Minutes of Maori Committee - Wednesday, 8 June 2022

1. Welcome/Karakia /Apologies/Notices

The Chair, Michelle McIlroy welcomed everyone to the meeting and Marei Apatu opened with a Matariki karakia.

The Chair acknowledged the Matariki new year and celebrating the first Matariki Public holiday on 24 June.

Cr Rick Barker and Cr Hinewai Ormsby requested to be excused from the meeting between 11.00am-12.00pm and 1.00pm-1.30pm respectively.

MC13/22

Resolution

That the apologies for absence from Mike Paku, Haami Hilton, Paora Sciascia, Dianne Smith, and Bill Blake and for early departure for Councillor Rick Barker be accepted.

Robin/Apatu

CARRIED

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

There were no conflicts of interest declared.

3.	Alternate Member for 8 June 2022 meeting
	No alternate members were appointed.

4. Confirmation of Minutes of the Māori Committee meeting held on 6 April 2022

MC14/22

Resolution

Minutes of the Māori Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 6 April 2022, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Ormsby/Hiha

CARRIED

Follow-ups from previous Māori Committee meetings

The item was taken as read.

MC15/22

Resolution

That the Māori Committee receives and notes the Follow-ups from previous Māori Committee meetings.

Ormsby/Kawana

CARRIED

Introduction/Welcome to new NKII Chair, Bayden Barber

Pieri Munro noted that the pōwhiri for the new NKII Chairman, Bayden Barber will be held on Friday, 10 June at Waipatu from 10.00am-12.00pm. James Palmer, Chairman Rick Barker and Anthony Tipene-Matua, Relationship Manager for Southern Hawke’s Bay, will attend as Hawke’s Bay Regional Council representatives.

A meeting of Bayden Barber, James Palmer and Rick Barker is scheduled on Thursday, 16 June at the HBRC offices.

MC16/22

Resolution

That the Māori Committee receives and notes the verbal Introduction/welcome to new NKII Chairman, Bayden Barber.

Kawana/Apatu

CARRIED

Paul Ratapu arrived at 12.17pm and Te Pou Whakarae welcomed him to the meeting.

Kaitiaki Board presentation by Paul Ratapu

Paul Ratapu presented an update on the Kaitiaki Board’s activities and current projects, highlighting:

· The Mai-Paritu-tae-atu-ki-Turakirae Fisheries Forum (MPtakTFF) is a collective of Māori Tāngata Kaitiaki, Mana Whenua, Mana Moana.

· Geographically spread along the east coast of the North Island, and includes Customary Notifying Authorities, Gazetted Tāngata Kaitiaki, PSGE, JMIO/MIO, Marae, Hapū, Iwi, Whānau.

· Meet quarterly at marae along the coast and kaupapa moana includes Fisheries NZ Sustainability, Ngā-Huruhuru-Waitai-o-Tangaroa, Pāua Project

· Main focus of meetings is tāngata kaitiaki working together, gathering information on mātauranga Māori and supporting whanau

· The Ngā-Huruhuru-Waitai-o-Tangaroa funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) commenced in August/September 2021 and provides the basis for securing future investment for a developmental programme to increase marine sustainability of kapata kai across the region of Ngāti Kahungunu.

· Tāngata kaitiaki, hapū, marae and customary gatherers will wānanga to assess capability and develop the programme which will uphold the tīkanga of mahinga kai alongside the current fisheries management regime.

· A training plan is being developed for delivery in July 2022 with 3 key focus areas of Fisheries Management Plans, Water Safety and Compliance. Training will be free of charge and members are welcome to attend.

· Opportunities exist within the Kotahi Plan, to bring together more holistic management, and it was suggested that the It was suggested that the Māori Partnerships team arranges for the Policy and Planning (coastal workstream) team to engage with the Kaitiaki forum to look for synergies and how they might work together on Kotahi plan development.

· There was a suggestion that the harbour master meets with the Kaitiaki Forum to discuss water safety and ways to support and educate whanau.

MC17/22

Resolution

That the Māori Committee receives and notes the Kaitiaki Board Presentation by Paul Ratapu verbal report and presentation.

Eden/Kawana

CARRIED

HBRC Chair and Chief Executive's verbal updates on current issues

James Palmer introduced the item noting:

· Current pressures on the organisation (people, time and money) with Covid and flu season impacts

· High staff turnover at 18% over the last year is having a negative impact and causing disruption to work programmes. Continue to recruit, and use contractors and consultants when possible, however they are experiencing similar issues .

· Quarter 3 (Q3) Operational expenditure at 91% of budget and Capital expenditure at 47% of budget (well behind on capital programmes such as flood scheme upgrades, water security, ICT and facilities). Q3 staff costs and overheads at 99% of budget

· Flood scheme upgrades well underway in Heretaunga an Tukituki

· Water Security programme progressing slower than anticipated

· Council will be consulting on taking the lead on Coastal Hazards through July 2022

· CDEM review of operating framework and tools, roles and responsibilities is under way

· Right Tree Right Place pilot properties being secured

· “MyWay” on demand public transport trial launched in Hastings 7 June and getting really good feedback from the community

· Climate Action Ambassador work is underway on Regional Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory

· Kotahi and Te Mana o Te Wai are the focus for science following the 3 yearly State of our Environment report in July.

· TANK decision still with commissioners, with decisions now expected end of August 2022

· Awaiting Environment Court appeal decision on the Outstanding Water Bodies plan change.

· Biodiversity projects continue, with S4.2m in erosion and riparian fencing and $2m for QEII native bush fencing underway however experiencing delays with fencing contractors and materials.

· Wairoa Regional Park planning is to commence 2022-2023 and a joint committee is going to be established in July to guide development of Ahuriri Regional Park.

· Review of possum control area programme, then other areas of biosecurity and still waiting on National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity

· Unprecedented wave of central government reform continues. The Council submitted on the National Adaptation Plan emphasising the issues for Hawke’s Bay around coastal hazards, water security and flood protection. The second report from the Future of Local Government inquiry is due in September 2022 and will include what the future role is for regional councils, including the role for Māori in decision-making.

HBRC Chair, Cr Rick Barker noted:

· The challenging environment council is currently operating in, particularly around high staff turnover and supply chain delays, and encourages people to focus on the good and positive

· Kotahi Plan will be very challenging and important for the region, and moving forward with the All Governors hui approach.

· Suggests a visit to the CDEM offices in Hastings and potentially a Māori Committee meeting be held there.

· There is work being done to integrate tāngata whenua into the CDEM framework. Ian Macdonald will be asked to prepare a paper for a future Māori Committee meeting – to give context to discussions taking place and seek feedback on any proposals for a way forward.

MC18/22

Resolution

That the Māori Committee receives the HBRC Chair and Chief Executive’s verbal updates on current issues.

Apatu/Robin

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 1.18pm and reconvened at 1.41pm.

10.

Call for minor items not on the Agenda

Recommendation

That the Māori Committee accepts the following Minor items not on the Agenda for discussion as Item 19:

Topic	Raised by
Biodiversity	Peter Eden
Wai 626 Flora and Fauna	Marei Apatu

11.

Governance support for development of the Kotahi Plan

Ceri Edmonds introduced the item and discussions highlighted:

· A number of workshops were held and Māori Committee and Regional Planning Committee tāngata whenua members agreed in principle to work together in partnership to develop Kotahi

· The role of Māori is critical for the success of the engagement and decision-making required for the plan development, to ensure that mana whenua are connected to the process and involved in setting the values and visions

· Important to note that tāngata whenua need to consult with their people to understand very complex issues and the impacts on te taio (Te mana o Te Wai and what it means).

· Concerns were raised in relation to tāngata whenua being severely under resourced to act on the major pieces of policy and meet demands from all sectors of government asking for engagement and input.

· HBRC will be supporting tāngata whenua with regards to capability and capacity however there remain concerns about whether it will be sufficient.

· This item will be presented at the Regional Planning Committee on 15 June 2022 to get their formal commitment to the process as well.

MC19/22

Resolutions

That the Māori Committee:

1. Receives and considers the Governance support for development of the Kotahi Plan staff report.

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

3. Agrees to work in partnership with the elected members (councillors) and Post Settlement Governance Entities of the Regional Planning Committee to:

3.1. lead out the Kotahi engagement with tāngata whenua and the community in the takiwā

3.2. consider and endorse the decisions which are required to progress the development of the Kotahi Plan through to notification

3.3. combine the Māori Committee and Regional Planning Committee meetings to form an All HBRC Governors group to workshop and make decisions on Kotahi.

Robin/Apatu

CARRIED

12.

Operational Land Asset Policy

Chris Dolley introduced the item

· The intent of the policy is to provide a process, guidance and framework for staff to follow for the assessment of claims for the transfer of operational land holdings.

· It is relatively unusual for an operational policy to be presented to governors however staff are sharing the Policy for comment only.

· The policy does not signal a review or change from the status quo for HBRC’s operational land holdings, but simply provides a decision making framework .

· Council received four independent tāngata whenua requests (Pōangahau, Roys Hill – Ngatarawa, Waiōhiki and Ōhiti), some dating back to 2018 and highlighted the need for the Policy

· Previous claims/requests were made and assessed in an ad-hoc manner

· A clear, consistent approach should provide opportunities to partner with iwi/hapu to bring about reconnection with the land

· Each request will require extensive investigation, research and consultation with potential for a business case to Council

Dr Roger Maaka left the meeting at 2.35pm

· The policy aligns with the strategic plan, in particular the desire to recognise the cultural connection and whakapapa of tāngata whenua to land and water, that brings with it an inseverable role of kaitiakitanga.

Cr Rick Barker left the meeting at 2.47pm.

MC20/22

Resolution

1. That the Māori Committee receives and considers the Operational Land Asset Policy staff report.

2. The Māori Committee recommends that Hawke’s Bay Regional 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 or persons likely to have an interest in the decision.

2.2. Adopts the Operational Land Asset Policy as endorsed by the Māori Committee.

Eden/Kawana

CARRIED

Take Ripoata Ā Takiwā – Taiwhenua representatives' updates

The Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Taiwhenua report by Marei Apatu noted:

· A report on Te Mana o The delayed development of the Mauri Monitoring Framework for the Tukituki awa. The Nga Pou Mataara Hou (NPMH) framework was completed in 2018 and the project aims to progress the framework further along the Tukituki catchment.Once Tukituki catchment is completed, processes and methods will then be adapted for use within the Karamū and Ngaruroro catchments.

· Te Mana o te Wai project includes investigating the potential for the adaptation and use of NPMH for cultural monitoring of groundwater across the Heretaunga Plains.

· A 2 day wānanga held on 9-10 March was focussed on Heretaunga groundwater.

The Wairoa Taiwhenua report by Katrina Kawana noted:

· Korero around Kotahi Plan with marae – HBRC staff have been visiting to share details

· Several Marae wananga were held about Te Mana o te Wai and what this means.

· Restorative Justice team has been visiting Wairoa in relation to AFFCO discharges. Restorative Justice is an informal, facilitated meeting between parties (a victim and offender) and assists to give victims a voice and offenders to understand the consequences of their actions. Several wananga were held on AFFCO’s breaching of discharge consent conditions to explore appropriate restorative ways of addressing the offending and restorative measures. Restorative Justice will meet with AFFCO to present recommendations, endorsed/enforced by a judge to implement a process going forward.

· HBRC supports community action and continues to work in partnership with mana whenua on taking enforcement action.

The Te Whanganui a Orotu report by Peter Eden noted:

· The challenges presented by Covid-19 and marae operating with reduced income due to cancellation of bookings

· Te Whanganui a Orotu made a submission on the Development of Mission Hills subdivision.

· Concern was raised about the recent tuna deaths in the Ruahapia stream, which is still being investigated.

· Looking forward to building relationship with Jobs for Nature projects.

· Te Whanganui a Orotu is now permanently based at the Green Hub and the offices will be formally opened on 15 June at 9.00am. Everyone is invited to the opening.

· Acknowledges Ngahiwi for his role over the last 20 years and welcomes Bayden Barber as the new Chair of Ngati Kahungunu

· Acknowledged the passing of Hugh Tareha and recognised his contributions to the community and the Pou and carvings that will carry his legacy into the future.

MC21/22

Resolution

That the Māori Committee receives and notes the Take ripoata ā takiwā – Taiwhenua reports.

Eden/Robin

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 3.24pm and reconvened at 3.30pm.

13.

Regional Water Security Programme update

Tom Skerman, Erin Harford-Wright and Amanda Langley provided an update covering the Regional Water Assessment and the future for the region. Discussions traversed:

· Regional Water Security programme (RWS) is a key driver in ensuring our region is resilient to Climate Change impacts

· The goal of the RWS Programme is to ensure Hawke’s Bay has long-term, climate-resilient and secure supplies of freshwater, for all

· Engagement with iwi/Māori as a partner is going to be critical to success.

Charles Lambert left the meeting at 3.37pm

· The Regional Water Assessment (RWA) aims to gather the data that supports the programme and is currently investigating how much water is being used now, by who, how much we need in future, what climate change impacts are, and how to better manage demand.

· The RWA has provided evidence that there’s a growing gap between freshwater supply and demand

· In the 2019-2020 year, a total of 161 million cubic metres of freshwater was taken from our rivers, streams and aquifers for domestic, industrial and irrigation needs. In future, we’ll need to find another 32 Million cubic meters by 2040, even if we implement water savings and efficiencies, equivalent to 12,800 Olympic swimming pools.

· Water use in Hawke’s Bay is primarily Agriculture (54%), followed by Municipal water collection and supply (18.5%), Manufacturing and processing ( 13.2%), Electricity (10.2%), Non-reticulated households (1.8%) and Service industries (0.9%).

· NIWA studies show that Hawke’s Bay rivers are some of the most at-risk in New Zealand from the impacts of climate change.

· Central Government’s policy direction, Te Mana o Te Wai, sets the priorities for freshwater allocation across New Zealand, and sets the direction for the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management – which is what guides all Regional Council policies.

· Council is currently reviewing all its policies and its broader obligations through Kotahi – a catchment-by-catchment review of how we manage our resources.

· Council is working with its Treaty Partners on what this means for mana whenua and how we ensure they are involved in decision-making on water security, optimistic that working together we will find solutions.

· Investigating if above groundwater storage is possible for the Heretaunga Plains.

· Central Hawke’s Bay Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) pilot takes water from the river during winter, when river levels are high, and moves it through underground pipes to a recharge site.

· We need to think “regeneratively” about how we use water and the RWA investigates a range of options for how to transform how we use water.

· The RWA is almost complete so it’s time to start talking to Treaty Partners, key stakeholders and the wider community about “why” water security is at risk, the future and options to build resilience.

· Proposed approach is to build understanding of the why before proposing solutions, and to build understanding of the issues to achieve a mandate for a long term strategy.

MC22/22

Resolution

That the Māori Committee receives and notes the Regional Water Security Programme update.

Robin/Hiha

CARRIED

14.

3D Aquifer Mapping Project status update (SkyTEM)

Simon Harper introduced the item and noted:

· All 8000km of SkyTEM data has been processed and modelled. This involved correcting altitude data, removing electromagnetic noise and artefacts and then creating resistivity models in the Poukawa, Otane, Heretaunga and Ruataniwha.

· Stage 5 (Interpretations and models) work is in progress. Interpretations for Poukawa/Otane have been completed, Heretaunga and Ruataniwha are underway and supported by drilling.

· A program of work is underway to assess the value of SkyTEM, and SkyTEM data is being used to support the Heretaunga and Ruataniwha models.

Councillor Hinewai Ormsby left the meeting at 4.22pm

· Next steps include finalising borehole reports, data and model inventory report for the Ruataniwha, Refinement of the Heretaunga Plains numerical groundwater model and summarising the findings into a StoryMap for exploring the data

· In the project will be completed in June 2023 and updates in the meantime were requested for the Committee.

MC23/22

Resolution

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the Update on the 3D Aquifer Mapping Project (SkyTEM).

Eden/Kawana

CARRIED

The quorum was lost at 4.22pm when Cr Hinewai Ormsby left the meeting, and the meeting closed.

Closure:

The quorum having been lost the Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 4.23pm on 8 June 2022.

The following items were provided for information only and taken as read.

15.

June 2022 Statutory Advocacy update

The item was taken as read.

· Important to take note of the RMA legislation and changes for the future.

16.

Reports from Regional Council and committee meetings

The item was taken as read.

· A question was asked about what type of control measures will be used for possum control and what the potential effects would be on Māori.

17.

Significant organisational activities looking forward through June 2022

The item was taken as read.

· Te Whanganui a Orotu noted that that there is no taiwhenua representation on the Ahuriri Regional Park Working Group and asked that representation is provided for.

18.	Partnership survey
	The item was taken as read. Survey forms were distributed prior to the meeting and collected after completion.

19.

Discussion of minor items not on the Agenda

Topic	Raised by
· Biodiversity: was discussed as part of item 17	Peter Eden
Wai 626 Flora and Fauna: · The Waitangi Tribunal today (2 July 2011) released its report into the Wai 262 claim, recommending wide-ranging reforms to laws and policies affecting Māori culture and identity and calling for the Crown-Māori relationship to move beyond grievance to a new era based on partnership. · Last week Minister Nanaia Mahuta set aside funding to support research and innovation in the Māori economy around Wai 626. · The first regional hui is proposed in a month or two.	Marei Apatu
Elections - · Reminding the members of the upcoming elections in October and encouraging members to stand for a Māori Constituency. ·	Michelle McIlroy

Marei Apatu closed the meeting with a karakia.

Signed as a true and correct record.

Date: ................................................ Chair: ...............................................