Agenda of Maori Committee

Meeting of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council Maori Committee

Date: Tuesday 12 April 2016

Time: 10.15am

Venue:

Council Chamber

Hawke's Bay Regional Council

159 Dalton Street

NAPIER

Agenda

Item Subject Page

1. Welcome/Notices/Apologies

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

3. Short Term Replacements for 12 April 2016 and Appointment of Replacement Maori Committee Member for Kahungunu Executive 3

4. Confirmation of Minutes of the Maori Committee Meeting held on 15 February 2016

5. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Maori Committee Meeting held on 15 February 2016

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. Verbal Update on Current Issues by the Regional Council Chairman and Chief Executive

9. Lake Tutira Science Update 11

10. Te Karamu Enhancement Strategy and Operational Plan 13

11. Enviroschools Hawkes Bay 17

12. December 2015 - March 2016 Statutory Advocacy Update 19

13. Verbal Update on Mahanga Beach

14. Minor Items Not on the Agenda 25

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Maori Committee

Tuesday 12 April 2016

SUBJECT: Follow-ups from Previous Maori Committee Meetings

Reason for Report

1. Attachment 1 lists items raised at previous meetings that require actions or follow-ups. All action items indicate who is responsible for each action, when it is expected to be completed and a brief status comment. Once the items have been completed and reported to Council they will be removed from the list.

Decision Making Process

2. 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 and have concluded that as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions in the Act do not apply.

Recommendation

1. That the Maori Committee receives the “Follow-up Items from Previous Maori Committee Meetings” report.

Viv Moule

Human Resources Manager

Liz Lambert

Chief Executive

Attachment/s

Follow ups from previous meeting February 15 2016

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Maori Committee

Tuesday 12 April 2016

SUBJECT: Call for Any Minor Items Not on the Agenda

Reason for Report

1. Under standing orders, SO 3.7.6:

“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,

(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if:

(i) that item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and

(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but

(b) No resolution, decision, or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”

2. The Chairman will request any items committee members wish to be added for discussion at today’s meeting and these will be duly noted, if accepted by the Chairman, for discussion as Agenda Item 14

Recommendations

That Maori Committee accepts the following minor items not on the agenda, for discussion as item 14.

Viv Moule

Human Resources Manager

Liz Lambert

Chief Executive

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Maori Committee

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Subject: Lake Tutira Science Update

Reason for Report

1. At its meeting on 9 December, the Committee requested a report in response to Mr Derek Williams presentation on water levels in Tutira Lake resulting from a heavy rainfall event in September 2015.

Background

2. HBRC has been collecting water quality information from Tutira Lake and its catchment since 2008, to drive lake and catchment ecosystem models. The primary goal of this programme has been to provide management recommendations to reduce algal blooms in the lake, as well as to investigate likely ecological impacts of reconnecting some or all flows from Papakiri Stream/Sandy Creek to the lake. This research also utilises data from the lake monitoring buoy which provides continuous real-time information on water quality in the lake.

3. There were at least two distinct fish kill events in 2016, the first just after the New Year and the second at the end of January. These were the first reported major fish kills at Tutira in recent years, and affected both the trout and eel populations.

4. Data from the monitoring buoy shed light on what caused these fish kills. The first appeared to be driven by a combination of warm water and low oxygen which seems to have coincided with a partial mixing event. The second kill was associated with a period of extremely warm water (>30°C), and high cyanobacterial levels which were associated with very high pH levels (>9.5). For both events we believe the compromised life supporting capacity of the water was either driven or compounded by the presence of cyanobacterial and/or algal blooms. There is no evidence that fish were directly killed by toxin production from cyanobacteria.

5. Although modelling work is ongoing, preliminary catchment and lake simulations can be used to inform investigations of management options. Key outcomes of monitoring and modelling analyses to date are:

5.1. The lake appears to be strongly phosphorus limited. This means algal growth is likely to increase when more phosphorus is available.

5.2. Algal blooms often follow shortly after flood events when the lake is stratified, or after mixing events, both of which can provide pulses of nutrients (including phosphorus and nitrogen) to the lake.

5.3. Full reconnection of Papakiri Stream, in its current state of high nutrient levels, is likely to cause substantial deterioration in Tutira Lake water quality.

5.4. Partial reconnection of Papakiri Stream, so high flows are prevented from entering the Lake, would also risk further water quality deterioration. This risk would not be as severe as a full reconnection. If phosphorus levels in Papakiri Stream were decreased by approximately 50%, there would be a neutral risk with this low-flow only proposal.

5.5. The current situation of Papakiri Stream overtopping the stop banks and entering Tutira Lake is providing infrequent but large pulses of nutrient to the lake, and may have contributed to some of the observed phytoplankton blooms.

6. Based on modelling to date, management options likely to improve the health of Tutira Lake include:

6.1. Systems to capture nutrient loads during flood events, such as peak runoff control structures/sediment traps being proposed as part of the Te Mana O Te Wai project.

6.2. Amending existing stop banks or channel design of the Papakiri Stream diversion, so that high flows are completely prevented from entering the Lake.

6.3. Artificial destratification. In the short term, this is an option that is likely to significantly reduce the risk of cyanobacterial blooms. Preventing stratification would also prevent conditions that caused the recent fish kills.

7. Feasibility and cost/benefit analysis for the above management options are under investigation and are a focus of further modelling.

Decision Making Process

8. Council is required to make every decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements 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 Lake Tutira Science Update report.

Steve Cave

Manager,
Open Space Development

Andy Hicks

Team Leader -
Water Quality and Ecology

Dr Stephen Swabey

Manager, Science

Iain Maxwell

Group Manager
Resource Management

Mike Adye

Group Manager
Asset Management

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Maori Committee

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Subject: Te Karamu Enhancement Strategy and Operational Plan

Reason for Report

1. Staff have recently completed a “Te Karamu Enhancement: Review and Management Strategy 2016-2025” and copies will be made available on request.

2. This paper seeks to update the Maori Committee on the Te Karamu Enhancement: Review and Management Strategy 2016-2025 and a presentation will be made at the meeting as well.

Background

3. The Karamu can be divided into 11 sub-catchments including over 238 kilometres of waterways. These waterways have evolved through a series of transformations over time influenced by changing land use, urbanisation, landuse intensification, impacts of plant and animal pests, channel realignment as well as other natural and human induced changes.

4. The catchment also serves to convey storm water away from the Heretaunga Plains, including the expanding urban areas of Hastings and Havelock North as well as commercial and industrial areas surrounding them.

5. The catchment and particularly its primary waterways are becoming increasingly valued as a source of irrigation; as a biodiversity corridor; for landscape views from public and private areas; and as a public recreational area.

6. In 2004, Council approved the ‘Te Karamu Catchment Review and Options for Enhancement’ report. This document provided a thorough analysis and detailed recommendations for the enhancement of the management of the Karamu Catchment. Presented to Council at that time was a rough order cost estimate of $14,148,492 for enhancement work.

7. In its Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) 2006/16 Council included within the Karamu Drainage Catchment budgets:

7.1. A rate on the Havelock North community to assist funding the enhancement works

7.2. A provision for $100,000 annually for specific expenditure on enhancement works

7.3. An additional provision of $10,000 in the 2007/08 financial year and increasing by $10,000 per year in each subsequent year to provide for maintenance work.

Overview of Operations to Date

8. Implementation of enhancement aspects of the 2004 Te Karamu report commenced in 2006/2007. Enhancement work since then has focused on land within the Karamu catchment which is owned and / or managed by the HBRC from Whakatu (5kms upstream from Waitangi Estuary) to Bridge Pa (35kms upstream).

9. Enhancement has involved re-creating patches of native vegetation, protecting existing native vegetation, removing stock from berm areas, creating wetlands at tributaries and within river berm areas, improving access for maintenance and public use, providing advice and encouragement for neighbours, including marae, to engage in enhancement activity and providing opportunity for engagement and education of school and community groups.

10. Total enhancement expenditure for the 9 financial years from 2006/2007 through to 2014/2015 has been:

10.1. $1,613,000 on capital works (ie approx. 8.65% of the estimated cost of the project, without taking into account inflation costs since the original estimate was completed)

10.2. $538,000 on maintenance.

11. Capital expenditure includes physical works as well as provision for staff time, consultants and community engagement. Maintenance expenditure relates to maintaining planted areas, mowing of high amenity areas and maintenance of access points and pathways.

12. Approximately 21 hectares (14.76%) out of a total of 142 hectares of land identified as available for enhancement has been enhanced to date. This includes the planting of approx. 123,500 native plants, noting that some of the identified enhanced areas include tracts of land enhanced prior to 2004.

Te Karamu Enhancement Management Strategy 2016-2025

13. The Strategy has been drafted to progress the enhancement work in the context of the changes that have occurred and the progress that has been made in implementing recommendations of the 2004 report to date. It further aims to build on the significant community and marae support established since 2004 as awareness continues to grow with the maturing of the initial enhancement projects.

14. The revised Strategy is primarily intended as a guide for the open space development and management of public land within the Karamu catchment which is owned or managed by the HBRC.

15. This Strategy provides a vision or ‘toolbox’ to enable the Karamu Stream and its tributaries to be maintained as a highly valued asset to Hawke’s Bay, providing a vision for balancing values where grazing, native vegetation, and recreational areas support a rich and abundant ecosystem that is accessible and easily managed.

16. The Strategy’s overarching objective is to ‘improve habitat and ecosystem health whilst providing flood and erosion protection’. This objective has been further defined into 24 management objectives based on the ‘2004 values and management objectives’ structure.

17. Core strategy values are:

17.1. Drainage and Flood Control

17.2. Ecological (Stream Habitat, both Terrestrial and Aquatic)

17.3. Amenity and Aesthetic

17.4. Cultural, Social and Recreational

18. It is proposed that the ‘Te Karamu’ Enhancement project continues through the application of the following:

18.1. Controlling plant pests and preventing re-establishment

18.2. Controlling animal pests and preventing re-establishment

18.3. Protecting and preserving existing animals and plants that are desirable

18.4. Re-establishing an indigenous ecosystem (framework)

18.5. Protecting and enhancing cultural, social and recreational values

19. Further it is proposed that a monitoring framework be established and applied to assess enhancement progress and management effectiveness. The revised Strategy includes recommendations on objective and outcome assessment, monitoring targets and measures.

Rate of Enhancement

20. A total of 142 hectares of HBRC owned or managed land is identified as available for enhancement. Of this 21 hectares has been enhanced. It is further identified that an appropriate target of 50% of the total area is used for enhancement planting to meet the Strategy’s objectives.

21. Two funding scenarios have been prepared to progress the enhancement Strategy.

21.1. The first has been developed on the current rate of capital investment of approximately $200,000 per annum (including staff time). This scenario will see approximately 23% (31 hectares) of the total available area utilised for enhancement purpose by 2025.

21.2. The second has been developed with an annual capital investment of approximately $400,000 per annum (including staff time). This scenario will see approximately 50% (71 hectares) of the total available area utilised for enhancement purpose meeting the identified target.

22. These scenarios are summarised in the table below.

23. The significant percentage increase in “area planted” between the $200,000 per year and $400,000 per year scenarios is explained through fixed costs (staff time, consultants, engagement provision) being relatively static between the two options.

24. Maintenance provision currently equates to $110,000 per annum and is expected to continue or slightly reduce at the current rate of enhancement. An increase in capital investment would see an increase in maintenance provision being required in the short term.

25. Budget provision for the first scenario (ongoing investment at approx. $200,000/year) is included in the LTP 2015/25 and therefore in the 2016/17 Annual Plan. This is expected to result in a total of approximately 30.5 hectares planted by 2025 out of a total area available of 142 hectares. Staff propose that the second scenario is reconsidered by Council in the 2017/18 year as part of the development of the 2018/28 LTP.

Decision Making Process

26. Council is required to make every decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements 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.

Recommendations

1. That the Maori Committee receives the Te Karamu Enhancement: Review and Management Strategy 2016-2025 update 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 12 April 2016

Subject: Enviroschools Hawkes Bay

Reason for Report

1. This paper will provide the Maori Committee with an overview of Enviroschools Hawke’s Bay.

2. Haana Wilcox, Enviroschools facilitator based in Central Hawke’s Bay, will give an overview of her role and outline a resource currently being finalised.

Background

3. Enviroschools is a nationwide network involving early childhood centres, primary and secondary schools. The Enviroschools Programme is supported by The Toimata Foundation in association with a network of partners. Our partners in Hawke’s Bay are Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Nina Brathwaite Trust, Pan Pac Forest Products, Heretaunga Free Kindergarten Association and Napier Kindergarten Association.

4. The kaupapa of Enviroschools is about the well-being of the whole centre or school, community and eco-system. Enviroschools is a participatory whole school/centre approach that involves children/students in the decision-making, design and implementation of sustainability projects and practices in their school and community.

5. We currently have 33 schools and 22 Kindergartens on an Enviroschools journey in our region. This includes three kura Ngati Kahungunu o Te Wairoa, Te Wananga Whare Tapere o Takitimu and this year Te Kura o Pakipaki joined the kaupapa.

6. Funding for the programme comes from three contributors Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Nina Brathwaite Trust who currently commit $21,000 per annum, and Pan Pac Forest Products are providing $5,000 per annum for two years. This allows for 3 part-time facilitators to provide support to students and teachers across our network.

7. Some funding is also received from the Toimata Foundation’s Regional Capacity Building fund. This additional funding is used for teacher workshops, student days and wananga, as well as professional development for facilitators.

Conclusion

8. In August 2015 an Evaluation report presented a range of findings on the value of the Enviroschools Programme, in particular addressing the question: How well does the Enviroschools Programme enable effective Education for Sustainability in Aotearoa New Zealand?

9. The findings indicated that Enviroschools is a high-performing programme with substantial reach and coverage in New Zealand schools and ECE centres. The programme is student-centred and focuses on developing students’ passion and commitment to sustainability. Through the Enviroschools Programme, school/ centres and communities are also motivated to make and maintain sustainable action and change. (Copy of report available on request).

10. We believe the Enviroschools programme is in good health in our region as we continue to work with schools to embed practices.

Decision Making Process

11. Council is required to make every decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements 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 Enviroschools Hawkes Bay report.

Sally Chandler

Community Engagement Coordinator

Liz Lambert

Chief Executive

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Maori Committee

Tuesday 12 April 2016

SUBJECT: December 2015 - March 2016 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 December 2015 and March 2016.

2. The Statutory Advocacy project 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 every decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements 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 December 2015 – March 2016 Statutory Advocacy Update report.

Esther-Amy Powell

Planner

Gavin Ide

Manager, Strategy and Policy

Attachment/s

1	Statutory Advocacy Update
2	Stat Ad Map

Item	Topic	Councillor/Committee member / Staff
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