Resolved

That Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority:

1          Accepts the apology from Geoff Rice (Tapuika Iwi Authority Trust) tendered at the meeting.

Kingi/McDonald

CARRIED

6.1

Proposed Flood Protection and Drainage Bylaws 2020

Presentation - Flood Protection and Drainage Bylaws: Objective ID A3622233   

University of Waikato Associate Professor Dr Kura Paul-Burke and Rivers and Drainage Asset Manager Kirsty Brown presented this item.

10.45 am – Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour entered the meeting.

Key Points:

·            Dr Kura Paul-Burke had been contracted to engage with tangata whenua to develop an understanding of the impact the bylaws would have on cultural practises in wāhi tapu sites such as marae and urupā before forming co-developed recommendations to Council

·            Noted that the timeframe for project completion was October 2020.

Key Points - Members:

·           Chair Dean Flavell would liaise with Dr Kura Paul-Burke to facilitate further relevant engagement

·           Supported collaborative working to centralise the process whilst still allowing for individual kōrero.

In Response to Questions:

·           Stopbanks and pump stations were the main defence against floodwaters

·           The main purpose of the bylaw was to protect the asset and it was important to maintain access to enable cleaning of the drains.  Different types of planting plans were being considered to combine this goal with improving water quality

·            The process for planting trees within the bylaw zone would involve an onsite visit from members of the Rivers and Drainage team to discuss the most suitable options

·            No fee was charged for bylaw authority applications as the aim was to ensure the stopbank or pump station retained its integrity and the structure was not weakened.

7.1

Chairperson's Report - Verbal Update

Site photograph - 83 Ford Road, Maketu: Objective ID A3622367

Chair Dean Flavell provided a verbal update to members on matters occurring since the last hui held 29 May 2020.

Key Points:

·       Te Tini a Tuna update – promotion of the Kaituna Action Plan had occurred through presentations at Maketu and Western Bay of Plenty District Council

·       Acknowledged the contributions to the submission made on the AFFCO consent application.  A pre-hearing would be held for submitters and invited feedback from members who would like to be involved in this

·       Provided an overview of the newly developed Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority (TMoK) website and demonstrated its functionality to members: http://kaituna.socialize.co.nz/ 

·       Shared a video to update members on Tumu Kawa Plantings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHHjrmPjtp4

Key Points - Members:

Cr Nees – Bay of Plenty Regional Council

·       Attended the Maketu community forum and commended Chair Flavell’s presentation and the positive outcomes shown from co-governance working together with community support for the benefit of the Kaituna.

Cr John Scrimgeour – Western Bay of Plenty District Council

·       Advised of an Open Day at the 83 Ford Road site from 3-6pm Thursday 3 September 2020 for any interested parties.

Cr Te Taru White – Bay of Plenty Regional Council

·       The cultural significance of the Ford Road site at Maketu and the stories to be told were fundamental in consideration of potential development.

Cr Grant Dally – Western Bay of Plenty District Council

·       The Ford Road site was owned by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, approximately 3 hectares in size and included Tukotahi Marae

·       The land was currently undeveloped and zoned as rural

·       Early engagement was to inform concept plans for future use and recreational opportunities.

Nick Chater – Rotorua Lakes Community Board

·       Outlined the success local young people had achieved netting catfish post Covid-19 and the risks catfish pose to the koura population.

           Kingi Biddle - Te Komiti Nui o Ngāti Whakaue

·       A permanent representative to Te Maru o Kaituna would be appointed by Ngāti Whakaue over the next month.

Resolved

That Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority:

1          Approves Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority independent website to go live as soon as possible.

Flavell/White

CARRIED

7.2

Adoption of the 2020/21 Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority Budget

Senior Planner (Water Policy) Jo Watts presented this item and invited feedback from members to finalise the budget.

Key Points:

·       Members had previously indicated the website could be used as part of a communications strategy to raise awareness of Te Tini a Tuna projects and potentially identify funding opportunities

·       Future work could also include starting and managing a social media platform.

Key Points - Members:

·       The website was currently administered by Bay of Plenty Regional Council and in time TMoK may consider independent administration, depending on how the website progressed

·       Supported the website as it was and the development of a communications strategy

·       Budget for TMoK led actions could be used for assistance on external funding applications such as the Freshwater Improvement Fund and
Te Mana o Te Wai Fund, therefore $12,000 was added to this budget line

·       Additional external funding opportunities could be considered, such as TECT, Bay Trust and the Acorn Foundation

·       There was a further opportunity for TMoK to submit to Council’s Long Term Plan for further funding once this went out for consultation.

Resolved

That Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority:

1          Receives the report, Adoption of the 2020/21 Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority Budget;

2          Notes the current balance of Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority funds;

3          Adopts the 2020/21 Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority Budget as outlined in the minutes which includes amendments arising from the meeting.

Douglas/McDonald

CARRIED

7.3

Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority Draft Annual Report 2019/2020

Coastal Catchments Manager Pim de Monchy presented this item.

Key Points - Members:

·            While it had not been a busy year due to Covid-19 restrictions, important work had been achieved including submissions made on behalf of TMoK which ensured the voice of members were heard through a formal process

·            Acknowledged the work and achievement of finalising Te Tini a Tuna - The Kaituna Action Plan which had occurred in the past year and looked forward to implementation of this.

Resolved

That the Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority:

1          Receives the report, Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority Draft Annual Report 2019/2020;

2          Approves the attached Annual Report;

3          Notes that the Annual Report will be distributed to appointing organisations for their review.

Douglas/Chater

CARRIED

7.4

Implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management

Presentation - Implementing the NPSFM and Te Hononga: Objective ID A3623738   

Strategic Engagement Manager Anaru Vercoe and Senior Planner (Water Policy) Jo Watts presented this item.

Key Points - Members:

·       The challenge of significant changes and tight timeframes for submissions would make it difficult to qualify quality engagement

·       Highlighted the importance of a strong communications plan if TMoK was to be a hub for communication flow

·       Supported the concepts of co-design, cooperation and collaboration

·       Suggested combining the engagement requirements of kōrero with iwi to economise time, particularly going into such a busy time of year

·       Co-Governance groups and other local entities with common interests in water could be brought together for a hui at an early point in the process to have a collaborative approach and progress this mahi e.g. Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group, Tauranga Moana Advisory Group, Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum, Rangitāiki River Forum and TMoK.

In Response to Questions:

·       The National Policy Statement (NPS) affected the whole country and BOPRC was working closely with other regional councils, the Ministry for Environment and Kahui Wai Māori as this was a significant piece of work that would involve serious decisions around how it would be supported

·       Covid-19 environment and alert levels could impact capability to achieve implementation goals

·       The timeframe for a notified plan was December 2024, with around two years to the submissions and appeal process, and a total of approximately six to seven years to achieve an operative plan.

12.41 pm – Chair Dean Flavell vacated the Chair for the purposes of retaining a  quorum and Cr Matemoana McDonald assumed the Chair.

Resolved

That the Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority:

1          Receives the report, Implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

2          Provides guidance on the role of Te Maru O Kaituna in the Regional Natural Resources Plan review and in the implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020, pertaining to the Kaituna co-governance framework area.

3          Provides guidance on preferences of TMoK for the engagement approaches outlined in Te Hononga.

Flavell/Nees

CARRIED

7.5

Toi Moana Kaituna Catchment - Report on Operations since 29 May 2020

Coastal Catchments Manager Pim de Monchy presented this item.

Key Points:

·           Highlighted the positive changes in Maketu estuary over the past few years including the increase of the number of animals and species per square metre.

Key Points - Members:

·           Commended the strong result achieved in a short timeframe, the amount of work involved and the positive message this conveyed

·           Excellent to see the return of kaimoana in these places of significance.

Resolved

That Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority:

1          Receives the report, Toi Moana Kaituna Catchment - Report on Operations since 29 May 2020.

White/Flavell

CARRIED

8.1

Previous Minutes – Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority - 29 May 2020

Resolved

That Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority:

1          Confirms Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority minutes – 29 May 2020 as a true and correct record.

Flavell/Kingi

CARRIED