Agenda of Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group

Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group

Membership

Poū Tākiwaiora (Independent Chairperson)	Sir Toby Curtis
Deputy Chairperson (appointed by Group)	Mayor Steve Chadwick (Rotorua Lakes Council)
Members
Two representative from each of the partner Councils one of whom must be the Chair/Mayor:
Bay of Plenty Regional Council	Chairman Doug Leeder Cr Kevin Winters Cr Te Taru White (Alternate)
Rotorua Lakes Council	Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson Vacant (Alternate)
Governance representatives from Te Arawa Lakes Trust	Nuki Nicholson Arapeta Tahana Rangitihi Pene (Alternate)
Observer from the Ministry for the Environment	Lorena Stephen (Director of Sustainable Land Use Delivery)
Quorum	One appointed member from each of the partner organisations
Meeting frequency	Quarterly

Purpose

To contribute to the promotion of the sustainable management of the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes and their catchments, for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations, while recognising and providing for the traditional relationship of Te Arawa with their ancestral lakes.

Role

· Provide leadership to the organisations and the community in relation to implementation of the Vision and Strategy for the Lakes of the Rotorua District originally adopted in 2000 and refreshed version adopted by the Strategy Group in 2013.

· Identify significant existing and emerging issues affecting the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes and respond appropriately.

· Approve, monitor, evaluate, and review agreements, policies and strategies and all other proposals to achieve integrated outcomes for the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes.

· Identify, monitor, and evaluate necessary actions by the partner organisations and other relevant organisations.

· Receive reports on activities being undertaken by the partner organisations and other relevant organisations.

· Participate in the preparation of statutory plans in relation to significant issues. Such plans include but are not limited to Iwi and hapū management plans, district and regional plans, reserve management plans and annual plans.

· Participate in applications for activities in relation to significant issues not addressed by existing policies of the partner organisations. Such activities include but are not limited to resource consents, designations, heritage orders, water conservation orders, restricting access to the lakes (during special events or in particular circumstances), and transferring and/or delegating of statutory authority.

Strategy Group Procedures

The Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group is a permanent joint committee established under the Te Arawa Lakes Settlement Act 2006 (Te Arawa Lakes Deed of Settlement - Cultural Redress: Lakes Management and Relationships, clauses 9.1 to 9.3 - December 2004) and is not disestablished as a consequence of a Local Government election.

The Group’s Terms of Reference are derived from the Rotorua Lakes Strategy Agreement included in Part 1 of the Relationship Schedule to the Deed of Settlement, December 2004.

Meanings:

“Organisations” means the Te Arawa Lakes Trust, the Rotorua Lakes Council, and the
Bay of Plenty Regional Council; sometimes referred to as “Partner Organisations”.

“Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes” means Lakes Rotorua, Rotoiti, Rotoehu, Rotomā, Ōkataina, Tikitapu, Ōkāreka, Tarawera, Rotomahana, Rerewhakaaitu, Ōkaro.

“Group” means the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group, formed as a Joint Committee under Clause 30 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002; sometimes referred to as the “Strategy Group”.

Membership

· The non-voting Poū Tākiwaiora (Independent Chairperson) is appointed by the members for a three year term in alignment with the Local Government triennium and is to be reviewed and confirmed at the first meeting of the Group following the Local Government elections.

· The Poū Tākiwaiora is not deemed to be a member of the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group for the purposes of a quorum.

· The Poū Tākiwaiora shall assume the role and responsibilities as defined in the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group Poū Tākiwaiora Guidelines.

· The Deputy Chairperson shall be appointed from the membership at the first meeting of the Group following the Local Government elections.

Quorum*

The special quorum for a meeting of the Group will be four members of the Group.

In the event that the ordinary quorum is not satisfied at three consecutive meetings of the Group in circumstances, where in the case of each such meeting:

· It was notified in accordance with the Standing Orders;

· Order papers were sent to each member of the Group in accordance with the Standing Orders; and

· The meeting had not been cancelled for any reason, then the members in attendance may declare the third meeting inquorate according to the Standing Orders and the special quorum will then be substituted.

At any subsequent meeting, the ordinary quorum will be restored.

No matters that were not on the order paper for the meeting at which the special quorum was established can be considered by a special quorum meeting.

Power to Act

To make all decisions necessary to fulfil the role of the Strategy Group subject to the limitations imposed.

Each Council participating in a joint initiative will fund its own proportion of that joint initiative as determined by the Joint Committee.

Power to Recommend

To the partner organisations on any matters within the Strategy Group’s delegated functions as it deems appropriate.

The Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group report directly to their respective organisations.

Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group 20 April 2022

Recommendations in reports are not to be construed as Council policy until adopted by Council.

Rārangi Take
Agenda

1. Karakia Whakatuwhera
Opening Prayer

2. Ngā Hōnea
Apologies

3. Wāhanga Tūmatanui
Public Forum

John Gifford, Chair Lakes Water Quality Society – Report back on the resulotions made at the Lakes Water Quality Society Annual General Meeting 2022

4. Ngā Take Tōmuri
Items not on the Agenda

5. Raupapa o Ngā Take
Order of Business

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

7. Ngā Take Tūmataiti Hei Whakapuaki Tūmatanui
Public Excluded Business to be Transferred into the Open

8. Ngā Meneti
Minutes

Kia Whakaūngia Ngā Meneti
Minutes to be Confirmed

8.1 Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group Minutes - 22 October 2021 1

9. Ngā Pūrongo
Reports

Ngā Whakatau e Hiahiatia Ana
Decisions Required

9.1 Appointment of New Representative for Te Arawa Lakes Trust on the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group 1

Attachment 1 - 2022 03 09 Letter of confirmation for replacement RTALSG trustee Arapeta Tahana 1

9.2 Te Arawa Lakes Trust Report for Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group - April 2022 1

9.3 Ministry for the Environment Update

Presented by Ministry for the Environment Representatives: Lorena Stephen – Director of Sustainable Land Use Deliver and Courtney Clyne – Kaitātari Freshwater Investments Team

9.4 Letter from Ministry for the Environment - 23 March 2022 - Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme 1

9.5 Rotorua Lakes Council Report: East Rotoiti Sewerage Reticulation Scheme – Funding Balance 1

9.6 Rotorua Lakes Council - Update Report to Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group 8 April 2022 1

9.7 Programme Status Report, Mahere Mahi ā-tau 2022-2023 and 2021-2022 Pūrongo ā-ono Marama 1

Attachment 1 - Dashboard Report - 8 April 2022 1

Attachment 2 - Lake Rotorua Sustainable Land Gains 2017-2022 1

Attachment 3 - Mahere Mahi a-tau 2022-2023 1

Attachment 4 - 2021-2022 Purongo a ono marama 1

Attachment 5 - CR070 Weed Harvesting Request to PSG 1

Hei Pānui Anake
Information Only

9.8 Essential Freshwater Policy Programme Update 2022 1

10. Wāhanga Tūmataiti
Public Excluded Section

Resolution to exclude the public

Excludes the public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting as set out below:

The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

Item No.	Subject of each matter to be considered	Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter	Grounds under Section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution	When the item can be released into the public
10.1	Public Excluded Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group Minutes - 22 October 2021	As noted in the relevant Minutes.	As noted in the relevant Minutes.	To remain in public excluded.
10.2	Resource Management Reforms and Three Waters Implications for Te Arawa Lakes Settlement Act	Withholding the information is necessary to enable any local authority holding the information to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations); Withholding the information is necessary to enable the local authority to deliberate in private on its decision or recommendation in any proceedings to which this paragraph applies.	48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(i); 48(1)(d).	On the Chief Executive's approval.

Kia Whakaūngia Ngā Meneti
Minutes to be Confirmed

10.1 Public Excluded Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group Minutes - 22 October 2021

Public Excluded Presentations

10.2 Resource Management Reforms and Three Waters Implications for Te Arawa Lakes Settlement Act

11. Ngā Take Tūmataiti Hei Whakapuaki Tūmatanui
Public Excluded Business to be Transferred into the Open

12. Whakahoki mai i te iwi whānui
Readmit the Public

13. Ngā Take Tōmuri Hei Whakaaroaro
Consideration of Items not on the Agenda

14. Karakia Kati
Closing Prayer

Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group Minutes

22 October 2021

Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group

Ngā Meneti

Open Minutes

Commencing: Friday 22 October 2021, 09:30 am

Venue: Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Waiariki Room, Corner Fenton & Pukaki Streets, Rotorua and via Zoom

Heamana

Chairperson: Sir Toby Curtis (Poū Tākiwaiora)

Heamana Tuarua

Deputy Chairperson: Mayor Steve Chadwick (Rotorua Lakes Council)

Ngā Kopounga

Members: Te Arawa Lakes Trust (TALT)

Nuki Nicholson

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana (BOPRC)

Chairman Doug Leeder

Cr Kevin Winters

Cr Te Taru White (Alternate)

Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC)

Deputy Mayor David Donaldson

Observers from Ministry for the Environment (MfE)

Lorena Stephen – Director of Sustainable Land Use Deliver (Via Zoom) and Courtney Clyne – Kaitātari Freshwater Investments Team (Via Zoom)

Te Hunga i Tae Ake

In Attendance: TALT: Mariana Te Rangi – Environmental Manager; William Anaru - Operations Manager – Biosecurity & Jobs for Nature; Nicki Douglas (Via Zoom)

RLC: Geoff Williams – Chief Executive; Stavros Michael – Deputy Chief Executive Environmental and Infrastructure Solutions; Regan Fraser - Infrastructure Business Manager

BOPRC: Chris Ingle – General Manager Integrated Catchments; Helen Creagh – Rotorua Catchments Manager; Rosemary Cross – Senior Projects Manager – Rotorua; Andy Bruere – Lakes Operations Manager; Gemma Moleta – Senior Planner (Water Policy) (via Zoom); Reuben Gardiner – Senior Planner (Water Policy) (via Zoom), Ashleigh Grant - Kaikarere (Communications Partner); Merinda Pansegrouw – Committee Advisor

Other: Chris Sutton - Rerewhakaaitu Farmer/Lakes Water Quality Society

Ngā Hōnea

Apologies: Roana Bennett (TALT)

Following notification of an apology for late arrival received from Poū Tākiwaiora Sir Toby Curtis, Deputy Chair, Mayor Steve Chadwick assumed the chair.

1. Karakia Whakatuwhera
Opening Karakia

A karakia was provided by Cr Te Taru White.

2. Ngā Hōnea
Apologies

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1 Accepts the apologies from Roana Bennett and Sir Toby Curtis (for lateness) tendered at the meeting.

Donaldson/Winters

CARRIED

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

None advised.

4. Ngā Meneti
Minutes

Kia Whakaūngia Ngā Meneti
Minutes to be Confirmed

4.1

Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group Minutes - 14 May 2021

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

Confirms the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group Minutes - 14 May 2021 as a true and correct record.

Donaldson/Winters

CARRIED

5. Wāhanga Tūmataiti
Public Excluded Section

Resolved

Resolution to exclude the public

Excludes the public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting as set out below:

Item No.

Subject of each matter to be considered

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Grounds under Section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

When the item can be released into the public

5.1

Verbal Update by the Ministry for the Environment

· Withholding the information is necessary to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to members or officers or employees of any local authority, or any persons to whom section 2(5) applies, in the course of their duty.

· Withholding the information is necessary to enable the local authority to deliberate in private on its decision or recommendation in any proceedings to which this paragraph applies.

· Withholding the information is necessary to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).

· 48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(f)(i)

· 48(1)(d)

· 48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(i)

On the Chief Executive's approval

Leeder/Donaldson

CARRIED

09:45 am - Poū Tākiwaiora Sir Toby Curtis joined the meeting. At his request, Deputy Chair, Mayor Steve Chadwick continued to chair the meeting.

6. Ngā Pūrongo
Reports

6.1

Te Arawa Lakes Trust Update Report

Presentation - TALT Update - Boat Ramp Inspections: Objective ID A3958748

Presented by TALT Representative Nuki Nicolson and TALT Operations Manager – Biosecurity & Jobs for Nature, William Anaru.

Key Points:

· Outlined activities of the Te Arawa Lakes Trust in the Rotorua/Te Arawa Lakes Programme

· Imminent hearing regarding 17 Boatsheds at Kariri Point; through the cultural mapping report both Tuhourangi Tribal Authority and Te Arawa Lakes Trust wished for these selected structures to be removed. The hearing date had been postponed in order for everyone to gather more information

· As part of the 2019/20 Pilot Project, Te Arawa Iwi/Hapū members shadowed BOPRC Biosecurity Team to conduct Boat inspections

· During September 2020, 12 Te Arawa Iwi/Hapū members trained and warranted under the Biosecurity Act/authorised by BOPRC - known as Te Arawa Biosecurity Officers

· During period of 2020/2021, Boat Ramp inspections and self-certifying monitoring were carried out by Te Arawa Biosecurity Officers at various boat ramps - well received by the public and consistently told they were doing a great job

· Contract for boat ramp inspections had been extended until 2024

· From October 2020 to April 2021, 1191 boat ramp inspections had been carried out, with only 14 failing

· 1068 self-certification inspections carried out with 23% compliance

· Key learnings: more communications/easier ways to self-certify (QR code)/multiple crews working to capture a large area

· Looking ahead:

o 2021/2022 Season to see 6 more officers warranted

o Increased monitoring of self-certification

o Aquatic Weed Management Contract

o Harakeke mats – to investigate the potential for weed control in the lakes using this method

o To continue community engagement/education around catfish and other aquatic biosecurity threats

o Continue to develop the partnership with BOPRC.

Key Point - Staff:

· Expressed appreciation for the valuable work undertaken by William Anaru and his dedicated team of Te Arawa Biosecurity Officers; was privileged to have their skills sets on board.

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1 Receives the report, Te Arawa Lakes Trust Update Report.

Nicolson/Donaldson

CARRIED

6.2

Rotorua Lakes Council Update Report

Presented by Stavros Michael, Deputy Chief Executive Environmental and Infrastructure Solution.

Key Points:

· Highlighted activities currently underway impacting the Lakes Programme relating to wastewater treatment and stormwater projects:

o Rotomā/Rotoiti Sewerage Scheme (contractor had been mobilised and physical works were expected to commence end October)

o Rotorua Wastewater Treatment Plant

o Tarawera Sewerage Scheme

o Rotoehu proposed wastewater reticulation scheme

o Rotorua Urban Area Comprehensive Stormwater Resource Consent

o Ngongotahā flooding/review and actions

· Planning Policy and Strategy Matters:

o Plan Change 10: Lake Rotorua Nutrient Management (PC10)

o Flooding Plan Change

o Utuhina Comprehensive Stormwater Consent

o Impacts of Plan Change to enable housing under National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD)

o Eastside Community Wellness Implementation Plan.

Item for Staff Follow Up:

· Update on Sustainable Forest Alternative to members at a future hui, providing more information on design matters.

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1 Receives the report, Rotorua Lakes Council Update Report .

Chadwick/Nicholson

CARRIED

6.3	Values and Environmental Outcomes - Engagement Opportunity Presentation 2 - Visions, Values and Environmental Outcomes: Objective ID A3958753 Presented by BOPRC Toi Moana Senior Planner (Water Policy), Gemma Moleta, Senior Planner (Water Policy), Reuben Gardiner and Kaikarere (Communications Partner) Ashleigh Grant. Key Points: · In terms of the National Objectives Framework, currently at a phase of vision setting, values and environmental outcomes identification and engagement · Introduced current online engagement opportunities/tools for public to provide input into the mahi · ‘Mapping our treasured freshwater’ page available via the following link: https://www.participate.boprc.govt.nz/index.php?cID=501. · Public web map via the following link: https://boprc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d6bf40fcbf9046d2bb0fc421cd52da34 · Values identified in iwi planning documents, settlement acts and from previous tangata whenua engagement had been incorporated into the existing value set (where this information was not confidential) · Values identified so far: ecosystem health, human contact, mahinga kai, natural form and character, drinking water supply, wai tapu, transport and tauranga waka, fishing, animal drinking water, irrigation, cultivation and production of food and beverage, commercial and industrial · Encouraged Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group members to socialise this opportunity with their iwi, hapu, tangata whenua, Council organisations and members of the wider community who care about freshwater · Visions under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPSFM): o Set in the Regional Policy Statement as an objective o Set at a catchment, freshwater management unit (FMU) or part of FMU level o Goals to be ambitious but reasonable o Set timeframes to achieve those goals o Informed by history and environmental pressures o Community and tangata whenua involvement · An invite only tangata whenua page where tangata whenua could privately share stories or map their cultural values had also been set-up. Staff was asking for feedback from iwi, hapū and tangata whenua, through this dedicated password protected page - the information gathered would be confidential · Next steps: o Offer to discuss with/receive feedback from iwi and hapū o E-panui o Sub regional hui o Meet with RTALSG iwi members o Followed by online public engagement Key Points - Members: · Suggested that the on-line tools be shared in reports to Rotorua Ratepayer meetings over the upcoming summer period · Recommended close liaison with the Lakes Water Quality Society as well as various trusts and Tamariki at schools/eco schools · Noted that Elva Conroy would be consulted to consider inclusion of relevant matters relating to the Tarawera Collective Impact.
Item for Staff Follow Up: · Arrange a hui with iwi members of the Strategy Group to discuss a vision for the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Freshwater Management Unit.
11:57 am - Cr Leeder withdrew from the meeting.
	Resolved That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group: 1 Receives the report, Values and Environmental Outcomes - Engagement Opportunity . Winters/Donaldson CARRIED

6.4

Te Arawa Lakes Programme Purongo ā-tau 2020-2021 & Quarter One Status Update

Presentation 3 - Te Arawa Lakes Programme Purongo a-tau Annual Report - 22 October 2021: Objective ID A3958756

Tabled Document 1 - Tabled Item - Te Arawa Lakes Programme Puronga a-tau Annual Report: Objective ID A3958364

Presented by BOPRC Toi Moana Rotorua Catchments Manager Helen Creagh and Lakes Operations Manager Andy Bruere.

Key Points:

· Following feedback from the Strategy Group at its last hui, the structure, look and feel of the annual report had been refreshed in order to better reflect Te Ao Māori. Thanked Mariana Te Rangi of Te Arawa Lakes who had provided her expertise to enable this

· Typographical errors on Page 52 of the Lake Statistics (water quality attributes) dashboard to be corrected:

o Target TLI for Rotoehu to be (3.9)

o Target TLI for Rotorua to be (4.2)

· Wai Ora – Lake Water Quality Results Dashboard overview

· Wai Rua – Deed Funded Interventions for Lakes Rotorua, Rotoehu and Rotoiti

· Wai Rua – Non Deed Highlights

o Toihuarewa Waimāori – interviews completed – announcement to follow shortly

o Lake Ōkāreka outlet and pipeline upgrade complete

o Te Papa Ahurewa established

o Detainment Bunds and Tree Removal, Ngongotahā

· Focus moving forward: Programme Review of remaining delivery pathway, funding and alignment to Te Tuapapa

12:30am – Nuki Nicholson withdrew from the meeting.

Key Points - Members:

· Page 19 of the Purongo ā-tau – typographical error to be corrected in third row, 4^th column, to read “The algal bloom in October/November 2020”

· Noted that at Ōkere Falls, as part of a resource consent agreement for Ōkere Gates, the implementation of a Cultural Management Plan was ongoing; accordingly a trial of lower lake levels would be undertaken, this was currently in the consultation process with the community.

12:40am – Nuki Nicholson returned to the meeting.

Item for Staff Follow Up:

· The site visit for the 9^th December 2021 Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group’s Field Trip to be changed from Lake Rotoehu to Lake Tarawera instead.

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1 Receives the report, Te Arawa Lakes Programme Purongo ā-tau 2020-2021 & Quarter One Status Update.

2 Approves the 2020-2021 Purongo ā-tau (Annual Report) for the Programme for submission to the Minister for the Environment, in accordance with the requirements of the Deed of Funding.

Winters/Donaldson

CARRIED

7. Wāhanga Tūmataiti
Public Excluded Section

Resolved

Resolution to exclude the public

Excludes the public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting as set out below:

Item No.	Subject of each matter to be considered	Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter	Grounds under Section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution	When the item can be released into the public
7.1	Constructed Wetlands to Achieve the 50t Engineering Solutions for Lake Rotorua	Withholding the information is necessary to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information; Withholding the information is necessary to enable any local authority holding the information to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).	48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(b)(ii); 48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(i).	On the Chief Executive's approval.

Winters/Donaldson

CARRIED

8. Karakia Kati
Closing Karakia

A karakia was provided by Sir Toby Curtis.

1:21 pm – the meeting closed.

Confirmed

Mayor Steve Chadwick

Deputy Chairperson, Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group



Pūrongo Ki: Report To:	Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group
Rā Hui: Meeting Date:	20 April 2022
Kaituhi Pūrongo: Report Writer:	Helen Creagh, Rotorua Catchments Manager
Kaiwhakamana Pūrongo: Report Authoriser:	Chris Ingle, General Manager, Integrated Catchments
Kaupapa: Purpose:	Update on activities within the Programme since the last meeting of the Group and also to provide the Mahere Mahi ā-tau 2022-2023, the 2021-2022 Pūrongo ā-ono Marama and a change request for approval.

Programme Status Report, Mahere Mahi ā-tau 2022-2023 and 2021-2022 Pūrongo ā-ono Marama

Whakarāpopototanga
Executive Summary

The Funding Deed and Programme Management Plan for the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme set out the requirements for programme management and reporting, including:

· regular updates on Programme progress to Strategy Group,

· the development of six-monthly and annual reports, and

· the approval of annual work programmes.

Change requests are required where adaptations need to be made to the approved annual work plans for that financial year.

This report is prepared in order to meet the requirements of the Deed of Funding and Programme Management Plan and provide an overview of recent and current activities within the Programme, which may be of interest to the Group.

Ngā tūtohutanga
Recommendations

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1 Receives the report, Programme Status Report, Mahere Mahi ā-tau 2022-2023 and 2021-2022 Pūrongo ā-ono Marama;

2 Approves, for submission to the Ministry for the Environment, the Mahere Mahi ā-tau 2022-2023;

3 Approves, for submission to the Ministry for the Environment, the 2021-2022 Purongo ā-ono Marama;

4 Approves Change Request 70 to move funds between phosphorous locking and weed harvesting interventions on Lake Rotoehu, for the current financial year.

1. He Whakamārama
Background

The last meeting of the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group was 22 October 2021. This report covers progress with Programme interventions since that hui, which includes:

· weed harvesting to maintain amenity at the Rotorua lakefront,

· the commencement of streambank tree removal at Waitetī where trees are at risk of collapse into the stream, and

· continued work on all business as usual projects across the lakes.

· work to establish a large wetland restoration in the Lake Rotorua catchment.

There were issues with water quality in Lake Rotoiti, Lake Rotorua, Lake Rotoehu and Lake Ōkaro this summer. This is due to multiple drivers: the hot summer has increased water temperatures, storm events have mobilised in-lake nutrients, and more weed spraying on Lake Rotoiti than in previous years may also be a driver.

2. Highlights

Attached in Appendix One is a dashboard style status report summarising key progress with the Programme’s key deed and non-deed interventions since its last meeting. The content of that dashboard is not all repeated here but specific detail about some particular highlights are outlined below.

Appointment of Toihuarewa Waimaori (Chair of Lake and Freshwater Science)

In January Dr Deniz Özkundakci commenced his role as Toihuarewa Waimaori (Chair of Lake and Freshwater Science) at the University of Waikato, with financial support from Toi Moana.

Dr Özkundakci brings considerable research expertise in lakes and freshwater systems (including a recently-awarded MBIE Smart Ideas project). He has studied the impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems and has experience in community engagement through his work as a freshwater scientist for the Waikato Regional Council. Staff are planning for Dr Özkundakci to meet the members of Strategy Group, via a boat trip on one of our lakes in the new triennium.

Waitetī Tree Removal Project

Further tree removal work is being undertaken in the lower reaches of the Waitetī Stream as part of the Ngongotahā Flood Resilience Project. A number of very large end-of-life trees have recently been removed from the streambank to prevent potential stream blockages.

The photo on the left below shows a pile of logs from the project, some of which will be on-sold to recoup costs and some which will be donated for kaumātua firewood. The photo on the right below shows a tree that has previously fallen into the stream, which if not removed, would potentially create a blockage during high water flows. An example of “the wrong tree in the wrong place”.

Rural Wetland Pilot Project

Planning has commenced for the construction of a Wetland Pilot Project in the Lake Rotorua catchment. Unfortunately the site that was originally planned for construction is no longer available but other priority sites have been identified and are now being pursued.

The project will demonstrate how rural drain interventions can be effectively designed, constructed and scaled to enable the quantification of nitrogen removed in the system, which will count towards the 50T Engineering target required under the Integrated Framework for the Restoration of Lake Rotorua.

As well as nutrient removal, the projects will provide for carbon sequestration, biodiversity outcomes and enhancement of ecosystem services. The outcome of the pilot will be a catchment-wide model that could be applicable to other ‘rural drain’ wetlands in the Lake Rotorua Catchment.

Lakefront Amenity Weed Clearance

In mid-February this year cyclone Dovi dislodged weed from a weed bed on Lake Rotorua and bought it ashore to the shallow waters around the new Rotorua lakefront development. This was the biggest wash-up in recent memory - there have been smaller wash-ups in previous years which have been resolved with a couple of day’s work and which occurred in the winter, meaning less public amenity impact.

As soon as the wash-up occurred, a joint effort ensued to harvest the weed and truck it away to be dried and disposed of. The weed removal was prioritised given the high level of public use of the Rotorua lakefront. The photos below show areas of wash-up and the weed harvester in action.

Due to low lake levels, the harvester was unable to reach the weed close to the shore. Once the harvester had removed all it could reach, a shore based digger worked, aided by members of the Te Arawa Lakes Trust team, who manually pushed weed to within reach of the digger, managed to get the worst of the remaining weed. The area is now looking much better.

Approximately 300 tonnes (wet weight) of weed was removed from the lake.

It is noted that Land Information New Zealand hold responsibility under the Te Arawa Treaty Settlement for management of weed beds across the Te Arawa Lakes and the partners work with them to assist with decision making on their annual spray programme. That Programme works within constraints including budget and resource consents to manage environmental effects of the use of herbicide. Once the weed is dislodged from the weed bed it falls to the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group partners, in terms of managing public amenity effects.

Lake Rotorua Sustainable Land Use Gains 2017-2022

Appendix 2 to this report is a report that was presented to the Monitoring and Operations Committee of Toi Moana in March, outlining Lake Rotorua Sustainable Land Use Gains between 2017-2022.

This report outlines the significant work in the Lake Rotorua catchment, and in the priority catchments of the Tarawera, to improve land use activity for the benefit of water quality in the catchments. Much of this work is supported by Toi Moana grant funding. The report outlines significant gains made by the Programme over the last five years, led by Toi Moana land management staff in partnership with landowners.

3. Mahere Mahi ā-tau 2022-2023

The Mahere Mahi ā-tau 2022-2023 (Annual Work Programme) is presented in Appendix Three of this report, for approval in accordance with the requirements of the Deed of Funding.

This Programme for the next financial year is more straight-forward than previous years. Remaining Deed Funding has been allocated in the Programme’s Three Year Plan to cover the Lake Rotorua Incentives Scheme and Engineering Solutions for Lake Rotorua. This proposed Plan requests that a small underspend from the landowner support interventions (Advice and Support Service and Low Nitrogen Land Use Fund) for the Lake Rotorua Catchment in the current financial year be used next year to complete work for those landowners.

Further funding will required to complete the sewerage reticulation currently underway at Lake Rotoiti in the 2022-2023 financial year, as noted in the Plan.

4. 2021-2022 Pūrongo ā-ono Marama

The Pūrongo ā-ono Marama (Six Month Report) for the Programme is presented in Appendix Four of this report, for approval in accordance with the requirements of the Deed of Funding. The report provides a snapshot update on the progress with key Deed funded interventions. The Programmes Pūrongo ā-tau will cover a comprehensive update on all activities within the Programme.

5. Change Request – Lake Rotoehu

At the time of writing the weed harvester is currently working to remove all of the available hornwort lakeweed on Lake Rotoehu. Once harvested the weed is then loaded onto trucks and transported to a composting operation near Taupō.

Rather than stop removing the weed to adhere to the allocated budget, staff seek to keep the harvester going to gather all of the available weed before it dies back. Any overspend in additional harvesting activities on lake Rotoheu is covered by underspends in phosphorous locking on this lake and on Lake Rotorua, so there is no effect on the overall budget.

6. Ngā Whakaarohanga
Considerations

6.1 Ngā Mōrea me Ngā Whakangāwaritanga
Risks and Mitigations

There are no significant risks in making the decision recommended by this report.

6.2 Huringa Āhuarangi
Climate Change

Crtl + click for guideline material.

Mitigation			Adaptation
Reduce GHG emissions	Produce GHG emissions	Sequester carbon	Anticipate climate change impacts	Respond to climate change impacts
☐	☐	☒	☒	☒

Ongoing adaptation by the Programme is necessary to respond to the impacts of climate change. The work undertaken by the Programme, particularly in terms of land use change is aimed at better positioning our community to adapt to and mitigate against the effects of climate change and the impact of land use on the lakes.

The Programme’s Water Quality Technical Advisory Group and our Toihuarewa Waimaori also provide guidance in respect of mitigation and adaption and ensuring the Programme is adapting its work in accordance with new science.

6.3 Ngā Pānga ki te Māori
Implications for Māori

The Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group is a post-settlement authority that helps to maintain and improve the Rotorua Te Arawa lakes, and is also a permanent joint committee of the two councils. Te Arawa Lakes Trust representatives sit around the table (as well as TALT staff) and provide regular feedback on the implications for Māori of the programmes of work.

Involvement of tangata whenua in the development and delivery of these programmes continues to grow and develop over time, which is welcomed.

6.4 Ngā Pānga ā-Pūtea
Financial Implications

The decisions in this report are within the current and future budgets of each Council as per their respective 2022-2032 Long Term Plans.

7. Ngā Mahi Whai Ake
Next Steps

The Pūrongo a-tau for the 2021-2022 financial year will now be prepared in accordance with the new format which better reflects Te Ao Māori and was adopted last year. This report will cover a comprehensive review of the work of the Programme during the year, both deed and non-deed funded.

Tuhinga Tautoko
Attachments

Attachment 1 - Dashboard Report - 8 April 2022 ⇩

Attachment 2 - Lake Rotorua Sustainable Land Gains 2017-2022 ⇩

Attachment 3 - Mahere Mahi a-tau 2022-2023 ⇩

Attachment 4 - 2021-2022 Purongo a ono marama ⇩

Attachment 5 - CR070 Weed Harvesting Request to PSG ⇩



Pūrongo Ki: Report To:	Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group
Rā Hui: Meeting Date:	20 April 2022
Kaituhi Pūrongo: Report Writer:	Gemma Moleta, Senior Planner (Water Policy)
Kaiwhakamana Pūrongo: Report Authoriser:	Namouta Poutasi, General Manager, Strategy & Science
Kaupapa: Purpose:	To outline the Essential Freshwater Policy Programme for 2022, provide an update on a Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes vision and a brief national update.

Essential Freshwater Policy Programme Update 2022

Whakarāpopototanga
Executive Summary

This report provides Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group (RTALSG):

· an outline of Toi Moana’s Essential Freshwater Policy Programme (EFPP) for 2022 and opportunity to be involved,an update on mahi progressing the drafting of an example Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes vision since the last hui in October 2021; and

· an update on national regulatory changes affecting the EFPP.

Ngā tūtohutanga
Recommendations

1. That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

Receives the report, Essential Freshwater Policy Programme Update 2022.

1. He Whakamārama
Background

The Essential Freshwater Policy Programme (EFPP) is Toi Moana’s (Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s) work programme to implement the requirements of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPSFM) as well as review the Regional Natural Resources Plan (RNRP) and freshwater related chapters of the Regional Policy Statement (RPS). The EFPP continues to be implemented according to Toi Moana’s agreed programme plan. Tight timeframes are necessary to achieve notification of changes to the RPS & RNRP by 2024 as required by the legislation.

In summary, 2021 involved a large amount of technical / science investigations and reporting, initial regional policy review, and many meetings with iwi and hapū across the region to find out how they would like to be involved in freshwater management and identify capacity and capability needs. The RTALSG hui in October 2021 covered values, BOPRCs online engagement tool Participate and an initial discussion on long-term visions for freshwater under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM).

2. Essential Freshwater Policy Programme 2022

The major focuses for 2022 are outlined in the timeline below and will be:

· Developing draft measurable targets, limits and policy options to achieve them;

· Working with iwi and hapū where they would like to be involved in the NPSFM process and supporting their mātauranga Māori input; and

· Early “without prejudice” discussions with key stakeholders, and technical experts as Toi Moana staff develop policy options as well as some initial communication and engagement with the public.

· A water quality reporting tool has been developed and will be publicised shortly via Freshwater Flash. A demonstration for RTALSG is being organised.

2.1 Issues and options

Toi Moana’s Strategy and Policy Committee will be meeting in June, August and September 2022, their last meetings prior to local government elections. They will be considering issues and options which will become the focus of engagement in 2023, although these may not be fully formed by the time of the meetings. The topics are likely to be grouped as follows:

Strategy and Policy Committee Meeting	Topic
June 2022	RPS freshwater amendments, RNRP Integrated Management, Beds of Water Bodies, and Wetlands chapters
August 2022	Discharges to Water/Water Quality chapters (region wide chapters and FMUs)
September 2022	Groundwater and Surface Water Quantity chapters (region-wide chapters and FMUs). Communications and Engagement Plan for 2023

Local government elections are being held in October this year, which may result in change of Councillors and also RTALSG council member appointments.

RTALSG will receive another freshwater policy update at the meeting scheduled in June. This will provide an opportunity to be kept informed of key issues and options relevant to the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) as they are considered by Toi Moana. RTALSG may wish to provide advice and recommendations to Toi Moana as it sees fit. RTALSG iwi members can facilitate their iwi and/or hapū involvement in the freshwater mahi at any time throughout the programme. Informal discussions can be arranged as a committee, as iwi members of RTALSG, independently with your iwi and/or hapū or any combination of the above.

2.2 Iwi Engagement

2.2.1 Long-term Visions for Freshwater

Council is currently undertaking engagements and discussions alongside iwi across the region to help set long term visions for freshwater. This is an opportunity to set ambitious but reasonable goals and timeframes as a part of the long-term vision for freshwater, one that reflects what communities and tangata whenua really want draft freshwater management units (FMU) to be like in the future.

This year iwi organisations were sent letters inviting their involvement in developing draft long term visions for freshwater. Where an iwi’s rohe extended over a number of freshwater management units all relevant example visions were attached. A copy of the attachment sent to iwi with an interest in Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes FMU is attached for discussion (refer to attachment 1). The attachment was sent to Tūhourangi, Ngāti Wahiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Arawa Primary Sector, Ngāti Tarāwhai, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, RTALSG, Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa (BOP), Ngāti Awa, CNI and Ngāti Tahu Ngāti Whaoa. There is an opportunity to have a collective meeting with all iwi at once or staff can individually meet with iwi representatives.

2.2.2 Te Papa Ahurewa

Te Papa Ahurewa have confirmed to Council that the following Te Arawa iwi will be working within their project to support iwi inclusion into the NPSFM implementation: Tūhourangi, Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara, Ngāti Rongimai and Ngāti Rangitihi.

2.2.3 Sub Regional Hui

Council held a sub-regional hui for the Ōkurei constituency on 11 February 2022 at the Waiariki campus of Toi Ohomai. Unfortunately due to Covid-19 restrictions many of the invited attendees could not attend however Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Tūhourangi, Te Arawa primary Sector, CNI and Te Papa Ahurewa were represented at this hui.

The focus of the hui was to update attendees of progress made to date in terms of the NPSFM implementation and again ascertain their preference for involvement. Te Papa Ahurewa also presented on the range of support they can offer iwi to be involved in the implementation via their specific project.

Despite the low attendance the iwi present expressed either their preferred method of involvement or to request additional meetings to clarify the required work moving forward. Follow up hui has confirmed that Ngāti Rangiwewehi will seek to undertake cultural flows focused research supported by Council, and Tūhourangi require further clarity on options for their involvement but have expressed a willingness to work alongside Te Papa Ahurewa.

2.3 Community Engagement

Throughout this year, Toi Moana staff will start to build and provide information for the public, deliver online engagement on visions and outcomes, and aim to develop community interest and readiness to engage on policy options that affect them in 2023.

In April 2022, an online survey will be launched on Participate Bay of Plenty seeking public input to the development of long-term visions and environmental outcomes for freshwater.

Toi Moana staff will continue to be responsive to enquiries from community and iwi organisations.

2.4 Ngā Kaitohutohu

Ngā Kaitohutohu (Māori Technical Advisory Group) held their first meeting for the year on 22 February to advance discussions on Freshwater Management Units coupled with the implementing Te Mana o te Wai. The group have emphasised the importance of engaging with tangata whenua with interests in the water bodies within their rohe.

3. Changes to national freshwater regulations

Nationally, several changes to regulations will be gazetted this year. Proposed amendments to the National Environmental Standard for Drinking Water (NESDW) have been released for public consultation. These will primarily affect regional councils and include changes relating to:

· how at-risk source water areas are delineated.

· how activities that pose risks to source water are regulated or managed.

· protecting all registered water supplies (which will include any party who supplies drinking water to 1 or more other parties).

Changes will need to be included in the Regional Natural Resources Plan as part of the EFPP to implement the NES-DW. Public consultation on the discussion document closed 6 March 2022 and gazettal is likely in mid-late 2022. The governments consultation material is available here https://consult.environment.govt.nz/freshwater/nes-drinking-water/

4. Ngā Whakaarohanga
Considerations

4.1 Ngā Mōrea me Ngā Whakangāwaritanga
Risks and Mitigations

There are no significant risks associated with this update.

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. Climate change impacts will be considered by Toi Moana as part of implementing the NPSFM and reviewing the RNRP.

4.3 Ngā Pānga ki te Māori
Implications for Māori

The NPSFM sets out requirements to involve tangata whenua in the management of freshwater and Toi Moana is progressing this in accordance with Te Hononga, Regional Council’s Māori engagement approach for implementing the NPSFM.

Te Mana o Te Wai in the NPSFM 2020 represents a significant shift by central government to recognise the importance of tangata whenua involvement in the management of freshwater. Importantly, it signals inclusion of mātauranga Māori in shaping up the policies that will be included in the notified changes to the RPS and RNRP.

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.

Community engagement on freshwater visions and outcomes will be primarily online in 2022. See the sections on engagement within the report. In 2023, Toi Moana will engage across the region on policy options and implications.

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

NPSFM implementation and supporting RTALSG are both core, non-discretionary Toi Moana functions.

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

Over the next period of time, Toi Moana will:

1. Continue to invite iwi and hapū to discuss a working draft long-term vision for freshwater and environmental outcomes for Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes and other FMUs; and

2. Seek public feedback via Participate Bay of Plenty (online engagement) on long-term visions and outcomes for Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes and other FMUs;

3. Progress technical work towards identifying water quality and ecosystem health targets for all national attributes that would help us to achieve vision and outcomes for freshwater values; and

4. Iwi and hapū continue to be invited and supported to express their values and mātauranga Māori tohu that could be used to indicate the state/wellbeing of these values.