Agenda of Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum

Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum

Membership

Chairperson
Elected by the Forum at its first meeting each Triennium	Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti (Bay of Plenty Regional Council)
Deputy Chairperson	Mayor Lyn Riesterer (Ōpōtiki District Council)
Council Members
One representative each from:
Bay of Plenty Regional Council	Cr Bill Clark (Alternate)
Ōpōtiki District Council	Cr Debi Hocart (Alternate)
Whakatāne District Council	Deputy Mayor Andrew Iles Cr Nāndor Tanczos (Alternate)
Tangata Whenua Members
One Tangata Whenua appointee representative each from:
Whakatōhea	Josie Mortensen
Upokorehe	Trevor Ransfield Māui Manuel (Alternate)
Ngāti Awa	Charlie Bluett Tuwhakairiora O’Brien (Alternate)
Ngāi Tuhoe	Hori Hillman
Quorum	Four members, consisting of more than half the number of members
Meeting frequency	Six monthly

Purpose

Oversee and monitor the implementation of the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy.

Role

The Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

· Is the sponsor of the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy;

· Is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the actions in the Strategy;

· Has an overall monitoring role in terms of timeframes and deliverables;

· Maintains a general awareness of the issues surrounding the Ōhiwa Harbour Catchment; and

· Is responsible for reporting back to the strategic partners and to the community.

The Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum will:

· Receive reports (including those prepared by staff of the three Councils) of what has recently been achieved with regards to implementing the Strategy, and outlining what the next targets for implementation could be;

· Provide a sounding board for officers to test implementation ideas against;

· Provide recommendations that can be reported back to councils; and

· Promote links with the Ōhiwa Harbour Catchment community.

Forum Procedures

· The establishment and the need for and purpose of the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum is subject to review every three years following local authority elections.

· Subject to the Forum being re-appointed, member representatives are appointed by their respective appointing entities.

· The Forum may specifically invite attendance by organisations/groups which they believe will be interested (such as the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Fisheries, Nukuhou Salt Marsh Care Group).

· The meetings will also be publicly advertised so that members of the wider community can also attend.

· The Bay of Plenty Regional Council Standing Orders will apply, except as varied by these Terms of Reference or unless the members of the Forum unanimously agree to vary those standing orders as they apply to the Forum.

· The costs of meeting attendance lie where they fall. The exception to this is that a standard meeting fee will be provided for Tangata Whenua representation by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

· The actions to give effect to the strategy itself and costs associated with reporting to the Forum are funded from within the budgets of participating councils.

Power to Act

To make all decisions necessary to fulfil the role and scope of the Forum subject to the limitations imposed.

The Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum has no delegated authority for financial expenditure.

Power to Recommend

The Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum recommends and reports back to the respective organisations.

Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum Minutes

30 November 2020

Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum

Ngā Meneti

Open Minutes

Commencing: Monday 30 November 2020, 9.30 am

Venue: Board Room, Whakatōhea Maori Trust Board, 122 Saint John Street, Ōpōtiki

Heamana

Chairperson: Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti (Bay of Plenty Regional Council)

Heamana Tuarua

Deputy Chairperson: Mayor Lyn Riesterer (Ōpōtiki District Council)

Ngā Kopounga

Members: Cr Bill Clark – Alternate, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Charlie Bluett - Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Deputy Mayor Andrew Iles - Whakatāne District Council, Trevor Ransfield - Te Upokorehe, Cr Debi Hocart – Alternate, Ōpōtiki District Council, Josie Mortensen - Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board

Te Hunga i Tae Ake

In Attendance: Pim de Monchy – Coastal Catchments Manager, Tim Senior – Land Management Office (Eastern), Lisa Bevan – Environmental Data Officer, Amanda Namana – Committee Advisor, all presenters – as listed in the minutes

Ngā Hōnea

Apologies: Tuwhakairiora O'Brien – Alternate, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa

1. Karakia Whakatuwhera
Opening Karakia

A karakia was provided by Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board Chairman Robert Edwards.

Whakatōhea update from Danny Paruru

Presentation - Tracing the connections of kuku in Te Moana-a-Toi: Objective ID A3691705

Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board Iwi Development Projects Manager Danny Paruru provided an update to the Forum.

Key Points:

· One outcome the Moana Project hoped to achieve was to have better forecasting for what the sea environment would be doing in the future

· Part of current research was looking at the connectivity, the whakapapa of the mussels across the Bay of Plenty

· Despite mussels being collected from rocks at Motiti Island only three years ago, there were none found there now and it was important to try and understand the reasons for this

· The target was to collect mussels from each location before the end of 2020 for sampling and the data to be analysed at Victoria University by April 2021

· The information this provided would be valuable to everyone, particularly in relation to mussels but also as an insight into what was happening in the environment in general.

In Response to Questions:

· Working with universities and their specialists in different fields potentially led to additional projects to assist other iwi with issues that had been identified

· It was hoped that more information would be gained through this project about why some rocks recruited and others did not

· There was a theory that some mussel spat returned to where they came from

· The project was also specifically focussed on climate change and there were oceanographers determining if the flow of the water would change due to heat increase

· Effects on mussels from marine heatwaves in recent years had already been noted and learning how this would impact mussels into the future was important.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

· The Forum requested an update on the project at a 2021 meeting once the results from the data collected was available.

2. Ngā Hōnea

Apologies

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Accepts the apology from Tuwhakairiora O'Brien – Alternate, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa tendered at the meeting.

Riesterer/Iles

CARRIED

3. Whakapuakanga o Ngā Take Whai Taha-Rua
Declaration of Conflicts of Interest

Nil

4. Ngā Meneti
Minutes

Ngā Meneti a Ngā Komiti
Minutes to be Confirmed

4.1

Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum Minutes - 22 June 2020

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Confirms the minutes, Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum Minutes - 22 June 2020 as a true and correct record.

Iles/Mortensen

CARRIED

5. Whakahoutanga Kōrero
Verbal Updates

5.1

Chairperson's Report

Chair Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti provided a verbal update to the Forum.

Key Points:

· Outlined the process, timeline and content of the Consultation Document for Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s (BOPRC) Long Term Plan (LTP)

o Increasing investment in Care Groups was a key consideration

o BOPRC had the largest number of iwi and hapū to engage with in the country and there were several initiatives underway to improve engagement methods and enhance participation.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

· Staff to arrange a Workshop early to mid-February 2021 to develop submissions from the Forum to LTP’s. Staff members from each council to provide an overview of the components of each LTP relevant to Ōhiwa Harbour and members to provide contents of submission points. A nominated planner to collate these into draft submission documents for approval of the Forum at the next meeting on 11 March 2021.

6. Ngā Pūrongo
Reports

Hei Pānui Anake
Information Only

6.1

2020 Interim Report for the State of Environment Ōhiwa Harbour

Presentation - Interim Report for the State of the Environment Ōhiwa Harbour: Objective ID A3691713

Environmental Data Officer Lisa Bevan presented this item, supported by Coastal Catchments Manager Pim de Monchy and Land Management Officer (Eastern) Tim Senior.

Key Points:

· Several wading birds had reached record highs in Ōhiwa

o Royal Spoonbills had 52 individuals in Ōhiwa Harbour at present and had only been recorded here since 2010

o White Heron were rare and had recently been sighted visiting the eastern side of the harbour, there were only an estimated 150-200 individuals in New Zealand

o Dotterels were vulnerable to many factors as they nested in the sand, causing susceptibility to the elements, high tides and predators. They were closely monitored by the Department of Conservation

· Erosion on Whangapikopiko - Tern Island was being attributed to lower numbers of dotterels nesting there

· Black swan numbers continued to increase and damage to sea grass meadows was estimated at a loss of 0.25 hectares per year

· Presently the swans were not having an extreme adverse effect on the seagrass but more data was required to establish if significant damage would occur if numbers increased

· Reduction of water quality was largely due to land use practises

· Long-term trend showed phosphorous levels had lowered significantly since 1990 but were still above recommended guidelines. Noted that soils in the Nukuhou catchment were naturally elevated in phosphorous

· The results of the marshbird survey would be available in 2021 which studied rare birds that live around salt marsh and mangroves.

In Response to Questions:

· Ammonia levels fluctuated between A and B bands and could be mitigated by measures such as riparian planting

· Dissolved oxygen was solely point samples, therefore difficult to determine a trend

· Original loss shown of indigenous forest was due to a mapping error and there had in fact been no true loss

· Due to the low human population in the Nukuhou catchment, faecal contamination was most likely caused by livestock

· The latest version of the essential freshwater package put more pressure on councils and communities to aim higher with water quality than previous versions

· Outlined the process and timelines for Plan Changes to the Forum.

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, 2020 Interim Report for the State of Environment Ōhiwa Harbour.

Riesterer/Iles

CARRIED

10.47 am – The meeting adjourned.

11.04 am – The meeting reconvened.

6.2

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency regional and project update

Presentation - Waka Kotahi NZTA SH2 Upgrade: Objective ID A3691708

Director Regional Relationships Steve Mutton and Senior Project Manager Malcolme Flattery, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency presented this item.

Key Points:

· The Government Policy Statement (GPS) and the National Land Transport Plan (NLTP) occurred in three year blocks

· Outlined State Highway 2 (SH2) Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements and the SH2 Ōpōtiki district speed reviews

· Approximately $6B per annum revenue came from fuel tax and approximately $5B from road user charges so the effects of Covid-19 lockdown on Waka Kotahi revenue were significant, with the impact on travel patterns potentially continuing for the next few years

· Maintenance was important in the long term from a commercial perspective but was also crucial to ensuring the roads remain safe

· Performing maintenance work had to happen in the summer months with warm and dry conditions in order to keep the water out of the roads.

In Response to Questions:

· State Highway 2 Waimana gorge potholes were likely caused by heavy vehicle traffic

· Focussing on maintenance and preservation of the roads was about spending the right money in right place at right time

· Measures taken to make the roads safer included dividing the traffic, providing skid resistance, widening the roads, policing and education

· Identifying where to spend money to save the most lives and reduce serious injuries was where priorities lay for funding expenditure.

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency regional and project update.

Iles/Ransfield

CARRIED

6.3

Summary report for WDC contract 21-012 and WDC 21-019: Wainui Road safety improvements; packages 1 and 2

Presentation - WDC Wainui Road Safety Upgrade: Objective ID A3691707

Whakatāne District Council Roading Manager Martin Taylor and WSP Design Team Project Manager Caleb Moniker presented this item.

Key Points:

· More traffic used Wainui Road and Thornton Road rather than the State Highway, in terms of numbers of vehicles and this was where most collisions occurred, which was where the improvements were targeted

· Outlined the Safe Roads Alliance projects and outcomes

· Work carried out from Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) funding included clearing of wilding pines and other feral vegetation and creating right turn bays at Stanley Road and Harrison Road

· One new project involved widening the road on both sides by 1.5 metres from Tauwhare Pā to Burma Road

· There were further opportunities for improvements in local cycle routes, including a cycle trail around the Wainui Road harbour margins.

Key Points - Members:

· Suggested discussing the potential harbour cycle trail at the Workshop in February as part of Long Term Plan submissions.

In Response to Questions:

· Several years ago work had been undertaken around this cycle trail and the cost at that time was estimated at $1M.

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Summary report for WDC contract 21-012 and WDC 21-019: Wainui Road safety improvements; packages 1 and 2.

Iles/Bluett

CARRIED

6.4

Update on the Ōhiwa Harbour mussel research - Awhi Mai Awhi Atu, Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge project, November 2020

Presentation - Awhi Mai Awhi Atu - Mussel Restoration Update: Objective ID A3692873

Waikato University Associate Professor Dr Kura Paul-Burke provided an update to the Forum on progress with the Awhi Mai Awhi Atu project.

Key Points:

· There were now three new early stage mussel beds in the harbour

· These new beds were in close proximity to the mussel restoration stations, supporting the theory that the restoration stations were assisting mussels growing on the bottom

· Rather than harvesting traditional material such as live harakeke to create the spat lines, bio waste was being used from dead and discarded tī kōuka (cabbage tree) leaves. Lines woven from these leaves had a better fibrous quality and lasted longer but would break down at the join so a supplejack ‘back bone’ was added to reinforce them. Traditional materials such and neinei and pingao were being blended with these and used in new and different ways to trial which spat lines lasted longer and yielded more mussels

· Deployment of the lines had occurred in cohesion with the Tangaroa phase of the Maramataka and the ecological spawning phases of mussels

· The sea star application for funding from the Innovation Fund was successful and the two year project would commence in 2021 – the $250,000 would go solely into science to look at options for bioactives and collagen products from sea stars removed from the harbour

· The purpose of this work was a circular kaitiakitanga approach for Ōhiwa and included a zero waste philosophy for resources (potentially fertiliser and bait)

· Over time it had been noted that sea star growth correlated with mussel growth

· PhD Student Megan Ranapia was now focussing her work on researching sea stars

· Sea star mapping would be undertaken, not just the mussel beds but of the entire harbour.

In Response to Questions:

· In 2007 there were approximately 112 million mussels in a bed along the western side of the harbour

· It had been noted in an earlier study that there were higher sea star populations near where humans dwell

· Across the whole country, people were trying to restore mussels to their estuaries and harbours with varying degrees of success.

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Update on the Ōhiwa Harbour mussel research - Awhi Mai Awhi Atu, Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge project, November 2020.

Riesterer/Bluett

CARRIED

12.05 pm – Deputy Mayor Andrew Iles withdrew from the meeting.

6.5

Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy annual work programme report for the year ending June 2020 and an update to October 2020

Presentation - Annual Work Programme: Objective ID A3691706

Land Management Officer (Eastern) Tim Senior presented this item, supported by Coastal Catchments Manager Pim de Monchy.

Key Points:

· Provided photographs of ideal riparian planting, which was expensive and took up a lot of paddock space. Outlined other options:

o Shrub willows which adhered to banks well and only grew to 4-5 metres

o Planting grasses as a compromise that created a barrier for nutrients entering streams from paddocks

· Care group work was aligned with high priority biodiversity sites

· Draft signs had been created to build awareness of the Asian Paddle Crab situation in the harbour and staff were awaiting two further photos of native crabs for comparison purposes before they could be installed

· There was to be a karakia by Te Upokorehe at 10 am on Wednesday 2 December 2020 at the Ōhiwa boat ramp to bless the works of installing the five new panels for the Heritage Trail

· Vehicles were now prohibited along Ōhiwa spit and signage was to be erected. Bollards had been installed at Ōhope spit to prevent four wheel drive vehicles, an approach which appeared successful.

In Response to Questions:

· In the Nukuhou catchment almost all streams were privately managed, with a small percentage managed by the Department of Conservation

· The interface between the management of drains and the water bodies that they feed into were under scope for freshwater farm plans under the National Policy Statement (NPS) and the National Environmental Standards (NES)

· The timelines for freshwater farm plans had not been decided and it was unlikely to be compulsory in the Bay of Plenty catchments first as water quality issues were not as acute as some other regions. However, when the Regional Natural Resources Plan (RNRP) changed in the 2023/24 period , councils had the discretion to consider whether they wished to impose this requirement on catchments themselves.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

· A second Workshop requested on the following topics:

o Discussion on BOPRC requiring freshwater farm plans in the Nukuhou catchment for the health of the Ōhiwa Harbour

o Flag to BOPRC Water Policy team that Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum also request kōrero around water policy, changes in freshwater management, plan changes and options.

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy annual work programme report for the year ending June 2020 and an update to October 2020.

Riesterer/Bluett

CARRIED

7. Karakia Kati
Closing Karakia

A karakia was provided by Charlie Bluiett.

12.33 pm – the meeting closed.

Confirmed

Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti

Chairperson, Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum



Pūrongo Ki: Report To:	Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum
Rā Hui: Meeting Date:	11 March 2021
Kaituhi Pūrongo: Report Writer:	Stacey Faire, Senior Planner (Coastal)
Kaiwhakamana Pūrongo: Report Authoriser:	Namouta Poutasi, General Manager, Strategy & Science
Kaupapa: Purpose:	To relate the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy to the Regional Coastal Environment Plan

Bringing the Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan to Life

Whakarāpopototanga
Executive Summary

This report provides the Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan policy context for the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy. In summary, the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy brings life to at least 14 objectives and methods of the Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan.

Ngā tūtohutanga
Recommendations

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Bringing the Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan to Life .

1. He Whakamārama
Background

The Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan (RCEP) sets out the objectives, policies, rules and methods for managing the effects of use and development in the coastal marine environment. The journey of the RCEP started with pre-consultation in 2011. The planning process took eight years of investment by Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) to run an effective public process. The majority of the RCEP was made Operative on 3 December 2019, subject to two outstanding appeals before the Minister of Conservation. Now that the plan is largely operative, the focus is on supporting implementation.

2. Policy context and implementation

BOPRC has several existing programmes that assist with effective implementation of the RCEP, including:

ü Regulatory (consents and enforcement);

ü Science and monitoring programme; and

ü Land catchment management.

An initial analysis of RCEP objectives identifies that the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy is consistent with the policy framework and supports 14 objectives in the RCEP from enabling integrated management through to including tangata whenua in local projects within the Harbour. Further analysis highlights that the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy implements at least 5 methods of the RCEP as set out in the table below. Methods are non-regulatory means to give effect to plan objectives and policies.

Key Objectives	Key Methods
ü enabling integrated management (Objective 1)	ü working with private land owners to protect and enhance high ecological sites (Method 2),
ü protecting attributes and values of Ohiwa Natural Heritage (Objectives 2,3,4,5)	ü supporting research understand how marine ecosystems work to support effective decision making (Method 3A),
ü increasing the awareness of water quality and sedimentation (Objectives 6,7,8)	ü supporting effective catchment management practices and use land management programmes for the direct or indirect protection of water quality in the coastal marine area, primarily by way of catchment, riparian and biodiversity management plans and the provision of information and advice to landowners and the community (Method 8)
ü including tangata whenua (Objectives 13,14,15,16,17,18)	ü managing mangroves (Method 8A)
ü protection of historic heritage values (Objective 19).	ü supporting community involvement to restore heritage values (Method 13).

3. Ngā Whakaarohanga
Considerations

3.1 Ngā Mōrea me Ngā Whakangāwaritanga
Risks and Mitigations

There are no significant risks associated with this matter/subject/project/initiative.

3.2 Huringa Āhuarangi
Climate Change

The matters addressed in this report are of a procedural nature and there is no need to consider climate change impacts.

3.3 Ngā Pānga ki te Māori
Implications for Māori

The Bay of Plenty RCEP includes at least 12 methods continue to involve tangata whenua in coastal management. In particular, these methods seek to facilitate tangata whenua to be involved with improving information to support future decision making and plan making processes.

3.4 Whakawhitiwhiti ā-Hapori
Community Engagement

INVOLVE

Whakaura

To work directly with affected communities throughout the process to ensure that their issues and concerns are consistently understood and fully considered in Council’s decision making.

The Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy supports integrated management which is consistent with Objective 1 of the Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Plan. The Strategy supports bringing together multiple agencies, tangata whenua and communities members to care for the coastal resources and catchment of Ōhiwa Harbour.

3.5 Ngā Pānga ā-Pūtea
Financial Implications

There are no material unbudgeted financial implications and this fits within the allocated budget.

4. Ngā Mahi Whai Ake
Next Steps

To continue to support the implementation of the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy.



Pūrongo Ki: Report To:	Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum
Rā Hui: Meeting Date:	11 March 2021
Kaituhi Pūrongo: Report Writer:	Tim Senior, Land Management Officer (Eastern)
Kaiwhakamana Pūrongo: Report Authoriser:	Chris Ingle, General Manager, Integrated Catchments
Kaupapa: Purpose:	To update the members on the work undertaken to give effect to the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy actions since November 2020 and to seek endorsement of the proposed 2021/22 work programme.

Ohiwa Harbour Annual Work Programme Update to February 2021 and Proposed Work Programme for 2021/22

Whakarāpopototanga
Executive Summary

This report provides an update of the work carried out under the 2020-21 Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy annual work programme from November 2020 to February 2021. Much of the work is on-going in nature and contributes to a long term vision for the harbour. Further progress has been made in the areas of recreation, mangrove management, mussel restoration and water quality. The report also includes a proposed work programme for the next financial year, 2021-22, and seeks guidance from the Forum on the deliverables to be included.

Ngā tūtohutanga
Recommendations

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Ohiwa Harbour annual work programme update to February 2021 and proposed work programme for 2021/22.

1. He Whakamārama
Background

The Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy (the Strategy) covers the Ōhiwa Harbour and its land catchment area. It is a non-statutory document that was prepared by the Strategy partners: Whakatāne District Council (WDC), Ōpōtiki District Council (ODC), Ngati Awa, Te Upokorehe, Whakatōhea, Te Waimana Kaaku, and Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC). The Strategy was adopted in 2008 and was refreshed in 2016.

Planning and coordination of the operational work of the Strategy is overseen by the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy Coordination Group (OHSCG) at which all partners are represented.

The work programme for the coming year is presented to the Forum every March for endorsement prior to the beginning of the financial year and results for the previous year are reported every September. A work programme update is also provided in March. This full report is also presented to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Funding for the delivery of this work comes from the existing budgets of the strategy partners. An extra contribution from BOPRC covers the deliverables that are not the direct responsibility of any of the other 6 partners. It’s also important to note that landowners and community groups make a substantial contribution, either in cash or in kind, to many of the actions.

The deliverables of each annual work programme are based on the higher level actions contained in the Strategy. Most of these actions are of an ongoing nature.

2. Progress on key deliverables November 2020 to February 2021

A table briefly detailing the work done against the deliverables in the annual work programme can be found in Appendix 1. Below is a summary of the more significant aspects of that work.

2.1 Actions 1.1 and 1.2, water quality

About 10km of riparian fencing is underway with extra funding from the Ministry for the Environment. 10 farm environment plans have now been completed.

Sediment transport is now being monitored on another five Ōhiwa tributaries. During a significant rain event in January, it was estimated that at least 225 tonnes of sediment per hour was flowing into the harbour at the time of peak flow.

2.2 Action 1.5, mangrove management

Eight mangrove working bees were held this season with several focused around Ohakana Island. Mangrove seedling removal has now been undertaken along all the harbour and island margins where access is possible.

2.3 Action 1.8, harbour and catchment monitoring

The 5 yearly marshbird survey has been completed. The results of this will be reported to the Forum in September. The planned saltmarsh survey will take place this month.

2.4 Action 1.9, habitat and species protection

Planning to control rabbits and lupins and undertake some restoration planting at the Ōhope Spit is currently underway.

2.5 Action 2.1 and 2.2, shellfish and fish

Further progress has been made in the mussel and seastar research project. Details of this will be provided in a separate report in this meeting agenda.

Last month, another round of Asian paddle crab trapping, with 178 traps, caught 9 paddle crabs, up from the 4 caught last year in the same number of traps. However it’s also worth noting that large numbers of native paddle crabs were also caught and released.

Upokorehe kaitiaki have been monitoring the pipi harvesting at Ōhiwa pipi bed during the summer.

2.6 Action 3.1, recreation

A new set of bi-lingual interpretation panels was unveiled at Tauwhare pā on 4 December.

The installation of the five new Heritage Trail stage 2 panels describing some of the history of Ōhiwa also took place in December. Three maps were also installed and two damaged stage 1 panels were replaced. One of the panels, installed at the Ōhiwa boat ramp has since been removed on request from Upokorehe.

2.7 Action 3.4, Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park

PGF funding provided for the construction of a new 2km loop walking in the park. This was completed in November and has received positive feedback from visitors.

2.8 Action 3.8, bylaws

The revised Ōpōtiki district beach bylaw prohibits vehicles from the Ōhiwa spit, beach and mudflats. ODC have installed signage, and over the summer period mobile CCTV camera, at the Ōhope Spit to assist with the enforcement. The outcome has been increased communication with the public and council will continue an educational approach to the bylaw at this stage.

2.9 Action 3.13, safety

The Wainui Road safety improvements are well underway and care has been taken not to impact the harbour margins. The possible cycle trail from Tauwhare Pā to Burma Rd did not get funded so has been shelved for now.

3. Proposed 2021-22 annual work programme

Many of the strategy actions are, by their nature, ongoing. This is reflected in many of the work programme deliverables being repeated each year. However the programme also needs to respond to changing circumstances and needs.

The full proposed work programme for next year can be found in Appendix 2. Some suggested new deliverables are shown in red in this table. They are based on suggestions made at OHSCG hui and the recent workshop. They include:

· Investigating rubbish entering the harbour in stormwater in conjunction with supporting some proposed microplastics research (relates to OHS action 1.3)

· Develop a plan for assessing native freshwater fish and tuna populations and for addressing barriers to fish migration in streams. Begin implementing this (relates to OHS action 1.10)

· Re-survey the unconsented structures around the harbour and consider any action that needs to be taken to remove them (relates to OHS action 1.14)

· Report on bylaws and other rules and policies to identify any gaps (relates to action 1.14)

· Consider how to give expression to Te Mana o te Wai and engage with BOPRC on this (relates to OHS action 3.3)

· Investigate ways of preventing vehicle access to the Ōhiwa pipi bed (relates to OHS action 3.8)

· Provide support for Upokorehe kaitiaki (relates to OHS action 3.8)

· Complete the harbour research implementation plan (relates to OHS action 3.9)

· Develop a disputes resolution process.

The Forum members are asked to consider the priorities for next year’s work programme and for some guidance on which, if any, of the above, or any other, items should be included in the work programme for next year.

4. Ngā Whakaarohanga
Considerations

4.1 Ngā Mōrea me Ngā Whakangāwaritanga
Risks and Mitigations

There are no significant risks associated with this matter/subject/project/initiative.

4.2 Huringa Āhuarangi
Climate Change

The matters addressed in this report are of a procedural nature and there is no need to consider climate change impacts.

4.3 Ngā Pānga ki te Māori
Implications for Māori

As committed kaitiaki of the harbour and partners to the strategy, the four tangata whenua partners were fully engaged in both the development of the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy, its refresh in 2016 and its continued implementation. Their mana whenua and mana moana is a cornerstone of the strategy and is the basis of many of the strategy actions. Individual tangata whenua representatives are regularly consulted with regarding many aspects of the work and staff from the councils often attend iwi and hapū hui. In particular, during the last year, the tangata whenua partners have provided support for the mussel restoration project and engaged in the management of mangroves and the development of the heritage trail.

4.4 Whakawhitiwhiti ā-Hapori
Community Engagement

CONSULT

Whakauiuia

To obtain input or feedback from affected communities about our analysis, alternatives, and /or proposed decisions.

4.5 Te Hāngai ki te Pou Tarāwaho Rautaki
Alignment with Strategic Framework

This report details work towards implementing the actions of the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy.

4.6 Ngā Pānga ā-Pūtea
Financial Implications

There are no material unbudgeted financial implications and this fits within the allocated budget.

5. Ngā Mahi Whai Ake
Next Steps

The work programme will continue to implement the actions of the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy.

Tuhinga Tautoko
Attachments

Attachment 1 - Ohiwa Harbour Strategy annual work programme results to February 2021 ⇩

Attachment 2 - Proposed Ohiwa Harbour Strategy annual work programme 2021-22 ⇩



Report To:	Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum
Meeting Date:	11 March 2021
Report Writer:	Amanda Namana, Committee Advisor
Report Authoriser:
Purpose: