Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Accepts the apologies from Cr Bill Clark, Chairman Doug Leeder (Ex-Officio), Cr Lyall Thurston (early departure) and Cr Thompson (early departure) tendered at the meeting.

McDonald/Iti

CARRIED

5.1

Komiti Māori Minutes - 25 August 2020

Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Confirms the Komiti Māori Minutes - 25 August 2020 as a true and correct record.

Rose/McDonald

CARRIED

6.1

Update from Hinemihi Marae

Presented by: Ruakiri Fairhall on behalf of Rangitihi Pene who had been called to a prior engagement.

Key Points:

·       Ngāti Hinemihi were a hapū of Ngāti Tarāwhai, connected to Tūhourangi and multiple branches of Te Arawa.

·       A key aspiration for the hapū was to repatriate the carvings of Hinemihi o Te Ao Tawhito whare tupuna from Clandon Park in Surrey, England.

o   Repatriation of the carvings was a 5-year project.

o   Vision was to build a new whare to be located in the United Kingdom in exchange for the carvings; a place for expatriates and those that had looked after Hinemihi whare tupuna.

o   Rebuild the whare tupuna for Tūhourangi iwi.

o   Seek pan-tribal support to contribute resource materials.

o   Project was supported by Manatū Taonga (Ministry of Culture and Heritage), the Onslow whanau and Clandon community, British National Trust and British-Māori Community.

·       Hinemihi Marae would be hosting a Te Arawa-Tūhourangi Ahurei/festival in 2021 that would bring the iwi together before returning to England on the 135^th anniversary of the Tarawera eruption.

·       Ngāti Hinemihi hapū were active in running a weekly online Te Reo Māori programme for tamariki and mokopuna, with a focus on Te Reo Māori, tikanga and whakapapa.

Key Points - Members:

·       Cr White noted Te Taumata (Māori Trade Organisation) and the British High Commissioner may be potential avenues to support the project and offered his assistance as a point of contact.

·       Taonga acquired during the 1800s were acquired and showcased as a symbol of conquest of a dying race however, noted future pathways were being initiated towards reconciliation.

·       Wished Ngāti Hinemihi all the best with their endeavours and aspirations.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

·       An update was requested at a future Komiti Māori meeting on Ruakiri Hall’s new Kaiwhakamanawa role at Toi Moana.

6.2

Te Arawa 2050 / Te Matakitenga a Te Arawa

Presentation: Te Arawa 2050 Vision: Objective ID A3667136 ⇨

Tabled Document 1 - Te Arawa 2050 Vision: Objective ID A3674215 (Available online at www.tearawavision.nz)

Presented by: Jude Pani, Manahautū  and Jenny Riini, Kaiwhakahono, Te Tatau o
Te Arawa

Key Points:

·       Te Arawa 2050/Te Matakitenga a Te Arawa/Te Arawa Vision (refer Tabled Document) was developed by and for Te Arawa iwi/hapū.

·       Te Hahautanga o te Waka structure, timeline and multi-level engagement.

·       Vision document was launched in July 2020 and had been founded on the words of Te Ōhākī a Houmaitawhiti, as portrayed in the YouTube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUDMFdZbHcc&feature=youtu.be

·       Covered the area of the Confederation of Te Arawa iwi and hapū.

·       Strategic direction: Te Whakaterenga o te Waka set out 30 goals agreed by Te Arawa people across seven strategic areas to be achieved by 2050.

·       Acknowledged Toi Moana for providing staff resourcing to assist with the facilitation of five workshops.

·       Background on Te Tatau o Te Arawa Partnership Board and key strategic priority areas for 2021.

In Response to Questions:

·       Regional Council could support Te Arawa’s Vision by providing staff expertise to develop the transformational recovery plan (region-wide) and spatial planning strategy.

·       Te Tatau would be seeking support.

·       Te Arawa Lakes Trust’s register could be utilised to connect with rangatahi that lived outside the rohe. Rangatahi leaders were also active at engaging other rangatahi on their social networks.

·       Key statistics used in the development of the Te Arawa Vision were outlined in the Te Arawa Vision document.

Key Points - Members:

·       Congratulated Te Arawa on the development of their Vision and Strategy.

·       Te Arawa’s Vision had been well founded by Te Arawa people and would step them into a transformational phase.

·       In response to a query raised from the floor, Toi Moana did not have an atonement policy to address iwi/hapū issues, but relied on national policy directives, and acknowledged the need to address and support Iwi and hapū issues, resourcing and capacity.

·       Were heartened to see iwi/hapū strengthening themselves and progressing the journey, with local government in support.

·       Recognised and congratulated Matakana Island iwi/hapu and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council on their decision to return the ownership of Panepane Purakau (eastern end of Matakana Island) back to the local hapū, which was an example of the progress being made with local government.

6.3

Ahi Kaa Roa Roopu - Update on Development of Nga Wai Ariki o Rotorua: He Kohikohinga - Hau Kainga Perspectives on the Health of Geothermal Taonga within Rotorua

Presentation - Nga Wai Ariki o Rotorua He Kohikohinga - Hau Kainga perspectives on the health of Geothermal Taonga within Rotorua: Objective ID A3667205 ⇨  

Presented by: Elva Conroy, Lani Kereopa and Lorraine Hall

Key Points:

Elva Conroy (Kaituhituhi)

·       Ahi Kaa Roa roopu involvement and perspectives on the Rotorua geothermal system would encompass:

o   Physical health of the resource.

o   How the use of the taonga had changed over time.

o   Health and wellbeing of the people.

o   Inter-generational impacts from changes to access and use over time from geothermal exploitation, bore closures, and city development.

o   Sensory based perspectives.

·       Case study areas included: Ngāpuna, Whakarewarewa, Ōhinemutu, and Kuirau-Tarewa.

·       The final report would provide a snapshot in time of the Ahi Kaa Roa representatives’ perspectives, which would not replace the views of other Iwi and hapū, and those living in their respective areas.

·       Presenters commented on the excellent working relationship they have with staff in this space.

Lani Kereopa on behalf of Ngāti Whakaue/Ohinemutu

·       Mismanagement of the resource had impacted the health and cultural wellbeing of Iwi and hapū, and their ability to utilise and exercise kaitiakitanga over their taonga/resource.

·       Provided examples where local hapū/residents were cut-off from utilising the resource when commercial operators had access to it (e.g. Te Rau Aroha Wharekai at Whakarewarewa) or were unable to utilise the resource for bathing and heating due to high infrastructure and repair costs.

·       Requested support from Toi Moana to:

o   Incorporate Mātauranga Māori, equally alongside western science, within the Rotorua Geothermal System Management Plan.

o   Protect the taonga and enhance kaitiakitanga, i.e. through supporting Ahi Kaa management and monitoring of the resource.

o   Engage and discuss with the Ahi Kaa Roopu prioritisation use of the resource.

o   Support Te Arawa’s sustainable energy security project.

o   Integrated planning of geothermal, freshwater and seawater as these resources were connected.

Lorraine Hall on behalf of Ngāti Te Hurunga te Rangi (Ngāpuna)

·       In the 1940s, Ngāpuna thrived and the Puarenga Stream was an abundant food source.

·       Today, the area was heavily industrialised and the Puarenga the most polluted awa in the country.

·       Decline of the health of the people and environment could be attributed to noise and pollution.

·       The geothermal resource was the last taonga for local hapū.

·       Wanted to see change for next and future generations.

In Response to Questions:

·         Inter-generational health issues of local people included respiratory, skin and visual problems.

·         Ahi Kaa Roa roopu had completed a report to take to their communities, before bringing it to Toi Moana at a future time.

·         Tamariki were taught the area’s history and past health and decline of the environment through the local school restoration programme, and hapū whakapapa and information sharing.

Key Points - Members:

·       Thanked and commended presenters for their presentation.

·       Extended an invitation to meet with hapū representatives to discuss the issues, noting that Whareroa Marae in Mount Maunganui were subjected to similar issues and seeking solutions from local and central government.

·       Acknowledged the correlation between geothermal and freshwater systems and for this kaupapa to remain on the agenda of Komiti Māori.

6.4

Update from Te Komiro o te Utuhina

Presented by: Lani Kereopa

Ms Kereopa provided an update of her experiences with Toi Moana over the past year.

Key Points:

·       Complimented staffs’ support and assistance on various kaupapa such as: Puarenga Stream alum dosing, Ahi Kaa Roa geothermal engagement, resource management application for Ruapeka lagoon, and Ōhinemutu environmental management plan for riverbanks clean-up and re-planting.

·       Highlighted several issues regarding recent engagement with Council staff:

o   Lack of engagement and clarity of available monitoring information of pollution sources and cumulative effects impacting the Utuhina awa.

o   Further understanding needed by staff in regard to Council’s obligations to tangata whenua following a recent hui.

o   Engagement on National freshwater policy had not been forthcoming.

·       Te Komiro o te Utuhina would be seeking mandate from Ngāti Whakaue iwi to work on the comprehensive stormwater consent, for which Council support was sought.

Key Points - Members:

·       Acknowledged the challenges for Toi Moana to recognise and improve their relationships and engagement with tangata whenua.

·       Staff advised that Toi Moana has established a dedicated role to assist with internal cultural capability this is supported by Toi Tangata – Councils People Plan which aims to enhance workforce skills and capability, of which there is a clear focus on cultural competences.

·       The Chair offered an apology on behalf of Council and staff regarding the issues experienced and shared by Ms Kereopa, which was endorsed by other members, and which staff would consider ways to reconcile.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

·       Funding support was sought to prepare an environmental management plan for the Utuhina awa.

7.1

Draft Mahere Taiao - Te Hononga o ngā Mātauranga

Presentation - Te Hononga o nga Matauranga Draft Science Plan: Objective ID A3667208 ⇨  

Presented by: Gina Mohi – Pūtaiao Mātauranga, Rochelle Carter – Principal Advisor, Science

Key Points:

·       Mahere Taiao - Te Hononga o ngā Mātauranga guided Council’s science work across the organisation.

·       Key shifts and alignment with:

o   He Korowai Mātauranga

o   Te Hononga: Regional Māori Engagement Plan for Implementing NPSFM

o   Community outcomes

o   NPS-Freshwater Management

·       Highlighted the shift to honour and acknowledge Mātauranga Māori that was held and retained by iwi/hapū/whānau.

·       Mātauranga projects and initiatives:

o   Muka Tuatahi - cultural competency, Te Ao Māori

o   Muka Tuarua - Relationship building, support/enhance Mātauranga Māori

o   Muka Tuatorua - Pilot case studies, knowledge base and reporting

·       Recognised the challenges and opportunities for both Council and tangata whenua to identify Mātauranga Māori cultural values and attributes.

In Response to Questions:

·       Council staff would engage with tangata whenua on what support they may want from Council, which would vary according to their respective needs.

·       Council’s Long Term Plan process would consider capacity and resourcing to support tangata whenua within Council’s programme of work.

Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Receives the report, Draft Mahere Taiao - Te Hononga o ngā Mātauranga.

Iti/Rose

CARRIED

7.2

Komiti Maori Chair Report

The report was taken as read and was received without discussion.

Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Receives the report, Komiti Maori Chair Report.

Rose/McDonald

CARRIED

8.1

Kepa Morgan

Key Points:

·        Mr Morgan and a roopu of Te Arawa technicians were undertaking NPS-FM mahi on behalf of Te Arawa Lakes Trust.

·        Queried the potential to advance the NPS-FM notification timeframe and various components for those who were ready to input into the process.

·        Regional Council needed to ensure they were adequately resourced to support and engage with tangata whenua to implement the NPS-FM.

·        Considered Council’s initial budget for Māori engagement was inadequate.

·        Continuous monitoring was needed to take into account seasonal maramataka variations to provide a clearer indication of results.

Key Points - Members:

·        Regional effort and balancing of long-term investment would be needed to resource input from tangata whenua.

·        Highlighted the challenge ahead for both Toi Moana and tangata whenua to engage and mobilise themselves to implement the NPS-FM.

Key Points - Staff:

·        Staff were ready to have initial conversations with tangata whenua who were ready to engage on the NPS-FM.

·        Council had budgeted $500K per annum of Long Term Plan funding to 2024 for Te Hononga engagement, as a starting point, noting further funding had been provided for a Te Arawa Environment Hub.

·        Other funding streams that were available were: Central Government’s Freshwater Improvement Fund and Te Mana o Te Wai Fund.

·        Council had appointed Ruakiri Hall to a new Kaiwhakamanawa role as an initial step to build staff capability and capacity to support engagement with tangata whenua, with additional staff resourcing planned in the future.

8.2

Maru Tapsell

Key Points:

·        Provided background on Pāpāmoa Hills past land purchases, its connection to the Waiari Stream, and the importance of their protection and ensuring kaitiakitanga is provided for.

8.3

Tireni Ratema

Key Points:

·        Ngati Uenukukōpako hapū and Te Arawa were hosting the 5^th Kahui Taiao Tūroa/National Māori Conservation Hui to be held 18-21 November 2021.

·        Hui was hapū-based and hosted annually by various hapū.

·        Next year’s event was based on kaitiakitanga values and principles to support ‘grass roots’ taiao ahi kaa.

·        Activities would have a focus on supporting whanau-led eco-system restoration and whanaungatanga to build capacity of taiao practitioners.

·        Opportunity to grow kotahitanga, activate marae, and revitalise Mātauranga Māori.

·        An initial letter of support had been provided by the Toi Moana Chief Executive for funding support in preparation of the event.

In Response to Questions:

·        Substantial number of hapū were involved in the event.

·        Expected up to 300 participants to attend the hui.

8.4

Peter Staite

Key Points:

·       Raised concern regarding water quality issues at Little Waihī that were having an impact on kaimoana (pipi) gathering and health risks to people.

Comment from the Floor:

·       Ahi Kaa Raewyn Bennett advised she was following up with the issue.

·       Upstream stormwater and inadequate monitoring related to the issues.

8.5

Ray Pou Poasa

Key Points:

·       Expressed his thanks and appreciation to Council staff who had provided RMA training to hapū/tangata whenua representatives, which had been very helpful.