Meeting of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council Maori Committee

Date: Tuesday 28 October 2014

Time: 10.15am

Venue:

Council Chamber

Hawke's Bay Regional Council

159 Dalton Street

NAPIER

Agenda

Item Subject Page

1. Welcome/Notices/Apologies

Mr Derek Williams will address the meeting

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

3. Short Term Replacements 3

4. Confirmation of Minutes of the Maori Committee held on 26 August 2014

5. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Maori Committee held on 26 August 2014

6. Follow Ups from Previous Maori Committee Meetings 5

7. Call for any Minor Items Not on the Agenda 9

Information or Performance Monitoring

8. Science Report: Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Inventory – Current State of Knowledge – This item was carried over from the last Maori Committee meeting - the report was included in 26 August agenda 11

9. Update on Current Issues by the Interim Chief Executive

10. Enviroschools and Kura 15

11. Pakowhai and Waitangi Regional Parks - a Draft Plan Overview 17

12. Nature Central 21

13. Update on Tukituki River and Central Hawke's Bay Wastewater Discharges - Verbal

14. Biodiversity Strategy Report 25

15. Update on Maori-Agri Business

16. Statutory Advocacy Update 29

17. Minor Items Not on the Agenda 35

Please Note - Pre Meeting for Māori Members of the Committee begins at 9 am

1. Two hour on-road parking is available in Vautier Street at the rear of the HBRC Building.

2. The public park in Vautier Street on the old Council site costs only $4 for all day parking. This cost will be reimbursed by Council.

3. There are limited parking spaces (3) for visitors in the HBRC car park – entry off Vautier Street - it would be appropriate that the “Visitors” parks be available for the Members travelling distances from Wairoa and CHB

N.B. Any carparks that have yellow markings should NOT be used to park in.

Follow Ups from Previous Maori Committee meetings

Attachment 1

Follow Ups from Previous Maori Committee Meetings

26 August 2014 meeting

	Agenda Item	Action	Person Responsible	Due Date	Status Comment
1.	RMA Section 35A Requirements (24 June meeting)	Invitation to be extended to Ms Bate by MAI to address their mandated members	VM/PP	26 August	Update at meeting
2.	Planning for the Development of the next Long Term Plan 2015-25	Subcommittee to be set up to discuss list	VM/MM	End of Sept	Update at meeting
3.	General Business – Enviro Schools in Koru	A report to be prepared	VM/Drew B/Sally C	Mid October	Agenda item at this meeting
4.	Tukituki River –	Update report to be prepared	IM	Mid October	Verbal report to be given at meeting

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Maori Committee

Tuesday 28 October 2014

SUBJECT: Science Report: Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Inventory – Current State of Knowledge

Reason for Report

1. The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the current status of the Biodiversity Inventory project and findings to date.

Background

2. One of the outcomes of the Hawke’s Bay Land and Water Management Strategy (LWMS) adopted by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) is to improve our understanding of the ecological services provided by indigenous vegetation and wetlands. The LWMS recognises that the regional biodiversity provides ecosystem services essential for human well-being.

3. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and a range of stakeholders^{^[1]} have made a commitment to develop a Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Strategy by the end of 2014. Part of the strategy development is the development of a Biodiversity Inventory (the Inventory).

4. The purpose of the Inventory is to summarise existing information on biodiversity to provide a more informed understanding of the current state, the past decline and drivers of decline or enhancement of regional biodiversity. It will guide the development of the Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Strategy and set priorities and actions to achieve the strategy objectives. The Inventory is a living document, requiring inputs from key partners undertaking biodiversity initiatives.

5. This report summarises information collected in the Inventory to date. Knowledge gaps have been identified from which recommendations have been made to improve the Inventory and our understanding of biodiversity in the Hawke’s Bay region.

6. Published literature and expert opinions have been used to identify the presence, distribution and threat status of native species where information exist, and terrestrial, freshwater and coastal/marine habitats. Where possible, national classification and spatial information were used to quantify the current distributions and degree of change over time from predicted historical state.

Current state of knowledge

7. The key findings on vulnerable species include:

7.1. Nationally, there have been severe reductions in both species population size and distribution. The tally of extinct species continues to rise. The regional picture is similar to that of national picture since some taxonomic groups have a high proportion of vulnerable species to extinction. Several species have been lost from the region permanently. The main causes of decline include predation and grazing from introduced mammals, habitat loss and modification.

7.2. There is scant information on taxonomic groups that consist of smaller organisms, such as moss, lichens, and insects. This is due to reasons, such as difficulties in finding or identifying the species, and their lesser attractiveness, which results in a lack of awareness or interest.

7.3. Other taxonomic groups such as lizards also have knowledge gaps because sparse populations make it difficult to study them.

7.4. It would be a vast task to fully understand the state of all species, particularly cryptic species such as lichens and insects, present in the region. A process to identify species on which the region can focus on its conservation effort is needed. ‘Indicator species’ could include species that represent a taxonomic group, threatened species, or habitat types such as terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal/marine, or species that are susceptible to, and good indicator for, certain threats and pressures.

7.5. The Department of Conservation (DoC) has recently published a list of indicator species to monitor native species trends across New Zealand. This framework and the associated species should be considered so that the regional framework is aligned with DoC’s initiatives.

8. The key findings on habitats include:

8.1. Habitat loss is severe from the foothills of the main ranges down to the coast where most land is under private ownership.

8.2. Remaining indigenous habitats in such landscapes are generally fragmented and vulnerable to on-going threats such as land-use activities and introduced pests. Threatened habitat types include lowland podocarp forests, lowland streams and rivers, freshwater wetlands, and sand dunes.

8.3. ‘Historically Rare Terrestrial Ecosystems’ (defined as those being rare before human colonisation of New Zealand and covering less than 0.5% of NZ total area) are also identified in the region. Examples include frost flats in Taharua Catchment and coastal rock stacks at Cape Kidnappers. Due to their restricted distribution, they are also highly vulnerable to threats such as weed invasion, predation and land-use activities.

8.4. Most threatened habitats occur on private land, and their condition is largely unknown. An ecological survey to assess the condition of threatened habitat remnants is needed. Such a survey would provide baseline data necessary for developing objectives and outcomes under the Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Strategy.

8.5. Criteria and process for prioritising enhancement efforts is also needed. Criteria would have multiple components including ecological values as provided from an ecological survey, and social values such as existing community projects and community willingness.

Decision Making Process

9. Council is required to make a decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements contained within this section of the Act in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only and no decision is to be made, the decision making provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 do not apply.

Recommendation

1. That the Maori Committee receives the Science Report ‘Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Inventory – Current State of Knowledge’.

Keiko Hashiba

Resource Analyst - Land

Dr Stephen Swabey

Manager, Science

Iain Maxwell

Group Manager Resource Management

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Maori Committee

Tuesday 28 October 2014

SUBJECT: Enviroschools and Kura

Reason for Report

1. This report is submitted in response to a request by Shaun Haraki to have a report on the respective role of Enviroschools and Kura Kaupapa Maori (kura).

2. With the Council having an involvement in Enviroschools, Mr Haraki wanted to know to what extent Council extends that involvement to kura.

3. Kura are Maori language immersion schools where the philosophy and practice reflect Māori cultural values with the aim of revitalising Māori language, knowledge and culture.

Background

4. The Enviroschools Foundation supports Enviroschools and Te Aho Tū Roa. Both aim to empower children and students in early childhood centres, schools and kura to create healthy, peaceful, sustainable communities.

5. Te Aho Tu Roa was established as part of the Maori Party’s requirement for joining National in the last government.

6. Te Aho Tu Roa has its own national coordinator who focuses on the Enviroschools programme in kura and liaises directly with them.

7. At present there are two kura involved in the Enviroschools programme in Hawke’s Bay through Te Aho Tu Roa, one in Wairoa and one in Hastings. There are 44 schools involved in Enviroschools in Hawke’s Bay with approximately 7,600 children.

8. Council has a Community Engagement Coordinator who has responsibilities for overseeing the Enviroschools programme assisted by three facilitators. The Enviroschools program is only a part of the Community Engagement Coordinator’s role.

9. Kura can chose whether to go with Te Aho Tu Roa or the main Enviroschools programme. Some have chosen to do the latter as it has more local support.

10. Council’s Community Engagement Coordinator does not have a direct involvement in kura under Te Aho Tu Roa. However the two facilitators responsible for each of these areas has had contact with both of these kura.

11. Mr Haraki has been contacted by the national coordinator for Te Aho Tu Roa.

Decision Making Process

12. Council is required to make a decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements contained within this section of the Act in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only and no decision is to be made, the decision making provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 do not apply.

Recommendation

1. That the Maori Committee receives the report on Enviroschools and Kura Kaupapa Maori.

Viv Moule

Human Resources Manager

Liz Lambert

Chief Executive

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Maori Committee

Tuesday 28 October 2014

SUBJECT: Pakowhai and Waitangi Regional Parks - a Draft Plan Overview

Reason for Report

1. To provide an update on HBRC’s Individual Park Plan review process covering Pakowhai, Waitangi, Pekapeka and Tutira Regional Parks.

2. To provide an overview of the draft Waitangi, Pakowhai and Pekapeka Individual Park Plans.

Background
HBRC Regional Park Network Plan

3. At its meeting on 20 November 2013 the Environment and Services Committee (E&SC) adopted the Regional Park Network Plan (RPNP) as the guiding document for managing and improving HBRC’s open space / regional park assets.

4. The RPNP recognises the evolution of HBRC open space from areas of limited public use (often acquired for reasons other than to become parks), to areas of increasing public use and community value. The RPNP identifies some of our open space as regional parks, reflecting what they have become and acknowledging the need to manage them collectively.

5. By HBRC definition a regional park is “an area of land recognized for its natural, cultural & heritage and recreation value, or other reason, and under administration of the HBRC”.

Individual Park Plan Review

6. A requirement of the RPNP is to draft 10 year Individual Park Plans to guide the management, maintenance and development of each regional park asset.

7. At the November 2013 meeting it was identified that a program of management plan review had commenced and that Council endorsement for these plans would be sought toward the end of the 2014 calendar year.

Draft Individual Park Plan - Progress

8. Draft Individual Park Plans are completed for Pekapeka, Pakowhai and Waitangi Regional Parks.

9. Consultation has been undertaken on the draft plan for Pekapeka Wetland including Kaitiaki from Pakipaki, Forest and Bird (Hastings - Havelock North), Department of Conservation, Fish and Game New Zealand and Kiwirail. These groups are generally supportive of the project and draft plan.

10. The drafting of an Individual Park Plan for Tutira Regional Park is on hold. Preliminary scoping work was undertaken, however, on request and advice from the Maungaharuru Tangitu Trust (MTT), drafting was placed on hold until such a time MTT can appropriately engage in the project.

11. The table below provides an overview of the Individual Park Plan review process covering plan drafting, consultation, capital development & maintenance costing, Council approval and plan implementation.

Regional Park	Draft IPP	Consultation	Costing / funding	Council Approval	Implementation
Pekapeka Wetland	95% complete	complete	Estimate complete	10^th December 2014	TBC
Pakowhai Country Park	95% complete	September – November 2014	Estimate complete	10^th December 2014	TBC
Waitangi Wetlands	95% complete	September - November 2014	Estimate complete	10^th December 2014	TBC
Tutira Country Park	20% complete	2015	2015	TBC	TBC

Park Maintenance Requirement

12. Funding priority should be given to maintaining and protecting existing park assets. This includes:

12.1. maintaining park infrastructure (pathways, tables, seats, signage, fencing, carparks)

12.2. plant and animal pest control

12.3. community engagement provision

12.4. maintaining plantings (restorative, conservation, investment, enhancement, amenity)

12.5. funding depreciation of assets

12.6. providing for capital expenditure to protect, promote and enhance park values

Potential Park Development

13. Potential park developments are based on historical management objectives, ecological monitoring recommendations, anecdotal feedback and consultation where completed.

14. Proposed developments likely to be of particular interest to the Maori Committee are:

14.1. - Island Pa enhancement (Pekapeka)

14.2. - Waireporepo Pa acquisition (Pekapeka)

14.3. - Northern carpark and entrance to an “enhancement trail” (Pekapeka)

14.4. - Interpretive / Cultural signage (Pakowhai)

14.5. Upgrade of Awatoto primary arrival area (Waitangi)

14.6. - Celestial compass construction (Waitangi)

14.7. - Using a “Waka” image for the Waitangi Regional Park icon (Waitangi)

15. At the Maori Committee meeting the above will be discussed in more detail during a staff presentation accompanying this item.

16. The table below identifies a complete list of potential developments for each regional park.

Pekapeka Wetland	- Land acquisition & enhancement (Waireporepo Pa, northern carpark, southern secondary arrival area) - Island Pa site enhancement - Toilet installation - Western wetland enhancement (community provision) - Northern walkway & carpark (loop track) - Native planting program around perimeter of wetland (community provision) - Update / replace / install signage (interpretive and gateway) - Open water and bittern habitat enhancement (northern end) - Resource consent for aerial application of selective herbicide - Landscape predator control program
Pakowhai Country Park	- Park expansion / land aquisition - Walkway bridge abutment protection - Installation of stream crossing structure for dogs near bridge approaches - Service track relocation - Lake creation near the old Raupare bridge - Entrance and parking reconfiguration in conjunction with HDC - Foot bridge (Raupare Stream) - Planting Program (community provision) - Update interpretive and gateway signage - Establishment of dog agility area and infrastructure - Pedestrian overbridge (over Pakowhai Rd linking Ruahapia with the park)
Waitangi Wetlands	- Upgrade / replace vehicle barriers onto the beach at East Clive - Upgrade Richmond Rd primary arrival area (carpark) - Upgrade Ferry Rd secondary arrival area - Upgrade Awatoto primary arrival area - Construct a celestial compass in alignment with Te Matau a Māui Voyaging Trust concept - Coastal erosion control planting program (Muddy Creek wetland protection) - Amenity and restoration planting program (community provision) - Signage installation (gateway, interpretive and educational)
Tutira Country Park	- To be confirmed

Decision Making Process

17. Council is required to make a decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements contained within this section of the Act in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only and no decision is to be made, the decision making provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 do not apply.

Recommendation

1. That the Maori Committee receives the report.

Steve Cave

Manager, Open Space Development

Mike Adye

Group Manager Asset Management

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Maori Committee

Tuesday 28 October 2014

SUBJECT: Nature Central

Reason for Report

1. Nature Central is an initiative to achieve greater collaboration between Department of Conservation (DOC), Greater Wellington and Horizons and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

2. A successful Nature Central concept will include:

2.1. Effective collaboration and engagement between the partner organisations at both strategic and operational levels

2.2. Shared visions, outcomes and objectives for a range of work streams

2.3. Integrated planning and management, particularly in the natural resource area, on large scale ecological and social boundaries, rather than restricted to regional boundaries

2.4. Operational efficiencies including shared technical expertise, service delivery arrangements, administrative processes, and staff and equipment in areas that are common to the organisations.

3. This report provides an update on the current work streams being encouraged under Nature Central.

Background

4. In December 2011 the Chief Executives of the three lower North Island Regional Councils, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Horizons Regional Council and the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, along with the Director-General of the Department of Conservation (DOC) signed a Relationship Declaration. The purpose of the Declaration was to express a shared commitment to greater collaboration and more effective and efficient management of natural resources in the lower North Island. Sarah Owen is the current Nature Central coordinator. Sarah is based in HBRC offices. DOC is currently funding the position.

5. Sarah reports to the Nature Central Steering Group whose members are Mike Adye (HBRC), Craig Mitchell (Horizons), Nigel Corry and Wayne O’Donnell (Greater Wellington) and Reg Kemper and Chris Lester (DOC).

Current work streams

Planning and Consultation

6. Conservation Management Strategies (CMS) are part of a wider planning framework. In preparing these, the Conservation General Policy 2005 requires that regard be had to local government planning documents. In turn, local government planning processes are required to have regard to the Department’s statutory plans when preparing documents under the RMA. Planning for natural and historic resources cannot be undertaken in isolation from wider regional, local government and iwi planning processes. Integration of this planning framework will ensure that plans and policies work as building blocks to deliver good conservation.

7. Nature Central is to provide opportunities for involvement/information sharing from Regional Councils in the current CMS process for East Coast/Hawke’s Bay and Wellington/Wairarapa/Manawatu and to also assist in providing information into the Council’s LTP when required.

Environmental Education and Community Engagement

8. DOC believe that the most cost effective way for them to engage with schools is as connectors and facilitators rather than educators. Examples of this include; connecting schools to ‘real life’ conservation projects; whole of government (local/central) approaches through sharing resources and ideas; and quality, curriculum linked teaching and learning resources.

9. A workshop for Council and DOC community education staff is programmed to seek agreement on the most effective use of the resource put in by the collective organisations.

Recreation/Parks Management

10. A range of opportunities have been identified that could rationalise operational effort and management functions currently being used to maintain and manage the open space areas for which each organization is responsible.

11. Sarah Owen is a member of the Wellington Region Parks and Recreation Managers Group that meet every three months. The Councils involved are Greater Wellington, Hutt City Council, Masterton District Council, Porirua City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council, Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council, Carterton District Council and South Wairarapa District Council. This group looks at making the most of the resources across the region, sharing best practice, services and purchasing. The efficiencies and/or cost saving opportunities identified from this group will be shared with other Nature Central partners.

Training and Development

12. The nature central partners all employ a number of staff with similar training needs. Sharing training opportunities, timetables, records, will provide efficiencies and cost savings as well as developing stronger relationships between staff from the partner organisations.

13. Staff secondments or temporary exchange between organisations to share expertise and improve the understanding of the respective work programmes and cultures of the partner organisations will increase opportunities for collaboration in the future. Recently a HBRC staff member was seconded to DOC for three months to develop a tool for DOC staff to use in partnership discussions and to record its creation in this strategy document. The strategy developed through this document is “To foster and grow external partnerships between DOC and its Local Government Partners, Iwi Hapu, Community Groups and Businesses to allow for the ongoing and sustainable achievement of conservation in Hawke’s Bay. HBRC and DOC are interested in further opportunities of secondments – particularly in field work areas such as fresh water fish monitoring.

14. Information Technology requirements for sharing information between organisations is also being investigated.

Pest Management

15. The Lower North Island Pest Management Accord has been signed committing to collaboration across the partner organisations. This will result in the Regional Pest Management Plans for the three councils being better aligned and a common approach to be taken with the “good neighbour rule” to be developed with DOC.

16. There is also potential for having single contracts for pest control or maintenance covering both council and DOC land.

Wilding Conifers

17. Wilding conifers have the potential to impact significantly on the lower North Island if there is not a coordinated approach to their control.

18. The area affected by wilding conifers in the North Island has not been fully mapped although it is estimated that approximately 300,000 hectares are affected by wilding conifers at various densities. The New Zealand Wilding Conifer Management Strategy is a non-statutory multi-sector recipe for what needs to be done in the prevention of the spread of wilding conifers and the containment and eradication of established stands by 2030. A copy can be downloaded from the website wildingconifers.org.nz

19. The Nature Central partner organisations have worked closely with North Island stakeholders to provide information to the MPI led business case to Treasury for wilding pine control.

RMA work

20. An MOU between GW and DOC is to be shared with other Councils in relation to section 95 RMA approvals (these determine whether DOC is an affected person in relation to environmental effects, e.g. land use consents for activities in fresh water bodies.) DOC has put together a number of documents for staff outlining DOCs role in the RMA process to enable consistent, concise and timely engagement with agreed timeframes between DOC and the councils.

21. Nature Central is overseeing the sign off of the MOU and the distribution of the RMA process documents to councils.

Decision Making Process

22. Council is required to make a decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements contained within this section of the Act in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only and no decision is to be made, the decision making provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 do not apply.

Recommendation

1. That the Maori Committee receives the ‘Nature Central’ report.

Sarah Owen

Nature Central

Mike Adye

Group Manager Asset Management

Liz Lambert

Chief Executive

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Maori Committee

Tuesday 28 October 2014

SUBJECT: Biodiversity Strategy Report

Reason for Report

1. This report updates the Māori Committee on progress on the Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Strategy.

2. The Strategy is currently in draft form, nearing final draft.

Background

Regional Context

3. The Hawke’s Bay Land and Water Management Strategy (LWMS) 2011 indicated that Council would lead the development of a regional biodiversity strategy. LWMS noted the need for:

3.1. Improved understanding of the ecological services provided by indigenous vegetation and wetlands

3.2. Re-establishment of ecological processes and ecosystems

3.3. Greater variety and diversity of habitats that sustain our most valued species

4. The LWMS was launched at a public symposium in November 2011. During a symposium workshop, all participants agreed that improving biodiversity required better coordination of biodiversity management activities, particularly among the major agencies with key biodiversity roles. A recurring message was that “we need to work better together”.

5. In the 2012-2022 Long Term Plan, Council allocated funding of $103,000 to develop the Biodiversity Strategy.

National Context

6. Resource Management Act 1991. A range of statutory responsibilities in relation to biodiversity. E.g. s6(c): regional councils to recognise and provide for ‘The protection of areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna’.

7. New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2000: “halting decline in New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity by 2020”.

8. The Statement of National Priorities for Protecting Rare and Threatened Indigenous Biodiversity on Private Land 2007 informs Council (and others) in managing biodiversity on private land. It contains four priorities:

8.1. Protect indigenous vegetation associated with land environments less than 20 per cent remaining in indigenous cover.

8.2. Protect indigenous vegetation associated with sand dunes and wetlands.

8.3. Protect indigenous vegetation associated with ‘originally rare’ terrestrial ecosystems.

8.4. Protect habitats of acutely and chronically threatened indigenous species.

9. The Proposed National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity. If the NPS comes in to effect in its current form, regional councils would be required to: identify areas of significant biodiversity within five years / ensure there is no net loss of significant indigenous biodiversity. The Government intends to consider the report from the Waitangi Tribunal on claim 262 before finalising the NPS.

Strategy Development Process

10. The Strategy is being developed by the major groups and agencies involved in biodiversity in Hawke’s Bay.

11. HBRC has initiated and facilitated the strategy development via a stakeholder group process. Two stakeholder groups have been used: a Core Working Group to work through technical matters; and a Steering Group to review progress, provide feedback and steer the strategy direction. The Steering Group ultimately makes the decisions as to the Strategy content.

12. The Core Working Group involves Council staff, Department of Conservation, Fish and Game, Federated Farmers, HB Forestry Group, QEII, Nga Whenua Rahui, and Te Roopu Kaitiaki Cultural Advisors.

13. The Steering Group involves the Core Working Group plus HDC, NCC, WDC, CHBDC, Forest and Bird, TBfreeNZ, DairyNZ, Ministry for Primary Industries, HB Fruitgrowers, Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc., Mana Ahuriri Inc., Plant Hawke’s Bay. Councillors Belford and Pipe are on the Steering Group.

14. The two groups have held regular meetings since inception in late 2012.

15. At its most recent meeting on 04 September 2014, the Steering Group reviewed the draft strategy. The group largely endorsed the draft subject to a number of edits and additions. The draft attached to this paper includes most of these changes (some minor edits still to come).

The Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Strategy (Draft)

16. The strategy is a non-statutory document aimed at improving the effectiveness of biodiversity management among the major parties involved in biodiversity in Hawke’s Bay through alignment of programmes and resources. It is not a Regional Council strategy but a community strategy.

17. This is the first time in Hawke’s Bay’s history that all the agencies involved in biodiversity have agreed to work together to look for improvements in processes and programmes.

18. The Strategy contains an agreed Vision and short and long term Objectives for:

18.1. Improving native species and habitats (and the ecosystem services they provide)

18.2. Integrating Māori values

18.3. Improving partnerships and community involvement

19. The Structure of the Strategy is as follows:

19.1. “What?” - Executive Summary (pp 4-9).

19.2. “Why?” – International and national context (pp 10-15).

19.3. “Where are we now?” – The current situation in Hawke’s Bay (based on the Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Inventory presented to this Committee 13 August 2014) and the ongoing threats to habitats and species (pp 16-27).

19.4. “How” – are we going to improve things? Objectives, Actions and Outputs. (pp 28-37):

19.4.1. Work together more effectively

19.4.2. IdentifyàPrioritiseàStabiliseàEnhanceà Native Habitats and Species are Healthy and Functioning

19.4.3. Integrate Mātauranga Māori into biodiversity programmes through a cultural framework; Identify and prioritise taonga species and significant biodiversity sites.

19.4.4. Formalise commitment to the strategy intent through a Biodiversity Accord (2015)

19.4.5. Develop an Implementation plan (2015)

· Prioritisation criteria

· Identify specific actions and resources required

19.4.6. Biodiversity Trust

· Seek to attract new funding opportunities, i.e. over and above that currently available (blue sky opportunities)

· Allocate funding to priority projects (as determined in implementation plan)

19.4.7. Biodiversity Forum

· Community-based

· Anyone can join

· Review progress towards objectives

· Intention to align agency programmes with community programmes where feasible

Next Steps

20. The draft will be finalised by the Steering Group for endorsement at the Council meeting on 29 October.

Community Engagement

21. It is proposed that the draft strategy should be available for informal comments, with those comments being considered by the Steering Group parties prior to finalisation of the document.

22. It is proposed that the draft be discussed at symposia (to be held in Napier, Hastings, Central Hawke’s Bay, and Wairoa) as an opportunity for informal comments to be captured and to celebrate Hawke’s Bay’s biodiversity. Written comments would be considered by the Steering Group in early 2015 and the Strategy finalised.

Decision Making Process

1. Council is required to make a decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements contained within this section of the Act in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only and no decision is to be made, the decision making provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 do not apply.

Recommendation

1. That the Maori Committee receives the “Biodiversity Strategy” Report.

Tim Sharp

Strategic Policy Advisor

Gavin Ide

Manager, Strategy and Policy

Helen Codlin

Group Manager Strategic Development

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Maori Committee

Tuesday 28 October 2014

SUBJECT: Statutory Advocacy Update

Reason for Report

1. This paper reports on proposals forwarded to the Regional Council and assessed by staff acting under delegated authority as part of the Council’s Statutory Advocacy project between 31 July and 30 September 2014.

2. The Statutory Advocacy project (Project 192) centres on resource management-related proposals upon which the Regional Council has an opportunity to make comments or to lodge a submission. These include, but are not limited to:

2.1. resource consent applications publicly notified by a territorial authority

2.2. district plan reviews or district plan changes released by a territorial authority

2.3. private plan change requests publicly notified by a territorial authority

2.4. notices of requirements for designations in district plans

2.5. non-statutory strategies, structure plans, registrations, etc prepared by territorial authorities, government ministries or other agencies involved in resource management.

3. In all cases, the Regional Council is not the decision-maker, applicant nor proponent. In the Statutory Advocacy project, the Regional Council is purely an agency with an opportunity to make comments or lodge submissions on others’ proposals. The Council’s position in relation to such proposals is informed by the Council’s own Plans, Policies and Strategies, plus its land ownership or asset management interests.

4. The summary plus accompanying map outlines those proposals that the Council’s Statutory Advocacy project is currently actively engaged in.

Decision Making Process

5. Council is required to make a decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements contained within this section of the Act in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only and no decision is to be made, the decision making provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 do not apply.

Recommendation

1. That the Maori Committee receives the Statutory Advocacy Update report.

Helen Codlin

Group Manager Strategic Development

Attachment/s

1	Statutory Advocacy Update
2	Statutory Advocacy Map

Statutory Advocacy Update

Attachment 1

Statutory Advocacy Update (as at 30 September 2014)

Received	TLA	Map Ref	Activity	Applicant/ Agency	Status	Current Situation
18 July 2014	HDC	1	Notice of Requirement A Notice of Requirement for the Whakatu Arterial Link project to provide a road between Havelock North, State Highway 2 North, Pakowhai Road, the Expressway and the Port of Napier.	HDC	Notified, HDC hearing pending	30 September 2014 · Submissions closed Wednesday 20^th August 2014. · A submission was lodged supporting the Notice of Requirement and in support of the supporting submission lodged by the Regional Transport Committee. Both submissions can be found at HBRC Submissions · Hearings are expected to commence in late 2014. · Details of the application can be found here Notice of Requirement
5 December 2013	NCC	2	Plan Change 10 to the Operative City of Napier District Plan. A community driven Plan Change to harmonise district wide provisions between the Napier District Plan with the Hastings District Plan, incorporate the Ahuriri Subdistrict Plan and update provisions as a result of recent Napier City Council policy changes and decisions into the Napier District Plan.	NCC	Notified, NCC hearing pending	30 September 2014 · Submissions closed on Friday 14 February 2014. The HBRC submission can be found at HBRC Submissions · Details of Hearings timetables are yet to be publicised by Napier City Council.
8 November 2013	HDC	3	Proposed Hastings District Plan Review of the Hastings District Plan in its entirety. Includes the harmonisation of district wide provisions between the Napier District Plan with the Hastings District Plan where relevant.	HDC	Notified, HDC hearings in progress	30 September 2014 · HDC have commenced hearings on topic by topic basis. HDC’s hearings programme scheduled to run through remainder of 2014 into early 2015. · The HBRC Submission and Further Submission on the HDC Plan Review can be found here HBRC Submissions http://www.hbrc.govt.nz/HBRC-Documents/HBRC Document Library/20140214 Submission HDC District Plan.pdf
1 August 2013	NA	4	Application under Coastal and Marine (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 Rongomaiwahine has made an application for a Protected Customary Rights Order and a Customary Marine Title Order in the general Mahia Peninsular area under section 100 of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011.	Rongomaiwahine (Pauline Tangiora)	Notified, High Court hearing pending	30 September 2014 · Council has opposed the grant of the orders unless the nature and geographical extent of the orders is specified with sufficient detail to enable the Council to appropriately understand the effect of the orders sought. · On 26 Sept 2014, the High Court released a timetable for the provision of evidence by the applicant and other interested parties. The filing of evidence is expected to be complete by early 2015. No High Court hearing date has been set yet.

[1] Animal Health Board, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, Dairy NZ, Department of Conservation, Farm Forestry Committee, Federated Farmers, Fish & Game New Zealand, Forest & Bird, Hastings District Council, Hawke’s Bay Forestry Group, Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association, Mana Ahuriri Iwi Inc., Maori Trustee, Ministry for Primary Industries, Napier City Council, Ngā Whenua Rāhui, Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, QE II National Trust, and Te Taio Hawke’s Bay Environment Forum.

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