Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party

14 July 2022

Tuhituhi o ngā Mahi O Te Kāhui Māori O Taitokerau

Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party Record of Actions

 

Meeting held in the Council Chamber

36 Water Street, Whangārei and via audio visual link (Zoom)

on Thursday 14 July 2022, commencing at 11.00am - 3.00pm

 

 

Tuhinga (Present):

Co-Chair, Marty Robinson

Co-Chair, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hine, Pita Tipene (Item 4.5)

Councillor Jack Craw

Councillor Colin Kitchen (part meeting)

Councillor Amy Macdonald

Councillor Penny Smart

Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust, Georgina Connelly

Te Parawhau Hapū Authority Charitable Trust, Mira Norris

Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Rehia, Nora Rameka

Te Whakapiko Hapū, Rowan Tautari

Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi, Janelle Beazley

Ngāti Hau, Mike Kake

Councillor Terry Archer

Ngātiwai Trust Board, William Sullivan

Te Waiāriki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāti Taka Hapū Iwi Trust, Waimarie Kingi

 

I Tae Mai (In Attendance):

Huihuinga i te katoa (Full Meeting)

Pou Manawhakahaere – GM Governance and Engagement

Pou Tiaki Taiao - GM Environmental Services

Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori – Māori Relationships Manager

Kaiārahi Tikanga Māori

PA/Team Admin, Governance and Engagement

Huihuinga i te wahanga (Part Meeting)

Carol Barnett, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Corporate Planner

Policy and Planning Manager

Policy Specialist

Policy Specialist (Freshwater)

Economic Policy Advisor

Makarena Dalton, Barker Associates

David Barker, Barker Associates

Dave Milner, Co-Chair Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group

Delaraine Armstrong, Co-Chair Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group

Vaughan Cooper, Acting CEO, Northland Inc

Piripi Moore, Kaiwhakahaere – GM Māori

 

The meeting commenced at 11.00am.

Karakia / Whakatau

Mike Kake provided the opening karakia in the tāngata whenua members’ caucus session prior to the formal meeting.

Ngā Mahi Whakapai/Housekeeping (Item 1.0)

Ngā Whakapahā/Apologies (Item 2.0)

Councillor Justin Blaikie

Councillor Rick Stolwerk

Councillor Joce Yeoman

Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board, Juliane Chetham

Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa, Rihari Dargaville

Ngāti Kuta, Patukeha, Michelle Elboz

Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi

Te Roroa, Thomas Hohaia

Te Whakaminenga O Te Hikutu Hapu-Whanau, Lynette Wharerau

Chief Executive Officer, Malcolm Nicolson

Nga whakapuakanga (Declarations of Conflicts of Interest) (Item 3.0)

It was advised that members should make declarations item-by-item as the meeting progressed.

 

Record of Actions – 9 June 2022 (Item 4.1)

It was agreed that the record of actions was an accurate reflection of the meeting.

 

Receipt of Action Sheet (Item 4.2)

The action sheet was received.

 

Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party Strategic Intent 2021 - 2040 (Item 4.3)

 

Agreed action points: Nil.

·            <<enter Text>>

 

Economic development: Te Purunga ki Te Raki (Item 4.4)

Carol Barnett (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) provided a presentation on Te Puranga ki Te Raki, the Regional Skills Leadership Group (RSLG) for Taitokerau. It is one of 15 RSLGs created to identify and advise on how to better support skills and workforce needs in a joined-up, regionally led approach. Taitokerau Co-Chairs are Harry Burkhardt and Toa Faneva, and Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party Co-Chair, Pita Tipene is a member. The presentation focused on the strength that Te Puranga ki Te Raki regional leaders across different sectors bring when working together and sharing data on critical priorities (kāinga, wai, community led capability, workforce resilience) and on addressing the key objectives of the Regional Workforce Plan (RWP) underpinned by mātauranga Māori and He Whakaputanga. Once the RWP is signed off, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) will align their plans. Members noted that relationships with hapū and marae were critical because sustainability depended on pathways for rangitahi who will provide the skills and capacity to unlock whenua Māori. Members appreciated the alignment of the presentation with  parts of TTMAC Strategic Intent 2021-2040 and were encouraged to connect with Te Puranga ki Te Raki for their iwi and hapū.

Agreed action points: Nil.

Secretarial Note: Items 4.6, 4.7 were addressed following Item 4.4.

 

Tāiki ē NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan (Item 4.5)

This item sought the endorsement of Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) of ‘Tāiki e NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan’ (Tāiki e) going to council for adoption at the 26 July meeting. The document was wholeheartedly endorsed, without change. In attendance were David Badham and Makarena Dalton, who facilitated the development of both TTMAC Strategic Intent 2021-2040 and then Tāiki e, and who acknowledged the intense and challenging work undertaken by the subgroup to bring two world views together, committing to the process with trust, honesty and robust debate. Thanks was given by all members to the subgroup comprising TTMAC Co-Chairs Pita Tipene and Marty Robinson, NRC Chair Penny Smart, Mira Norris, Mike Kake, Nora Rameka, Lynnette Wharerau, and councillors Amy MacDonald and Jack Craw, along with key staff members. For clarity, the diagram is not part of the Tāiki e document as there are some grey areas which require further work. As observed by subgroup members, council endorsement signifies the start of work on the implementation plan, and work on the three remaining whainga of the TTMAC Strategic Intent 2021-2040 by the incoming council.

Agreed action points:

·            That the Tāiki e NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan be taken to council for adoption at the July 2022 council meeting.

Secretarial Note: Item 4.5 was addressed after items 4.6, 4.7.

 

TTMAC advice to incoming council (Item 4.6)

Pou Manawhakahaere – GM Governance and Engagement sought to survey tāngata whenua members as an opportunity for them to provide direct and specific feedback to the incoming council (October 2022 local elections) on Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party’s (TTMAC) achievements, value and challenges. The results would be analysed by the Māori Technical Advisory Group (MTAG) and a report and recommendations brought to September’s TTMAC meeting for review and endorsement to provide to the incoming council. It was noted that the survey is separate to the Tiriti Health Check evaluation being currently being done by independent assessors Whaia Legal and Buddle Findlay.

Agreed action points:

·            That a survey of iwi and hapū members of Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) be undertaken with the survey questions that were attached to the paper.

·            That Māori Technical Advisory Group conduct an analysis of the survey results that will form the basis for a report and recommendations to the TTMAC September meeting for the main purpose of presenting to the incoming council post October 2022 elections.

 

Local Elections 2022 update (Item 4.7)

Pou Manawhakahaere – GM Governance and Engagement provided a brief update of the regional communications campaign, collateral and events that are scheduled to promote iwi and hapū to engage in the local government elections, with the first virtual hui that evening.

Agreed action points: Nil.

 

Te Tiriti Health Check (Item 4.8)

This item sought the endorsement of the work programme and survey questions recommended by consultants Buddle Findlay and Whaia Legal for the organisational review of Northland Regional Council and how it gives effect to its commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Members endorsed the programme subject to feedback being given to the consultants about key discussion points around the Taitokerau context of He Whakaputanga and hapū leadership.

Agreed action points:

·            That the programme and survey questions recommended by Buddle Findlay and Whaia Legal form the basis of an independent report and recommendations to council, reflecting council’s commitment to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This is subject to the following changes:

o      That there be sessions with Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party and the Māori Technical Advisory Group added to the programme

o      That staff provide the consultants with a copy of Tāiki e NRC Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan which provides a clear signal of council’s direction.

 

Proposal for change to August meeting (Item 4.9)

It was agreed that the Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) virtual workshop scheduled for 11 August 2022 be changed to a formal meeting. This is so there are sufficient opportunities to keep progressing significant items such as the Te Tiriti Health Check, Tāiki Ē NRC Strategic Implementation Plan, advice from tāngata whenua members into the governance review being prepared for the incoming council, and to provide any advice to council in a timely and efficient manner. 

Agreed action points:

·       That the meeting schedule for the Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) be updated as follows:

Date

TTMAC meeting

11 August

Formal meeting/Workshop

8 September

Formal meeting

13 October

No meeting (council recess)

10 November

No meeting (council recess)

 

Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group Update (Item 4.10)

The Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group (TWWAG) Co-Chairs provided a progress update on their Stage 2 mahi, and work planned for July – September 2022. They also sought members feedback on the examples of draft vision statements, objectives, how wai might be classified from their Recommendations Report, and the options being considered for tāngata whenua engagement. It was noted that they hadn’t looked at the maramataka Māori in terms of the wai as the group doesn’t have expertise in that, however, collectively TWWAG were trying to ensure that there was as much mātauranga Māori content as possible permeating the documents. A separate wananga may be held with maramataka experts.

Agreed action points: Nil.

 

Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group - membership update (Item 4.11)

The Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group provided an update on their membership. It was advised that Alan Riwaka and Millan Ruka had recently stepped down, with Rihari Dargaville (Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) proxy) now filling Alan Riwaka’s place and nominations called for a replacement for Millan Ruka and a TTMAC proxy for Rihari Dargaville. Members acknowledged the loss of Millan Ruka from the group and suggested Sheila Taylor, Hona Edwards and Celia Witehira as possible nominees, subject to them being interested in the role.

Agreed action points:

·       That Rihari Dargaville be confirmed as Alan Riwaka’s replacement Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) member on the Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group (TWWAG)

·       That TTMAC appoints Mira Norris as the new TTMAC proxy on TWWAG.

·       That TTMAC members provide nominations (including short bios) to council staff by 29 July for a replacement for Millan Ruka. The nominations will follow the usual process of going to the Selection Panel and then to council for confirmation.

 

 

Te Taitokerau Māori and Council working arrangements with Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group during election period (Item 4.12)

This paper sought to ensure that there is delegation of Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party’s non-elected (tāngata whenua) members to engage with the Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group (TWWAG) and endorse (as appropriate) TWWAG’s recommendations in October and November 2022, during council recess period.

Key discussion points included:

·       That governance-level engagement with TWWAG, not technical expertise, was sought to maintain momentum during the council recess period (before the incoming council confirmed their governance structure). Namely, two meetings of 1 – 2 hours in October and November for TTMAC tāngata whenua and TWWAG members

·       That the current Non-Elected Members Allowances Policy does not support TTMAC members providing technical expertise outside of a meeting (such as providing feedback on policies and reports).

Agreed action points:

·            That a subgroup of Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) non-elected members be established to work with the Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group (TWWAG) to review and endorse (as appropriate) the TWWAG Stage 2 Report on behalf of TTMAC (until such time as the incoming council confirms its future governance structure).

 

Reports from other working party and groups (Item 4.13)

The report was received and taken as read with Clr Craw providing a verbal report of highlights from the Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party held on 25 May,

Agreed action points:

·            Clr Craw and Waimarie Kingi to follow up regarding Pataua pipi issue after the meeting.

 

Chief Executive’s Report to Council (Item 4.14)

The report was received and taken as read.

Agreed action points: Nil.

Whakamutunga (Conclusion)

The meeting concluded at 3.26pm