Minutes of Hawke's Bay Regional Council meeting

1. Welcome/Karakia/Apologies/Notices

The Chair welcomed everyone and Councillor Charles Lambert acknowledged the anniversary of the Wairoa floods tomorrow, before leading the group in offering a karakia to open the meeting.

Resolution

RC31/25 That the apology for absence from Councillor Jerf van Beek be accepted.

Ormsby/Mackintosh

CARRIED

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

Councillor Xan Harding declared a conflict of interest in item 17 as the recently appointed representative of the Commercial Water Users on the proposed delivery vehicle for the Heretaunga Water Storage project.

There were no conflicts of interest declared.

3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council meeting held on 28 May 2025

RC32/25

Resolution

Minutes of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council meeting held on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Harding/Mackintosh

CARRIED

4.	Public Forum
	There were no speakers.

5.	Call for minor items not on the Agenda
	There were no items raised.

Adoption of the Annual Plan 2025-26

Desiree Cull and Chris Comber introduced the item with a brief summary of the processes leading to the adoption of the Annual Plan today, including consultation, submissions and deliberations. Queries and discussions covered:

· The proposed 18.9% average rates increase for 2025-26 in the 2024-27 LTP has been brought down to 9.9%, excluding targeted rates for parts of Hastings District for the Mangarau Streams NIWE project, as the result of staff achieving $4M of operational savings (Corporate and Integrated Catchment Management) and funding $2.5M of costs through carrying forward some of the HBRIC special dividend not used in 2024-25 and selling some very low-risk carbon credits.

· The total fixed charges – 26.4% – are the same as set in the 2024-27. Further information was provided to councillors in relation to impacts of increasing the UAGC (fixed charge) component of the general rates. Increasing the UAGC components results in those ratepayers with lower capital value properties paying more and those with high capital value paying lower rates.

· The capital expenditure on increasing flood protection levels of service relates to all the NIWE flood resilience projects including Wairoa.

RC33/25

Resolutions

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Receives and notes the Adoption of the HBRC Annual Plan 2025-26 staff report.

2. Adopts the policies consulted on concurrently with the Annual Plan 2026-26, being the:

2.1. Rates Remission and Postponement Policies

2.2. Revenue and Financing Policy.

3. Adopts the Fees and User Charges Schedule 2025-26.

4. Adopts Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Annual Plan 2025-2026 as presented, with any minor amendments or edits as necessary.

5. Instructs staff to publish Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Annual Plan 2025-26 in its final form, within one month of adoption in accordance with section 95(7) of the Local Government Act 2002.

Kirton/Harding

CARRIED

Setting of the 2025-2026 Rates

The item was taken as read, and the legal review carried out by an external provider noted.

RC34/25

Resolutions

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Confirms that the decisions to be made on the setting and assessing of rates cover information in the Funding Impact Statement for the 2025-26 year, as included in the Annual Plan 2025-26 as required by Section 95 of the Local Government Act 2002.

2. Sets the following rates under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, on rating units in the region for the financial year commencing on 1 July 2025 and ending on 30 June 2026. These rates are set in accordance with the relevant provisions of the 2025-26 Funding Impact Statement and are inclusive of GST.

2.1. A general rate is set under sections 13, and 131 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 on an estimate of projected equalised capital value as in the following table.

2.2. A uniform annual general charge is set at $94.36 per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit (SUIP) under section 15(1)(b) of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 as in the following table.

2.3. The following targeted rates, as described in the Funding Impact Statement, are set under sections 16, 17 & 18 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 as in the following tables.

2.3.1. Subsidised Public Transport Direct – all commercial/industrial rating units in Napier and Hastings within a designated valuation roll footprint on an equalised capital value.

2.3.2. Subsidised Public Transport Indirect– all rating units in Napier, Hastings, and Central Hawke’s Bay Districts on equalised capital value.

2.3.3. Healthy Homes/Clean Heat – based on rating units in Napier and Hastings within a designated valuation roll footprint on an equalised land value.

2.3.4. Economic Development – all non-residential, non-lifestyle, or non-utilities rating units based on equalised capital value.

2.3.5. Primary Production Pests – based on non-urban rating units on an equalised land value.

2.3.6. Sustainable Land Management – based on non-urban rating units on an equalised land value.

2.3.7. Water Quality – based on non-urban rating units on an equalised land value.

2.3.8. Land Monitoring, Research, and Investigations Science – based on non-urban rating units on an equalised land value.

2.3.9. Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme - based on rating units within Napier City and Hastings District on an equalised capital value.

2.3.10. Maraetotara Flood Control – based on rating units in Hastings District within the Maraetotara Flood scheme footprint on a capital value.

2.3.11. Mangarau Stream – based on rating units in Hastings District within a designated valuation roll footprint on land value.

2.3.12. Upper Makara – based on rating units in Central Hawke’s Bay and Hastings District within the Upper Makara Flood scheme footprint on an equalised capital value.

2.3.13. Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme Direct – based on rating units in Central Hawke’s Bay and Hastings District within the Upper Tukituki Flood scheme footprint on an equalised capital value.

2.3.14. Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme Indirect - Based on all rating units in Central Hawke’s Bay and those rating units in Hastings District within the Upper Tukituki Flood scheme footprint on an equalised capital value

2.3.15. Whirinaki Industrial – based on rating units in Hastings District within the Whirinaki Industrial Flood scheme footprint on a capital value.

2.3.16. Various Streams and Drainage Schemes

2.3.16.1. Brookfields & Awatoto – based on rating units in Napier City within the Brookfields Awatoto drainage area on a capital value.

2.3.16.2. Clive & Muddy Creek – based on rating units in Hastings District within the Clive Muddy Creek drainage area on a capital value.

2.3.16.3. Haumoana Te Awanga – based on rating units in Hastings District within the Haumoana drainage area on a capital value.

2.3.16.4. Karamū & Tributaries – based on rating units in Hastings District within Karamu Catchment area on a capital value.

2.3.16.5. Napier, Meeanee, Puketapu – based on rating units in Hastings District and Napier City within the Napier, Meeanee, Puketapu drainage area on an equalised capital value.

2.3.16.6. Ohuia, Whakaki – based on rating units in Wairoa District within the Ohuia drainage area on a capital value.

2.3.16.7. Pākōwhai Brookfields – based on rating units in Hastings District within the Pākōwhai drainage area on a capital value.

2.3.16.8. Paeroa Drainage – based on rating units in Wairoa District within the Paeroa drainage area on a capital value.

2.3.16.9. Poukawa Drainage – based on rating units in Hastings District within the Poukawa drainage area on a capital value.

2.3.16.10. Puninga – based on rating units in Hastings District within the Puninga drainage area on a capital value.

2.3.16.11. Raupare Enhancement – based on rating units in Hastings District within the Raupare Enhancement area and calculated on area.

2.3.16.12. Raupare Twyford – based on rating units in Hastings District within the Raupare Twyford drainage area on a capital value.

2.3.16.13. Tūtaekurī-Waimate & Moteo – based on rating units in Hastings District within the Tūtaekurī Waimate Moteo drainage area on a capital value.

2.3.17. Sustainable Homes – financial assistance (includes Clean Heat Assistance) based on value of service provided to specific properties as requested.

2.3.18. Erosion Control – financial assistance based on value of service provided to specific properties as requested.

2.4. The following uniform targeted rates, as described in the Funding Impact Statement, are set under sections 16 and 17 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 as per the following tables.

2.4.1. Coastal Hazards – fixed amount per separately used or inhabited part, based on location.

2.4.2. CDEM- Emergency Management – fixed amount per separately used or inhabited part, based on location.

2.4.3. Subsidised Public Transport Direct– all non-commercial / non-industrial / non- utilities properties within Napier and Hastings in a designated valuation roll footprint based on a fixed amount per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit.

2.4.4. Regional Economic Development – residential and lifestyle properties as a fixed amount per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit.

2.4.4.1. Opoho Drainage – based on rating units in Wairoa District within the Opoho drainage area on a fixed amount per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit.

3. Sets the due date for payment of rates set for the financial year commencing 1 July 2025 and ending on 30 June 2026 as 20 September 2025.

4. Resolves, in accordance with sections 57 and 58(1)(b) of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, that a penalty of 10% be added to the amount of rates from previous financial years remaining unpaid on 2 July 2025. The penalty will be added on 3 July 2025.

5. Resolves, in accordance with sections 57 and 58(1)(a) of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, that a penalty of 10% be added to the amount of rates for the 2025-2026 financial year that remain unpaid after the due date stated above. A penalty will be applied to any outstanding balance as at the 21 September 2025.

6. Resolves that any Sustainable Homes loan is recoverable as a voluntary targeted rate. If a ratepayer is in compliance with the terms of the scheme, payments are due in instalments per a specified schedule; or by default, the full amount is due as a lump sum.

Harding/Williams

CARRIED

Adoption of the Regional Public Transport Plan 2025 – 2035

Councillor Martin Williams introduced the item, and highlighted the need for community transport initiatives and a Community Transport Coordinator role, some form of MyWay services and a recommendation from the Regional Transport Committee that a trial commuter bus service between CHB and Hastings is implemented in 2026-27.

It was noted that the Māori communities were appreciative of the engagement on the RPTP and the proposed new bus services.

Katrina Brunton noted that the RPTP confirms the intent to increase the bus service levels with bi-directional routes, and thanked the HBRC Transport team for the comprehensive community consultation they carried out. Changes made to the RPTP by the RTC recommendations are detailed in the item.

Bryce Cullen noted the clear messages from consultation with the community about wanting their voices heard in relation to improving public transport services.

Discussions covered:

· Community transport initiatives are defined as being community led and run, e.g. services provided to meet community-specific needs like getting people to medical appointments, and the proposal for a Trust would be for a legal entity to be established with support, e.g. administration, for applying for NZTA/Waka Kotahi funding.

· After consultation it was decided that removing cash fares would only happen after cash had reduced to less than 5% of total ticket transactions for at least 6 months.

RC35/25

Resolutions

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Receives and notes the Adoption of the Regional Public Transport Plan 2025 – 2035 staff report; including the following Regional Transport Committee resolutions:

1.1. Notes that the RPTP caters for school travel and any additional capacity considerations that may be required in Policy 6.

1.2. Notes that staff will continue to engage with the communities, key stakeholders, and advocacy bodies to collaboratively refine and confirm the final routes and present a finalised network at the 29 August 2025 Regional Transport Committee meeting.

1.3. Notes that staff will continue to work with Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga around potential future fixed route opportunities for Omahu and other communities, along with potential Community Transport initiatives.

1.4. Agrees that cash fares will be removed as a form of payment across the network when cash fares reduce to less than 5% of total ticket transactions for a period of at least six months and having given no less than two months’ notice to the community.

1.5. Agrees to amend RPTP Table 11 in response to Community Transport feedback received, to read Identify existing initiatives and support the establishment of a Trust to run Community Transport services across the region, including Wairoa, Central Hawke’s Bay and satellite communities around Napier & Hastings.

1.6. Agrees to the amendment of the RPTP to include new Policy (#45) Through the contract held between HBRC and Service Providers, require customer service training be completed by all bus drivers and support staff annually. Additionally, ensure any new drivers receive service / network specific customer service training as part of the on boarding process.

1.7. Agrees to the amendment of the RPTP to include a new policy (#68) Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will work in partnership with ACC and approved assessment agencies to investigate where there may be gaps in the current Total Mobility and ACC transport schemes when providing for individuals requiring transport assistance and options to fill these gaps.

1.8. Agrees to the amendment of the RPTP to modify the wording in Policy (#90) Ensure driver training is provided annually around disabled and mobility impaired users with a view to ensuring they are assisted to utilise the service and have a positive customer experience.

1.9. Agrees to the amendment of the RPTP to include Policy #95. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will investigate alternative funding and operational models for undertaking eligibility assessments for the Total Mobility Scheme, with the aim of ensuring long term sustainability, improved accessibility, and consistency of service.

1.10. In response to feedback provided in relation to Community Transport:

1.10.1. Notes that staff will investigate and quantify potential resourcing requirements for an HBRC Community Transport Lead role ahead of the next Long Term Plan process.

1.10.2. Notes that staff will propose, as part of the next LTP process, that Hawke’s Bay Regional Council considers introducing general rate funding for the establishment of a regional Community Transport Fund for both operational funding and staff funding.

1.10.3. Agrees to amend RPTP Table 11 in response to Community Transport feedback received, to read Identify existing initiatives and support the establishment of a Trust to run Community Transport services across the region, including Wairoa, Central Hawke’s Bay and satellite communities around Napier & Hastings.

1.11. Notes that a comprehensive marketing, communications, and engagement plan will be developed for the implementation of the new network, and that this will be shared with the RTC at the 29 August 2025 meeting.

1.12. The RTC continues to lobby for funding for MyWay as a complement to fixed route services building on the learnings of the MyWay trial evaluation.

1.13. Recommends to both HBRC and CHBDC that appropriate funding is included in their 2026-27 Annual Plan to enable a commuter express trial service to commence in 2026-27, subject to suitable co-funding from NZTA.

2. Adopts the Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-2035 which incorporates the amendments agreed by the Regional Transport Committee meeting on 6 June 2025.

Williams/Roadley

CARRIED

9.	Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy adoption
	Katrina Brunton introduced the item and noted the very long process to date and that: · The Independent Hearing Panel heard submissions and recommended the Strategy including the Riverbend Road property, with notes on contentious properties with specific constraints. The cautionary footnote included in the hearing panel recommendations, proposed to be strengthened, puts the regional council’s concerns and reservations in writing. · Inclusion of land in the Strategy does not guarantee development rights which would still be required to go through future resource consenting or plan change processes. · The joint committee adopted the independent hearing panel recommendations, excluding the Riverbend Road site by resolution. · The three options proposed for the Council’s decisions today are also being proposed to Hastings and Napier councils tomorrow, with the preferred option being adoption of the Strategy as recommended by the independent hearing panel and including the Riverbend Road site. · All councils’ staff have agreed to the proposed additional wording to strengthen the cautionary notes and specific concerns in relation to the inclusion of potential development on properties at risk of flooding. Discussions covered: · There is a 60% urban intensification assumption in the Strategy, however this may be optimistic in reality. · Risks to people’s lives need to be balanced against the risk of judicial review if the Council makes a decision that doesn’t wholly reflect the independent hearing panel’s recommended strategy. · It was noted that HBRC staff did not take a position on Middle Road (highly productive land) but that the Council’s representatives on the joint committee proposed a motion to exclude it from the Strategy, which was unsuccessful. · The consequences of this council adopting a different version of the strategy than NCC and HDC include not being compliance with the NPS for Urban Development. There needs to be a single strategy otherwise the region cannot go forward. The sites in the strategy flow into district plans which will then be inputs in development of the regional spatial plan. · The requirement is for the provision of 16,000 new dwellings over the next 30 years and this strategy provides for 19,000 – a buffer of 3,000 which roughly equates to the amount of fertile land proposed for development. · If a site is not included in the strategy then its development is unlikely to go ahead unless that’s through a private plan change – an expensive, lengthy process. · In relation to governors’ involvement in planning processes for residential development, the independence of regulatory processes from political influence was reiterated. However, if a resource consent is notified, or limited notified with the regional council being an affected party, staff are able to make a submission that includes governors’ input. · It was suggested that residual risks need to extend to the consequential impacts beyond the specific site, particularly in relation to stormwater and displacement of flood water. · It was noted that Bay of Plenty Regional Council has adopted a strategy that specifically identifies sites where caution is to be exercised if development occurs – similar to what is proposed. · HBRC is required, by a National Policy Statement, to review and map and propose a change to the RPS that includes maps of highly productive land in the region, currently by October 2025. However the current government has signaled some changes to the definition of the land classifications that are to be included. · If and when the councils adopt an FDS, the next step is for staff to take proposed next steps for implementation of the strategy to the joint committee to progress. · An additional recommendation in relation to a process for referral of plan changes to the Council was proposed, and the inclusion of the words *to both the site and wider locality* in the cautionary note. Councillor Sophie Siers left the meeting at 12.36pm · Councillors expressed reservations and concerns about agreeing to a strategy that does not uphold the regional council’s responsibility to protect communities from the impacts of flooding and natural hazards. · Councillor Thompson Hokianga declared a conflict of interest as a former Trustee of Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc, with commercial interests in the Riverbend Road site, and advised he would not vote on the resolutions.
	Resolutions That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council: 1. Receives and considers the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy adoption staff report. 2. Agrees that the decisions to be made are significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, but given that the FDS has been prepared to date using the Special Consultative Procedure in section 83 of the Local Government Local Act 2002, Council can exercise its discretion and make decisions on this issue without conferring again with directly with the community or persons likely to have an interest in the decision. 3. Notes the resolutions of the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy Joint Committee (FDSJC) from its meeting on 19 May 2025 as shown in the meeting minutes. In particular: 3.1. Resolution B That the FDSJC receive and endorse the Independent Hearings Panel (IHP) Recommendations report attached as Attachment One and the IHP Recommended Draft Future Development Strategy attached as Attachment Two. With the following recommended exclusion i) Riverbend Road NC4b With the reasons for this exclusion being the site presents as a significant flooding risk and is not conducive to a well-functioning urban environment and is not required to meet demand capacity under the Future Development Strategy. 4. Notes this agenda item fulfils the requirement of the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy Joint Committee that D subject to resolution of resolutions B & C, the Chief Executive will prepare a ‘Report for the Partner Councils’, which reports on the recommendations of the FDSJC. 5. Notes that the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy provided as Attachment 1 does not include the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy Joint Committee resolution to exclude NC4b Riverbend Road. 6. As a Partner Council in accordance with Section 3.12 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development which relates to requirements for local authorities to prepare and publish a Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy (FDS) accepts, in part, the recommendations of the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy Joint Committee, but with the inclusion of Riverbend Road NC4b, and adopts a final FDS which includes Riverbend Road NC4b 7. Adopts a final Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy that includes Riverbend Road NC4b with the additional wording below relating to that specific site (to be added to page 59, after the wording describing Ahuriri Station). *Riverbend (NC4b)* Riverbend (NC4b) has long been identified as a potential location for future urban development, including through the Heretaunga Plains Urban Development Strategy 2010 and 2017 editions. Active planning work has been undertaken over recent years involving the landowner and Napier City Council. HBRC has expressed concerns about the potential for development at Riverbend given the site’s susceptibility to flooding risk and other natural hazards. There is well documented evidence of flooding affecting the site (for example, recent events in November 2020 and February 2023). The low-lying topography means the site is vulnerable to runoff and flooding, including from the existing neighbouring residential area. Significant site-specific engineering works would be required to manage stormwater and flooding effects arising from development at Riverbend, including to maintain important environmental values to an acceptable level. Additional land will be required to manage these effects outside of the existing identified NC4b area if mitigation works cannot be achieved onsite. This is acknowledged in a footnote to Table 3 of the FDS. The inclusion of Riverbend NC4b in the FDS does not predetermine the outcome of subsequent planning process, including structure planning, plan changes, and resource consent applications. As part of any application for consent or rezoning proposal to develop the Riverbend NC4b site, further detailed work will need to be undertaken to ensure the site’s suitability for development and necessary mitigation of stormwater and flooding impacts. This should include consideration of ‘residual risks’ (i.e. circumstances where events may exceed design and construction capacity of stormwater mitigation works) *to both the site and wider locality*, as has been recommended in the 2024 Hawke’s Bay Independent Flood Review Panel’s report. 8. Notes that if the adopted draft Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy (FDS) aligns with resolution 7 above, then consequential amendments will be required to be made to the draft FDS to include the additional wording before publication. 9. Requests that the CE considers developing a policy to ensure there is a robust process for the referral of regional TLA plan changes and resource consent applications to the Council, where HBRC is an affected party, to ensure Council’s awareness and ability to resource HBRC’s response appropriately. Harding/Ormsby For: Harding, Roadley, Ormsby Against: Foley, Williams, Lambert, Mackintosh, Kirton Hokianga did not vote LOST
RC36/25	The motion having failed, the following amended motion was put: Resolutions That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council: 1. Receives and considers the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy adoption staff report. 2. Agrees that the decisions to be made are significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, but given that the FDS has been prepared to date using the Special Consultative Procedure in section 83 of the Local Government Local Act 2002, Council can exercise its discretion and make decisions on this issue without conferring again with directly with the community or persons likely to have an interest in the decision. 3. Notes the resolutions of the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy Joint Committee (FDSJC) from its meeting on 19 May 2025 as shown in the meeting minutes. In particular: 3.1. Resolution B That the FDSJC receive and endorse the Independent Hearings Panel (IHP) Recommendations report attached as Attachment One and the IHP Recommended Draft Future Development Strategy attached as Attachment Two. With the following recommended exclusion i) Riverbend Road NC4b With the reasons for this exclusion being the site presents as a significant flooding risk and is not conducive to a well-functioning urban environment and is not required to meet demand capacity under the Future Development Strategy. 4. Notes this agenda item fulfils the requirement of the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy Joint Committee that D subject to resolution of resolutions B & C, the Chief Executive will prepare a ‘Report for the Partner Councils’, which reports on the recommendations of the FDSJC. 5. Notes that the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy provided as Attachment 1 does not include the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy Joint Committee resolution to exclude NC4b Riverbend Road. 6. As a Partner Council in accordance with Section 3.12 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development which relates to requirements for local authorities to prepare and publish a Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy (FDS) accepts, in part, the recommendations of the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy Joint Committee, but with the exclusion of Riverbend Road NC4b and Middle Road Hn3a and Hn3b. 7. Adopts a final Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy that excludes the Riverbend Road NC4b and Middle Road Hn3a and Hn3b sites for the reasons that: 7.1 including those sites is contrary to objectives 3 and 6 of the strategy 7.2 the inclusion of those sites is not required to provide sufficient development capacity to meet demand 7.3 neither of those sites would provide well-functioning urban environments 7.4 having considered all of the information including the summary of submissions provided to the Joint Committee, and HBRC’s own submission. 8. Requests that the CE considers developing a policy to ensure there is a robust process for the referral of regional TLA plan changes and resource consent applications to the Council, where HBRC is an affected party, to ensure Council’s awareness and ability to resource HBRC’s response appropriately. Williams/Mackintosh Hokianga did not vote CARRIED unanimously

The meeting adjourned at 1.05pm and reconvened at 1.30pm with Councillor Charles Lambert and Tania Hopmans having left.

Resolution

RC37/25 That the apology for early departure from Councillor Charles Lambert is accepted.

Ormsby/Williams

CARRIED

10.

Maritime assets acquisition recommendation from the Corporate & Strategic Committee

The item was taken as read, and noted the request is for an unbudgeted capital item that wasn’t in the LTP.

RC38/25

Resolutions

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Receives and considers the Maritime assets acquisition recommendation from the Corporate & Strategic Committee 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 Council can exercise its discretion and make decisions on this issue without conferring directly with the community.

3. Approves the acquisition of on-water assets (a vessel and personal watercraft) in order to increase Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Maritime Safety capability and on-water response to and prevention of pollution and enforcement activities.

4. Approves the acquisition of on-water assets (a vessel and personal watercraft) being funded by Enforcement Revenue to the value of $326,000 and the $300,000 balance of the total costs by loan funding.

Roadley/Foley

CARRIED

11.

Climate Change Risk Assessment - Recommendations from the Climate Action Joint Committee

Amberley Gibson introduced the item, which was taken as read. Councillor Xan Harding, as Chair of the Climate Action Joint Committee, noted the importance of the region achieving this milestone and the future work it enables. Discussions covered:

· Councils budgeted for continued regional collaboration in their LTPs however it is up to the individual councils whether funding is continued in the coming triennium

· CDEM was involved in the development of the risk assessment report, particularly lifelines, and will be taking the work forward through risk reduction and hazards research work streams.

· An important aspect of the report is the identification of information gaps in existing available data, that will be filled in future to enable better planning and policy decisions.

RC39/25

Resolutions

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Receives and notes the Hawke’s Bay Climate Change Risk Assessment technical report, as recommended by the Climate Action Joint Committee.

2. Considers the findings and opportunities for further work outlined in the Hawke’s Bay Climate Change Risk Assessment technical report, including how to integrate climate risk information into decision-making at all levels, as recommended by the Climate Action Joint Committee.

3. Acknowledges the recommendations from the Climate Action Joint Committee, that Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

3.1. Commits to providing staff resource and funding for ongoing collaboration on climate action, including allocating budget in the next Long Term Plan to enable a future iteration of the Hawke’s Bay Climate Change Risk Assessment to be undertaken during the 2027-2037 period.

3.2. Commits to regional collaboration on climate action to continue progressing action to build resilience.

3.3. Commits to processes of continuous improvement to address the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities including tangata whenua.

Harding/Roadley

CARRIED

12.	Chief Executive Employment & Performance Review Committee
	The item was taken as read and amendments made to the Terms of Reference in relation to the Committee making recommendations to Council, the involvement of mana whenua and membership.
RC40/25	Resolutions That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council: 1. Receives and considers the Chief Executive Employment and Performance Review Committee 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 Council can exercise its discretion and make these decisions without consulting directly with the community or others having an interest in the decision. 3. Establishes, pursuant to Schedule 7 clause 30(1) of the Local Government Act 2002, the Chief Executive Employment and Performance Review Committee and adopts the Terms of Reference following. 4. Appoints the following members to the Chief Executive Employment and Performance Review Committee: 4.1. Chair Hinewai Ormsby 4.2. Deputy Chair Will Foley 4.3. Councillor Thompson Hokianga 4.4. Councillor Di Roadley. 5. Appoints Councillor Will Foley Chair of the Chief Executive Employment Review Committee. Ormsby/Mackintosh CARRIED
	Chief Executive Employment and Performance Review Committee Terms of Reference 1. Purpose The purpose of the Chief Executive Employment and Performance Review Committee is act for and advise Council on matters relating to the employment, performance and remuneration of Council’s Chief Executive. 2. Specific responsibilities The Chief Executive Employment and Performance Review Committee will: 2.1. Negotiate and agree annually with the Chief Executive, performance targets and key result area weightings including measurement of those performance targets – for recommendation to Council. 2.2. Undertake six monthly, or more frequent if required, performance reviews of progress against the performance targets. 2.3. Conduct an annual review of the Chief Executive’s performance and remuneration in accordance with the agreed processes at such time as agreed with the Chief Executive. 2.4. Develop, following consultation with Council, the appropriate amendments or adjustments to the terms and conditions of employment and the remuneration of the Chief Executive arising from the annual review. 2.5. Represent Council on any issues which may arise in respect to the Chief Executive’s job description, employment agreement, performance agreement or related matters. 2.6. Conduct and complete a review of employment under clause 35 schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002 and make a recommendation to Council as to the continued appointment or vacancy under clause 34 schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002. 2.7. Recommend to Council, for its approval, a recruitment, selection and appointment process for a Chief Executive. 2.8. Oversee the Council-approved recruitment, selection and appointment process for a Chief Executive (noting that a decision on appointment must by law be made by the Council). 3. Accountability 3.1. The Chief Executive Employment and Performance Review Committee is delegated to make recommendations to Council only. 3.2. For the avoidance of doubt, the Chief Executive Employment and Performance Review Committee does not have the delegated authority to decide: 3.2.1 the Chief Executive’s job description and associated job specifications 3.2.2 the appointment process for the role of Chief Executive 3.2.3 the appointment and remuneration package of the preferred candidate for the position of Chief Executive. The Chief Executive Employment and Performance Review Committee may: 3.3. recommend matters to Council as it deems appropriate. 3.4. Obtain external legal or independent professional advice within approved budgets in the undertaking of its responsibilities and duties. 3.5. Receive all the information and documentation needed or requested to fulfil its responsibilities and duties, subject to applicable legislation. 3.6. The Chair may refer urgent matters to the Council where this Committee would ordinarily have considered the matter. 4. Membership 4.1. The Committee is to comprise of up to four councillor members being the Regional Council Chair and Deputy Chair, a Māori Constituency councillor and one other councillor to be agreed and appointed by the Council. 4.2. The Council will appoint one of the councillor members to the role of Chair. 4.3. The Council can appoint additional members for a period when their appointment is deemed necessary for the Committee to discharge its functions. For CE performance matters an invitation may be extended to the Māori Committee or Regional Planning Committee Co-chair. 5. Meeting Frequency 5.1 Meetings may be called as required to fulfil the purpose and responsibilities of the Committee reporting to Council, at the discretion of the Chair or as required by Council. 6. Quorum 6.1 The quorum at any meeting of the Committee shall be the majority of members, including the Chair.

13.

Local Government NZ Annual General Meeting

The item was taken as read. It was noted that if a remit is not within the regional council’s ambit the Council can choose to abstain from voting.

In relation to remit 4, Katrina Brunton provided commentary from Council’s Transport Manager, Russell Turnbull, which included concerns in relation budgetary pressures and the requirement for substantial additional long term funding from the Crown, pressure from communities to retain under performing services requiring increased ratepayer funding or a commitment from central government for 100% funding, high administrative burden would require increased resourcing, public concerns about allowing general bus passengers to travel on school buses with young children, and exposure to increased political pressures. The benefits of an integrated system for the region would include greater purchasing power.

RC41/25

Resolutions

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Receives and considers the Local Government NZ Annual General Meeting - Voting on Remits staff report.

3. Confirms that HBRC Chair, Hinewai Ormsby, is registered to attend the LGNZ AGM as HBRC’s delegate and exercise Council’s votes as follows.

3.1. Remit 1 – Security System payments – Support

3.2. Remit 2 – Improving joint management agreements – Support

3.3. Remit 3 – Alcohol Licensing Fees – Abstain

3.4. Remit 5 – Review of local government arrangements to achieve better balance – Support

3.5. LGNZ’s Rates capping paper – Support.

4. Confirms that Councillor Will Foley is registered to attend the LGNZ AGM as HBRC’s alternate delegate and exercise Council’s votes on the remits as above if required.

Ormsby/Williams

CARRIED

5. Remit 4 – Aligning public and school bus services – Oppose.

Ormsby/Williams

CARRIED

14.

Affixing of Common Seal

The Common Seal of the Council has been affixed to the following documents and signed by the Chair or Deputy Chair and Chief Executive or a Group Manager.

Seal No.

Date

1.1

1.1.1 A. Heays – Regional On Scene Commander

M. Courtnell - Alternate Regional On Scene Commander

(Sub-delegation under section 444(5) of the Maritime Transport Act 1994)

1.1.2 D. Hicks

(Delegations under Resource Management Act 1991 (Sections 34A(1) and 38(1); Maritime Transport Act 1994 (Section 33G(a); Building Act 2004 (Section 317B); Biosecurity Act 1993 (Sections 103 and 105); Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (s.86-92) and Local Government Act 2002 (Section 177))

4609

4610

4611

4 June 2025

17 June 2025

RC42/25

Resolutions

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

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. Confirms the action to affix the Common Seal.

Ormsby/Foley

CARRIED

15.

HBRIC Ltd Statement of Intent 2025-2026

Tom Skerman, HBRIC CE, introduced the item which was taken as read and noted the only change to the SoI was made in response to councillor feedback.

RC43/25

Resolution

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Receives and considers the HBRIC Ltd Statement of Intent 2025-2026 staff report.

3. Approves the HBRIC Ltd Statement of Intent 2025-26.

Harding/Williams

CARRIED

22.

HBRIC Independent Director Appointment

RC44/25

Resolutions

1. That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council excludes the public from this section of the meeting, being Agenda Item 22 HBRIC Independent Director Appointment with the general subject of the item to be considered while the public is excluded. The reasons for passing the resolution and the specific grounds under Section 48 (1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are:

General subject of the item to be considered	Grounds under section 48(1) for the passing of the resolution	Reason for passing this resolution
HBRIC Independent Director Appointment	s7(2)(a) Excluding the public is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons.	In considering the appointment of the HBRIC Chair’s successor, the experience and qualifications of the candidates will be discussed.

2. That Tom Skerman, HBRIC CE, be permitted to remain at this meeting after the public has been excluded, as a subject matter expert.

3. That the decisions arising from this agenda item are advised to the public by way of media release from HBRIC immediately following the meeting.

Williams/Foley

CARRIED

23.

HB Emergency Management Service Level Agreement

The proposed Service Level Agreement was provided to the CDEM Group Joint Committee as part of the Transformation Strategy and is to be formally adopted at the 28 July 2025 meeting. The SLA contains options for structural change which may affect staff.

RC45/25

Resolutions

1. That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council excludes the public from this section of the meeting, being Agenda Item 23 HB Emergency Management Service Level Agreement with the general subject of the item to be considered while the public is excluded. The reasons for passing the resolution and the specific grounds under Section 48 (1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are:

General subject of the item to be considered

Grounds under section 48(1) for the passing of the resolution

Rationale for excluding the public

HB Emergency Management Service Level Agreement

s7(2)(i) Excluding the public is necessary to enable the local authority holding the information to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).

s7(2)(f)(ii) Excluding the public is necessary to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs by protecting councillors and/or council employees and contractors/ consultants from improper pressure or harassment.

The Service Level Agreement is the result of a process of inter and intra organisational change and negotiations between the councils of the region which affect employees of those councils.

The advice of staff into the development of the SLA has the potential to be contentious. Councillors and staff need to be able to discuss the financial and operational proposals put forward in the SLA without pressure from media or politicians.

How has the public interest been considered/ weighed?

The public interest in this item will be satisfied when the Service Level Agreement is adopted and made public by the CDEM Group Joint Committee on 28 July 2025.

2. That the contents of and decisions arising from this agenda item will be made public once negotiations have concluded and the Service Level Agreement has been adopted, in its final form, by the HB CDEM Group Joint Committee on 28 July 2025.

Williams/Foley

CARRIED

24.

Confirmation of Public Excluded Meeting held on 28 May 2025

RC46/25

Resolution

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council excludes the public from this section of the meeting being Confirmation of Public Excluded Minutes Agenda Item 24 with the general subject of the item to be considered while the public is excluded. The reasons for passing the resolution and the specific grounds under Section 48 (1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are:

General subject of the item to be considered

Grounds under section 48(1) for the passing of the resolution

Reason for passing this resolution

Central Hawke's Bay Managed Aquifer Recharge Project

s7(2)(j) Excluding the public is necessary to prevent the disclosure or use of official information for improper gain or improper advantage

Sensitive commercial and pricing information in the report has the potential to adversely impact commercial negotiations and, at this preliminary stage, may be misrepresented publicly and negatively impact the project’s ongoing commercial negotiations.

Further, deliberations have the potential to impact the privacy of landowners, and commercial arrangements between the Council and the Crown under current, amended or future funding proposals.

Williams/Foley

CARRIED

The meeting moved into public excluded session at 2.35pm and out of public excluded session at 3.12pm

The meeting adjourned at 3.12pm and reconvened at 3.22pm

16.

Reducing flood risk in Hawke's Bay

Desiree Cull introduced the item, which positions flood risk within the Council’s strategic priorities and other work, including the key take away that if Council built all the engineering interventions that would require doubling the rates to pay for that.

Jenny Keown provided an update on the communications plan for starting the community conversations around flood risks in the region.

Kath Gellatly advised the engagement hub will be refreshed to be ‘community conversations hub’ with focus on the key strategic priorities of Flood Risk, Water Security and Erosion Control to begin with.

Councillor Thompson Hokianga re-joined the meeting online at 3.38pm

Discussions covered:

· It was suggested that it is important to include context around insurance (as it relates to affordability – cheaper insurance or the ability to get insurance)

· It was requested that the words listing the ‘topics’ on the pou reflect councillors’ feedback.

· In relation to costs it was reiterated that it is far too early in the process to make any costs public but as numbers are known (from scheme reviews) these can be added into the information available online. The ‘order of magnitude - $600 million’ is included in the information but that’s as far as risk allows.

· Through focus and expert technical advisory groups, affordable options will go forward for through processes of further investigation.

· The $600 million is very ‘ball park’ because it doesn’t consider specifics for land acquisition or particular engineering interventions.

· Chris Dolley explained that the work being undertaken as part of the ‘scheme reviews’ and separate from the ‘reimagining flood resilience in Upper Tukituki and Heretaunga Plains’

RC47/25

Resolution

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council receives and notes the Reducing flood risk in Hawke's Bay staff report.

Ormsby/Roadley

CARRIED

17.

Heretaunga Water Security update

Xan Harding excused himself having declared a conflict of interest in this item.

Richard Wakelin introduced the item, Richard Westbury and Amanda Langley, who provided a recap of the project’s progress to date; targeting end of July for Council decisions on the delivery vehicle and ‘transitioning’ the funding to that entity.

The proposed delivery vehicle (presentation attached) is a limited liability company (not a CCO) owned by the shareholders – water users, TAs and mana whenua – with a Shareholder Committee and independent, professional Board of Directors.

HBRC will step back to maintain independence from structuring arrangements (leaving it to the shareholders to navigate) and consider what is acceptable in terms of participation and commitment but retain the role of primary project sponsor (and funder) and manage the broader relationships as a regional authority.

Te Wairama Munro advised that there are four mana whenua groups representing a variety of interests that have expressed a desire to be involved and are being actively engaged with.

Discussions with Kānoa are ongoing, particularly in relation to the potential transition to an ADV and the funding agreement.

Mike Paku left the meeting at 4.14pm

RC48/25

Resolution

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council receives and notes the Heretaunga Water Security update staff report.

Williams/Mackintosh

CARRIED

18.

Potential options for Regional Water Security

Richard Wakelin and Te Wairama Munro spoke to the item, which presented a range of known high level water security options, many of which are not for the regional council, but for the TAs to take forward. Discussions covered:

· Undertaking a deeper analysis of any of the options needs to be prioritised before doing any further work given the capacity and resource challenges Council faces.

· Chris Dolley noted that Council previously agreed to four notional areas for funding, which were a CHB MAR irrigation trial, a wastewater recycling feasibility study, data improvements work, and consideration of a demand management advisory role to drive research and advocacy.

· A request was made for a framework to enable the next steps toward a balanced, integrated strategy for regional water security for the July Council meeting.

· One approach to prioritising could be an expert panel to assess potential ‘low hanging fruit’ to take forward.

· Noting the potential savings of 6 million cubic meters if water meters are installed, it was queried whether the shortfall in the Regional Water Assessment assumed or included water efficiency/conservation savings. In response it was advised that 1% average over time had been used for modelling and did not account for any growth.

· It was suggested that the options are extended to include sustainable farming practices (regenerative farming) under land use change and purple pipes under water recycling.

RC49/25

Resolution

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council receives and notes the Potential options for Regional Water Security staff report.

Roadley/Kirton

CARRIED

19.

Update on the North Island Weather Events (NIWE) Flood Resilience Programme

Andrew Caseley and Jess Bennett spoke to the item and highlighted:

· Porangahau is the most financially challenging of the projects because of the hard engineering interventions required.

· A curve ball in the Pump Stations project has stalled progress and the team will provide an update to Council in July for next steps to progress.

· Pakowhai challenges in relation to flood protection structures, e.g. sheet pile $5k/metre, and their alignment are being worked through.

· The project schedule of milestones trigger when claims are submitted for Crown funding.

· Pump stations, due to the amount of work under ground required, are the most complex of the NIWE projects.

RC50/25

Resolution

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council receives and notes the Update on the North Island Weather Events (NIWE) resilience programme staff report.

Foley/Ormsby

CARRIED

20.

Report from the Risk and Audit Committee

The item was taken as read. It was noted that Fitch confirmed Council’s credit rating after the recent review. Councillors took the opportunity to thank Susie Young for her extraordinary contributions to Council and RAC including negotiating the FOSAL agreement with the Crown.

RC51/25

Resolution

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council receives and considers the Report from the Risk and Audit Committee.

Harding/Kirton

CARRIED