Resolved

That the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group:

1          Accepts the apologies from Pia Bennett, Cr Heidi Hughes, Te Pio Kawe and Charlie Tawhiao tendered at the meeting.

Rose/Bruning

CARRIED

3.1

Tidal Discoveries, Citizen Science in the Bay of Plenty - Estuary, Dune and Stream Monitoring in and around Tauranga Harbour

Presentation 1 - DiscoveryThroughNature -Tidal Discoveries PDF: Objective ID A3696563 ⇨  

Presented by Emma Richardson - Founder and Director, Discoverythrunature, and Tauranga Intermediate School students Aahana Narang, Emily Orr and Sophie Denham supported by teacher Kirsty Mckenzie.

Key Points:

·       “Tidal Discoveries” was a citizen science programme active in and around the Tauranga Harbour for the past four years, involving school students, parents and teachers

·       The programme had received all its funding from BOPRC three years ago through the Community Initiatives Fund (initial funding was for 10 schools, currently involved 13 schools), hence the update to the Advisory Group

·       Focus of the programme was to allow school aged children to learn out of the classroom, to spend time in nature and explore; learning by discovering – while building knowledge of Te Awanui, Tauranga Harbour and the catchments

·       Over time participants became connected to their own natural spaces and effective guardians/kaitiaki

·       Highlighted achievements to date

·       Collected information to monitor the health of the harbour and its specific areas; estuarine, freshwater and dune sites

·       Collaborated and shared data on the health of surveyed sites

·       Aahana Narang, Emily Orr and Sophie Denham shared key learnings, supported by Kirsty Mckenzie.

Key Points - Members:

·       Congratulated Emma Richardson and the Discoverythrunature team for the outstanding mahi supporting nature, guiding students and creating future kaitiaki

·       Council, through its Long Term Plan, was always looking for opportunities to invest in volunteers supporting the environment. 

Item for Staff Follow Up:

·       To investigate the development of a Story Board Project (“telling stories of environmental and cultural matters/significance to our communities”) and report back to the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group on potential cultural and environmental story board telling for the Tauranga Harbour Area.

5.1

Tauranga Moana Advisory Group Minutes - 18 September 2020

Resolved

That the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group:

1          Confirms the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group Minutes - 18 September 2020 as a true and correct record.

Rose/Bruning

CARRIED

6.1

Tauranga City Council Membership Change on Tauranga Moana Advisory Group

Resolved

That the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group:

1          Receives the report, Tauranga City Council Membership Change on Tauranga Moana Advisory Group;

2          Notes the resignation of Jako Abrie as a Councillor at Tauranga City Council; and

3          Notes the appointment of Councillor Heidi Hughes as the Tauranga City Council representative on the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group, replacing Jako Abrie.

Clout/Thompson

CARRIED

6.2

Appointment of New Representative for Tauranga Moana Advisory Group - Ngāti Pūkenga

Members extended a warm welcome to newly appointed Ngāti Pūkenga representative Keepa Smallman.

Resolved

That the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group:

1          Receives the report, Appointment of New Representative for Tauranga Moana Advisory Group - Ngāti Pūkenga; and

2          Notes the replacement of Kylie Smallman with Keepa Smallman as the interim representative for Ngāti Pūkenga Iwi ki Tauranga Trust on the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group.

Thompson/Dean

CARRIED

6.3

Ngā Potiki Membership Request

In view of the apologies received from Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāi Te Rangi representatives for today’s meeting, the consensus was that the item be deferred to the next meeting.

Resolved

That the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group:

1        Defers the report, Ngā Potiki Membership Request, to the next meeting of the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group scheduled for 9 April 2021.

Rose/Clout

CARRIED

7.1

Te Maru o Kaituna River Document Presentation

Chairperson of Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority Dean Flavell presented on overview of Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority’s journey to date.

Key Points:

·         Referred to http://kaituna.org.nz

·         Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority was a co-governance partnership made up of both iwi and council representatives

·         Purpose of Te Maru o Kaituna (TMOK) was the restoration, protection, and enhancement of the environmental, cultural and spiritual health and well-being of the Kaituna River

·         Provided insights of value/key learnings from journey with entities coming together to become a partnership as a result of a Tapuika Claims Settlement

·         As useful preparation, Regional Council proactively started with the development of a strategy – provided the opportunity for relationship building which involved a lot of muscle flexing between different iwi groups

·         TMOK started off with the principle of using the “Meeting House“ as structure.  However, following a process of focussing on commonalities, the Authority ended up focusing on the principle “The river talks for the river” – as it was ultimately all about the protection of the river

·         Referred to Pare Hauraki’s involvement in the settlement process for Tauranga Moana and drew a similarity with Ngāti Whakaue (who had not settled yet either). Advised that in the interim, their involvement as informal participants around the table was critical and very valuable going forward; full participation around the table was to the benefit of all as well as the river

·         Important to develop capacity within iwi to participate in forums

·         Was willing to come back to attend a future meeting with the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group to talk about the development of the Kaituna River Document when the full complement of iwi representatives was present as this would be to the benefit of all

·         The Kaituna River Document provided a common purpose for all and had developed into Tini a Tuna: Kaituna Action Plan 2019-29

·         Benefits of co-governance was the “working together” part - all worked together to the benefit of the river.  

Key Points - Members:

·       Suggested that consideration be given to having a symposium in the Bay of Plenty, involving all co-governance forums to provide guidance/key learnings to others: evaluating the benefits of co-governance structures, considering the key dynamics of working together, inter-relationships between iwi/councils as a resource to help others (the hui ideally to involve forums such as RRF/TMOK/TMAG/Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes and relevant Waikato Groups, with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council as the common denominator)

·       Acknowledged the mahi/contribution by Dean Flavell in ensuring the success of Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority

·       Joint korero amongst co-governance groups in preparation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 could be beneficial.  

Item for Staff Follow Up:

·       Future presentation to Tauranga Moana Advisory Group on the mahi undertaken by the Mauao Trust to create an awareness of the work done by the Mauao Trust and Tauranga City Council.

7.2

Tauranga Bunker Barge Project Presentation

Presentation 2 - Mobil Oil Bunker Barge Tanker Project: Objective ID A3696569 ⇨  

Presented by representatives from Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited: Taz Tawhara - NZ Marine Fuels Sales Manager, Andrew McNaught - NZ Lead Country Manager & Lead Retail Sales Manager and Douglas Baua - MtM Terminal Manager.

Key Points:

·       Provided background to Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, its presence in Tauranga and its engagement practices

·       Purpose of the presentation was to inform all members of the opportunity the Bunker Barge Project presented for Tauranga – accordingly shared plans relating to the Mobil Oil Bunker Barge Tanker Project

·       International Maritime Organization (IMO) convention MARPOL Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships by late 2021 – resulted in the current sulphur limit of 3.5 percent by mass for marine fuels to drop to 0.5 percent. This applied to all internationally-flagged vessels, and would likely apply to all domestic vessels from early 2022

·       Mobil had embarked on a scope of works to ensure its fuel terminals and marine fuels were compliant by the date of accession, including its operations at Port of Tauranga

·       Port of Tauranga was NZ’s largest port with future growth mindset – port was actively seeking increased barge bunkering service. Increased service would not increase traffic, but rather meet the current increased demand

·       State-of-the-art bunker barge had been built to comply with all international standards and designed to minimise marine pollution

·       Highlighted the benefits of the Anatoma (to be renamed “Korimako”)

·       Mobil’s vision: to pursue opportunities to encourage a better understanding of Te Ao Māori within the organisation

·       Anatoma (to be renamed “Korimako”) was scheduled to arrive in Tauranga Harbour in during January 2021.  Planned to have a blessing for the vessel shortly after arrival. Members of the Advisory Group also to be invited; would provide an opportunity to view facilities on the vessel

·       Further technical detail in terms of the mechanical ability of the vessel to mitigate any possible oil spills was available 

·       Noted that not all iwi representatives were present at the meeting.  Confirmed that Paora Stanley (Chief Executive of Ngāi Te Rangi) had been consulted in October 220. Requested that the PowerPoint Presentation be shared with all members. Invited any further discussion should members require further information.

Item for Staff Follow Up:

·       To distribute the Mobil Oil Bunker Barge Tanker Project PowerPoint Presentation to all members of the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group.

8.2

Update from Chairperson Matemoana McDonald

Chairperson Matemoana McDonald provided a verbal update on the latest news received regarding Tauranga Moana and Hauraki kaumātua kōrero on the Pare Hauraki settlement claims:

Key Points:

·       The first of what was likely to be a series of tikanga-based hui between the kaumātua of Hauraki iwi and the kaumātua of the iwi of Tauranga Moana took place at Paeroa at Te Pai o Hauraki Marae on 9 December 2020

·       Main purpose was to move towards restoring traditional relationships

·       Excellent progress had been made in terms of boundary agreements

·       Next hui scheduled in Tauranga Moana in January 2021

·       Further discussion regarding the Katikati-Te Puna purchase would also follow.

9.1

Tauranga Moana Programme 2019/20 Annual Report

BOPRC’s Programme Coordinator Integrated Catchments Heidi Fraser presented the report.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

·       “Audit of Mangrove Distribution and Associated issues for Tangata Whenua Project” (Page 52 of the agenda) - further detail to be provided to Cr Nees/feedback on progress to be provided to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Monitoring and Operations Committee

·       Presentation on progress made relating to Asian Paddle Crab numbers to be provided to a future hui of the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group

·       Connectivity/feedback on the Antenno Mobile Application between WBOPDC and BOPRC to be verified.

Resolved

That the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group:

1          Receives the report, Tauranga Moana Programme 2019/20 Annual Report.

Clout/Rose

CARRIED

10.1

Water Shortage in the Bay of Plenty - Verbal Update

Presentation 3 - Water Shortage: Objective ID A3696574 ⇨  

BOPRC's General Manager Regulatory Services Sarah Omundsen provided an update on dry weather water management in the Bay of Plenty.

Key Points:

·       Ministry for Primary Industries had declared a drought (large-scale adverse event) for all of the North Island – this was managed by Central Government

·       Consequently BOPRC had been focussing on a water-shortage event in the region due to the significant temporary shortage of water – impacting on cultural flows. Council had implemented a new procedure in 2019 to mitigate the situation

·       Overview of Regional Council’s procedures in dry weather events were available on the web site at https://www.boprc.govt.nz/our-projects/dry-weather-water-management

·       Climate change was bringing hotter, drier summers to our region, and natural water sources were already showing signs of stress. Flow levels in some western Bay of Plenty streams dropped to record lows in March – May 2020, following several months of exceptionally dry weather

·       Needed to forward-plan and reduce water use where possible, to keep local waterways, wildlife, and people’s lives and livelihoods healthy, now and in the future

·       BOPRC continued to provide updated information to TCC and WBOPDC for sharing with communities.

Resolved

That the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group:

1          Receives the verbal update, Water Shortage in the Bay of Plenty.

Bruning/Rose

CARRIED

10.2

Whareroa Marae - Verbal Update

BOPRC's General Manager Regulatory Services Sarah Omundsen provided a verbal update on progress made following a recommendation made to BOPRC and TCC on matters relating to Whareroa Marae air quality issues:

Key Points:

·       Further discussions with Paul Beverley had taken place following which it was recommended to TCC and BOPRC that an experienced RMA Planner be engaged; accordingly Phil Mitchell was now working alongside Paul Beverley

·       A meeting with Paul Beverley, Phil Mitchell and Whareroa marae representatives recently took place

·       Paul Beverley and Phil Mitchell would be invited to provide feedback to the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group in early 2021.