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 Toi Moana)
Deputy Chairperson	Charlie Bluett (Ngāti Awa)
Council Members
One representative each from:
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana	Cr Malcom Campbell (Alternate)
Ōpōtiki District Council	Cr Dean Peterson Cr Steve Nelson (Alternate)
Whakatāne District Council	Cr Andrew Iles Cr Nāndor Tanczos (Alternate)
Tangata Whenua Members
One Tangata Whenua appointee representative each from:
Whakatōhea	Karen Mokomoko
Upokorehe	Georgina Kohonui Gaylene Kohonui (Alternate)
Ngāti Awa	Tuwhakairiora O’Brien (Alternate)
Ngāi Tuhoe	Hori Hillman Marewa Titoko (Alternate)
Quorum	Four members, consisting of more than half the number of members
Meeting frequency	Six monthly

Purpose

The Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum is a joint committee to 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

14 March 2023

Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum

Ngā Meneti

Open Minutes

Commencing: Tuesday 14 March 2023, 9.30 am

Venue: Mataatua Room, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana:, 5 Quay Street, Whakatāne

Heamana

Chairperson: Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti - Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana: (appointed at the meeting)

Heamana Tuarua

Deputy Chairperson: Charlie Bluett - Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa (appointed at the meeting)

Ngā Kopounga

Members: Karen Mokomoko - Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, Cr Nándor Tánczos – Alternate, Whakatāne District Council, Georgina Kohonui – Te Upokorehe, Tuwhakairiora O'Brien – Alternate, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Cr Malcolm Campbell – Alternate, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana:, Cr Dean Peterson – Ōpōtiki District Council, Cr Steve Nelson – Alternate, Ōpōtiki District Council, Cr Andrew Iles – Whakatāne District Council, Haami Aramoana – Alternate, Te Upokorehe, Marewa Titoko – Alternate, Ngāi Tuhoe

Te Hunga i Tae Ake

In Attendance: Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana (BOPRC): Pim de Monchy – Coastal Catchments Manager, Reuben Gardiner - Senior Advisor, Michelle Lee - Planner (Water Policy), Erin Fox - Environmental Scientist, Shay Dean - Environmental Scientist, Tim Senior - Land Management Officer, Amanda Namana – Committee Advisor

External: Professor Kura Paul-Burke – University of Waikato (via Zoom), Joe Burke – MUSA Environmental (via Zoom), Megan Ranapia – PhD Student (via Zoom), Dr Matt Miller - Cawthron Institute (via Zoom) and Dr Mat Cummings - New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research (via Zoom)

1. Karakia Whakatuwhera
Opening Karakia

A karakia was provided by Tu O’Brien - Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa.

2. Ngā Hōnea
Apologies

Nil.

3. Raupapa o Ngā Take
Order of Business

Pim de Monchy – BOPRC Coastal Catchments Manager advised that as the Committee Champion he would fulfill the role of Acting Chair and with the agreement of the Forum, Item 8.1 would be taken before any other business to appoint a Chair and Deputy Chair, so that the remainder of business could be conducted with the newly appointed Chair.

8.1

First Meeting Matters

BOPRC Coastal Catchments Manager Pim de Monchy presented this item.

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, First Meeting Matters.

2 Selects System B as the voting system to elect the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson;

Iles/Iti

CARRIED

3 Elects Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti as the Chairperson for the 2022-2025 Triennium;

4 Elects Charlie Bluett as the Deputy Chairperson for the 2022-2025 Triennium

5 Notes The Forum’s Terms of Reference, attached as Appendix 1 to the report;

6 Notes the Standing Orders to be used for the conduct of its meetings, attached as Appendix 2, as adopted by the administrating authority (Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana:) on 24 November 2022;

7 Confirms its membership:

· Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana: – Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti, Cr Malcolm Campbell (Alternate)

· Ōpōtiki District Council – Cr Dean Peterson, Cr Steve Nelson (Alternate)

· Whakatāne District Council – Cr Andrew Iles, Cr Nándor Tánczos (Alternate)

· Whakatōhea – Karen Mokomoko

· Upokorehe – Georgina Kohonui, Haami Aramoana (Alternate)

· Ngāti Awa – Charlie Bluett, Tuwhakairiora O’Brien

· Ngāi Tūhoe – Hori Hillman, Marewa Titoki (Alternate);

8 Confirms the following 2023 meeting dates:

· 7 September 2023

· Workshop and/or field trip dates to be confirmed as required.

Iles/Campbell

CARRIED

9.42 am – Karen Mokomoko entered the meeting.

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

None declared.

5. Ngā Meneti
Minutes

Minutes for Information Only

5.1

Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum Minutes - 8 September 2022

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum Minutes - 8 September 2022.

Iti/Iles

CARRIED

6. Ngā Pūrongo
Reports

Hei Pānui Anake
Information Only

6.1

Ōhiwa Harbour Saltmarsh Condition 2021

Presentation: Ohiwa Harbour Saltmarsh Survey: Objective ID A4336973

BOPRC Environmental Scientist Shay Dean presented this item.

Key Points:

· 34 saltmarsh sites had been assessed around Ōhiwa Harbour – all sites were found to be in good or excellent condition, except one which was in moderate condition

· Minimal deteriorations were observed

· The most concerning change was the detection of an invasive grass species (saltwater paspalum) at the Tunanui site

· Another concern noted was the loss of 300m2 of wetland area - the site would be assessed for natural regeneration and planting to restore it

· Re-measurement of the survey was to be conducted in five years’ time or when future aerial photography was released.

In Response to Questions:

· A mapping exercise had been undertaken throughout the region which provided insight into areas which may have the right elevation to restore saltmarsh

· Would provide a report to a future meeting with detail around saltmarsh restoration and sequestration

· New aerial oblique imagery had been captured which could prove useful in the future.

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Ōhiwa Harbour Saltmarsh Condition 2021.

Iles/Petersen

CARRIED

6.2

Essential Freshwater Policy Programme Update

Presentation: Essential Freshwater Policy Programme and Engagement: Objective ID A4336956

BOPRC Senior Advisor Reuben Gardiner and Planner, Water Policy Michelle Lee presented this item.

Key Points:

· Outlined the Freshwater Policy Programme timeline

· Engagement dates specific to Ōhiwa were scheduled as follows:

o Community meeting: 15^th May 2023

o Sub-regional hui-ā-iwi: May 24^th2023

o Community meeting: 21^st July 2023

o Sub-regional hui-ā-iwi: 25^th August 2023 (based in Whakatāne)

Community meeting: 7^th September 2023

· Encouraged members to contact staff with any questions or ideas about engagement on this topic, including places and suitable events to attend

· A story booklet about the Ōhiwa Harbour Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) would be emailed to members as soon as it was available

· The nature of the engagement would change as the essential freshwater programme progressed, and any information or advice from tangata whenua was welcomed on the best ways to engage for Ōhiwa Harbour.

In Response to Questions:

· Engagement, dialogue and discussion with tangata whenua was based upon specific rohe and the freshwater features within, rather than being focused on FMU terminology

· Tangata whenua relationships with the freshwater of each rohe and a full, informed understanding was critical for positive engagement outcomes

· The focus needed to be on the natural features of freshwater flowing into Ōhiwa Harbour, what contributed to the harbour’s health and what could negatively affect its health – what happened upstream could have negative effects downstream.

10.21 am – Nandor Tánczos entered the meeting.

· Significant submissions were expected from other groups including Federated Farmers, Fonterra and community boards to highlight their positions, so it was crucial for the voices of all Ōhiwa tangata whenua to be heard

· Mahinga kai was a compulsory value under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) which included clean water and ecosystems, but also a critical aspect of tikanga conditions to prevent alienation.

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Essential Freshwater Policy Programme Update.

Iles/Petersen

CARRIED

10.24 am – The meeting adjourned.

10.47 am – The meeting reconvened.

6.3

Update on the Ōhiwa Catchment freshwater fish barrier project

Presentation: Ōhiwa Fish Passage Project Update: Objective ID A4336955

BOPRC Environmental Scientist Erin Fox presented this item.

Key Points:

· Outlined how the project began; fish species, habitat and connectivity

· Highlighted the four key outcomes of the project

· 554 potential fish passage barriers had been identified throughout Ōhiwa Harbour

· Provided a map of where environmental DNA Sampling had been undertaken around the harbour and the different species identified through this sampling

· The catchment was largely free of pest fish species, with the exception of gambusia in the mid to low Nukuhou

· Potential evidence of low numbers included redfin bully, shortjaw kokopu and kakahi.

In Response to Questions:

· There was not much known about the impacts of gambusia, or control methods to date but they co-existed well, only thrived in certain types of environments and were not expected to spread

· Clarified that DNA in the water lasted for weeks, rather than months or years

· There was work that could be undertaken to make some populations stronger and more viable in the future

· It was possible that there were other species present that had not been detected

· Landowners at the sites where kakahi had been found had not been approached yet, but considered that this could be a partnership opportunity

· This was important work and with the agreement of the Forum, specific locations would not be discussed. However, information should be shared with farmers and landowners about indigenous freshwater fish species in the harbour, particularly when it was relevant to them being kaitiaki of certain species within their property, and in order to work together to protect these species.

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Update on the Ōhiwa Catchment freshwater fish barrier project.

Titoko/Kohonui

CARRIED

6.4

Update report on Awhi Mai Awhi Atu, Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge project, February 2023

Presentation: Sustainable Seas Challenge - Pātangaroa hua rau: Objective ID A4336938

Waikato University Associate Professor Dr Kura Paul-Burke, PhD student Megan Ranapia (at the request of the presenter, this presentation is not attached to the minutes), Cawthron Institute Dr Matt Miller and New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Dr Mat Cummings presented this item.

Key Points:

· A starfish removal study had been undertaken in October and November 2022, with three different removal techniques – diving, trapping and combined

· Highlighted the starfish removal sites and the numbers removed using each technique

· Results showed that diving was more effective in the removal of eleven armed starfish than trapping, although trapping was likely to be more efficient long term

· Outlined the options available for each phase of the Seastar Management Action Plan (SMAP)

· Analysis of the makeup of two species of starfish had been undertaken from sampling over 12 months e.g. protein and fats

· The aim was to produce a circular economy opportunity by creating skincare products through the extraction of collagen

· Test pots of the cream produced had been sent to the Forum but were not available at the meeting

· Explained bioactive extraction and product development - the process of extraction could be undertaken inhouse or by an external company

· Starfish had high yields and three were used to make approximately sixty pottles of moisturiser

· The concept held significant marketing opportunities if it went ahead - there was potentially high interest in the market, given the story and environmental benefits behind the concept

· Noted that frozen starfish had been used for the analysis and process to create the powder.

Key Points - Members:

· Costings of the various options presented were important to understand the best way forward.

In Response to Questions:

· The Awhi Mai Awhi Atu project was to cease in June 2023, along with associated funding so additional putea would need to be sourced to continue this mahi

· Costings related to the SMAP were dependent on different scenarios, e.g. the number of traps, number of crew involved, divers, the number of days this would be required for

· Confirmed support from the team to continue leading and facilitating this mahi, if appropriate funding and resources were sourced

· Outlined the projects and funding sources from conception to date

· A funding proposal made through council Annual Plan or Long Term Plan processes was a good vehicle for this type of project

· Starfish population surveys were important to uphold and continue monitoring, whether annually or biannually to establish where intervention was required

· Harvesting the starfish, freezing and transporting options would be investigated and cost projections from these activities would be provided, along with companies that may be interested in the starfish

· Costs would be provided to members for retention of the mussel stations, for the next 12 months from the end of the project in June 2023.

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Update report on Awhi Mai Awhi Atu, Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge project, February 2023;

2 Supports a seastar management plan;

3 Agrees to retain all four mussel stations, subject to funding.

Iles/Bluett

CARRIED

6.5

Annual Work Programme report to 31 January 2023 and proposed work programme for 2023-24

Presentation: Work Programme Report to January 2023: Objective ID A4336954

BOPRC Land Management Officer Tim Senior presented this item.

Key Points:

· Flooding since the Nukuhou River drone footage was captured had likely altered the landscape in the images provided

· One of the issues in the Nukuhou catchment was high, steep, unconsolidated riverbanks, for which engineering assistance had been sourced to try and identify the best option to address the issue

· These interventions were still at the investigative stage and there were many options to be weighed before any decisions were made. The Nukuhou did not have targeted rates for flood protection and drainage schemes so any work carried out would be funded from general rates through the coastal catchments activity budget

· Recent changes to freshwater regulation meant that the management of mangroves was now covered by the Regional Coastal Environment Plan (RCEP), which meant that previous mangrove management work could now be recommenced

· Discussed upcoming pre-engagement options for the Navigational Safety Bylaw Review and highlighted that this was still at an early stage of the process.

· Proposed a work programme for the coming year

· Discussed possible adjustments to the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy Coordination Group (OHSCG) meetings and workshop schedule.

In Response to Questions:

· Previous mangrove management included removing the seedlings from around the edges of the harbour and was undertaken by volunteers and working parties

· Being able to sustain and enforce a bylaw was an important consideration

· Pre-hearing engagement would be carried out face to face with Upokorehe and Ngāti Awa as requested, for the Navigational Safety Bylaws Review.

1.00 pm – Karen Mokomoko withdrew from the meeting.

1.05 pm – Marewa Titoko withdrew from the meeting.

1.07 pm – Cr Andrew Iles withdrew from the meeting.

Resolved

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Annual Work Programme report to 31 January 2023 and proposed work programme for 2023-24;

2 Endorses the proposed annual work programme 2023-24 and recommencing mangrove management work;

3 Endorses the suggested meeting frequency of two Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum hui, and two informal Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy Coordination Group hui held annually.

Bluett/Kohonui

CARRIED

7. Karakia Kati
Closing Karakia

A karakia was provided by Tu O’Brien.

1.17 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:	12 October 2023
Kaituhi Pūrongo: Report Writer:	Tim Senior, Land Management Officer
Kaiwhakamana Pūrongo: Report Authoriser:	Chris Ingle, General Manager, Integrated Catchments
Kaupapa: Purpose:	To update the Forum on the work undertaken to give effect to the Ōhiwa harbour Strategy actions for the 2022-3 year and from July to September 2023.

Ohiwa Harbour Strategy Annual Work Programme Results

Whakarāpopototanga
Executive Summary

This report provides a summary of the work carried out under the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy Annual Work programme over the 2021-22 financial year. It also provides an update of the work undertaken since then from 1 July 2023 to September 2023.

Out of the 47 deliverables in the work programme, 33 were completed, 9 are in progress. Five were not completed due to staff being on extended leave during the year. Much of the work is on-going in nature and contributes to a long-term vision for the harbour. Significant progress has been made over the last year in the areas of water quality, freshwater fish, kaimoana and land stewardship.

Ngā tūtohutanga
Recommendations

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Ohiwa Harbour Strategy Annual Work Programme Results.

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. 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. This full report is also presented to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC).

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 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. Key achievements 2022-23

Key achievements for the last financial year to 30 June are highlighted below. The full annual work programme with its deliverables and results for the year can be found in Appendix 1.

Of the 47 deliverables planned for last year, 33 were completed, 9 are in progress and five were not completed. The focus of work has been around water quality, freshwater fish, kaimoana and land stewardship.

2.1 Actions 1.1 and 1.2: water quality

BOPRC Environmental Programmes were in place on 41 properties during the last year. As a result:

· 38.5km of waterway fencing was completed

· The fencing protected 39ha of land from stock access

· 15,000 plants were planted along waterways covering 13ha

· BOPRC contributed $250,000

· MfE contributed $400,000

· Landowners contributed $166,000

2.2 Action 1.2: sedimentation

Over the last couple of years, a hydrodynamic modelling study has been undertaken to better understand sediment exchange within Ōhiwa Harbour, and to assess sediment transport and accumulation under different loading and climate change scenarios. The report on this has been completed and will be presented at a future meeting of the Forum.

2.3 Action 1.9: species and habitat protection

There are now 11 volunteer environmental care groups working around the harbour margins with 10 of them directly supported by BOPRC. All but one of these groups carry out predator control around the harbour margins and most have a planting day every year and control weeds. Over the last year, the 10 groups have involved about:

· 180 people

· 6000 hrs of voluntary time

2.4 Action 1.10: freshwater fish

The migratory fish passage project continues. As reported at the March meeting, eDNA tests at 22 sites on streams in the catchment finding a more diverse range of freshwater fish and mussels than previously known.

Almost all the 554 potential barriers to fish passage identified in a desktop study have now been assessed. The field assessment of these identified a significant number of potential barriers that were not identified in the desktop study. In all, 287 barriers have been assessed as requiring remediation to allow fish passage.

The remediation of these barriers is well underway and will be reported on elsewhere in the agenda.

2.5 Action 2.1: shellfish management

The MBIE Sustainable Seas funding for the Awhi Mai Awhi Atu project led by Kura Paul-Burke has come to an end and decisions need to be made on how to continue this work. This will be covered in a separate report in the agenda.

3. Actions progress since July 2023

3.1 Action 1.1: water quality

Two drop in sessions were held in May and July for the community to discuss with BOPRC staff policy options for rule changes to give effect to the national freshwater reforms. This is covered in detail by another report in this agenda.

3.2 Action 1.2: sediment

The Ōhiwa catchment group recently got together for a workshop on how to reduce erosion of the banks of the Nukuhou River. This erosion of the very soft unconsolidated banks has been ongoing for many years, but the wet weather and high river flows of the last two years has exacerbated this process. The river is becoming increasingly incised resulting in undercutting of its banks and slope failures. These slope failures result in stream blockages, flooding, the need to continually shift fencelines and loss of some of the most productive farmland. During a site visit, Roger Waugh (River Space Ltd) discussed the underlying processes resulting in specific issues and possible remediations. His assessment is that a long term solution might be the construction of low control structures (like weirs) in order to raise the bed level and lessen the downcutting of the stream. However this would be a costly exercise.

3.3 Action 1.4: farm stewardship

Substantial funding from MPI for the combined Waiōtahe and Ōhiwa catchment groups to carry out further investigations, trials and remediations for water quality issues has been approved. The details of the plan are yet to be finalised.

3.4 Action 1.5: mangrove management

Groups from both Upokorehe and Ngāti Awa have expressed interest in resuming the management of mangroves that has been halted for the last two years as a result of a High Court case.

3.5 Action 1.9: habitat and species

Upokorehe kaitiaki have been busy monitoring harvesting at Whangakopikopiko pipi bed and interference with other nearby important cultural and biodiversity sites. There are continued concerns with illegal take of pipi, invalid customary permits, dogs, people and dirt bikes interfering with bird nesting, vehicles on the mudflats, jetskis and the recreational use of the Tokitoki waahi tapu.

3.6 Action 1.14: consenting and bylaws

There are still ongoing issues with vehicles being driven on the mudflats and prohibited areas on the Ōhiwa Spit. Keeping vehicles off the mudflats is impractical as it would involve some sort of vehicle barrier along about 1km of road. ODC staff have done their best to block off access to the Ōhiwa beach but drivers simply take an alternative route through the dunes causing further environmental damage.

The navigation safety bylaw review has been delayed but is now back on track.

Jetskis and personal watercraft are currently excluded from the majority of the harbour, under the 2017 Bay of Plenty Regional Navigation Safety Bylaws.

Unfortunately, due to changes in the Maritime Transport Act, Council is not able to exclude any craft from navigable waters unless it is strictly for the purpose of navigational safety. This means Navigation Safety Bylaws can’t be written for the purpose of protecting the environment or for the noise jetskis make.

This also means that legislatively jetskis should be able to use the Ōhiwa Harbour like all other craft.

All speed and behaviour rules would still apply to jetskis: 5 knot speed rules still apply, within 50 meters of any vessel or person in the water; 200 meters from shore or any structure; within 200 meters of any vessel flying a diver's flag.

There are 3 current options for consultation:

Option 1: Status Quo (Current Situation):

Leave the whole of Ohiwa Harbour as a PWC exclusion area. Due to changes in legislation the only way this can continue is through local (Whakatāne District Council and Ōpōtiki District Council) Bylaws*.

*Either DC could administer and enforce or undertake a Transfer Agreement with Regional Council.

Option 2: Allow PWC across the Harbour with standard speed rules applying:

Allow PWC across the harbour with all other standard bylaws rules applying e.g. 5 knots within 200m of shore, 50m of a person or vessel.

Option 3: Allow PWC across the Harbour with standard speed rules applying with speed restriction to 5 knots two hours before and after low tide:

Allow PWC across the harbour with all other standard bylaws rules applying e.g. 5 knots within 200m of shore, 50m of a person or vessel. Additional speed restriction to 5 knots across Harbour two hours before and after low tide.

These options are currently being presented for feedback on Council Participate website: Topic 3: Ōhiwa Harbour | Navigational Safety Bylaw | Participate BOPRC . Council has received 44 comments so far.

Staff are available for direct engagement from 25 Sep 23 to 29 Feb 24.

3.7 Action 3.6: comms and education

The Ōhiwa website has now gone live. However it’s still very much a work in progress, with further information needed on many of the pages. Forum members are encouraged to visit the site and provide feedback – particularly about further information that should be there.

3.8 Action 3.13: health and safety

A report from RiverSpace on the flooding situation in Kutarere village has just been received. As a result of a survey of stream and drain levels, some suggestions have been made which would help alleviate the situation in the short term. This would involve the installation of some new culverts and flood gates which, while fairly straightforward, is also expensive. No agency currently has any responsibility for doing this work and there is no budget for it.

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 Awhi Mai, Awhi Atu project and the protection of the Whangakopikopiko pipi bed.

4.4 Whakawhitiwhiti ā-Hapori
Community Engagement

CO-OPERATE

Mahi Ngātahi

To work closely with affected communities to develop alternatives and recommend a preferred solution.

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 June 2023 ⇩



Pūrongo Ki: Report To:	Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum
Rā Hui: Meeting Date:	12 October 2023
Kaituhi Pūrongo: Report Writer:	Josie Crawshaw, Environmental Scientist
Kaiwhakamana Pūrongo: Report Authoriser:	Namouta Poutasi, General Manager, Strategy and Science
Kaupapa: Purpose:	Explain to the forum blue carbon potential and saltmarsh restoration potential

Blue Carbon Building Blocks - Saltmarsh Restoration

Whakarāpopototanga
Executive Summary

This report provides information on blue carbon potential and saltmarsh restoration opportunities in the Bay of Plenty.

Staff have completed mapping potential saltmarsh habitat in the region and are now working to quantify the sequestration potential of existing saltmarsh sites. This work along with national initiatives are the building blocks to unlock the potential of Blue Carbon in the region.

Ngā tūtohutanga
Recommendations

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Blue Carbon Building Blocks - Saltmarsh Restoration.

1. He Whakamārama
Background

Saltmarsh is a highly productive habitat that provides a range of ecosystem services including flood and erosion control, water quality improvements, habitat for fish and bird species, carbon storage, and are of cultural significance to Māori.

Climate Change is a strategic priority and one of the three Impact Areas for Council. Our vision is to strengthen the long-term resilience and sustainability of the Bay of Plenty region through climate change action and awareness. Climate change impacts such as sea level rise will change the suitable habitat elevation range for saltmarsh, requiring it to expand into inland areas. In some cases, ‘coastal squeeze’ may occur, where natural topography or human infrastructure will limit any inland migration potential.

Across the Bay of Plenty there has been a 60% loss of saltmarsh, however there are opportunities to restore these vital habitats. This work provides the basis to support informed decision making when developing saltmarsh restoration projects, identifying current potential restoration sites, mapping potential changes with sea level rise, and investigating the potential for blue carbon creation.

2. Blue Carbon building blocks

2.1 Phase 1 - Saltmarsh Mapping

The assessment and mapping of potential saltmarsh habitat restoration sites in the region has been completed and reported as an environmental publication (Crawshaw & Fox, 2022)^{^[1]}. This mapping is part of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Climate Change Action Plan project exploring the potential of Blue Carbon in the region, along with future work to validate local carbon sequestration rates of saltmarsh.

Saltmarsh habitats provide a range of ecosystem services, including carbon storage, and are culturally significant to Māori. Historically the Bay of Plenty has lost 60% of its saltmarsh habitat to reclamation, with the majority lost in Tauranga Harbour and Waihī Estuary (Park 2000). We have undertaken a regional assessment of elevation profiles of coastal land to identify potential locations for undertaking saltmarsh restoration projects, which will support biodiversity restoration and water quality outcomes, and carbon sequestration.

LiDAR, field surveys and aerial imagery identified that the preferred elevation range for saltmarsh occurs between 0.8 m–1.2 m Moturiki RL. We used this elevation range and the regionwide LiDAR dataset to identify all land that falls within this elevation range as “potential saltmarsh habitat”. There is currently 1,416 hectares of existing saltmarsh mapped across the Bay of Plenty, with the majority being located in Tauranga and Ōhiwa Harbours. Across the region, there was 4,888 hectares of land identified within the “potential saltmarsh habitat” range, with 3,288 hectares of this currently in pastoral land use. In Ōhiwa, there was 365 hectares of potential saltmarsh area, with 213 hectares of this in pastoral land use. The maps are intended to be used by land management officers to undertake site specific investigations and support conversations with landowners, as a first step to identify the potential for saltmarsh restoration at scale in the Bay of Plenty.

Future sea level rise scenarios were also mapped, which indicated potential migration pathways for saltmarsh habitat to move inland as sea levels rise, to future proof new restoration projects. There is likely to be an overall decrease in space available for saltmarsh with sea level rise due to land topography, although there will be gains and losses in different areas.

2.2 Phase 2 - Wetland carbon sequestration study

‘Blue carbon’ refers to carbon captured by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. Blue carbon projects focus on restoration of coastal ecosystems with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and/or enhancing the removal of these gases. This can be achieved by re-wetting and revegetating tidal wetlands or preventing intact tidal wetlands becoming degraded.

Australia has developed a Blue Carbon Method which provides landholders with incentives to undertake blue carbon projects. Projects are awarded Australian Carbon Credit Units, which can be sold to the government or others interested in offsetting emissions. There is potential for New Zealand to develop its own Blue Carbon Method to help incentivise blue carbon projects here.

Before a blue carbon method could be developed for New Zealand, a blue carbon accounting model would need to be developed. This would model emissions avoided from prior land use and carbon sequestered in biomass and soils, with different values used for different climatic regions and for different types of coastal wetland (e.g. mangroves, saltmarsh, seagrass, etc).

A literature review by EKOS (2022) found there is very little data available on carbon storage and emissions within intact coastal wetlands in New Zealand, and a knowledge gap regarding degraded habitats and those in various stages of restoration. A recent report following this estimated current blue carbon stocks in New Zealand habitats (Ross et al. 2023), with saltmarsh carbon stocks estimated to be between 38 – 57 t/C/ha, mangroves 61.6 t/C/ha, and seagrass 14-27 t/C/ha. The national carbon stocks were 0.71 – 1.06 Mt/C for saltmarsh, 1.74 Mt/C for mangroves, and 0.41 – 0.80 Mt/C for seagrass. Across these habitats, it represents a current carbon sequestration rate of 0.12 Mt/CO₂/yr, equivalent to 0.16% of New Zealand’s 2021 gross emissions.

This project aims to increase knowledge of carbon storage from coastal wetlands in Bay of Plenty with the aim of providing data which will be important in the development of a blue carbon method for New Zealand. Our initial focus will be on saltmarsh habitats as this is a key focus for biodiversity driven restoration efforts in our region.

This work will compliment carbon sequestration studies being undertaken in restoration sites such as Wainui Repo Whenua (Sargent Drive) by University of Waikato; and within Nukuhou (Ōhiwa Harbour) and Athenree (Tauranga Harbour) saltmarshes as part of the Future Coasts Aotearoa (Future Coasts Aotearoa | NIWA); and within Waihī Estuary in partnership with Te Wahapū o Waihī and the Nature Conservancy.

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 Climate Change Programme delivers, monitors, and reports on Council’s response to climate change in terms of priorities and actions around both mitigation and adaptation. This mapping work identifies potential risk areas to saltmarsh restoration projects to enable future thinking when designing new restoration areas. Additionally, new saltmarsh projects have the potential to contribute to ‘blue carbon’ storage.

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

3.3 Ngā Pānga ki te Māori
Implications for Māori

Climate change could potentially have significant impact on hapū and iwi in the region. Many marae in the Bay of Plenty region are located in coastal or low-lying areas, potentially exposed to flooding and coastal hazards. The restoration of saltmarsh habitats can provide an opportunity to build resilience to the effects of climate change.

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.

Engaging with our community around climate change and encouraging action related to climate change is a core part of our climate change work programme.

Restoration of saltmarsh is conducted on a site by site basis with the participation and support of landowners.

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

This report supports actions in the Ōhiwa Harbour strategy and Climate Change programme.

3.6 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

As the building blocks: potential saltmarsh habitat, sequestration rates, and blue carbon methodology are developed; there is potential for a discussion of a new programme of work in the development of the next long term plan to seize this opportunity.



Pūrongo Ki: Report To:	Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum
Rā Hui: Meeting Date:	12 October 2023
Kaituhi Pūrongo: Report Writer:	Gemma Moleta, Senior Planner (Water Policy)
Kaiwhakamana Pūrongo: Report Authoriser:	Namouta Poutasi, General Manager, Strategy and Science
Kaupapa: Purpose:	To update the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum on engagement and policy options for the Essential Freshwater Policy Programme.

Essential Freshwater Policy Programme Update

Whakarāpopototanga
Executive Summary

The Essential Freshwater Policy Programme (EFPP) is Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Council’s work programme to implement the requirements of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPSFM), primarily via changes to the Regional Policy Statement (RPS) and Regional Natural Resources Plan (RNRP).

This report shares Toi Moana’s Strategy and Policy Committee’s decision made on the “portals” approach and signals staff are starting to draft RPS and RNRP plan change text in order to meet deadlines which will enable sharing of draft change text with iwi organisations, Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum and key stakeholders early next year.

Ngā tūtohutanga
Recommendations

That the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum:

1 Receives the report, Essential Freshwater Policy Programme Update .

1. He Whakamārama
Background

The Essential Freshwater Policy Programme (EFPP) is Toi Moana – Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s work programme to implement the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPSFM) and review freshwater related chapters of the Regional Policy Statement (RPS), and the Regional Natural Resources Plan (RNRP). Overall, the EFPP continues to be implemented according to Toi Moana’s agreed programme, although there is slippage.

Tight timeframes are necessary to achieve notification of freshwater changes to the RPS and RNRP in 2024 as required by legislation. This year, the focus is primarily on continuing to involve tangata whenua, community engagement and continuing to develop draft policy options, prior to Toi Moana making decisions about what proposed changes to publicly notify in 2024.

This report provides an update on implementation progress most relevant to the Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum (OHIF).

2. Engagement Update

2.1 Community engagement

Since your last meeting, Ōhiwa Harbour Freshwater Management Unit community drop in events were held on 15 May (8 attendees) and 24 July (29 attendees) and an online workshop was held 7 September. Key comments, concerns and questions raised at those events included:

· Water quality concerns in particular E.coli and sediment.

· Concern about farm viability from changing rules and whether environmental benefit / contaminant reduction will be achieved.

· Concern over management options predominantly the 25-degree slope rule. Needs consideration of soil type, stock type, may be inappropriate in this catchment, 45-degree slope might be more appropriate. Alternatively, could focus on pugging rather than slope.

· Setbacks from waterbodies will lose productive land, fencing and weed maintenance or moving farm tracks will be significant costs. There needs to be more incentives not just sticks. Compensation for unusable land, rates remission for retired areas.

· Should be up to the farmer to decide whether the land is viable or not.

· Can’t make farming uneconomical, need gradual change overtime. Farming has changed significantly since the 1960s.

· How natural beauty would be interpreted if included in the vision.

· Low levels of swimming in the catchment so shouldn’t need to meet those standards.

· Stream bank erosion after the removal of willows. Stream bank erosion of Nukuhou needs more monitoring. Need more armouring of stream banks to reduce sediment.

· The impact of subdivision on water quality from runoff and discharges.

· Native bush needs to be looked after too with pest issues.

· Farmers already undertaking good management practices.

· Maraetotara should be treated separately to the rest of the Freshwater Management Unit (FMU).

· Need to set limits with hapu. Need a holistic approach to objectives and monitoring the wellbeing of the harbour. Council needs to be more proactive in engaging with tangata whenua.

· Engage with Upokorehe about Ōhiwa given their coastal marine titles and that mahinga kai species travel between freshwater and the ocean.

· Data needs to be shared between organisations and avoid duplication.

· Farmer monitoring of water quality, more monitoring stations needed.

· Upgrade old septic tanks.

· Forestry should require consent.

· There should be no restrictions on culvert size.

· Increasing swan numbers in Ōhiwa Harbour which may impact remaining seagrass.

2.2 Iwi engagement

Twenty six participants attended a hui a-rohe held for Kohi on 24 May. The hui proved to be an effective means to communicate to tangata whenua on the NPSFM, our progress towards implementation including the critical opportunities that lie within Te Mana o te Wai, the mahinga kai compulsory value and work towards a responsive RNRP.

The hui also highlighted the tangible opportunities for tangata whenua and kaitiaki to help inform regional freshwater decision making. Attendees particularly enjoyed the presentation from John Rapana from Ngati Makino. This presentation provided a good understanding of how other iwi have approached this kaupapa.

The hui ā rohe was a valuable catalyst that has generated additional interest from tangata whenua about how they could potentially participate. The audience at the Kōhī hui ā rohe were at varying stages of their ‘wai Māori’ journey and the kōrero reflected that. There were some robust discussions about allocation, FMUs and the current state of the health of freshwater, water bodies and the surrounding environment.

Toi Moana staff made a particular effort to clarify and delineate the NPSFM / EFPP scope, Te Mana o te Wai and its associated work programmes from other hot topics such as Affordable Waters, the question of water ownership and resource management reforms. This was extremely valuable to focus discussions on implementing the NPSFM whilst acknowledging the importance of other kaupapa to tangata whenua.

A second round of hui ā rohe was planned for August-September 2023. After considering a range of matters the decision was made to use the resources planned to support hui ā rohe for targeted engagement with existing roopu, in an effort to achieve focussed dialogue and discussion with tangata whenua. This should enable Council to develop a more detailed understanding of Wai Māori and to enable a tangata whenua–centric focus and approach for freshwater management.

We trust that the cancellation of August-September hui-a-rohe has not caused any issues for potential attendees. The open invitation for any tangata whenua group to contact Council for a conversation about freshwater or to find out more information remains.

3. Water Quantity

At this stage, draft minimum flows for surface water have been based on retaining regionally consistent levels of habitat for target fish species within a waterbody.

Surface water and groundwater demand in this FMU is generally low with five consented takes for a mixture of uses – horticultural or pasture irrigation, frost protection and community or commercial/industrial supply.

4. Water Quality Management Options

There are a number of recent national regulations such as stock exclusion from large rivers and freshwater farm plans that will achieve some improvements in water quality.

Additional management options are being considered within the Ōhiwa Harbour FMU to achieve significant sediment and E.coli reductions. These include minimum standards for freshwater farm plans, controls on land use conversion and intensification, retirement or stock restrictions on slopes greater than 25-degrees and additional riparian setbacks from smaller rivers and drains. For a full list of the options included in the Ohiwa Harbour FMU story see page 19 of the booklet.

5. Planning methodology to support Kaupapa Māori into the future

A summary of the draft Issues and Options for the Kaitiakitanga / Tangata Whenua chapter of the regional plan is on the Toi Moana website and is available here.

In May, Toi Moana’s Strategy and Policy Committee (S&P Committee) considered the EFPP update paper (Item 9.4 on the agenda, available here). The report outlines a policy proposal to ensure the freshwater management under the regional plan can accommodate tangata whenua information and data that becomes accessible after the RNRP EFPP changes are notified in December 2024. This has been called the “portals” approach. Under the NPSFM and Te Mana o te Wai there is an implicit assumption that specific cultural values and attributes (such as those that identify mahinga kai) would be generated from within tangata whenua knowledge systems and would be accessible through engagement with iwi/hapū prior to the RNRP notification and would be reflected in the changes. To date the response to this challenge has been mixed. Attachment 1 contains a paper which explores the idea at a broad scale.

The S&P Committee agreed that the plan development process will include a methodology based on incremental change to ensure the regional plan can accommodate tangata whenua information and data that becomes accessible in the future. Feedback on the “portals” approach is welcome and will be considered as the approach is worked up further.

At the Strategy and Policy Committee’s meeting on 8 August, consideration was given to key freshwater policy shifts for changes to the RPS, and the Tangata Whenua and Integrated Management chapters of the RNRP. In principle approval of policy direction was confirmed to enable staff to progress drafting plan change text by the end of this year. This builds on the agreed “portals” approach and includes consideration of draft options from the RNRP Kaitiakitanga chapter review. These decisions are only “in principle” as Toi Moana will not set policy direction formally until next year, after tangata whenua and community engagement and after evaluation of options (s32 assessment) is complete.

Draft plan change text will be made available to iwi organisations, OHIF and some other key stakeholders for response in January - March 2024.

6. Ngā Whakaarohanga
Considerations

6.1 Ngā Mōrea me Ngā Whakangāwaritanga
Risks and Mitigations

There are no significant risks associated with this update.

6.2 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.

6.3 Ngā Pānga ki te Māori
Implications for Māori

Freshwater is a taonga for tangata whenua. The NPSFM clearly sets out an increased expectation of the active involvement of tangata whenua in freshwater management and provision for cultural values and mātauranga Māori. There are some ongoing iwi initiated freshwater projects in the Ohiwa Harbour FMU.

Toi Moana staff continue to invite and support iwi and hapū involvement to the extent they want to be involved or have capacity to be involved. Tangata whenua engagement will continue into 2024 and staff are maintaining a good faith approach to implementing the aspirations of the NPSFM.

Refer to sections 2.2 and 5 for more information on iwi engagement and a process for incorporating future tangata whenua information.

6.4 Whakawhitiwhiti ā-Hapori
Community Engagement

Refer to Section 2 of this report. Community and tangata whenua engagement is a key focus throughout 2023.

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

NPSFM implementation is a non-discretionary Toi Moana function. This freshwater work will also assist with delivering on the objectives and policies in the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy.

6.6 Ngā Pānga ā-Pūtea
Financial Implications

There are no financial implications for OHIF associated with this report. NPSFM implementation activities mentioned in this report fit within the Toi Moana EFPP allocated budget.

7. Ngā Mahi Whai Ake
Next Steps

1. continue to be invited to provide advice and recommendations to Toi Moana throughout the freshwater policy process.

2. Toi Moana will:

· summarise engagement feedback.

· continue to develop draft policy options, assessments and plan change text.

update the Toi Moana website with freshwater information covering matters of relevance to tangata whenua.

8. Tuhinga Tautoko
Attachments

Attachment 1 - Framework for a Future Focussed Plan - Portals ⇩

[1] https://atlas.boprc.govt.nz/api/v1/edms/document/A4275662/content



Report To:	Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum
Meeting Date:	12 October 2023
Report Writer:	Tim Senior, Land Management Officer
Report Authoriser:	Pim de Monchy – Coastal Catchments Manager
Purpose:	To provide a final report of the Awhi Mai Awhi Atu research and propose a future work plan