Ngā Meneti
Open Minutes
Commencing: Thursday 13 April 2023, 10:35 AM
Venue: Te Takinga Marae, 402 State Highway 33, Mourea, Rotorua
Heamana
Chairperson: Cr Te Taru White (Host-Chair)
Heamana Tuarua
Deputy Chairperson: Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti
Ngā Kopounga
Members: Cr Matemoana McDonald (Komiti Māori Chair)
Cr Stuart Crosby
Cr Kat Macmillan
Cr Jane Nees
Cr Ron Scott
Cr Ken Shirley
Cr Kevin Winters
In Attendance: Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana (BOPRC): Fiona McTavish – Chief Executive (part attendance), Kataraina O’Brien – General Manager Strategic Engagement, Reuben Fraser – General Manager Regulatory Services, Herewini Simpson – Kaihautu, Te Amorangi Lead, Stephen Lamb – Environmental Strategy Manager, Rawiri Bhana – Senior Advisor (Treaty), Reuben Gardiner – Senior Advisor, Merehine Waiari – Senior Advisor, Sandy Hohepa – Māori Policy Advisor, Sharon Ainsworth – Project Manager – Water Programme, Margaret Courtney – Senior Advisor, Riki-Lee Ainsworth – Māori Policy Advisor, Lisa Tauroa – Kaituitui (Strategic Engagement Coordinator), Gina Mohi – Putaiao Mātauranga, Angela Foster – Communications & Engagement Manager, Ashleigh Grant – Kaikarere (Communications Partner), Helen Creagh – Rotorua Catchments Manager, Shari Kameta - Committee Advisor
External: Presenters/speakers as listed in the minutes, Rukingi Haupapa, Maru Tapsell, Motoi Doherty – Regional Navigator, Ministry for the Environment, Reina Engelen, Norah Smith, Caroline Taute, Georgina Whata, Peter Staite, Roland Kingi, Adrienne Manihera, Tere Tapsell, Joanne Keefe, Heeni Brown, Tawhanga Nopera
Ngā Hōnea
Apologies: Cr Malcolm Campbell
Chairman Doug Leeder
Cr Paula Thompson
Cr Lyall Thurston
Cr Andrew von Dadelszen
1. Opening
Prayer
Karakia Whakatuwhera
A karakia was provided by Cr Te Taru White.
2. Host Chair Opening Statement
Cr White provided a brief background about the marae, acknowledged those in attendance and recognised the recent passing of Tony Gill, former Chief Executive Officer of the Rotorua Trust whose funeral was being held that day.
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That the Komiti Māori: 1
Accepts the apologies from Chairman Doug
Leeder, Cr Malcolm Campbell, CARRIED |
4. Declaration
of Conflicts of Interest
Whakapuakanga o Ngā Take Whai Taha-Rua
No conflicts of interest were declared.
Minutes to
be Confirmed
Kia Whakaūngia Ngā Meneti
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Komiti Māori Minutes - 22 February 2023 |
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That the Komiti Māori: 1 Confirms the Komiti Māori Minutes - 22 February 2023 as a true and correct record, subject to the following amendments: · Page 11 of the agenda: Amend reference to ‘Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust’. CARRIED |
6. Presentations
Whakaaturanga
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Hau Kainga Presentation - Te Tākinga Marae Project & Climate Change Presentation - Te Takinga Marae 2023 AGM Highlights: Objective ID A4349201 ⇨ Presented by: Katie Paul, Te Tākinga Marae Trustee |
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· Background on Te Takinga marae, its people, values and legacy in relation to Waitangi tribunal claims, formation of Te Arawa Lakes Trust and the principle of kaitiakitanga · The marae was a key community resource comprising the tennis court land, peninsula and urupa 10:50 am - Cr Stuart Crosby entered the meeting.
· Summarised matters and highlights from the marae’s Annual General Meeting in February 2023 regarding: marae assets, 2021/22 grant funding, marae bookings, marae/community projects; and flooding impacts in and around the Ōhau Channel and tennis court surrounds · Discussions had been held with Regional Council staff and the Te Arawa Lakes Trust’s wetland restoration team on flood/erosion mitigation options, i.e. wetland restoration, rock protection, silt drainage and board walk connection with the Ohau walkway · Outlined projects initiated from the marae/community’s desire to become more sustainable and resilient to climate change · Listed new funding grants for 2022/23 and projects that were in progress, including preparations for the next Matariki celebrations in July 2023. Key Points - Members: · Commended the mahi/innovations being progressed for future generations and the activation of Māori wellbeing that was being practiced · Acknowledged and valued the support of marae/community volunteers · Council was starting to prepare for the adoption of its Long Term Plan in 2024 and wished to keep in contact on how Council could provide further support the marae/community. |
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Te Arawa Lakes Trust - Brief Update Presentation - Te Arawa Lakes Trust: Objective ID A4358873 ⇨ Presented by: Geoff Rolleston, Chairman, Te Arawa Lakes Trust |
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· Te Arawa Lakes Trust’s (TALT) vision under Te Tūāpapa o Ngā Wai o Te Arawa cultural values framework was for a healthy community, people and water system · TALT’s structure was determined by hapū and the fundamental principle for Te Arawa’s survival and identity was the intrinsic connection to their 14 lakes, and rivers and streams · Emphasized the critical decline in taonga species numbers (i.e. koura and koaro) and the challenge to implement and ensure whānau, hapū and community voices were heard and for the health/wellbeing of Lake Rotorua to be reflected in the engineering of the lakes’ system. · Noted TALT’s partnership with Regional Council and Rotorua Lakes Council, the current review of the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group’s terms of reference, consideration being given to Rotorua Lakes Council’s annual plan, the importance of working together and ensuring accountability within the partnership agreement. Approximately 11:30 am - Cr Stuart Crosby exited the meeting. · Key activity highlights: o Uwhi geomat trials had been successful in suppressing invasive weed o Capturing hapū/iwi evidence and Mātauranga/knowledge to create innovative solutions to complex lake conditions o Te Tūāpapa o Ngā Wai Action Plan and evidence building of Te Arawa whakapapa to freshwater o Covid-19 pandemic community hub/support and leadership o Matariki 2022, marae engagement and Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Te Arawa Science Fair o Te Ara ki Kopu – Te Arawa Climate Change Strategy o Catfish programme, wetland restoration and Te Waikai Otaota aquatic weed management, employment of 29 Te Arawa biosecurity officers to monitor water quality and taonga species o Establishment of Te Papa Ahurewa o Tarawera collective impact project · Recognition of key TALT groups/teams: Te Papa Ahurewa (environmental advocacy), Te Urunga o Kea (Climate Change Group), Pou Whakawhirinaki (marae/hapū/iwi community connectors), Te Arawa Waea mai (call centre) who were supporting important work alongside Board trustees who were driving TALT strategies · Acknowledged the late Tā Toby Curtis who had led TALT for 16 years and was proud to be his successor to drive/support TALT entities through the next phase and the support of Te Arawa iwi, hapu and marae. In Response to Questions: · Acknowledged Te Arawa whānau connections within the Tauranga Moana rohe and instances where TALT has been able to support those whānau. Key Points - Members: · Thanked Mr Rolleston for his presentation and acknowledged other Trust Board members who were in attendance. |
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Te Kotahi a Pikiao - Hau Kainga Strategic Projects Presentation - Advancing the Collective Unity & Strength of Pikiao: Objective ID A4349475 ⇨ Presented by: Arapeta Tahana, Strategy Manager, Te Kotahi a Pikiao |
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· Background on Te Kotahi a Pikiao’s journey and strategic leadership · Guiding principles/values: whakapapa, kotahitanga, whakaaro tupuna (tikanga/kawa/culture/customs), aronga mokopuna/future generations · Governance group and project team · 2023 strategic focus/projects included: Pikiao Ahurei, collective forestry model, secretarial/share registry service, contact database/customer relationship management system and GIS data platform 12:00 pm - Cr Stuart Crosby entered the meeting.
· Highlighted the unique position of Ngāti Pikiao and the opportunity to make a collective impact, economic contribution and provide catchment scale solutions · Issues of concern included: Lake Rotomā rising lake levels, lakeside soil erosion impacting lake properties, catfish, koura population decline, dama wallabies, and reconnecting with Mātauranga Māori to lead/achieve taiao restoration solutions · Resourcing Mātauranga Māori solutions could bring another set of knowledge, solutions and outcomes · Noted the need for a change in thinking to assist the natural environment · Focus areas which Ngāti Pikiao wished to work on with Regional Council: o Establishment of a mana whakahono agreement o Refresh the Pikiao Environmental Management Plan; and o Establish a Pikiao taiao service that was sustainably funded · The critical challenge for Ngāti Pikiao was adequate resourcing to meet their taiao obligations and aspirations. In Response to Questions: · Importance of ground up leadership approach from hapū up to iwi · Ngāti Pikiao iwi/hapū affiliations were closely connected to Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Taraawhai and Ngāti Mākino · Wished to diversify land use rather than maintaining a monoculture · Interested in discussing with the Regional Council what support it could provide once land use analysis had been completed · Freshwater engagement with Regional Council had occurred at the statement level and wished to drilldown further to vision, outcomes and methodologies however, noted resource/support constraints · Ngāti Pikiao were developing a research strategy to apply for the Ministry for Primary Industry funding for dama wallaby control. 1080 had not been used in wallaby control due to a level of opposition from whānau · Indicated approximately less than 1,000 hectares around the Rotorua lakes were in dairy, with farm system changes occurring in response to environmental solutions. Key Points - Members: · Acknowledged the point raised in relation to population decline of koaro and frustrations with dama wallaby population within the containment area. |
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Tūhourangi Tribal Authority Taiao Project Presentation - Tuhourangi Tribal Authority and Te Mana o Te Wai Aspirations: Objective ID A4358878 ⇨ Presented by: Corey Ruha, Taiao Whakahaere - Environmental Coordinator, accompanied by Deliah Balle – Tūhourangi Tribal Authority Trustee |
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· Tūhourangi whānui represented 14 hapū (previously 20) and three marae · Outlined aspirations/partnerships which Tūhourangi relied on to support wai (freshwater) and current literature, capability and resource issues into a wide range of matters/issues · Mahi taiao included: wānanga, updating IEMP, supporting opportunities for Taiao-based roles/positions, resource consent processing, wallaby pest management within the Tarawera catchment, Rotorua geothermal system management plan, environmental data/GIS development, stormwater management plan and research collaboration opportunities · First iteration of taiao wānanga series was sponsored by the Regional Council to assist/align with Tūhourangi values to inform the regional plan and aspirations for the wai o Kōrero/themes from wānanga: acknowledgment of whakapapa, past knowledge, mahinga kai, rongoa and awareness of issues o Issues/obstacles: capacity/time pressures, policy language barriers, data and protecting Mātauranga and its integrity o Next steps: needed Regional Council’s assistance to enable Tūhourangi hapū/whānau to determine what Te Mana o te Wai meant and developing mechanisms to allow for implementation. Key Points - Members: · Acknowledged the opportunities highlighted for learning and innovation alongside the scale of the mahi and policy language, culture and timeframe barriers. |
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Te Wahapū o Waihī Project Overview Presentation - Te Wahapū o Waihī: Objective ID A4358881 ⇨ Presented by: Professor Dr Kura Paul-Burke and Roana Bennett - Project Coordinator, Te Wahapu o Waihī |
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· Waihī estuary was a significant kaimoana resource for iwi/Māori that was within a heavily modified catchment and had been severely degraded · Outlined Te Wahapu o Waihī’s team, vision, principles and workstreams to bring the estuary back to life · Commended the leadership of the project’s independent chair, Cr Te Taru White for initiating and driving the project forward and suggested a time for future reflection of the project’s success may assist other projects · Acknowledged the support of Ministry for the Environment’s Freshwater Improvement Fund that had provided $2.9M funding over the next three years, alongside Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) who would be assisting to engage Ahuwhenua Trust within the catchment. Total project value was $7M. · Acknowledged the assistance of NIWA and Cawthron Institute who would be providing seagrass restoration expertise · Future support was being sought from Manaaki Whenua/Landcare Research on wetland restoration approaches · Wished to use a restoration system that promoted the uniqueness and revitalisation of Mātauranga Māori In Response to Questions: · Seagrass decline was an accumulative effect of sedimentation and changes in substrate · Confirmed that it was possible for seagrass to be restored. Key Points - Members: · Recognised Te Wahapu o Waihī as an example of mana whakahaere and the bringing together of hapū/haukainga to enable connection to place and for them to be at the front end of decision making · Waikokopu Society had enabled collaborative discussions with the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ministry for the Environment who were working together with farmers on land use change and freshwater management solutions within the catchment |
7. Order of Business
Raupapa o Ngā Take
Host-Chair advised that agenda item 10, Open Forum would be received next on the agenda before agenda item 8.1, Chairperson’s report.
8. Open Forum
Tuwhera ki te Iwi Whānui
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Lani Kereopa on behalf of Ngāti Whakaue ki Ōhinemutu Presentation - A commitment to engagement with Maori: Objective ID A4359795 ⇨ |
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· Provided feedback of her experiences as a former mana whenua representative of the Ahi Kaa Roa group in relation to the Rotorua geothermal system management plan review · Outlined issues where, in her view, the processes to engage and work with tangata could be improved · Advised that she would no longer participate in the Ahi Kaa Roa roopu · Noted that she would forward a written statement. Key Points – Host-Chair: · The concerns that had been raised would be given due attention · Acknowledged the customary connection between tangata whenua and their taonga which could not be extinguished. |
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Chairperson's Report Presented by: Kataraina O’Brien, Director Strategic Engagement Key Points: Introduced Motoi Doherty who had been recently employed by the Ministry for the Environment as their Regional Navigator for the Bay of Plenty region. Ms Doherty briefly introduced herself advising of her role to connect and assist Iwi/tangata whenua on national environmental policy matters. |
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That the Komiti Māori: 1 Receives the report, Chairperson's Report. CARRIED |
10. Consideration
of Items not on the Agenda
Ngā Take Tōmuri Hei Whakaaroaro
Water Services Reform Announcement
Cr Stuart Crosby as LGNZ’s President gave a brief update on the announcement made that day by the Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government regarding changes made to the water services reform for the delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
Key Points:
· The number of water entities had been increased from four to 10 smaller entities to bring communities and councils closer together to have a stronger influence
· Some entity combinations had remained, i.e. Northland/Auckland, Te Tairawhiti/East Coast and some within the South Island
· Key principle of Te Mana o Te Wai and concept of regional representation of 50/50 tangata whenua and councils had remained unchanged
· The Bay of Plenty region had been a part of Entity B (BOP/Waikato/Taranaki) had changed to a separate entity of itself using the Bay of Plenty regional boundary.
11. Closing
Prayer
Karakia Kati
A karakia was provided by Cr Te Taru White.
2:27 pm – the meeting closed.
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Chairperson, Komiti Māori