Agenda of Komiti Māori Workshop - Thursday, 3 October 2024


Informal Workshop Paper
To:	Komiti Māori and Strategy & Policy Committee Joint Workshop
	3 October 2024
From:	Merehine Waiari, Senior Advisor
	Kataraina O'Brien, General Manager, Strategic Engagement

Draft Regional Co-Governance Secretariat Fund Policy (Aronga Ngātahi)

1. Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss and seek guidance on key aspects of the draft Regional Co-Governance Secretariat Fund - Aronga Ngātahi Policy (RCSF Policy). Aronga Ngātahi generally translates to mean ‘working together for a common purpose’.

The draft RCSF Policy was presented to Komiti Māori at its meeting on 27 August 2024. Further discussion on how the draft RCSF Policy interacts with other community initiative funding streams was requested for this workshop. Initial feedback was also provided by Komiti Māori, and the work presented in this paper builds on that feedback.

Guidance provided at this workshop will inform the final draft RCSF Policy for Council approval.

2. Background

Council is a member of four Co-Governance Forums that have been established under Treaty Settlement legislation: Rangitāiki River Forum, Tarawera Awa Restoration Strategy Group, Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group and Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority (Treaty Co-Governance Forums). Council will also be a member to the Whakatōhea Kaitiaki Forum once it has been established, following the recent enactment of the Whakatōhea Claims Settlement Act 2024.

Council has specific responsibilities under Treaty Settlement legislation for providing administrative and technical support to the Treaty Co-Governance Forums. The Tauranga Moana Advisory Group is a pre-settlement Co-Governance Forum that acts under a partnership agreement between Tauranga Moana iwi and local authorities.

The Forums provide for shared decision-making between tangata whenua and local authorities and are an effective partnership tool to achieving environmental outcomes for significant water ways in the Bay of Plenty.

In the previous 2021-2031 Long Term Plan, Council approved $200,000 per annum for independent secretariat support of Co-Governance Forums, to address capacity and capability issues for iwi members. The funding was utilised to establish the position of Secretariat in 2022, which has supported the Rangitāiki River Forum, Tarawera Awa Restoration Group and Te Maru o Kaituna.[1]

3. Policy development for further consideration

At a meeting of Komiti Māori on 27 August 2024, staff presented the draft RCSF Policy. Councillors requested further discussion on how the draft RCSF Policy interacts with other community initiative funding streams. Key aspects of the draft RCSF Policy that also require further consideration and guidance at this workshop, include applicant eligibility, the scope of the funding and the methods for funding various initiatives.

Applicant eligibility

Following feedback received from Komiti Māori and further guidance from some Councillors, staff have developed the following applicant eligibility options for consideration:

Option 1: Treaty Based Co-Governance Forums

Requests for funding through the Regional Co-Governance Fund would only be eligible from Treaty Co-Governance Forums (established via Treaty of Waitangi Claims Settlement Legislation in the Bay of Plenty) where Toi Moana has delegated responsibility.

This option focuses and recognises and responds to the 2024-2034 LTP submissions, in alignment with the LTP Strategic Direction goals under Te Ara Poutama:

· Supporting enhanced Māori participation in operational activities and progressing new opportunities where they arise within existing operations; and

· Supporting Māori and community capacity and capability to empower proactive relationships.

· Partner with Māori to enhance delivery and shared decision making.

Currently, four (soon to be five) forums would be eligible under this option.

Option 2: Treaty and Pre-Settlement Forums

This option could be focused on supporting the Treaty Co-Governance Forums and/or Pre-Settlement Forums that are mandated to protect and enhance the health of significant water ways in our region. It aligns with the LTP Strategic Direction goals under Te Ara Poutama:

· Supporting enhanced Māori participation in operational activities and progressing new opportunities where they arise within existing operations; and

· Supporting Māori and community capacity and capability to empower proactive relationships.

· Partner with Māori to enhance delivery and shared decision making.

Currently, six forums would be eligible under this option.

Options

Advantages

Challenges

1. Treaty Co-Governance Forums

· Responds to LTP submissions from Co-Governance Chairs

· Recognises established Treaty partner relationships

· Supports the legislative role of Councils to provide administrative/technical support

· Limited scope of applicants

· Potential for the fund to be underspent (if under subscribed)

2. Treaty Co-Governance and Pre-Settlement Forums

· Recognises that the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group (TMAG) will have mandated responsibilities in the future, that will require administrative support from Council

· Supports the TMAG to achieve its purpose

· The role of TMAG and the scope of work it can undertake is limited

· No immediate need for secretariat support.

· No timeframes on when this Tauranga Moana Iwi Collective Deed of Settlement will be passed into law

· Reduces funding pool available to Treaty Co-Governance Forums

· Increases need for staff resourcing for contract management support

Scope of fund

Each Treaty Co-Governance Forum supported by Council is unique and at different stages of development. Some have a specific statutory purpose such as developing a strategy with set review and update timeframes, while others are managed via annual work programmes or implementation plans. Some Treaty Co-Governance Forums received a one-off Crown contribution towards their initial establishment. There are no ongoing Crown contributions or central government funding that have been committed to the Treaty Co-Governance Forums for ongoing administration, development of strategic documents or delivery of work plans.

In their joint LTP submission, the Rangitāiki River Forum and Tarawera Awa River Strategy Group requested funding for ongoing secretariat support and support of their future work plan for the next three years. Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority’s LTP submission advocated for increased funding to support implementation of the Kaituna Action Plan, and investment in resources and technical expertise and/or training opportunities so the Forum can effectively participate in resource management processes. Examples of the initiatives that could be funded include:

a. Development of a plan or strategy that is not funded via a Crown contribution

b. Secretariat and strategic advice

c. Technical support

d. Development of specific action plans or projects directly linked to the Forum’s strategic or implementation plan;

e. Training and development of Iwi members – specifically linked to the Forum’s purpose.

Rationale for policy options

There was some discussion about considering Regional Parks. Regional Parks are not established under Treaty Legislation. They are owned by Council on behalf of the regional community. Operationally, Regional Parks are co-managed (alongside tangata whenua representatives) and funded through existing operational budgets.

To be consistent with the original intention of the Fund, which is to provide independent co-governance secretariat support, staff recommend removing non-statutory forums (for example Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum) and Council’s Regional Parks. This recommendation was discussed with the Chairs of Komiti Māori and the Strategy and Policy Committee.

Advantages and disadvantages for Option 1 or 2 are set out below.

Second draft of policy provisions

A second draft of the Regional Co-Governance Secretariat Fund Policy (Aronga Ngātahi) is included in Attachment 1.

4. Next Steps

Staff will take Council direction from this workshop and incorporate the recommendations in the draft RCSF Policy. A final draft RCSF Policy will be developed for approval at the Regional Council meeting on 23 October 2024.

Attachments

Attachment 1 - Draft RCSF (Aronga Ngatahi) Policy ⇩


Informal Workshop Paper
To:	Komiti Māori and Strategy & Policy Committee Joint Workshop
	3 October 2024
From:	Merehine Waiari, Senior Advisor
	Kataraina O'Brien, General Manager, Strategic Engagement

Draft Māori Initiatives Fund Policy (He Ara Taituarā)

1. Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to seek direction on the draft Māori Initiatives Fund Policy – He Ara Taituarā (draft MIF Policy).

The draft MIF Policy was included in the Komiti Māori meeting agenda for 27 August 2024 but was not discussed. Members recommended:

The draft policy be referred to a Joint Workshop of the Strategy and Policy Committee and Komiti Māori to consider alongside other community funding policies.

Guidance provided at this workshop will inform the final draft MIF Policy for Council approval on 23 October 2024.

2. Background

Council received 79 submissions from Māori during the LTP consultation. Refer attached map. There was strong support for the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan Strategic Direction, particularly Te Ara Poutama and its associated goals.

A key theme from the submissions was the need for the Council to support Māori capacity and capability in decision-making and operations. Many submitters requested assistance to enhance and sustainably grow these skills, as well as to improve technical abilities, ensuring meaningful participation in Council processes.

Approximately $400,000 of funding was also sought through submissions to support a broad range of initiatives to build or enhance Māori capacity and capability. This includes access to experts and Council resources, secondments to Council and to iwi, the establishment of taiao or resource management hubs, shared services, and financial support to sustain the capacity of iwi to lead projects.

In response, Council approved the establishment of a Māori Initiatives Fund of $200,000 per annum in the first three years of the LTP to support the spectrum of capability and capacity initiatives Council received from tangata whenua.

2.1 Policy development

Staff have developed a draft Māori Initiatives Fund Policy (He Ara Taituarā) that sets out the criteria and assessment process for Year 1 – 3 of the LTP. The development of the draft MIF Policy is informed by:

· Komiti Māori feedback

· LTP Māori engagement hui

· LTP Māori submissions

· LTP Workshops

· LTP Hearings

· LTP meetings including the May deliberation hui

· Advice from Toi Moana Māori Councillors

· Consultation with relevant staff and subject matter experts

· Community Funding review currently being undertaken, ensuring alignment with existing Council funding schemes.

The Māori Initiatives Fund aligns with the 2024-2034 LTP Strategic Direction goals under Te Ara Poutama:

· Supporting enhanced Māori participation in operational activities and progressing new opportunities where they arise within existing operations; and

· Supporting Māori and community capacity and capability to empower proactive relationships.

· Ensuring an equitable approach to the four wellbeing and delivery of community outcomes.

· Partner with Māori to enhance delivery and shared decision making.

2.1.1 Applicant eligibility

It is proposed that Funding will only be granted where:

· An applicant (defined as) – an iwi, hapū or affiliated entity/grouping, or Māori Land Trust with land interests within the Bay of Plenty Regional Council boundaries.

· In respect of an amount $5000 or more, the applicant is an established legal entity such as a Hapū Trust, Iwi Authority, or accredited agent on behalf of the applicant.

No application will be considered from:

· Iwi, hapū or Māori Land Trusts not predominantly based within the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s legal boundaries

· Private Individuals

· Commercial entities

Rationale

The establishment of the MIF was informed by LTP engagement and submissions from Māori. Council acknowledge Māori and their aspirations when exercising functions under the Resource Management Act 1991, the Local Government Act 2002 and other relevant local government legislation. Māori land trusts have requested increased involvement in Council resource management processes, noting their interests as owners of whenua Māori.

2.1.2 Funding distribution

Year 1

Staff recommend that the $200,000 budgeted for Year 1 of the LTP (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025), is distributed to tangata whenua who requested support for capacity and capability initiatives to the 2024-2034 LTP. Through the LTP Deliberations, approximately $467,000 of specified funding was sought through submissions and an estimated $400,000 for capability and capacity initiatives from tangata whenua.

The recommendation to establish the MIF was to respond to these submissions while also ensuring a range of capacity and capability initiatives could be considered on an ongoing basis from a dedicated budget.

The relevant LTP submissions will be assessed in accordance with the Assessment process set out in the draft MIF Policy and will require careful consideration. Staff will seek advice from the Toi Moana Constituent Māori Councillors to ensure the funding is allocated equitably in the region and for initiatives that meet the purpose of the fund.

While preference may be given to those who submitted to the 2024-2034 LTP, if the fund is not fully utilised, remaining funds will be available to eligible applicants.

Year 2 and 3

In Year 2 and Year 3 of the LTP, staff propose that the $200,000 budgeted per annum is divided into two separate funds. $150,000 would be budgeted to a contestable fund for medium to large initiatives/projects. $50,000 would be budgeted to a fund based on eligibility for smaller initiatives/projects. A maximum grant of $5,000 could be allocated under this fund on a first approved basis until fully allocated. Staff will seek advice from the Toi Moana Constituent Māori Councillors to ensure the funding is allocated equitably in the region and for initiatives that meet the purpose of the fund.

Application process

The draft Māori Initiatives Fund Policy (He Ara Taituarā) sets out the application process for each fund:

Year 1: $200,000 budgeted to funding requests from tangata whenua who submitted to the 2024-2034 LTP. Should the fund not be fully allocated, the balance of funds can be made available (to those who are eligible).

Year 2/3: $150,000 budgeted to a contestable fund for medium to large initiatives/projects; and $50,000 budgeted to a kaitiaki grant for small projects (up to a maximum amount of $5,000).

(a) He Ara Taituarā Contestable Fund: Allocation of $150,000 per annum. The first funding round will be held in February 2025 and will assess funding applications in the 2025/2026 financial year. The second funding round will be held in February 2026 and will assess funding applications in the 2026/2027 financial year.

(b) Kaitiaki Grant: Allocation of $50,000 per annum. The Kaitiaki Grant will be open for applications throughout the year from 1 July 2025/1 July 2026 and will be available on a first approved basis until fully allocated. Applicants can apply for up to $5,000 per financial year.

The Kaitiaki Grant is intended to support smaller projects that enable iwi and hapū kaitiakitanga by contributing to capacity and capability projects that are in the conceptual stages of development.

Rationale

Staff have taken into consideration the broad range of capacity and capability initiatives requesting support through the LTP and have developed a mixed-model approach with an appropriate assessment process to match the level of funding being requested. This will ensure that medium-large initiatives seeking large funding support will undergo a comprehensive and holistic assessment while small initiatives that only require a grant have a less onerous assessment applied.

The He Ara Taituarā Contestable Fund will allow Council to compare medium to large projects against each other and allocate funding according to common criteria, similar to the Community Initiatives Fund. This is a reasonable and equitable way to fund projects where the need in the community exceeds the funding that Council has available. It also provides Council the opportunity to establish multi-year funding agreements and allocate different funding amounts based on the strength of the kaupapa and ability to deliver on the outcomes.

2.1.3 Second draft of policy provisions

A second draft of the Māori Initiatives Fund Policy (He Ara Taituarā) is included in Attachment 2.

Staff seek guidance on any aspect of this draft, in particular the matters raised in sections 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 of this paper.

3. Next Steps

Staff will take Council direction from this workshop and incorporate any recommendations in the draft MIF Policy. A final draft MIF Policy will be developed for approval at the Regional Council meeting on 23 October 2024.

Attachments

Attachment 1 - Map - Toi Moana LTP 2024-2034 Submissions from Tangata Whenua ⇩

Attachment 2 - Draft Māori Initiatives Fund (He Ara Taituara) Policy ⇩

[1] A detailed breakdown of the secretariat support and associated costs up to 30 January 2024 was included in the joint Rangitāiki River Forum and Tarawera Restoration Strategy Group LTP submission.