Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Accepts the apologies from Chairman Doug Leeder, Cr David Love, Cr Paula Thompson, Cr Andrew von Dadelszen, Cr Te Taru White and Cr Bill Clark tendered at the meeting.

McDonald/Rose

CARRIED

6.1

Komiti Māori Minutes - 8 December 2020

Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Confirms the Komiti Māori Minutes - 8 December 2020 as a true and correct record.

Rose/McDonald

CARRIED

7.1

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa - Korehāhā Whakahau Predator Eradication Project

Presentation - Koreha Whakahau: Objective ID A3781652 ⇨  

Presented by: Merenia Sawrey, supported by Eddie Sykes and kaumātua Te Kei Merito

The presentation was an update on a previous presentation provided to Komiti Māori on 25 August 2020.

Key Points:

·       Genesis and vision of the Project was to create and sustain a pristine ecological corridor within Ngāti Awa’s rohe due to the loss of ecological values primarily from possum predation.

·       Provided a translation of the project’s name Korehāhā (eradication) Whakahau (imperatives).

·       The 5-year project was the first Iwi-led Predator Free 2050 project to secure Government Jobs for Nature funding.

·       Project focus was to eradicate possums from 4,700 hectares of land within Whakatāne, Ōhope and Ōhiwa utilising water boundaries as a natural barrier.

·       The Project had partnered with Zero Invasive Predators to eradicate without the use of poisons.

·       Project benefits and highlights from the first six months were:

o   People being at the centre of the project

o   16 new roles created, providing jobs for eight previously unemployed

o   Building capability, confidence, inspiration, excitement and whānau wrap around support for the project workforce and rangatahi

o   Environmental outcomes using Ngāti Awa mātauranga indicators

o   Building foundations for operational planning, brand development and communication and engagement strategy

o   Utilising live and automated ZIP technology for a more efficient system of pest control and evidence based reporting

o   Partnered with Kauae Raro Research Collective to create a palate brand to deepen the unique perspective and story of the project.

·       The Project was a catalyst for avoiding the use of 1080 and seen as a tool for effecting change.

In Response to Questions:

·       Long-term goal beyond the 5-year Government funding was to provide necessary skills and experience for the project team to pursue other roles and project opportunities.

·       No wallaby had been detected within the eradication boundary.

·       Ngāti Awa were developing a programme with Ngāti Awa kura kaupapa to work with in Term 2 and 3. A teacher from Te Kura o Te Paroa who was on  a 6-month science scholarship was part of the project which their learnings could be taken back to the kura.

7.2

Papakāinga Housing Initiative

Presentation - Te Waimana Kaaku Tribal Executive: Objective ID A3783567 ⇨  

Presented by: Matt Te Pou, Te Waimana Kaaku Tribal Authority Chairman supported by Willie Te Aho

Key Points:

·       Vision, mission and priorities for Te Waimana Kaaku (TWK) were to flourish and excel; develop independence/Iwi inter-dependence; a thriving culture and identity; Waimana-led Tūhoe education system; raise standard of living/housing and to promote sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

·       Outlined the economic and investment strategy developed to support hapū and rangatahi aspirations to build a workforce and support employment and housing on marae/hapū owned whenua.

·       Implementation involved:

o   Feasibility studies, capacity building and education

o   Individual employment skills and marae/hapū training

o   Finding jobs, improving living standards, social and health outcomes

o   Commerical ventures to generate capital investment

o   Whenua enhancement investment for hapū business

·       TWK Trust housing assessment statistics were undertaken with 78 whānau resulting in implementing a housing repair programme.

·       Marae/hapū work streams were investigating land utilisation initiatives, supported by Willie Te Aho, Maia Warren (Te Moana a Toi Project/Whenua Māori Development Lead) and had included marae-hosted hui to look at existing initiatives within Te Whānau a Apanui.

·       Obtaining a licence to occupy and infrastructure required building trust and collective coordination of hui held on marae with whanau/land trusts, the Māori Land Court and Te Puni Kokiri.  

·       Management of waterways were hapū/marae-led, rather than Iwi-led.

·       Sought a strengthening of relationships between Toi Moana, TWK and hapū to assist with future consenting of development initiatives.

Key Points - Members:

·       Recognised that housing was a significant national issue that affected community wellbeing.

7.3

Shellfish Restoration in Ōhiwa Harbour

Presentation - Shellfish Restoration in Ōhiwa Harbour: Objective ID A3781659 ⇨  

Presented by: Dr Kura Paul-Burke, Associate Professor Matai Moana - Marine Research, University of Waikato

Key Points:

·       Ōhiwa harbour was an estuarine lagoon and home to substantial fish, bird and shellfish species and culturally significant to iwi.

·       Green lipped mussels were ecologically important to the harbour, however their abundance had diminished significantly over time.

·       A mussel restoration study had begun in 2007 to investigate the state of mussels in the harbour with further surveys carried out in 2009 and 2013.

·       Place-based intergenerational Mātauranga Māori knowledge had mapped mussel beds on the western side of the harbour in 2009.

·       The significant decline in the mussel populations since 2007 was a result of significant seastar populations and predation.

·       Seastar were a native keystone species and a voracious predator.

·       The Awhi Mai Awhi Atu project had secured Sustainable Seas funding to look at mussel restoration and management of seastars utilising western science and Mātauranga Māori.

·       Four restoration stations had been installed in the harbour using natural fibre woven mussel spat lines, thus reducing the use of microplastics.

·       Successful mussel recruitment was achieved with three new beds in 2018/19 and 2020/21 and growth in species in the mid-water column.

·       The Pātangaroa (seastar) Project had secured funding to look at product viability of seastars with an aspiration to further support mussel restoration.

·       The Project had involved hapū/iwi and building capability of rangatahi.

·       Highlighted the importance of kaitiakitanga practice and the relationship between biodiversity and cultural diversity to sustain ecological systems.

In Response to Questions:

·       Research study would investigate if there was a relationship between algae blooms and seastars.

·       Potential impact from seastars on aquaculture farms was possible. While seastars were bottom dwellers, they had the potential to climb if there was something substantial to latch onto.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

·       Cr McDonald invited Dr Paul-Burke to present to the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group at a future meeting on the research study work.

8.1

Update from Rangitāiki River Forum Chair

Presentation - Update on the Rangitaiki River Forum: Objective ID A3780695 ⇨  

Presented by: Maramena Vercoe, Rangitaiki River Forum Chair

Key Points:

·       Provided background on:

o   Formation of the Rangitāiki River Forum (Forum) in relation to Ngāti Manawa’s concerns regarding Crown methods for natural resource management, and kaitiaki responsibilities for the catchment/tupuna.

o   Co-governance arrangement which had been a mechanism for the iwi to deliver kaitiaki responsibilities and reconnect with natural resources and ancestral knowledge of the awa and catchment.

o   Capability/capacity levels and learnings during the Forum’s early stages. 

o   Collective aspirations that have bound the Forum together as a group.

o   Key milestones since 2012 had included the launch of Te Ara Whanui o Rangitāiki – River Document, Regional Policy Statement plan change, building of capability and goodwill, finding the Forum’s identity and role as the voice of the awa and catchment.

·       The Forum did not replace whanau/hapū/iwi autonomy, nor their individual relationships with the councils.

·       Future work considerations would include a work programme and support sought to consider and incorporate Te Mana o Te Wai policy matters, RMA reforms, dam reconsenting, longfin tuna habitat and protection, supporting whānau, hapū and iwi kōrero and working smarter with the councils and other fora.

In Response to Questions:

·       Due to personnel changes with Trustpower Limited, no updates had been provided recently to the Forum on the trap and transfer operation or the fish transfer prototype at Matahina Dam.

Key Points - Members:

·       Recognised the presentation and the submission to the Regional Council Toi Moana’s Long Term Plan on behalf of the Forum.

9.1

Chairperson's Report

Presented by: Kataraina O’Brien, Kotahitanga – Strategic Engagement Manager

Introduced Anaru Vercoe – Pou Whainga Principal Advisor who provided an update on a key kaupapa within the report regarding engaging with Māori on the Essential Freshwater Policy Programme (EFPP).

Key Points - Staff:

·       The EFPP was Council’s primary project to implement the National Policy for Freshwater Management (NPSFM 2020).

·       NPSFM 2020 incorporated key aspects for mahinga kai as a compulsory value of the National Objectives Framework for setting water quality limits, which had implications for monitoring, integrating Mātauranga Māori and involvement of tangata whenua within the policy setting framework.

·       Staff had engaged with approximately 40 iwi entities and wished to engage with other iwi/hapū/Māori.

·       The statutory timeframe to publicly notify a plan change to implement the NPSFM 2020 was by December 2024, however Council had made a decision to notify a plan change by July 2024.

·       Information was available on Te Hononga: the Regional Māori Engagement Plan for Implementing the NPSFM 2020 which included engagement approaches for tangata whenua to consider how they would like to be involved in the EFPP.

Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Receives the report, Chairperson's Report.

Rose/Crosby

CARRIED

10.1

Update from Toi Kai Rawa

Presentation - Toi Kai Rawa April 2021 Update - Regional Maori Economic Development: Objective ID A3781653 ⇨  

Presented by: Awhina Ngatuere, General Manager | Kaihautū, Toi Kai Rawa

Key Points:

·       Toi Kai Rawa (TKR) were the only kaupapa-Māori organisation working on regional Māori economic development.

·       The Bay of Plenty region had a unique Māori profile of which Māori were key stakeholders to regional growth, but over-represented in all negative socio-economic indicators.

·       Transformation of the Māori economy required integration, connectivity and enduring solutions that were Māori-designed and led.

·       Bay of Plenty Regional Council had co-invested in TKR to support their work plan and activities to amplify economic development efforts.

·       Key 2020/21 highlights included: team recruitment, 21 projects for completion by June 2021 reaching over 5,000 people, strategic scoping of opportunities for Māori, and a Customer Relationship Management system for essential infrastructure for connectivity.

·       Three key focus areas for TKR were: social procurement, unlocking whenua Māori and community innovation hubs, which TKR had submitted to Regional Council’s Long Term Plan for funding to accelerate strategic goals.

·       A critical success factor would be to support the development of sub-regional Māori businesses; clusters to assist with whenua Māori services; and setup 30 digital kura Māori communities with technology capability.

10.2

Update from Toi EDA - Digital Connectivity Project

Presented by: Ian Morton, General Manager Operations, Toi EDA

Key Points:

·       Wiremu Doherty had been recently appointed as Toi EDA’s Chair.

·       Toi-EDA’s key focus areas were a winning brand; sustainable economic development; high value horticulture; industrialisation at Kawerau; tourism re-development and aquaculture development in Ōpōtiki.

·       Covid-19 had highlighted a lack of digital access within communities across the Eastern Bay of Plenty (EBOP) and Aotearoa, and Toi EDA had facilitated a group comprising iwi, councils, ministries, agencies, businesses and service providers to identify solutions.

·       As a result of successful trials (e.g. Te Aka Toitu) to install wifi towers within a number of low-decile schools to enable community access to wifi, a proposal had been lodged with Central Government to fully fund wifi towers at 27 schools across the EBOP and connection to 1,500 homes, along with providing community training.

In Response to Questions:

·       Technology advancements over the last five years, such as microwave technology and unified networks had removed some of the line of sight issues experienced in remote areas.

·       A component of the proposal to Central Government funding included utilising Te Aka Toitu Charitable Trust community advisors to support community training.

11.1

Sub-Division Development at Opihi Whanaungakore

Presented by: Quintin Kingi

Key Points:

·       Highlighted the concerns, opposition and mamae of Ngāti Awa iwi and rangatahi regarding Whakatāne District Council’s proposed sub-division development at Bunyan Road/Opihi land block at Whakatāne.

·       Provided background on the highly sacred and ancient wahi tapu site and urupa Opihi Whanaungakore.

·       Supported the need for economic progress, but not at the expense of degrading the cultural integrity of the urupa.

·       The iwi and Opihi Whanaungakore Trust hoped to receive a resolution from the appeal that had been lodged with the Whakatane District Council.

2:15 pm – Cr Thurston and Cr Rose exited the meeting.

·       Kaumātua Te Kei Merito provided historical background on the area and urupa at Opihi and applauded Opihi Whanaungakore Trustees for pursuing the appeal against the housing development to uphold the integrity of the sacred site.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

·       Provide a report to the next meeting of Komiti Māori hui regarding the status of matters pertaining to the proposed sub-division development at Opihi and potential implications it may have for the Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan.

11.2

Paki Nikora

Key Points:

·       Mr Nikora brought attention to Regional Council, in his capacity as Chairman of Rūātoki Farms and Land Trusts Collective, Vice Chairman of the Tūhoe Council of Elders, Chair of Tataiwhetu Trust and Tauarau Marae/Ngāti Rongo Hapū and spokesperson for six other hapū, that the groups had withdrawn Tūhoe Te Uru Taumatua’s mandate to represent them on any matters.

·       Under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, whānau/hapū retained their tino rangatiratanga (autonomy) over their lands, whānau and taonga, which post-Settlement Government Entities did not override.

·       In regard to changing habitats within the Ohiwa harbour and rivers, sought consideration from the Regional Council on clear fill harvesting of exotic forests.

11.3

Rua Kenana Syposium Presentation Overview

Presentation - Rua Kenana Symposium 3 April 2021: Objective ID A3781657 ⇨

Tabled Document 1 - Rua Kenana Sympoisum Publications - covers references only: Objective ID A3791358 ⇨  

Presented by:  Professor Taiarahia Black

Key Points:

·       The Rua Kenana symposium was the first of a series of three and was held (and livestreamed) at Tuapou Marae, Matahī Valley, Waimana on Saturday 3 April 2021.

·       Objectives were to celebrate the signing of the two Rua Kenana statutory pardons 2017 and 2019; present a landmark retrospective exhibition of taonga; and the launch of several publications (refer tabled document).

·       The Symposium’s purpose was to celebrate a renewed connection to existing and new Reo Rangahau (research) knowledge, creativity and reclamation.

·       Oral evidence had been produced by four Masters students and 10 PhD theses.

·       Aspirations were to revitalise te reo Māori; restore knowledge; creativity and develop a research strategy to generate Reo Rangahau - Research.

Key Points - Members:

·       Thanked Professor Black for his presentation and acknowledged the oral history and evidence presented and Regional Council’s obligation to take into account Mātauranga Māori.

12.1

Items for Staff Follow-Up

·       Provide a report to the next meeting of Komiti Māori on Council’s policy for the flying of the Tino Rangatiratanga flag at Council offices and ability for it to be flown at all times.

·       Explore provision for Te Reo Māori interpretation services for councillors at future Komiti Māori hui on marae.