Meeting of the Regional Planning Committee
Date: 12 February 2025
Time: 1.30pm
Venue: |
Council Chamber Hawke's Bay Regional Council 159 Dalton Street NAPIER |
Agenda
Item Title Page
1. Welcome/ Karakia/ Apologies
2. Conflict of Interest Declaration
3. Confirmation of Minutes of
the Regional Planning Committee meeting held on
18 September 2024
Decision Items
4. Kotahi Engagement Framework 3
Information or Performance Monitoring
5. Summary of feedback from Kotahi Regional Policy Statement workhops 9
6. February 2025 Policy Projects update 13
7. February 2025 Statutory Advocacy and Resource Management reform update 15
Parking
There will be named parking spaces for tangata whenua members in the HBRC car park – entry off Vautier Street.
Regional Planning Committee Members
Name |
Represents |
Tania Hopmans (Co-chair) |
Maungaharuru-Tangitu Trust |
Tania Eden (Deputy Co-chair) |
Mana Ahuriri Trust |
Karauna Brown /Mana Hazel |
Te Kopere o te Iwi Hineuru |
Laura-Margaret Kele |
Tamatea Pōkai Whenua |
Nicky Kirikiri |
Te Toi Kura o Waikaremoana |
Michelle McIlroy |
Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa |
Mike Mohi |
Ngati Tuwharetoa Hapu Forum |
Jenny Nelson-Smith |
Tamatea Pōkai Whenua |
Theresa Thornton |
Ngati Pahauwera Development & Tiaki Trusts |
Hinewai Ormsby (Co-chair) |
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council |
Thompson Hokianga (Deputy Co-chair) |
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council |
Will Foley |
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council |
Xan Harding |
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council |
Charles Lambert |
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council |
Jock Mackintosh |
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council |
Sophie Siers |
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council |
Martin Williams |
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council |
Jerf van Beek |
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council |
Total number of members = 18
Quorum and Voting Entitlements Under the Current Terms of Reference
Quorum (clause (i))
The Quorum for the Regional Planning Committee is 75% of the members of the Committee
At the present time, the quorum is 14 members (physically present in the room).
Voting Entitlement (clause (j))
Best endeavours will be made to achieve decisions on a consensus basis, or failing consensus, the agreement of 80% of the Committee members present and voting will be required. Where voting is required all members of the Committee have full speaking rights and voting entitlements.
Number of Committee members present Number required for 80% support
18 14
17 14
16 13
15 12
14 11
Regional Planning Committee
12 February 2025
Subject: Kotahi Engagement Framework
Reason for report
1. This item presents the updated Kotahi Regional Policy Statement Engagement Framework (Attachment 1) which outlines an engagement timeline and options for 2025.
Staff recommendation
2. Staff recommend that the committee approves the Kotahi Regional Policy Statement Engagement Framework as proposed, to advance Kotahi plan preparation.
Executive summary
3. This report discusses the background of Kotahi engagement and the proposed timeline of engagement for 2025.
4. An engagement timeline for Kotahi was developed and the first round of engagement was held in 2022. The engagement identified environmental issues, community concerns and potential opportunities for the region. A summary of these findings was presented to the Regional Planning Committee in September 2022.
5. Kotahi was paused following Cyclone Gabrielle and since then there have been two changes to the development of Kotahi.
5.1. Firstly, lessons learnt from the cyclone have provided insights around climate change and natural hazard management.
5.2. Secondly, changes to legislation have meant that we are unable to notify freshwater plans that give effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020.
5.3. This means that to progress Kotahi we will need to separate out the freshwater components of the plan and there will be a different pathway for the freshwater components.
6. The Policy Team is developing a Regional Policy Statement (RPS) with the Joint Taiao Operational Group (JTOG) and has prepared a timeline of engagement for the RPS which can be seen in diagram 1. The timeframe identifies ongoing work with the JTOG as part of plan preparation. Staff plan to present a pre-notification draft RPS for public consultation in August 2025. This will help enable mana whenua, key stakeholders and community input, and help to ensure any issues are addressed before the RPS is notified in 2026.
Background
7. In 2022 an engagement timeline that consisted of three phases – Listen, Create and Deliver – was presented to All Governors. Phase 1 launched with a comprehensive engagement programme across the region, including:
7.1. Community drop-in sessions
7.2. Formation of a technical advisory group
7.3. Focused inter-council collaboration
7.4. Online consultation platforms
7.5. Targeted workshops with both the Regional Planning Committee and Māori Committee.
8. The initial engagement phase successfully identified major environmental issues, community concerns and potential opportunities for the region. A summary of these findings was presented to the Regional Planning Committee in September 2022. The project was ready to move into the second phase, which would have involved creating a draft plan in collaboration with stakeholders and the community. However, Cyclone Gabrielle struck the region in February 2023 which caused a delay in Kotahi as Council redirected resources and attention to the emergency response and recovery.
Discussion
9. There have been two changes to the development of Kotahi.
9.1. Firstly, our planning process has been strengthened by lessons learned during cyclone recovery, especially regarding climate resilience and natural hazard management.
9.2. Secondly, the Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2024 which came into force on 25 October 2024 impacts on Kotahi and has caused a change to our process. The Act requires a pause in the notification of freshwater plans that give effect to the National Policy Statement Freshwater Management 2020 until a new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management is established. This could take 18-24 months.
10. The engagement framework shown in Attachment 1 outlines the path to create a draft plan that incorporates our initial findings from engagement (in 2022) and our lessons learnt from recovery.
11. The attachment outlines one possible option to proceed with a pre-notification draft in August however alternative options are discussed in the options section in this paper. One of these options focuses on prioritising natural hazards to implement recommendations from the Hawke’s Bay Independent Flood review in a timely manner.
12. The Policy Team will continue working with the JTOG to develop the RPS and we are planning to present a pre-notification draft of the RPS for public consultation in August 2025.
13. Further updates and potential workshops can be held with RPC to ensure Governors are up to date with the Kotahi process and the content that they will be deciding on as shown on the diagram following.
14. The engagement period from August 2025 – February 2026 will allow time for mana whenua and community input and refinement before we notify the RPS in 2026. We hope this will help to reduce submission points and lead to a robust plan.
Figure 1: Regional Policy Statement timeframes based on Option 1
15. Staff are working with the Communications and Engagement team to ensure there is alignment with other engagement projects across the Council if possible.
Options assessment
16. Option 1, Preferred Option: the Regional Planning Committee receives and approves the proposed Kotahi Regional Policy Statement Engagement Framework to advance Kotahi plan preparation.
16.1. This is the preferred option as this will provide certainty to mana whenua, key stakeholders, the community and our colleagues about the timing of the plan delivery. It will also allow JTOG to start working with groups to ensure we have a well-developed plan, to help the Council to give effect to national direction, to help implement recommendations from the independent flood review and to ensure our plan remains current.
17. Option 2: The Regional Planning Committee receives and approves the proposed Kotahi Regional Policy Statement Engagement Framework with amendments to the proposed date for pre-notification draft engagement dates.
17.1. This option has been included following conversations with the JTOG and provides additional time for plan development however it still seeks clarity of a defined date to ensure plan development continues.
18. Option 3: the Regional Planning Committee receives and amends the Kotahi Regional Policy Statement Engagement Framework however changes the scope of the project to focus solely on natural hazards and associated topics, for example climate change, in order to implement the recommendations from the Hawke’s Bay Independent Flood Review.
18.1. This option will help implement recommendations from the independent flood review in a timely fashion, to provide policy direction to TLAs and to give certainty to the community.
19. Option 4: the Regional Planning Committee does not approve the Kotahi Regional Policy Statement Engagement Framework.
19.1. This option will further delay the delivery of Kotahi and the updating of our planning documents. This will delay our ability to set and plan for future enhanced environmental outcomes, to give effect to national direction, to help implement recommendations from the independent flood review and to ensure our plan remains current.
Strategic fit
20. Kotahi and the RPS directly contributes to the achievement of all four of the Regional Council’s focus areas.
21. This project also helps work towards relevant recommendations from the Independent Flood Review.
Climate change considerations
22. The Kotahi Project will directly impact the regions response to climate change through the provision of resource management under the Resource Management Act 1991.
23. Kotahi and the RPS will introduce a Climate Change focused chapter within the plan. This will include a number of objectives, policies, methods and eventually rules that will work to address the impacts of climate change.
Mana whenua
24. The engagement framework was discussed at the JTOG meeting on 28 January 2025. This paper and the engagement framework have been amended to reflect the discussions held. Despite amendments requested there was broad support and a request to provide options for the Regional Planning Committee to consider which have been included in the options assessment.
25. The request was to consider the pre-notification draft date of August. Both options 2 and 3 address this request.
Financial and resource implications
26. There is no significant expenditure expected from this work as it has previously all been budgeted for or will be funded through business as usual funding sources.
27. It is also intended that where possible collaboration will occur with other teams within Council on engagement to minimise costs and avoid duplication in effort and resources.
Decision-making considerations
28. Council and its committees are required to make every decision in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements in relation to this item and have concluded:
28.1. The decision does not significantly alter the service provision or affect a strategic asset, nor is it inconsistent with an existing policy or plan.
28.2. The use of the special consultative procedure is not prescribed by legislation.
28.3. The decision is not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy.
28.4. The persons affected by this decision are the wider Hawke’s Bay Community and rate payers.
28.5. Given the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided, and also the persons likely to be affected by, or have an interest in the decisions made, Council can exercise its discretion and make a decision without consulting directly with the community or others having an interest in the decision.
That the Regional Planning Committee:
1. Receives the Kotahi Regional Policy Statement Engagement Framework staff report.
2. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in HBRC’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.
3. Approves the Kotahi Regional Policy Statement Engagement Framework to advance Kotahi plan preparation.
Authored by:
Anne Bradbury Team Leader Policy & Planning |
Nichola Nicholson Manager Policy & Planning |
Approved by:
Katrina Brunton Group Manager Policy & Regulation |
|
draft RPS Engagement Framework 2025 |
|
Under Separate Cover |
Regional Planning Committee
12 February 2025
Subject: Summary of feedback from Kotahi Regional Policy Statement workhops
Reason for report
1. This item provides an update to the Regional Planning Committee (RPC) with feedback from workshops undertaken with the HBRC Policy team in late 2024 on the development of the Kotahi plan.
Executive summary
2. The RPC committee held three days of workshops in November 2024 covering all topics to be included in the Kotahi plan. Positive attendance and productive discussions at all six workshops generated new ideas, outlined key themes, and identified initial policy direction.
3. Following the workshops, written one-page summaries of what we heard, and the key themes captured from these discussions was documented. These workshop summaries are attached to this information report for the RPC to refer to.
4. Alongside the RPC workshops, the HBRC Policy Team has been working with the Joint Taiao Operational Group (JTOG) to discuss initial concepts, values and visions with the 8 PSGE groups that form the RPC to incorporate in the Regional Policy Statement (which will be part of the Kotahi Plan). As part of this process, it was indicated that a more thorough engagement framework would be required to guide Kotahi Plan preparation.
Strategic fit
5. The work that the Policy team have been undertaking on the development of the Kotahi plan aligns with the strategic objectives of the organisation, including achieving strategic goals and outcomes.
Background
6. In 2024 a request was made by the RPC committee to workshop all Kotahi plan topics, with a view to familiarise the governors with the topics they will be making decisions on for the Kotahi plan in 2025. Re-visiting topics gave Governors the chance to confirm the issues each topic encompassed, and whether they have become more pressing or changed in nature.
7. Over the month of November 2024, the RPC committee held three days of workshops. These workshops also aimed to provide the Policy team with initial direction based on the governors’ (and ultimately their communities) initial thoughts.
8. Prior to each workshop, the Policy team circulated one-pagers to all RPC members, highlighting key concerns and background information about the relevant topics to be discussed.
9. The purpose of the subsequent workshops was to then discuss these topics and hear the governors’ initial thoughts. Those who attended the workshops broke into three groups and were organised in a ‘bus-stop’ rotating format across three tables in Council chambers allowing for collaborative discussions in smaller groups.
10. The workshops covered the following topics:
Date |
Topics covered |
Workshop 1 (7 November, morning) |
RPS 101 Regionally Significant Issues Mana whenua |
Workshop 2 (7 November, afternoon) |
Climate Change Natural hazards Air |
Workshop 3 (14 November, morning) |
Visions and values Water quantity Water quality |
Workshop 4 (14 November, afternoon) |
Beds & banks of rivers Forestry Soil |
Workshop 5 (20 November, morning) |
Ecosystems and indigenous biodiversity Coastal environment Energy, infrastructure and transport |
Workshop 6 (20 November, afternoon) |
Urban form and development Integrated Management |
11. Attendance at all six workshops was positive, with governors joined by members of the Joint Taiao Operational Group, the HBRC Policy team, and HBRC science team members. Each group discussed all topics covered in the particular workshop, and ideas, key themes, and initial direction were noted down by staff.
Discussion
12. Following the discussion on all these topics, some recurring themes emerged across the topics, such as:
12.1. Inclusivity: Ensuring community members understand and are included in the planning process.
12.2. Iwi partnership at a hapū level: Understanding community needs at place.
12.3. Making equitable rules: understanding historic effects (such as land-redress for Māori who have typically been given land back that is more prone to hazards and isolated from community services). Discussions also highlighted the importance of community-centric rezoning, particularly for mana whenua communities.
12.4. Tackling sedimentation: This was mentioned through many of the topic workshops such as forestry, water quality, coastal environment and integrated management discussions, which highlighted the need for sedimentation to be addressed in a holistic way throughout the plan across multiple topic chapters.
12.5. Adopting a holistic ki uta ki tai approach to planning: recognising that multiple systems are interconnected from mountains to sea and need to be managed in such a way.
12.6. Long-term goals: Setting long-term goals and frameworks with actionable plans to achieve shared visions.
12.7. Better integration/information sharing: The need for improved data availability and sharing to support informed decision-making was repeatedly mentioned throughout the workshops. It was also mentioned that better integration with other frameworks such as the Future Development Strategy (FDS) is required for good planning.
12.8. Prioritising environmental protection: There was a strong call to prioritise climate change in the new plan and enhance the regional council's role in directing local and district councils to fulfil their biodiversity functions. Discussions were had regarding the hierarchical framework, used for Te Mana o te Wai that could be adopted as a baseline for ensuring environmental protection. However, it was recognised that a flexible approach with exception pathways would be required to allow for temporary environmental impacts for the greater environmental good or to prioritise people in natural hazard situations.
12.9. Smarter planning: There was a focus on using science and technology to enhance water management practices, planning for climate adaptation and mitigation, and improving economic and social returns from natural resources while minimising environmental impacts. Using incentives where possible to support social change was also discussed to get more out of the new plan.
13. The HBRC policy team compiled a summary of "what we heard" following these workshops, which has been attached to this information report. This summary, provided to the governors, highlights these key themes discussed for each of the workshop topics.
Next steps
14. The insights and themes gathered from the workshops will be integrated into the next stages of the Kotahi Plan development. The HBRC Policy team will ensure that the key themes, are carried into the first stages of drafting the plan which will be done alongside the JTOG and brought to the RPC for final review.
15. The engagement framework which outlines this process in more detail is provided alongside this information report in another item scheduled for discussion at RPC meeting.
Decision-making considerations
16. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision-making provisions do not apply.
That the Regional Planning Committee receives and notes the Summary of feedback from Kotahi Regional Policy Statement workshops staff report.
Authored by:
Saul Gudsell Policy Planner |
Alex Parkinson Intermediate Policy Planner |
Nichola Nicholson Acting Manager Policy & Planning |
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Approved by:
Katrina Brunton Group Manager Policy & Regulation |
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Governors 2024 workshop summaries |
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Under Separate Cover |
Regional Planning Committee
12 February 2025
Subject: February 2025 Policy Projects update
Reason for report
1. This report provides an outline and update of the Council’s various resource management projects currently under way.
Resource management policy project update
2. The projects covered in this report are those involving reviews and/or changes under the Resource Management Act to one or more of the following planning documents:
2.1. the Hawke's Bay Regional Resource Management Plan (RRMP)
2.2. the Hawke's Bay Regional Policy Statement (RPS) which is incorporated into the RRMP
2.3. the Hawke's Bay Regional Coastal Environment Plan (RCEP).
3. The table below shows current projects, with recent updates highlighted in green and underlined.
Table 1. Project Update
Project |
Update |
Next intended reporting to RPC |
1. Environment Court hearing was held mid 2024. 2. The Court directed late 2024 for feedback to be provided on the implications of the NPS-FM 2020 on PC7. 3. A decision is anticipated in the first half of 2025 |
An update will be given once a decision has been received. |
|
’PC9’
Greater Heretaunga/ Ahuriri catchment area plan change |
1. Court directed mediation has been undertaken throughout 2024 and continues into 2025 with two scheduled dates remaining. 2. Once mediation concludes, a court date will be set down which is likely to be in the latter half of 2025. |
Updates from staff as and when new information becomes available. |
Implementation of National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (NPS-UD) |
1. The FDS was notified in November with submissions closing on 23 December 2024. 2. There have been 139 submissions received and are now being processed. The hearing is planned for the end of March. |
Updates from staff as and when new information becomes available. |
Flood Protection Bylaw |
1. A report is being prepared for Council to initiate preparation of the Bylaw under the Local Government Act 2002. 2. A small change to the RRMP may be required to avoid duplication between a rule in the Regional Plan and the new Bylaw. |
Updates from staff as and when new information becomes available. |
Section 55 amendments to give effect to recent national directions |
1. An amended is being prepared as required under Section 55 of the RMA to give effect to: 1.1 NPS-FM 2020 (amended 2023) 1.2 National Policy Statement for Greenhouse Gas Emission from Industrial Process Heat 2023 1.3 National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry 2023 (previously National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry 2017) |
As these are administrative changes, no update is intended. |
Refer to Pātaka online mapping tool for further information [website link] about current Statutory Acknowledgements in Hawke's Bay region that have been passed in various Treaty settlement statutes. |
Updates from staff as and when new information becomes available. |
4. It should be noted that similar periodical reporting is also presented to the Council as part of the quarterly reporting and end of year Annual Plan reporting requirements.
Decision-making considerations
5. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision-making provisions do not apply.
That the Regional Planning Committee receives and notes the February 2025 Policy Projects update.
Authored by:
Nichola Nicholson Acting Manager Policy & Planning |
|
Approved by:
Katrina Brunton Group Manager Policy & Regulation |
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Regional Planning Committee
12 February 2025
Subject: February 2025 Statutory Advocacy and Resource Management reform update
Reason for report
1. This item updates the status of 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. This edition features a new-look style and feedback on this new style is invited.
2. The Statutory Advocacy project centres on local 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. reviews and changes to district plans overseen by a territorial authority
2.3. non-statutory strategies, structure plans, registrations, etc prepared by territorial authorities, government ministries or other agencies involved in resource management.
3. From time to time, the Statutory Advocacy project also coordinates the Regional Council’s feedback on resource management-related proposals from central government agencies such as Ministry for the Environment, Ministry for Primary Industries and Parliamentary Committees etc.
4. In all cases, the Regional Council is not the decision-maker, applicant nor proponent.
5. Copies of formal submissions made by the Regional Council on resource management-related proposals can be viewed online at www.hbrc.govt.nz (keyword #hbrcsubmissions).
Decision-making considerations
6. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision-making provisions do not apply.
That the Regional Planning Committee receives and notes the February 2025 Statutory Advocacy and Resource Management reform update.
Authored by:
Gavin Ide Principal Advisor Strategic Planning |
Nichola Nicholson Acting Manager Policy & Planning |
Approved by:
Katrina Brunton Group Manager Policy & Regulation |
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Statutory Advocacy & Resource Management Reform update February 2025 |
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Under Separate Cover |