Minutes of Regional Planning Committee

1. Welcome/Apologies/Notices

Karakia – M Mohi

Resolution

RPC44/16 That the apologies from Roger Maaka and Peter Paku for absence, and from Karauna Brown, Fenton Wilson, and Tania Hopmans for lateness be accepted.

Spooner/Northcote

CARRIED

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

There were no conflict of interest declarations.

3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Regional Planning Committee Held on 3 August 2016

RPC45/16

Resolution

Minutes of the Regional Planning Committee held on Wednesday, 3 August 2016, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Scott/Smith

CARRIED

4. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Regional Planning Committee Meeting Held on 3 August 2016

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

Call for any Minor Items Not on the Agenda

Recommendation

That the Committee accepts the following for discussion as Agenda Item 19.

Allen Smith – update on Waihi Dam

Cr Beaven – Regional Planning Committee reports

Mike Mohi – mihi to RPC advisors

Karauna Brown – involvement of RPC Chairman in hiring process for HBRC CE

Tania Hopmans arrived at 10.20am

Follow-up Items from Previous Regional Planning Committee Meetings

Mr James Palmer provided an update on the items from previous RPC meetings, including providing the follow-up to RPC about the recommendations going to Council and the TANK plan change process.

RPC46/16

Resolution

That the Regional Planning Committee receives and takes note of the report “Follow-up Items from Previous Regional Planning Committee Meetings”.

Kirikiri/Hopmans

CARRIED

Regional Planning Committee Activity Annual Report 2015-16 for Adoption

Mr James Palmer introduced the item. Technical issues delayed presentation of the video clip produced to accompany the PRC annual activity report for 2015-16.

Mihi welcoming Billy Brough and Riki Ellison, Independent Advisors to the Tangata Whenua committee members, was held at the tangata whenua workshop yesterday and, at the invitation of the Chairman, introduced themselves to all in attendance for the meeting.

Pare Hill, Te Uru Taumatua – Ngai Tuhoe, and Mariu Heperi Northcroft, Ngati Tuwharetoa Hapu Forum, introduced themselves as recently appointed representatives to the Committee.

The Chairman advised that Ngati Kahungunu is scheduled to make a presentation on “Translating Mana Whenua Values to Attributes for the Ngaruroro Awa” at 11.30 this morning.

Due to technical difficulties, the video clip was not shown, however staff confirmed that the written document has been updated with amendments agreed at the August RPC meeting and is now ready for adoption for public release.

As well, staff will set up the video for viewing during the lunch break.

RPC47/16

Resolutions

That the Regional Planning Committee:

1. Receives and notes the “Regional Planning Committee Annual Report for 1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016 and accompanying multimedia production”

2. Adopts the “Regional Planning Committee Annual Report for 1 July 2015- 30 June 2016” and accompanying multimedia production for public release and distribution.

Dick/Smith

CARRIED

Councillor Wilson arrived at 10.45

Mohaka Catchment Characterisation Report: A Physical Characterisation of the Mohaka Catchment

Mr Maxwell introduced the item, explaining the rationale for staff preparing and presenting scientific technical reports to the Committee and Council as providing information to inform policy development.

Mr Rob Waldron provided an overview of the characterisation report, highlighting key trends and a snapshot of the current state.

The report covers climate, river flows, land, geology & groundwater, terrestrial ecology and wetlands. Highlights covered:

· Climate – colder and wetter than other catchments in the region, eastern parts are dry in the summer and there are no strong trends in rainfall

· River flows – mean flows lowest during February and March, Taharua flows are more stable, and there are no clear trends in annual low flows or maximum flows

· Land – largest land cover is native vegetation followed by commercial forestry and then dairy (600 ha irrigated), which has caused ecologic concerns.

· Groundwater – quality is an issue in upper Mohaka, with elevated nitrate levels in Upper Taharua from intensive dairy farming.

Queries and discussion traversed:

· Potential impacts of climate change and opportunities for new crops and increased irrigation demand

· The Mohaka Water Conservation Order prohibits damming and diverting the river, but does not include any allocation or low flow limits

· HBRC work in the Taharua catchment is already showing improvements in water quality results, however in need of continued attention with stakeholder group working to achieve 0.3 DIN

· Options to achieve the desired outcomes for the river are to set nutrient levels through the plan change, either in accordance with best practice or more stringent (for example 0.3 DIN set by the Taharua stakeholder group)

· Climate change models used were mid range and worst case mid range resulting in 1-2 degree temperature rise.

Karauna Brown arrived at 11am

· Reasons for wetland loss, currently only 6% of original extent

· Cross-boundary work with Bay of Plenty and Waikato regional councils on policy alignment for the catchment

RPC48/16

Resolution

That the Regional Planning Committee receives and takes note of the “Mohaka Catchment Characterisation Report: A Physical Characterisation of the Mohaka Catchment”.

Hopmans/Beaven

CARRIED

Mohaka Plan Change Work Programme

Mr James Palmer introduced Mr Shane Lambert, HBRC Senior Planner, and explained where the Mohaka plan change process is at. Draft plan change is due for public notification in December 2017, and science informing the policy development is now at the stage to meet those timeframes. Discussion and queries traversed:

· Resourcing to support the plan change process with PC6 implementation and TANK plan change consuming so much resource, specifically Land Management staff

· Science work has been carried out for several years and the hydrology of the catchment is not as complex as others

· Ambitious timetable and will be discussed with the stakeholder group and community around those and seek their feedback on the length of time for the process

· Proposed reference group started off as the Taharua Stakeholder group and has morphed to include representatives across the wider catchment with members representing Fish & Game, Forest & Bird and tangata whenua

· Sedimentation and forestry associated issues, stock damage on pumice soils

· Suggest staff go to tangata whenua directly to seek their views on how they prefer to engage in the process

RPC49/16

Resolutions

1. That the Regional Planning Committee receives the “Mohaka Plan Change Work Programme” report.

2. The Regional Planning Committee recommends that Council:

2.1. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, and that Council can exercise its discretion and make decisions on this issue without conferring directly with the community and persons likely to be affected by or to have an interest in the decision.

2.2. Approves the Mohaka Project Plan, subject to any adjustments required and agreed by the Regional Planning Committee, to guide delivery of the Draft Plan Change for the Mohaka catchment.

Scott/Wilson

CARRIED

16.

Translating Mana Whenua Values to Attributes for the Ngaruroro Awa

Representatives of Ngati Kahungunu were welcomed and introduced by Marei Apatu, including Ngaio Tiuka, Whaea Aki Paipper, Joella Brown, Ngatai Huata, Steve Randall, Morry Black, and Kate McArthur. The presentation covered:

∙ The history of kahungunu settlement in Hawke’s Bay

∙ Values from iwi/hapu have been sought from throughout the rohe, including from delving into history and reviewing iwi/hapu strategies and management plans as well as hui, wananga and workshops.

∙ Sacrosanct values have been handed down through whakapapa originating from Te Iho Matua – from the heavens to the whenua

∙ Kawa (protocol, constant), tikanga (practice, changes with context), mana-a-ki, mana tangata, kaitiaki-tanga (guardianship), mauri (

Rangi Spooner left the meeting at 12.15pm

∙ Awa wide wariu (values) begin with uu (immersion, swimming, cleansing) followed by waimāori (natural water quality, natural character), Mauri (ecosystem health, indigenous riparian margins, natural character), kaitiakitanga (mahinga kai - species & practice, access), whakapapa / Ki Uta, Ki Tai (fish passage) and wairua (karakia, mana atua)

∙ Marae representatives shared their stories of the values of the river to their marae and hapu and the cultural impacts of the loss or degradation of those.

∙ Site and/or reach specific values for tangata whenua include:

∙ Whakapapa / Ki Uta, Ki Tai (navigability of the mainstem river mouth to Whanawhana, and lakes Runanga, Oingo, Hinemoana, & Kotuku) (Aquifer recharge (recharge one including land)

∙ Kaitiakitanga (indigenous Taonga/Tohu species, habitat and spawning) in all upland catchments and tributaries upstream of Whanawhana, braided system from Whanawhana to Fernhill, lowland reach from Fernhill to Chesterhope Bridge and estuarine from Chesterhope Bridge to the sea.

∙ Waahi Taonga including the use of common terminology (Waahi tapu, mahinga kai, ahumoana, ahuwhenua, nohoanga, cultural practice, Tauranga waka, heritage and history) values for tangata whenua defined sites.

∙ Waahi Taonga (wetlands) for sites defined by HBRC

∙ Waahi Taonga (Maori Land) for land containing or adjacent to water bodies including tributaries

∙ Waahi Taonga(marae / hapu) defined areas of interest for HBRC’s Pataka project

Mike Mohi was excused at 12.30pm

∙ Ngaruroro Awa has differing ecological habitats including high country, braided, lowland and estuarine.

∙ The presenters shared a portion of the Matrix of values that was developed throughout the process to cross reference values to the whole of the awa as well as the specific sites and reaches highlighted in the presentation as having particular value

RPC50/16

Resolution

That the Regional Planning Committee receives and notes the draft findings from the “Translating Mana Whenua Values to Attributes for the Ngaruroro Awa” presentation.

Smith/Brown

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 12.55pm and reconvened at 1.50pm – with Mr Mohi and Tania Hopmans absent

10.

Weekly Meter Reading for Water Takes from November 2016

Mr Iain Maxwell introduced Mr Paul Barrett, Senior Consents Planner, who explained the regulations put in place requiring water meters and water use returns to Council and the rationale for staff requesting that they be allowed to exercise discretion for smaller takes to report weekly rather than daily volumes taken. Discussion and queries traversed:

· The costs of telemetry installation and ongoing reporting costs for consent holders

· The number of takes involved, and the total volume.

RPC51/16

Resolutions

1. That the Regional Planning Committee receives and notes the “Weekly Meter Reading for Water Takes from November 2016” report.

2. The Regional Planning Committee recommends that Council:

2.2. Agrees to Council staff exercising discretion to allow consent holders of groundwater water takes that are greater than 5 L/s and less than 9.99 L/s to measure and report their usage weekly where this is appropriate.

Scott/Dick

CARRIED

11.

Northern Hawke’s Bay Land Management Issues

Mr James Palmer introduced the item, explaining recent events have increased public interest in the issues associated with forestry slash and with more activity coming up in this space with more forest harvesting there are some real challenges that Council needs to deal with.

Tania Hopmans re-joined the meeting at 2.02pm

Recommendations in the independent report authored by Sean Weaver, commissioned by HBRC and MPI, are going to be worked through and then brought back to the committee, for the committee to consider which options HBRC should put into action. Discussion and queries traversed:

· Suggestion to include northern part of the Mohaka catchment with the considerations of issues in the Wairoa area

· Foresters and tools for operators to better manage slash to prevent an event like the one at Whakaki last year

· Changes of land use and opportunities with treaty settlements whereby iwi will be landlord and able to influence harvesting practice and species planting, and making submission of a Harvest Plan to Council a requirement prior to any harvest operations

· The issues with slash are region wide, with issues raised by several different iwi, and the policies associated with meeting the requirements the National Environmental Standard for Forestry, will be required region wide.

RPC52/16

Resolution

That the Regional Planning Committee receives and notes the “Northern Hawkes Bay Land Management Issues” report and the report from Dr Sean Weaver on land use issues in Northern Hawkes Bay.

Dick/Smith

CARRIED

Councillor Graham left the meeting at 2.26pm

12.

2009-14 Assessment of State and Trends in Groundwater Quality of Hawke's Bay Region

Mr Dougall Gordon provided an overview of the findings of the report in meeting drinking water standards and nitrate nitrogen levels and the information and data that was used to arrive at those findings. In summary, the report found:

· drinking water wells less than 10 metres deep require the water to be treated

· Council also monitors manganese and pesticides ,and other than manganese and 2 sites with elevated Nitrate-Nitrogen, Council’s monitoring wells on productive acquifers all meet drinking water standards.

Mike Mohi re-joined the meeting at 2.39pm

Queries and discussions traversed:

· Aquifer types and layers

· organisms the live in groundwater and spaces between water molecules are called stygofauna

RPC53/16

Resolution

That the Regional Planning Committee receives and takes note of the “2009-14 Assessment of State and Trends in Groundwater Quality of Hawke's Bay Region” report.

Scott/Beaven

CARRIED

13.

Spatial Oxygen-Flow Models for Streams of the Heretaunga Plains

Mr Iain Maxwell introduced the item, explaining that this technical information is directly relevant to flow and allocation policy development for the TANK plan change focusing specifically on where to set minimum flows. Mr Thomas Wilding presented the findings of the report, including explaining how the measurements are made and and impacts of flow on oxygen levels. Summary facts include:

· Shaded streams have typically 10-15% more oxygen, compounding benefits because oxygen demand is also lower

· Low gradient streams need more flow to achieve the same oxygen

· Minimum flow sites were prioritised using oxygen risk and other criteria

· Riparian shading increases oxygen supply and reduces oxygen demand

· Recommends lower oxygen standards than the National bottom line proposed for low gradient streams, due to the NPS not being achievable because of physical constraints, Raupare had more fishes in better health than Awanui despite below NPS standard and scientific literature indicates lower standards would be adequate for low gradient weedy streams during summer

RPC54/16

Resolution

That the Regional Planning Committee receives and takes note of the “Spatial Oxygen-Flow Models for Streams of the Heretaunga Plains” report.

Dick/Wilson

CARRIED

14.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Land Science Strategy 2016: A New View of the Land

Mr Iain Maxwell introduced the item, explaining that the strategy has been developed between Dr Barry Lynch and an external consultant in order to confirm that work in the Land Science area is on track to achieve the outcomes required to inform plan and policy development. The Strategy:

· Clarifies HBRC staff work priorities to meet policy development requirements

· Legislation around land science at regional and national levels is getting more complex so there’s a need to prioritise expenditure and align work with other internal work streams and connect with wider regional sector efforts and research activities

· Key elements developed through consultation with internal and external groups to determine what information they need to effectively inform their work

· Four key priorities are to determine how effective HBRC management toolbox is, provide base info to help make decisions, project how land use change may affect the environment and decision/policy making plus bring cultural monitoring into land science projects

· Adapt best of breed technology for Council to better enable tech transfer to landowners

RPC55/16

Resolution

That the Regional Planning Committee receives and notes the “Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Land Science Strategy 2016: A New View of the Land” report.

Barker/Beaven

CARRIED

19.

Minor Items Not on the Agenda

Item	Topic	Councillor / Staff
1.	Reports There is a significant volume of information to read, understand and consider and it was suggested that the committee needs to meet more often. Shorter presentation format is an improvement and it was suggested that detailed maps from reports be provided in a larger format so that they can actually be read. Also suggested to print maps and plans onto poster size paper for putting up around the meeting room for people to get a better perspective of where the related area is.	Cr Beaven
2.	Update on Waihi Dam requests Case is before the Environment Court, with a defended hearing to be held because both parties pleaded not guilty to charges Eastland group is going to be removing temporary gabion basket mitigation structures and testing the hydraulics to make sure the gates will work properly, and working through a ‘new’ resource consent application with HBRC staff.	Allen Smith
3.	Position of CE Positions are open to all applicants through a normal application and hiring process which a recruitment agency is engaged for Tangata whenua will articulate a way for RPC to have an input into future CE interview processes	Karauna Brown Matiu Heperi Northcroft

15.

National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management - Progressive Implementation Programme Annual Report 2015-16

The paper was taken as read, and Mr James Palmer confirmed HBRC’s process of including the report within the Council’s Annual Report each year instead of as a stand-alone document. There was discussion about iwi input to the ‘outstanding water bodies’ values, with a report to come to the November RPC meeting for consideration. The Ngaruroro Water Conservation Order process and Council’s involvement in that will also come to November RPC meeting for consideration.

RPC56/16

Resolution

That the Regional Planning Committee receives and notes the “National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management - Progressive Implementation Programme Annual Report 2015-16”, for inclusion in the Council’s 2015-16 Annual Report.

Hopmans/Wilson

CARRIED

Item - 16. Translating Mana Whenua Values to Attributes for the Ngaruroro Awa – was considered at 11.30am with a presentation from Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated.

17.

September 2016 Resource Management Planning Project Update

The item was taken as read.

RPC57/16

Resolution

That the Regional Planning Committee receives and takes note of the ‘September 2016 Resource Management Planning Projects Update’ report.

Dick/Barker

CARRIED

18.

August-September 2016 Statutory Advocacy Update

The item was taken as read with the exception of comments relating to the proposed residential development of land between Howard Street and Havelock Road.

RPC58/16

Resolution

That the Regional Planning Committee receives the August-September 2016 Statutory Advocacy Update report.

Wilson/Barker

CARRIED

Item - 19. Minor Items Not on the Agenda – was considered immediately following item 14.

Councillor Wilson extended best wishes to Councillor Christine Scott and thanks for all of her conscientious work over her years on Council and the Regional Planning Committee.

Closing Karakia – Mike Mohi

Closure:

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 3.48pm on Wednesday 21 September 2016.

Signed as a true and correct record.

DATE: ................................................ CHAIRMAN: ...............................................