Topic 14 to protect sensitive benthic habitats from bottom contact fishing disturbance (including scallop dredging).  A tikanga led process, including hui and wānanga in March and another planned in April. Some commercial fishing (including rock lobster and trawling) has voluntarily ceased, to reduce fishing pressure during this continued process.  

Ÿ Topic 15 (Mangroves) - following the November 2021 High Court decision that the NES-F applies to “natural wetlands” in the Coastal Marine Area (CMA), Council and other parties reported their updated positions to the Environment Court on 18 February.  The court has scheduled a 2-day hearing 4-5 May for legal submissions, so that the hearing can be closed, and a judgement made.

Ÿ Topic 17 (Outstanding Natural Landscapes (ONLs) in the CMA - the Court has approved council’s proposed process for undertaking the mapping of ONLs in the CMA which was submitted at the end of last year. Council has sought proposals from potential consultants to assist with facilitation of tangata whenua input to the process.

Ÿ Other matters - there are several other minor appeal points that staff continue to work towards resolution with parties.  We reported progress on appeals to the Court on 17 March, and the next reporting date is 29 April.

Wetland Mapping Project

As previously reported, this project will comprehensively map wetlands in Northland and help implement the government's freshwater reforms. 

The development of an engagement plan and contract finalization continues. Papers providing updates and seeking feedback will continue to TTMAC and Planning and Regulatory Working Party meetings. 

Ministry for the Environment Consultation - Transforming Recycling

The Ministry for the Environment is consulting on proposed amendments to how waste is collected and recycled in New Zealand. The proposal has three key elements:

·   Part 1: Container Return Scheme

·   Part 2: Improvements to household kerbside recycling

·   Part 3: Separation of business food waste

These three proposals are part of a long-term shift toward a circular economy, where packaging is made of materials that maintain their value and are easier to recycle. Greater quantities and cleaner streams of material will be recovered for recycling.

While NRC has submitted on other aspects of the Governments waste reforms, this proposal largely falls within the duties and functions of district councils. Staff have recommended that NRC do not provide feedback on the Transforming Recycling discussion document. 

Consultation closes 8 May 2022.

Submission on Sand Mining Resource Consents at Pakiri

No formal advice of a hearing date has been received.  Indications are it will be sometime in June.

 

8.3.6   BIOSECURITY

WILD ANIMAL CONTROL

Feral deer

·     Manganui river margins:  Contractors working in the Manganui River area found and destroyed two large hinds on a property on Webb road.

·     Unauthorised deer farm:  An old farm that had been left with six deer upon change of ownership had been found with an estimated 30 deer which have bred from the remaining stock.  The landowner was given four weeks to destock and has to date removed 21 animals.  Contractors have now removed the majority of animals remaining with an estimated three left.  These will be hunted in the coming weeks.

·     A letter requesting the Director General of DOC respond to councils request for powers under the wild animal control act to be delegated to council officers was sent and staff are awaiting a replyThese powers will greatly enhance council officers’ ability to cull feral deer on private land where landowners refuse entry.

FRESHWATER

Check, Clean, Dry (CCD) advocacy programme

Events were attended as part of the summer advocacy programme included:

·     Kai Iwi Lakes Open Day, 19 March:  The Check, Clean, Dry advocate (In collaboration with Whitebait Connections and Experiencing Marine Reserves) ran a stall promoting freshwater hygiene.  Activities included conducting a survey (with a prezzy card prize draw as incentive) and the provision of collateral.  The stall attracted a large crowd.

·     Parihaka Trail Run, Whangārei Falls, 27 March: New combined messaging involving awareness of Phytophthora agathidicida and Check, Clean, Dry was designed in collaboration with the council Marketing and Engagement team.  This material was sent to participants encouraging them to arrive with clean footwear.  The use of sterigene mats and footwear detergent was also encouraged at the event.

A prezzy card prize draw was used to encourage participation in the Check, Clean, Dry survey
at the Kai Iwi Lakes Open Day.

Freshwater pest fish surveillance monitoring workshop

Council and the Department of Conservation staff were involved in delivery of a week long pest fish surveillance monitoring workshop.  The workshop taught both theory and practical aspects of pest fishing to Department of Conservation and Kaitiaki Rangers.

 

 

Netting technique at the pest fish
surveillance workshop.

A picture containing tree, outdoor

Description automatically generated

PARTNERSHIPS

Northland Regional Council – Kiwi Coast partnership

·     Kiwi surveys and monitoring:  The Far North Co-ordinator and her kiwi dog Yagi have been assisting Northland projects with kiwi surveys and monitoring.  Projects supported in March included Pukenui, Tutukaka, Kerikeri Peninsula, and Purerua Peninsula.

·     Kiwi chick rescue:  Specialised assistance has been provided with the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured kiwi chicks – the full story can be found here: https://kiwicoast.org.nz/northland-kiwi-chicks-2nd-batch-report/

·     Kiwi Coast are proud to work with council to establish the Kiwi Coast Outstanding Group or Project Award as part of the 2022 Northland Regional Council Environmental Awards.

Yagi the kiwi dog.

Kiwi Link High Value Area

NorthTec analysis of the 2021 Five Minute Bird Count data has been completed with pleasing results.  The mean species richness per site has increased from 2.67 + 0.35 in 2018 to 3.58 + 0.34 in 2021.  An extract from the official summary is given below:  

“It is pleasing to see the upward trend in bird abundance continue for the Kiwi Link project.  Remarkably, there has been an increase in the mean number of species detected each year since counts began in 2018.  Of particular note is the recording of bellbird for the first time during the Kiwi Link Five Minute Bird Counts by Harris Rd Landcare, who also recorded kākā in their area for the first time.  Together these results suggest the hard work by the communities in controlling pests is achieving the desired results of not only increased birdsong, but an increase in bird species.  Further monitoring will hopefully continue to demonstrate these upward trends.”

2021 Five Minute Bird Count data in Kiwi Link High Value Area

Whangārei Heads High Value Area

·     Kiwi chick saved by local family:  Another kiwi chick rescue, this time in McLeod Bay when a local family found a chick near the road.  They called for assistance and the chick was found to have a heavy tick load.  He was treated, and later released back into a specially dug burrow.

 

Meka, the kiwi chick rescued from
 the roadside by a McLeod Bay family.

A bird on a person's hand

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

·     Weed control:  After four days a moth plant skip bin provided at the Pārua Bay Community Centre was a quarter full, taking thousands of pods out of the ecosystem.

 

Moth plant pods collected in the
P
ārua Bay Community Centre skip bin..

A picture containing ground, board, wooden, vegetable

Description automatically generated

Piroa Brynderwyn High Value Area

The high value area has launched a website www.pbl.org.nz/.  The new website and the trust’s Facebook page are proving useful in attracting more volunteers to the project.

Western Northland

The Opara-Wharekawa Kiwi Protection Community Pest Control Area has been signed off for five years of funding.  The Opara-Wharekawa peninsula is home to a remnant population of Northland brown kiwi, one of the last functioning kiwi populations on the Hokianga harbour.  Mustelid trapping has been occurring at the end of the peninsula by the residents of the Opara Ecological Estate subdivision and this has provided important protection to kiwi within that area.  However, kiwi are also present outside of the subdivision area and residents of the wider Opara-Wharekawa peninsula are passionate about establishing a trapping network and maintaining good dog control so that kiwi are protected across the landscape so that their numbers can increase.

Mid North High Value Area

·     Community support:  The number of groups continues to grow with 50 now operating in the high value area (up from just 23 groups four years ago).

·     Positive feedback from Department of Conservation, Bay of Islands:  A letter has been received from the Bay of Island’s Operations Manager recognising the work of the Mid North Kiwi Coast to help save the North Island brown kiwi.  The group’s efforts have resulted in significantly improving the threat status from “At Risk – Declining” to “Not Threatened”.

·     Pest Free Purerua:  The programme is on track and delivering to its Jobs for Nature key performance indicators.  Trappers are working over the majority of properties from Kāpiro to Purerua (16,000 ha) checking >2,200 traps (plus bait stations) every two weeks.  The offshore Purerua Islands have had four rounds of checks with rats the main pest found.  The islands contain grey faced petrel, little blue penguins, and flax snails.

·     Goat cull:  A helicopter goat cull has removed over 200 feral goats.  During the operation, the crew observed ten kiwi from the craft.

Pest Free Peninsulas Hukatere Community Pest Control Area

A plan for the Pest Free Peninsulas Hukatere Community Pest Control Area has been completed with NRC’s Dargaville staff facilitating.  This 2000 ha area includes 18 lifestyle properties and nine farms at Matakohe and the Tinopai Peninsula, including a 39 ha coastal bush and a 1 ha of bush at the Kauri Museum. 

PREDATOR FREE

Predator Free Whangārei

·     Live capture trials:  Council approval was obtained to proceed with the next phase of the programme and begin possum removal at scale.  After sending communications to the community, trial of leghold live capture traps has begun and has already successfully caught two possums.

·     GIS application:  A new GIS application has been developed for the field team which will show device type and status in real time (rather than overnight).

·     Live capture hub:  The final live capture hub has been installed at Reotahi maunga.

Predator Free Pēwhairangi Whānui (Bay of Islands)

Eradication plans for the three peninsula (Rākaumangamanga, Russell and Purerua) are all at draft stage now and are being critiqued by the land care groups and mana whenua.

More work has occurred bringing mana whenua and the existing land care groups together to work through what effective partnering will involve.

MARINE BIOSECURITY

Hull surveillance

Between 4 March and 8 April, the Hull Surveillance Programme surveyed 109 vessels.  Unfavourable marine weather conditions over this period resulted in reduced vessel traffic with marinas reporting movements in/out of there facilities being quiet.  Contractors surveyed 3 vessels on anchor over this period, all had clean hulls that were compliant with the Marine Pathway Plan.  There was one incident of Sabella spallanzanii (Mediterranean fanworm), two incidents of Styela clava (clubbed tunicate) and eight incidents of Eudistoma elongatum (Australian droplet tunicate) found on vessel hulls.  With exception of the single incident of Mediterranean fanworm these detections were in harbours where these species are already known to have established populations.  Marine biosecurity staff work with these vessel owners to ensure that these species are not spread further.  One vessel was detected with one juvenile Mediterranean fanworm in Tutukaka harbour (which has no known infestation).  However, the risk this posed to the surrounding environment, is negligible and the individual fanworm was treated via diver removal, the vessel owner informed, and warned to be extra vigilant in the future.

Table 1:  Hull Surveillance Programme Results to 6 April 2022

2021/2022 Hull Surveillance Programme Results

Total this month

Total YTD

Pathways Plan Compliance

 

 

Number of vessels surveyed this month

109

1,520

% Pathways Plan Compliance (all vessels) *

53.3

53.6

Vessels found with Marine Pests

 

 

Sabella spallanzanii (fanworm)

1

41

Styela clava (clubbed tunicate)

2

45

Undaria pinnatifida (Japanese kelp)

0

0

Eudistoma elongatum (Australian droplet tunicate)

8

28

Pyura doppelgangera (sea squirt)

0

0

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

Experiencing Marine Reserves community snorkel days

The final council sponsored snorkel day was held on 12 March at Maunganui / Deep Water Cove with 30 participants and Experiencing Marine Reserves staff attending.  Participants commented on the “epic” diversity of the species present, protected by a rāhui implemented by Ngāti Kuta and Patukeha ki Te Rāwhiti since 2009.  This event was a great way to complete the contract between council and Experiencing Marine Reserves, with over 300 participants attended five events supported by Marine biosecurity staff.  Both parties agree that this was a highly successful partnership and hope to continue working together in the future.

A group of people at the beach

Description automatically generated with medium confidenceParticipants of the annual Maunganui / Deep Water Cove
snorkel day hosted by Experiencing Marine Reserves and Fish Forever (with support by council).

Mediterranean fanworm dissection at Whangarei Girls High School

Staff from marine biosecurity visited two classes of year 11 students studying marine and forensic science at Whangarei Girls High School this month.  Students and staff participated in the dissection of Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) to evaluate the reproductive development of the fanworms.  These sessions have become a regular occurrence for this class and was said to be one of the highlights for students.

Charybdis Trapping in Ngunguru

Marine biosecurity staff have been working with representatives from the haukāinga of Te Waiariki on a pilot study for trapping Charybdis japonica (Asian paddle crab) in the Ngunguru estuary.  Local children attending Ngunguru School plan to get involved in the trapping efforts in term two this year.  The project will use traditional trapping methods coupled with newer eDNA monitoring tools to verify efforts and monitor the health of their taonga.  This project aims to empower the community to manage this pest species within their local environment.

PEST PLANTS

Community weed action

·     Mt Taika weed survey:  This survey (part of biodiversity monitoring of the area for ongoing management) continues to find more species and sites. 

·     March event – Ngunguru Ford Road Landcare:  A team of seven weed warriors from Kiwi Link and S.W.A.T Tutukaka (Specialist Weed Assistance) helped Ngunguru Ford Road Landcare tackle wild ginger spreading from through the Ngunguru River Scenic Reserve.  Large areas of infestation were treated.

Volunteers at the March event in
Ngunguru River Scenic Reserve

Wild ginger spreading through the reserve
was the primary focus on the event.

Eradication Plants

·     Firethorn:  This eradication plant has been in fruit this month, so has been easy to identify from the road.  Five potential sites were identified, three were confirmed as firethorn incursions, one a misidentification upon closer examination, and one still to be investigated.

·     Batwing passionflower:  Whangaroa search and control has resumed with all residential properties in the initial search area completed.  Large adult plants have been found further north than before by about 300 m.  The Department of Conservation reserve search is now getting underway.

·     Evergreen buckthorn:  Searches of Sandy Bay have turned up less plants than previously.  Planning is now underway for a survey further up the coast.

 

A large batwing passionflower plant found growing out
a conservatory window in a Whangaroa residence.


Progressive containment plants

·     Manchurian wild rice:  After a busy month treating Manchurian wild rice, contractors have finished the first round of treatment of land based sites.  Treatment has now started on aquatic sites.

·     Pultenaea:  Contractors have completed works at Maranui and other bush blocks.  Ongoing maintenance is required with a seed bank present.

·     Mile-a-minute:  A mail out at Baylys Beach had resulted in five new potential sites being reported.

Sustained control plants

Staff continue to work through numerous requests for advice around control and enforcement of boundary rules.

8.3.7   GOVERNANCE AND ENGAGEMENT

MĀORI ENGAGEMENT

Highlights

·    Koha Policy has been reviewed and endorsed by the Executive Leadership Team. Thanks to combined support of the staff involved.

·    ‘Tū I Te Ora’ Scholarship grants were offered by NRC. Applications were shortlisted to 15, and this month 8 scholarships in total were given to people undertaking study across the environmental field. 4 of these were specifically to Māori from Te Taitokerau

·    Follow-up visit was successful with a return to Tuhirangi Marae, Waimā. Tohunga/Mātauranga Māori expert Rereata Makiha has relayed feedback as to the professional manner of the team, how helpful the information has been so far and is looking forward to the next steps to consider how to protect sacred sites and communities from further flooding impacts.

·    Continuation of current relations from previous Month - Ngāti Toro, Te Parawhau, Ngāti Torehina, Ngāti Kuta are in progress to develop their IHEMPs and future applications.

·    The team is currently developing a presentation for staff that outline the work in key areas such as Te Whāriki (people) IHEMP (processes) and the Treaty Health-check (platforms). These engagements will support and inform suitable guidance within the work across the organization

·    The Omicron outbreak has driven the need to adapt and review the current delivery of The Te Whāriki training. Hence the reason we have engaged the services of Moea Armstrong to deliver an online Te Tiriti workshop.

·    The team are involved with planning and guiding the official opening of the new Kaipara Service Centre building this month. Work includes liaising with and being guided by local Iwi and Hapu leaders. Actions include confirm steps of tikanga for ceremony process. Establish who will deliver the meaning of the newly carved pari, supports for Chair and CE for their respected speeches and work with the property and communications team to confirm and design the invitations.

·    The GIS Mapping project is progressing well, and Dianne Zucchetto has created a Māori Engagement Contacts Tool.  The tool currently contains only iwi areas of interest, marae and indicative hapu.  We will build on it to add the iHEMPs and IRIS contacts.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Investment and Growth Reserve – Projects Report

Project

Update

Future developments/ reporting

REL

REL put into liquidation by IRD. This has no impact on council’s position which is with Maher Jammal and not the company. Repayment proposal being prepared by Jammal’s lawyers.

Expect to receive document early April.

Extension 350

Participated in evaluation group meeting. Quarter 3 invoice paid.

 

Other Work Undertaken

Ÿ Joint Regional Economic Development Committee (JREDC) – The Joint Committee meeting and quarterly workshop with Northland Inc took place on 11 March. Items on the agenda included Northland Inc’s draft SOI 2022-25, discussion on regional reach, and the preparation of the economic development strategy.

Ÿ TTMAC Working Party Economic Development Workshop – worked with the Māori engagement team on the agenda for the Workshop which will take place on 14 April.

Ÿ Northland Economic Quarterly (NEQ) – March issue prepared, distributed and available online at https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/01snxsdf/economic-quarterly-issue-33-march-2022.pdf. The annual section reports on economic growth data for the year ended March 2021 while the spotlight section examines some of the impacts of the latest Covid-19 restrictions on Northland’s economy. The NEQ is available through council’s eNewsletter service, sign-up at: www.nrc.govt.nz/enewsletters

Ÿ Regional Projects Reserve – An updated draft of the criteria and procedures for the allocation of funding from this Reserve was presented to council workshop.

Ÿ Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust (TTTWT) – The Trust updated council on the work that has been completed and / or is in progress, timelines for completion and opportunities for support. 

Ÿ KiwiRail – Organised meeting between Kiwirail, NRC, Northland Inc and WDC to discuss the detailed business case being prepared for the Marsden Point rail spur and an update on the Kauri to Otiria line. The update was followed by a presentation delivered by KiwiRail to the Northland Strategic Planning Workshop on 29 March.

Ÿ CLUES scenarios and costings – Delivered a presentation to council on the costing analysis conducted on the freshwater management mitigation options modelled by NIWA.

ONLINE CHANNELS

Most popular content: A video by Auckland Blues and Northland Taniwha rugby player Tom Robinson made for the Maritime - Nobody’s stronger than Tangaroa campaign. The video was posted to Tom’s Instagram and our Facebook and Instagram. Through organic sharing and paid advertising, the video reached 34,567 people, received 27,315 views, and was engaged with 1,377 times. This was the first time we worked alongside a social media ‘influencer’, and it was great to get such a positive result. Check out the video here.

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

 

Key Performance Indicators

Nov-21

Dec-21

Jan-22

Feb-22

Mar-22

WEB

 

 

 

 

 

# Visits to the NRC website

33,100

34,526

41,600

34,400

35,900

E-payments made

20

18

7

16

14

# subscription customers (cumulative)

1,273

NA*

1,263

1,385

1,378

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key Performance Indicators

Nov-21

Dec-21

Jan-22

Feb-22

Mar-22

SOCIAL MEDIA (cumulative)

 

 

 

 

 

# Twitter followers

1,564

1,564

1,567

1,566

1,564

# NRC Facebook fans

10,507

10,469

10,510

10,600

10,600

# NRC Overall Facebook Reach

57,300

244,777

157,700

207,200

189,900

# NRC Engaged Daily Users

2,093

4,821

2,755

4,807

8,442

# CDEM Facebook fans

25,800

26,120

26,117

26,200

26,300

# CDEM Overall Facebook Reach

236,900

NA*

214,100

171,100

103,300

# CDEM Engaged Daily Users

30,600

NA*

26,600

19,500

5,564

# Instagram followers

1,450

NA*

1,488

1,506

1,520

 

NOTES: *NA – Data not available due to Christmas break.

ENVIROSCHOOLS / EDUCATION

WaiFencing skills course held

On 10 and 11 March, Enviroschools WaiFencing courses were held on Donagh Farm, near Waiotira.  Due to Covid protocols, we ran a rolling-schools event where students attended in separate school groups at different times of the day.  Schools able to participate included:  Dargaville High, Renew School, Tauraroa Area School and Whangarei Boys’ High.  Land Management provided a presentation on why fencing off waterways is important and CanTrain NZ tutors taught skills in fence construction, temporary electrics, repairs and tool identification and maintenance.

Enviroschools projects

Ruawai College has embarked on a long-term project regarding the water quality of the Northern Wairoa River and the Kaipara Harbour, and surrounding land use.  The school has linked up with local farmers and the Kaipara Moana Remediation programme.

Totara North School students are deepening their understanding of the interconnectedness of humans and the environment by creating a biodiversity timeline, including species introductions and local history.

Enviroschools communities facilitated
Despite Covid-19, during March Enviroschools Facilitators safely held specific interactions with 56 school and early childhood communities.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Scholarships

Judging took place at the end of March with a panel consisting of the Community Engagement Manager, Kai Arahi Tikanga Māori, the Eastern Coast Land Manager and Janelle Beazley. The panel were impressed by the range of applications and are currently in the final stage of selection stages. All applicants will be contacted within the next few weeks to learn the outcome of their application. Once announced, you can find out more about the recipients here.

 

Environmental awards

Promotion continues for our environmental awards. This year we have introduced a new category: youth environmental leader and have partnered with Kiwi Coast to offer a special award for an outstanding group or project. The deadline for entries has been extended to 20 April.

 

Annual plan consultation

Our annual plan consultation is being supported by a social media campaign as well as print ads and EDMs to stakeholders.

Citylink Whangārei Facebook page

The Community Engagement team supported the Transport team in launching the Citylink Whangārei Facebook page. This was launched on March 26th and as of April 8th now has 146 followers.

Communications 

Communications issued in March included our quarterly e-newsletter and newspaper spread, Our Northland, our From Hill to Harbour e-newsletter, the TTMAC pānui, Ngā karere o Taitokerau as well as 4 media releases covering the following topics: 

·    Heads up of tsunami testing

·    Annual plan consultation

·    Half price bus trips

·    Extension to deadline for environmental awards

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL INFORMATION (LGOIMA) REQUESTS

Total LGOIMAs

March 2020 to April 2021

March 2021 to April 2022

17

11

Number of LGOIMAs not responded to within 20 working days

0

 

 

CUSTOMER SERVICES

Telephone inbound call statistics & enquiries  

    

Jan 2022

Feb 2022

Mar 2022

Call volume via Customer Services   

2049

 2003

2254

Average wait time   

5.2 secs

5.1 secs

7.6 secs

Customer service calls have increased in number. The greatest volume of calls have been for biosecurity, maritime and consents.

 

1 July 2018 –

30 June 2019

1 July 2019 –  

30 June 2020   

1 July 2020 –  

30 June 2021

Call volume via Customer Services   

20812

30566 

31130

This is the call volume over the last three years using our 3CX system.

Mailroom email processing performance  
Following a period of decreased activity during the summer period, the inwards mail has increased again.

  

Jan 2022

Feb 2022

Mar 2022

Mail processed  

679

683

851

 
Satisfaction monitoring

All complaints were attended to.

Feedback cards, compliments, and complaints  

Complaints received   

Total   

March 2022 

Service provided by a specific person/people

·    City Link buses

·    Hydrology

·    Total Mobility

 

 

1

1

1

Total complaints recorded  

3

 

8.3.8   COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

 

TRANSPORT 

REGIONAL TRANSPORT PLANNING 

Waka Kotahi continues to advise all councils that the limited amount of national funding assistance for approved programmes and projects that are included in the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) remains a serious concern.  With the continuation of COVID-19 related restrictions, which resulted in reduced travel, funding sourced from Fuel Excise Tax and Road User Charges may potentially be insufficient to cover transport related infrastructure and service requirements. 

The Regional Transport Committee held its first workshop followed by the full committee meeting on 5 April 2022. The workshop enabled open discussion of relevant topics, and the format of the workshop followed by the meeting of the committee will continue moving forward. These meetings were followed by the Joint WDC - NRC Public Transport Working Party and updates were provided on the NRC CityLink, Bream Bay Link and Hikurangi Link bus services and WDC bus infrastructure and planned projects. 

 

PASSENGER TRANSPORT ADMINISTRATION 

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

 Bus Link stats for February 2022 

(revenue ex GST)  

Actual    

Budget    

 

Variance 

Year/Date Actual    

 

Year/Date Budgeted   

Variance   

CityLink Passengers    

 25,248  

 26,429 

-1,181  

 174,589 

208,666 

 34,077 

CityLink Revenue    

$30,872  

$34,093  

-$3,221 

$222,598  

$269,179  

$46,581  

Mid North Link Passengers    

165  

144 

21 

1,103  

 1,248 

-145  

Mid North Link Revenue    

 $591 

$720 

-$129 

$3,336 

$6,240 

-$2,904  

Hokianga Link Passengers     

 93 

72 

21 

594 

618  

-24  

Hokianga Link Revenue    

 $477 

$501 

-$24 

$3,239  

$4,299 

$1,060 

 

 Bus Link stats for February 2022 

(revenue ex GST)  

Actual    

Budget    

 

Variance 

Year/Date Actual    

 

Year/Date Budgeted   

Variance   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Far North Link Passengers     

 229 

368 

-139 

1,797 

2,999  

 -1,202 

Far North Link Revenue    

 $481  

$931 

-$450 

$4,469 

$7,587 

-$ 3,118 

Bream Bay Link Passengers    

27  

24 

336 

204  

132  

Bream Bay Link Revenue    

 $204 

$86 

 $118 

$2,187 

$734  

 $1,453 

Hikurangi Link Passengers    

 22 

24 

-2 

163  

 192 

 -29 

Hikurangi Link Revenue    

 $57 

$63 

-$6 

 $383 

$532 

 -149 

Please note that the Actual Farebox Revenue depicted in the above table, does not include the national subsidy paid out for loss of farebox revenue due to COVID-19.  This subsidy is calculated by deducting actual passengers carried from passenger numbers entered in the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021/2024 funding application.  This difference is then multiplied by fares charged. 

Both the Mid NorthLink and Hokianga Link Services show a positive variance to budget for passengers carried and a negative variance to budget for farebox revenue.  This is due to more SuperGold Card holders using these services at a reduced fare. 

 

The Whangārei Heads trial service discontinued operation on 29 January 2022 due to continued low patronage.  

 

All other services remain operating at full schedules.  However, COVID-19 still is the major contributor for passenger numbers remaining low.  

 

National Bus Driver Shortage 

This continues to be an issue in all regions.  Whilst none of the NRC contracted services have been adversely affected, the planned additional services for Whangārei students have yet to commence due to a driver shortage.  Staff continue to work with the operator on this matter. 

 

Half Price Fares 

The government’s 50% fare reduction initiative will commence on 1 April 2022 and run to 30 June 2022.  

 

The following criteria are applicable:  

1.         Fares will be recovered based on “Actual Fares” taken.  I.e., NRC take $100 half fares, Waka Kotahi reimburse NRC the other $100.  

2.         Implementation and communication costs will be covered by Waka Kotahi.  

3.         Funding for this initiative is provided from outside the National Land Transport Programme. 

 

The Government has indicated that should this fare reduction prove successful by increasing the number of people on public transport, it may consider extending the time period.  

 

Whangārei District Council announced they would offer free parking from 14 March 2022 to 25 April 2022 within the Whangārei business district, which overlaps the start of the 50% reduction in bus fares. 

 

Rose Street Bus Terminus Upgrade 

The first phase of the Rose Street Bus Terminus upgrade commenced on 2 March 2022 and is expected to be completed by May 2022.  

 

This work centres around upgrading the bus traffic flow, existing bus bays, installation of new shelters and pedestrian crossings.  It will also allow for space to accommodate additional buses when required.  

 

The upgrade of the existing building, which includes passenger seating, office accommodation and public toilets, is not being undertaken during this phase.  The planned date for the second phase of this work is yet unknown but is included currently in year five of the Whangārei District Council Long-Term Plan.  

 

During this phase of the upgrades, the buses are using Vine Street, which has temporary bus bays, bus stop signage and timetables installed.  

 

Total Mobility (TM) 

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

 

Total Clients 

Monthly Actual Expend 

Monthly Budgeted Expend 

Monthly Variance 

Year/Date Actual Expend 

Year/Date Budgeted Expend 

Annual Variance 

 

February 2022 

 

1,233 

$16,372 

$25,000 

-$8,628 

$133,901 

$150,000 

-$16,099 

 

Total Mobility Scheme – 50% discounted fares   

During March, Northland Transportation Alliance (NTA) staff were part of a national project team tasked to roll out the Government’s public transport initiative of 50% discount off the client’s portion of fares on the Total Mobility Scheme.  This started on Friday 1 April 2022 and will run through to 30 June 2022.   

 

The Government will be covering the discounted portion of the fare.  There will be no financial risk to the Northland Regional Council. 

 

ROAD SAFETY UPDATE 

Comparisons of road safety statistics, fatalities are lower in the period in 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. 

 

Road Trauma Update 

Road Fatalities Statistics for the period 1 January 2021 – 5 April 2021  

Fatalities Jan – April 2021 

Far North 

Whangārei 

Kaipara 

Northland 

National 

Local roads 

1 

1 

1 

3 

51 

State highways 

4 

1 

1 

6 

40 

TOTAL 

5 

2 

2 

9 

91 

 

Road Fatalities Statistics for the period 1 January 2022 – 5 April 2022  

Fatalities Jan - April 2022 

Far North 

Whangārei 

Kaipara 

Northland 

National 

Local roads 

0 

1 

0 

1 

51 

State highways 

2 

1 

2 

5 

42 

TOTAL 

2 

2 

2 

6 

93 

 

Motorcycle Safety - Ride Forever (R4E) Rider Training Update 

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

·            R4E – 2021/2022 – 129 riders have completed courses to date: 

o   Bronze Course – 59 

o   Silver Course – 40 

o   Gold Course – 30 

 

Northland Road Safety Forum & Northland Freight Group Meetings Postponed 

Both the Road Safety Forum and Freight Group quarterly meetings have again been postponed pending national and Northland Regional Council changes to COVID-19 rules regarding in person meetings.     

 

Driver Reviver/Fatigue Stops 

The northbound Driver Reviver Stop is still scheduled for Easter, Thursday 14 April 2022 taking into consideration the COVID-19 situation at the time. 

 

Waka Kotahi Road Safety Promotion/Media themes for March 2022 

Road safety promotional and media related themes for March 2022 continued to concentrate around: 

·            Speed  

·            Alcohol/drugs 

·            Seatbelts 

·            Young drivers 

·            Motorcyclists  

·            Cyclists 

·            Fatigue and distractions 

 

At the local level, Northland also produces radio, print and other social media messaging to promote road safety specific to Northland, and to compliment the Governments ‘Road to Zero’ and ‘Safe System Approach’ road safety initiatives. 
 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 

The Minister for Emergency Management hosted a meeting in late March with the Northland Mayors, Chair of the NRC, and Chief Executives from each council to discuss and consider proposed changes to the Emergency Management legislation.  Including clarifying roles and responsibilities of territorial authorities and CDEM Groups.  This was an opportunity for good discussion and feedback on the proposal in the new bill.  The Minister also indicated that the timeline for the bill has been extended by at least six months.  This extension was as a direct result of feedback that raised concerns about the pace of the proposed bill and changes.  

 

The Deputy Chief Executive of NEMA, Gary Knowles met with the FNDC Chief Executive, Blair King and the CDEM Emergency Manager in early April.   The purpose of the meeting was to meet with the new FNDC CEO and establish an understanding of his CDEM expectations. 

 

Gary Knowles also met with the CDEM Office personnel and the CEG Chair, to discuss and understand local and regional arrangements and to provide an overview of NEMA work programmes.   

 

The CDEM group office has been advised by Radio NZ that they are decommissioning and removing the transmission site at Waipapakauri in Northland.  RNZ has been working with the group to advise affected people of the change and outline how to access alternative platforms and channels. 

 

The CDEM Group Office has been impacted by sick leave from COVID-19, other health matters and two recent resignations and at times the team has been at less than 50% of its usual work force capacity.  As of 7 April, the CDEM team had three vacancies, one will be filled with the role of Welfare Specialist on 19 April, the Communications Specialist is anticipated to be filled by mid-May, and the timeline regarding filling the Response Specialists role will be slightly longer.   Workload remains high with additional demands from NEMA and others on an ad hoc basis.      

 

MARITIME 

Incidents 

There were 21 incidents logged in March, mostly illegal anchoring, speeding offences and accidents.   

 

Two derelict abandoned vessels were removed from Whangaroa Harbour and disposed by staff.  Another two were removed from Whangārei Harbour.  NRC staff saved a sinking vessel in time, on a mooring by pumping out the vessel, an internal fitting had failed. 

 

The entrance buoy to Houhora Harbour was reported out of position and relocated by the Waikare. 

A fishing charter vessel rolled during a storm on 20/21 March, near North Cape with tragic loss of life. Initial rescue of survivors and incident response was carried out by police and emergency services.  The first attempt to salvage the wreckage was unsuccessful, when the vessel flipped whilst under tow and sank off Henderson Bay.  Maritime staff, the NRC vessel Waikare and a salvage team of six divers were contracted by the insurance company to recover the vessel, which was brought ashore in Houhora.  After inspection by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission and Maritime NZ the vessel was dismantled.  No oil pollution resulted.  

 

Shipping 

A scheduled Port and Harbour Safety Code review was postponed due to COVID-19, as was the annual NZ Marine Pilots conference. 

 

General 

The final design of the replacement vessel for the Waikare has commenced.  Key aspects will be a high-performance hull for optimised fuel consumption.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RIVERS AND NATURAL HAZARDS 

RIVERS 

Long Term Plan Projects 

Rivers 

Comments 

Awanui 

Work on the Northern Floodway Benching is progressing well (40% complete). The Kaitaia Rugby Club Floodway Benching, Matthew’s Park & Switzer Spillway contracts are underway and currently 25% and 40% complete respectively. Expectation that some sections will be completed next earthworks season.  

Work to improve channel capacity through Primary School/A&P showgrounds reach now complete with improvements to A&P parking areas very well received by the A&P Society. 

Quarry Road & SH10 Bridges improved flow designs have been completed, but material costs and availability have slowed progress. 

Flood wall designs well underway and procurement for Milky Way expected to commence shortly. These works can be undertaken through the winter period. 

Otīria/Moerewa 

Stage 1 work is now underway, however there is a 3-week delay because of Contractor Staff with COVID-19.       

Kerikeri 

Waipapa Industrial Estate Flood Mitigation project is underway approximately 25% completed.  

 

NATURAL HAZARDS   

Work Streams    

Status    

Comments    

Whangārei (CBD) River Catchment Flood Model   

68% complete 

Upgrade of the hydraulic model catchment(s) including new structures, updated LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and sea level rise values and recalibration. Specific river/stream structures inspections have been completed over the last month.  

 

Following discussions with WDC (Whangārei District Council), Ewaters (consultants on the project) will now also be engaged to include the CBD stormwater network as part of the same package (variation).  

 

WDC will be funding the additional costs, approximately $90,000, related to the additional tasks.  Our aim is to complete the project, including the additional tasks, before the end June 2022. 

Website Natural Hazards Portal   

90% complete 

Morphum Environmental has been engaged to develop the portal with support and input from colleagues across various departments.  

 

The third phase of the development of the portal is ongoing, e.g., landing page, flooding and Te Ao Māori aspects, story maps, property viewer and sea level rise viewer.  

 

It is our vision to ‘go public’ by the end of June 2022. Prior to that we will be presenting this to our Councilors, and other appropriate platforms, for feedback. Simultaneously it is our intention to share this with our District Council colleagues before going live. 

Raupo Drainage Scheme – Coastal Flood Hazard Analysis & Mitigation Options  

80% complete 

We have engaged Water Technology (WT) to do detailed hydraulic modelling from all perspectives, i.e., catchment, river and most importantly coastal.  

The objective is to establish a detailed base model and to develop flood hazard mitigation options, particularly from a coastal perspective, and adaptation planning.  

 

The project team consists of NRC and KDC staff, Chair of the Drainage Committee, and the Consultants. NRC are taking the modelling analysis lead on this project, i.e., contract management (NRC Budget). KDC are collating the assets data covered under their budgets. 

 

Surveys, data collection, assets inspection and ‘building’ of the hydraulic model have been completed. First draft ‘results’ have been reviewed by the project team. Further analysis and ‘flood event scenarios’ are underway with results expected at the end of April. The project is on target to be completed by the end of June 2022. 

 

This project will support the pilot project under the Te Taitokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy (TTCAS) in which scoping, and planning process is underway; early engagement has commenced with KDC. 

Natural Hazards technical and planning support to District Councils on Plan Changes and Rules 

Ongoing 

Following the publication of our coastal hazard maps and the regionwide flood maps, complimentary to the priority rivers flood maps, further technical, consultative, and planning support / guidance is provided to the DCs. This follows the commitments to DCs prior to the publication of the coastal hazard maps. 

 

 CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE  

Work Streams    

Status    

Comments    

NRC Climate Change Strategy “Ngā Taumata o te Moana” and Implementation Plan  

Implementation Ongoing 

Progress is ongoing. New staff are contacting various teams within Council to discuss roles, responsibilities, work programmed and reporting as it relates to each action. We are undertaking a ‘stocktake’ of each of the 46 actions, aiming to build a system to drive progress and report on change.  

 

The next work programme update will be presented to the Climate Change Working Party meeting on 25 May 2022. 

 

The new Manager: Climate Change Manager  started on 23 February and the new Zero Carbon Transition Advisor started full time on 4 April 2022.  

Te Taitokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy (TTCAS) 

Final Draft 

 

95% complete - awaiting formal adoption from all four Councils. 

Joint Strategy endorsed by JCCAC. All four Councils are aiming to formally adopt the final Strategy by end of April. FNDC adopted the Joint Strategy on 7 April. 

Paper for adoption of Joint Strategy by NRC is scheduled to go to council for 26 April meeting. 7.8

Te Taitokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy (TTCAS) - Programme Implementation 

Implementation Ongoing 

There are 46 ‘priority actions’ listed in the Joint Strategy. Coordinating and reporting on these actions will happen through the JCCAC and CATT. 

 

Actions 29, 30 (Coastal Adaptation Programme): Council has made funding available, up to a maximum of $45,000 each, for the three district councils to support the undertaking of Coastal Adaptation Planning at their initial sites. Funding is made available through a business case application and comes from the NRC Climate Change budget. KDC submitted the business case for Raupo/Ruawai and was awarded the funds. WDC have also submitted a business case and have had funding approved. FNDC are not yet able to apply for funds but are working toward.    

Deep South National Science Challenge (Deep South NSC) research project  

 

Project name: “Developing an inclusive, empowering and coordinated adaptation framework in Te Tai Tokerau – Collaborative Governance for Climate Adaptation” 

 

This project directly supports and is aligned with the TTCAS.     

Awaiting funding decision from Deep South 

Following a joint application between GNS and Climate Adaptation Te Taitokerau (CATT) $32,640 funding was made available as ‘grant in aid’ to undertake engagement activities to support development of a final proposal. Those activities have not yet started.  

 

Up to $400K of new funding has been offered by the Deep South NSC over two years (2022-2024 FY). A fully costed final proposal is required by Deep South NSC to access the funding and has been submitted. A decision on the final quantum of funding is due 12 May. 

 

Project, contract, reporting and financial management are all being administered by GNS Science. 

 

The project has two key pou (1) self-directed adaptation for tangata whenua, (2) improved governance mechanisms for the delivery of adaptation actions.  

 

This project is supported by the development of a new framework for decision-making for local government based on Te Ao Māori - sponsored by Whangārei District Council (on behalf of the CATT). This project is ongoing. 

 

 

NORTHLAND WIDE LIDAR SURVEY 

Work Streams    

Status    

Comments    

Regional LiDAR Survey 

In progress 

QA/QC checks complete and liaising with LiDAR contractor (RPS) and LINZ to finalise delivery and final payment within 1st Quarter.  

 

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                         item: 9.1

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Receipt of Committee Minutes

From:

Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist

Authorised by:

Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist, on 21 April 2022

 

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the unconfirmed minutes of the:

·        Te Oneroa-A-Tōhē Board - 18 February 2022

·        Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Meeting Minutes - 1 March 2022

·        Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee - 7 March 2022 

·        Joint Regional Economic Development Committee - 11 March 2022 

·        Audit and Risk Subcommittee – 30 March 2022

·        Investment and Property Subcommittee – 30 March 2022

·        Regional Transport Committee - 5 April 2022 

be received.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Te Oneroa-A-Tōhē Board Minutes 18 February 2022

Attachment 2: Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Meeting Minutes 1 March 2022

Attachment 3: Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee Minutes 7 March 2022

Attachment 4: Joint Regional Economic Development Committee Minutes 11 March 2022

Attachment 5: Audit and Risk Subcommittee Minutes 30 March 2022

Attachment 6: Investment and Property Subcommittee Minutes 30 March 2022

Attachment 7: Regional Transport Committee Minutes 5 April 2022  

 


Council Meeting  ITEM: 9.1

26 April 2022Attachment 1

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting  ITEM: 9.1

26 April 2022Attachment 2

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting  ITEM: 9.1

26 April 2022Attachment 3

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting  ITEM: 9.1

26 April 2022Attachment 4

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting  ITEM: 9.1

26 April 2022Attachment 5

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting  ITEM: 9.1

26 April 2022Attachment 6

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator


Council Meeting  ITEM: 9.1

26 April 2022Attachment 7

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

PDF Creator

  


Council Meeting                                                                                                                                                        ITEM: 10.0

26 April 2022

 

TITLE:

Business with the Public Excluded

 

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive Summary

The purpose of this report is to recommend that the public be excluded from the proceedings of this meeting to consider the confidential matters detailed below for the reasons given.

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendations

1.              That the public be excluded from the proceedings of this meeting to consider confidential matters.

2.              That the general subject of the matters to be considered whilst the public is excluded, the reasons for passing this resolution in relation to this matter, and the specific grounds under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution, are as follows:

Item No.

Item Issue

Reasons/Grounds

10.1

Confirmation of CONFIDENTIAL Minutes - Council Meeting 23 March 2022 and CONFIDENTIAL Minutes - Extraordinary Council Meeting 12 April 2022

The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, as stated in the open section of the meeting -.

10.2

Receipt of Committee CONFIDENTIAL Minutes

The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, as stated in the open section of the meeting -.

10.3

Human Resources Report - March 2022

The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons s7(2)(a).

10.4

Summary Report on the Kensington Crossing Redevelopment Project

The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information s7(2)(b)(ii) and the withholding of which is necessary to enable council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities s7(2)(h).

10.5

Private Equity Consideration

The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to enable council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities s7(2)(h).

3.              That the Independent Financial Advisors be permitted to stay during business with the public excluded.

Considerations

1.    Options

Not applicable. This is an administrative procedure.

2.    Significance and Engagement

This is a procedural matter required by law. Hence when assessed against council policy is deemed to be of low significance.

3.    Policy and Legislative Compliance

The report complies with the provisions to exclude the public from the whole or any part of the proceedings of any meeting as detailed in sections 47 and 48 of the Local Government Official Information Act 1987.

4.    Other Considerations

Being a purely administrative matter; Community Views, Māori Impact Statement, Financial Implications, and Implementation Issues are not applicable.