Meeting of the Regional Planning Committee
Late Items
Date: Wednesday 7 July 2021
Time: 11.30am
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Venue: |
Council Chamber Hawke's Bay Regional Council 159 Dalton Street NAPIER |
Agenda
Item Title Page
Decision Items
12. Tangata Whenua Representatives on the Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay Strategy Stewardship Group 3
Regional Planning Committee
Wednesday 07 July 2021
Subject: Tangata Whenua Representatives on the Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay Strategy Stewardship Group
Reason for Report
1. Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay requests that the Regional Planning Committee (RPC) provides guidance and advice on inviting and engaging two tangata whenua representatives on the Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay Strategy Stewardship Group (SSG).
Executive Summary
2. The Strategy Stewardship Group (SSG) has been established by Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay with a clear focus on driving and achieving the Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Strategy 2015-2050 (the Strategy).
3. Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay recognise the important role that tangata whenua have in the management, restoration and sustainable use of indigenous biodiversity in Hawke’s Bay. Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay are committed to their value of working in partnership and therefore seek guidance and advice from the RPC as to how they can invite and enable two tangata whenua representatives on the SSG.
Background /Discussion
4. Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay was established to coordinate the region’s plan to restore and protect Hawke’s Bay indigenous biodiversity. Over the last year they have reviewed their governance and structure which consists of a membership based incorporated society and a charitable trust for an endowment fund. As a result of the review, Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay identified the need for a governance group with a clear focus on driving the strategy. The establishment of the SSG is the outcome of that and is in place from 1 July 2021.
5. Membership of the SSG comprises the Chief Executive of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (or nominee), the Hawke’s Bay Operations Manager of the Department of Conservation (or nominee), four members elected by the membership of Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay and three members appointed by the SSG. For the initial SSG, the four elected members have come from the current management committee of the society (2) and the current Trust Board (2).
6. The SSG is being established as a partnership-based governance entity for Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay. The rules and vision reflect that it should be a balanced membership of Māori and non-Māori over time in line with Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay’s commitment to partnering with Māori.
7. Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay is excited to be entering this new phase with the transition to the SSG, and they are aware that their involvement and engagement with tangata whenua is not where they want it, or need it, to be and doesn’t currently reflect their value of working in partnership.
8. There is no timeframe or specific targets for achieving the balanced SSG membership but Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay acknowledges it as a priority and is committed to all their actions working towards this as quickly as practicable. It is important to them that the current two vacant positions on the SSG be filled with tangata whenua representatives with a view to increasing tangata whenua representation over time.
9. Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay has been honoured and grateful to have had kaumātua Des Ratima as the Deputy Chair of the Trust Board. Des’s mentoring and guidance has been invaluable, but unfortunately due to Des’ poor health, he will not be taking on a role on the SSG.
10. Any guidance or advice around engaging and partnering with tangata whenua, including any possible nominations of suitable representatives on the SSG, would be welcomed by Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay.
Options Assessment
11. Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay is reaching out to the Regional Planning Committee as biodiversity is related to the RMA and in areas covered by the committee.
Considerations of Tangata Whenua
12. Tangata whenua and biodiversity are interconnected. As kaitiaki, Maori have an important role in the protection, management, enhancement and restoration of indigenous biodiversity.
13. It is important to Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay that the work towards achieving the goals of the Strategy is undertaken as a partnership with tangata whenua.
14. Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay would like the SSG to start that journey with two tangata whenua representatives as members.
That the Regional Planning Committee:
1. Receives and considers this report and request from Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay.
2. Provides advice, guidance and/or nomination(s) of tāngata whenua representatives to Biodiversity Hawkes Bay Strategy Stewardship Group.
Authored by:
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Debbie Monahan GM Biodiversity Hawke’s BaY |
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Approved by:
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Pieri Munro Te Pou Whakarae |
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1⇩ |
Hawke's Bay Biodiversity Strategy 2015-2050 |
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