Resolved

That the Rangitāiki River Forum:

1          Accepts the apologies from: Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti, Koriiana Hooker, Katishe McCauley, Cr Tuwhakairiora O'Brien, Miro Araroa and Mihipeka Sisley tendered at the meeting.

Campbell/James

CARRIED

3.1

Department of Conservation - Rangitaiki Wetland Day - 7 September 2024

Presentation - Rangitāiki Wetland Day: Objective ID A4752631 ⇨

Tabled Document 1 - Wetland Day Brochure: Objective ID A4768776 ⇨  

Presented by:  Freddy Carr, Community Ranger

Key Points:

·       Department of Conservation (DOC) in collaboration with the BOPRC and Fish & Game New Zealand were holding a Rangitāiki Wetlands Day on Saturday 7 September at the Awakaponga Hall

·       The event would provide information on how to restore wetlands with the aim of reaching out to farmers, landowners, trust blocks, schools and marae

·       Wetland experts would be on site to provide site specific information and details about what funding/resource support was available

·       DOC was working with BOPRC Communications team to advertise the event, which had received a lot of interest.

In Response to Questions:

·       Mātauranga knowledge/expertise on past practices and how wetlands were used by Maori in the past, would not be incorporated into the event, however wished to consider this in future.

Key Points - Members:

·       Feedback had been received from some ratepayers about BOPRC staff delivering event brochures; concerned about the cost effectiveness of this

·       Noted there was a current rat infestation issue on the Rangitāiki Plains

·       Requested that the Forum’s partner organisations be made aware of the event and any future events to help advertise on their media platforms

·       Saw the event as a stepping stone to incorporate Mātauranga knowledge to broaden cultural aspects to benefit the community

·       Thanked DOC and BOPRC for creating and supporting the event.

7.1

Rangitāiki River Forum Minutes - 7 June 2024

Resolved

That the Rangitāiki River Forum:

1          Confirms the Rangitāiki River Forum Minutes - 7 June 2024 are a true and correct record.

Campbell/Kalman

CARRIED

8.1

Rangitāiki Catchment Programme: Annual Report 2023/2024

Presented by:  Charles Harley – Team Leader, Coastal Catchments

Took the Annual Report 2023/24 and Agenda items 10.5, Annual Plan 2024/25 and 10.6, July-August 2024 Dashboard as read.

Key Points:

·       Highlighted the native planting and weed control work undertaken along the Horomanga river by BOPRC’s Rivers & Drainage team in conjunction with the Galatea School

·       Noted vehicle interactions at the Rangitāiki river mouth as an ongoing issue

·       Acknowledged Programme Coordinator Integrated Catchments Fiona Wood who had coordinated the annual reports and dashboard.

·       In addition to the report, regarding the issue of migratory tuna being caught near the Fonterra Edgecumbe wastewater treatment plant discharge site (refer minute item 6.6 and resolution 1b, page 4 of the Forum minutes 15 March 2024), signage had been completed and was now with the Omataroa Kaitiaki Trust to install on Whakatane District Council’s land adjacent to Fonterra’s site.

In Response to Questions:

·       Lake Aniwaniwa aquatic weed control was on hold due to the exploration of alternative control methods sought by Ngāti Manawa. While NIWA had provided some alternative options, they were more costly and exceeded the budget. The next step to consider was to address the matter within the consent renewal process in 2026.

Key Points – Members:

·       Wished to acknowledge the Bay Trust for extending their funding criteria to support environmental outcomes and the Rangitāiki Wetland project

·       Commended the native planting and installation of tuna ponds carried out on the Horomanga river, with special acknowledgement to the Rivers & Drainage team for their work and communication which had been exceptional.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

·       Provide details on the eastern drain stopbank raising on Powdrell Road.

R

Resolved

That the Rangitāiki River Forum:

1          Receives the report, Rangitāiki Catchment Programme: Annual Report 2023/2024;

2          Sends a letter of acknowledgement and thanks to the Bay Trust for their funding support, to be signed by the Chair on behalf of the Forum.

Winters/Taiepa

CARRIED

8.2

Rangitāiki Catchment Programme: Annual Work Plan 2024/2025

Presented by: Charles Harley – Team Leader, Coastal Catchments

In Response to Questions:

·       Regarding Rangitāiki-Tarawera fish passage - a dedicated Fish Passage Officer was working closely with Rivers & Drainage staff on the Rangitaiki Plains, and a contractor was assessing barriers and how to incorporate fish passage into asset maintenance and replacement programmes. As a first step, would look at configuration of gravity flap gates

·       There were approximately 37 private pump schemes on the Rangitāiki Plains which BOPRC administered the rates for, and three other pump stations that were owned by the BOPRC.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

·       Provide an update on unconsented pump schemes on the Rangitāiki Plains.

Resolved

That the Rangitāiki River Forum:

1          Receives the report, Rangitāiki Catchment Programme: Annual Work Plan 2024/2025.

Taiepa/James

CARRIED

8.3

July - August 2024 Rangitāiki Catchment Programme Dashboard

Resolved

That the Rangitāiki River Forum:

1          Receives the report, July - August 2024 Rangitāiki Catchment Programme Dashboard.

Taiepa/James

CARRIED

10.1

Resource Consents Update

Presented by: Ella Tennant, Consents Manager

Key Points:

·       Clarified that the consent granted for debris removal in Lake Aniwhenua Delta had not gone through the fast track process and that the consent had been notified and a hearing held

·       There were no updates to report on individual resource consents, however a lot was happening in Central Government that affected consenting

·       Fast Track Approvals Bill:

o   The Government had announced that the hearing panel would make the final decision on applications; however, there was no obligation to hold hearings or for the panel to consult

o   The list of projects to be included in the Bill had not been released, but there were approximately 384 projects that had applied

o   Once the Bill came into law, it would be crucial for interested parties to engage early with applicants noting the very short timeframe and little opportunity to input beyond that point, i.e. no hearing held and no right of appeal, except for points of law

o   In the interim, fast track consents were still being processed in the region by the Environmental Protection Agency

·       Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill #1:

o   Removed Te Mana o Te Wai obligations from resource consenting

o   Repealed low slope land from stock exclusion regulations

o   Provided extra time for district councils to identify Significant Natural Areas in district plans

o   Speed up the process for introducing and changing national directions. Noted concern with this due to the number of national policy changes that were being made

o   Changes to National Policy Statement (NPS) to allow for coal mining

·       Resource Management Bill – Second Amendment:

o   Was expected to be released in September 2024

o   Proposed faster consenting for renewable energy (i.e. solar and hydro power) and wood processing

o   Changes to the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land which would impact district councils

·       A lot of legislative change was also occurring within the Coastal area:

o   The 20-year extension to marine farm consent duration had passed its third reading. Coastal marine title applicants would be party to any review of conditions process that was issued

o   Currently under development:

§  New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) review to better enable infrastructure in marine aquaculture

§  Changes to the National Environmental Standard for Marine Aquaculture regarding replacement applications and to make variations to conditions easier for marine farms

§  Changes to interaction between the Resource Management Act and Fisheries Act, which was relevant to the Motiti Protection Area

§  Local Waters Done Well – Taumata Arowai were developing a National Standard for Municipal Wastewater and Stormwater

·       A number of municipal wastewater and water consents were due to expire in 2026.

In Response to Questions:

·       Regarding funding availability for wastewater upgrades, the Government was increasing the cap on borrowing which would ultimately be a cost to ratepayers

·       Regarding the consent granted for Aniwaniwa gravel extraction, a pre-hearing meeting was held to discuss issues brought by Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird and Fish & Game, which were resolved with conditions of consent.

11:40 am – Cr Kat Macmillan entered the meeting.

11.1

Chairperson's Report

Presented by: Chair Terewai Kalman

Key Points:

·       The hui held between Iwi members and Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) had been well received. Further hui with individual iwi were planned, with an update provided to a future Forum meeting next year.

·       Work with Waiotahi Contractors was going well with liaison/support from BOPRC to obtain consent for water take

·       A lot of engagement taking place between Ngati Manawa and WDC regarding co-design of Murupara wastewater treatment plant. Iwi were opposed to discharging into the rivers and would work with WDC on potential location and hold further talks with iwi

·       Had invited Pioneer Energy to provide an update to the Forum later in the year to engage on future opportunities

·       An illegal water take had been identified in Galatea, estimating 69 billion litres of water had been taken from the over-allocated catchment. A follow-up discussion would be held with the BOPRC and the landowner

·       Thanked BOPRC and WDC for tree removal, planting and communications being undertaken at culturally significant wetland sites, along with the update on river work provided by BOPRC, which had been well received.

Key Points - Members:

·       Regarding BOPRC’s Long Term Plan secretariat funding – a workshop was being held on funding policy development and how it interfaces with other community initiative funding before the Secretariat Fund was implemented.

Resolved

That the Rangitāiki River Forum:

1          Receives the report, Chairperson's Report.

Crawford/Taiepa

CARRIED

11.2

Te Ara Whānui o Rangitaiki River Document Review - Initial discussion

Presented by: Nassah Rolleston-Steed – Principal Advisor, Policy & Planning (on behalf of Stephen Lamb – Natural Resources Policy Manager)

Key Points:

·       Te Ara Whānui o Rangitaiki River Document was adopted in December 2014 and would be due for its 10 year review in December 2024

·       Wished to gauge how the Forum would like to progress the review

·       Matters to consider: ensure the document was fit for purpose, identify any gaps, pace/scale of the review, i.e. a comprehensive rework or light touch

·       The legislation did not prescribe how the review was to be undertaken

·       BOPRC’s technical resources/support were somewhat limited due to priority placed on implementing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM)

·       Any changes made to the River Document’s policy framework would require consultation/engagement with community/stakeholders

·       Next steps proposed by staff were to formally seek feedback from members (via email) to comment/input on the review process. The feedback would inform a draft plan of how to progress the review, to report to the Forum’s next meeting.

Key Points - Members:

·       Wished to see Ngāti Manawa and Ngāti Whare take a lead on the review

·       Acknowledged the input of the late Bill Kerrison into the document

·       The review should not wait for NPS-FM direction, as the Treaty Settlement legislation was agreed with by the Crown and had mana in its own right

·       The review would provide an opportunity for iwi who had joined the Forum (after the River Document’s adoption) to input

·       Would like the opportunity for a hikoi along the river and to its source

·       Requested further discussion before the next meeting to discuss the type of review, before seeking feedback from individual members.

Key Points - Staff:

·       Depending on the scale and type of review would have resource and cost implications

·       Noted that WDC had a small budget set aside for the Forum and queried how other Forum partners may be able to contribute

·       Kataraina O’Brien, General Manager Strategic Engagement would be supporting planning staff with the review

·       Staff would ensure alignment between the NPS-FM implementation and the River Document review

·       The review would also provide an opportunity to look at what other co-governance arrangements were doing, e.g. implementation action plans.

Resolved

That the Rangitāiki River Forum:

1          Receives the report, Te Ara Whānui o Rangitaiki River Document Review - Initial discussion;

2          Request staff to schedule a workshop for the Forum before the next Forum meeting, before seeking feedback from individual members.

Taiepa/Kalman

CARRIED

11.3

Outcome of Te Mahere Tūroa | Long Term Plan 2024 - 2034

Presented by:  Kataraina O’Brien - General Manager Strategic Engagement

Key Points:

·       The Regional Co-Governance Secretariat Fund and a Māori Initiatives Fund had been secured, and policy were currently being developed for allocation of the funds

·       Funding to support the development and review of iwi/hapū management plans had increased

·       A Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti Policy and Social Procurement Policy would be developed in Years 2 and 3 of the Long Term Plan.

Resolved

That the Rangitāiki River Forum:

1          Receives the report, Outcome of Te Mahere Tūroa | Long Term Plan 2024 - 2034.

James/Taiepa

CARRIED

12.1

Receipt of PhD Research Correspondence

Presented By:  Te Taute Taiepa, Forum Deputy Chair

Key Points:

·       Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whare had received correspondence from a University of Auckland PhD candidate who was undertaking a PhD research project in the Tarawera, Rangitāiki and Whakatāne river catchments on how tectonic and human impacts influence rivers movements

·       The correspondence advised that BOPRC was supporting the PhD research

·       Considered it appropriate for the Forum to be informed of research projects or new activities that were being undertaken in the catchment with support of its Forum partners.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

·       Requested further information regarding the PhD research project.