Komiti Māori

Ngā Meneti

Open Minutes

Commencing:             Tuesday 16 August 2022, 9.30 AM

Venue:                         Council Chambers, Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga and Via Zoom (Audio Visual Meeting)

Heamana

Chairperson:               Cr Matemoana McDonald

Ngā Kopounga

Members:                    Cr Norm Bruning

Cr Bill Clark

Cr Stuart Crosby

Chairman Doug Leeder

Cr Te Taru White

 

Via Zoom:

Cr David Love

Cr Jane Nees

Cr Stacey Rose

Cr Lyall Thurston

Cr Andrew von Dadelszen

Cr Kevin Winters

In Attendance:            Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council (Toi Moana BOPRC): Kataraina O’Brien (Tumu Herenga Tangata/Director Strategic Engagement), Nic Newman (Principal Advisor), Matt Hunt (Communications Team Leader), Ashleigh Grant (Kaikarere/Communications Partner), Shari Kameta (Committee Advisor); Via Zoom: Herewini Simpson (Kaihautu, Te Amorangi Lead), Anaru Vercoe (Pou Whainga, Principal Advisor); Externals: Cindy Lee (Manager, BOP Futures Academy), Julia Pura Mackenzie (Senior Policy Advisor, Ministry of Education); Brad Smith, Mano Te Haara (Tauranga Boys College); Chris Insley (Te Taumata/Māori Trade Enterprise), Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi: Leith Comer (Chair), Tiipene Marr (Trustee), Anthony Olsen (General Manager); Maru Tapsell (Kaumātua, Te Kapū o Waitaha); Via Zoom: Julia Ball, Hakeke Mokomoko, Oliver Forsyth (Whakatāne High School); Akuhata Winiata-Bailey, Roana Bennett, Hemi O’Callaghan, Elva Conroy (Conroy and Donald Consultants Limited)

Ngā Hōnea

Apologies:                  Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti

Cr Paula Thompson

1.     Opening Prayer
Karakia Whakatuwhera

A karakia was provided by Cr White.

2.     Apologies
Ngā Hōnea

Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Accepts the apologies from Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti for absence and Cr Paula Thompson for absence tendered at the meeting.

Leeder/Clark

CARRIED

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

None declared.

4.     Minutes
Ngā Meneti

Minutes to be Confirmed
Kia Whakaūngia Ngā Meneti

4.1

Komiti Māori Minutes - 28 June 2022

 

Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Confirms the Komiti Māori Minutes - 28 June 2022 as a true and correct record.

White/Bruning

CARRIED

5.     Presentations
Whakaaturanga

5.1

Bay of Plenty Futures Academy

Presentation - Education to Employment - Te Toi Moana a Toi/Waiariki: Objective ID A4173765

Presentation - Bay of Plenty Futures Academy: Objective ID A4179693   

Presented by:  Cindy Lee (Manager, Bay of Plenty Futures Academy), Julia Pura MacKenzie (Principal Advisor, Secondary Tertiary for the Ministry of Education), Tauranga Boys College - Brad Smith (Trade Careers Teacher), Mano Te Haara (Student); Whakatāne High School - Julie Ball (Trade Careers Teacher), Hakeke Mokomoko, Oliver Forsyth (Students)

 

Key Points:

·       Provided background on the current education landscape and the need to lift the mana/status of vocational pathways to support rangatahi/youth, particularly rangatahi Māori.

·       With only 20 percent of rangatahi taking a university pathway, the Futures Academy (FA) was supporting high schools to provide more trades training and were partnering with iwi, training providers and employers to provide education/skills opportunities for smoother pathways into apprenticeships and local employment through community-based, collective impact.

·       Outlined FA’s trades-based programmes offered to Year 11-13 students (and some Year 10 students).

·       About 2,000 students applied to the programme each year, but funding only allowed for 800 students.

·       Any kura/high school could be a part of the programme to meet the needs of their students.

·       FA were developing a trial pilot programme with Ngā Pōtiki, involving four schools and aligning with Ngā Pōtiki’s strategic plan for workforce development and iwi/Māori economy outcomes. There was potential to grow the programme further in smaller sub-regions and iwi were pivotal to this. FA were open to ideas and adding value.

·       Trade training teachers Brad Smith and Julie Ball and students Mano Te Haara, Hakeke Mokomoko and Oliver Forsyth highlighted the positive experiences, skills, confidence and relationships/networks enabled by the programme for students to pursue practical pathways and further tertiary study.

In Response to Questions:

·       FA and schools provided support services to students to ensure course completion. Student attendance at school was a concern however, the FA programmes kept students engaged.

·       Tertiary providers provided specialist classes based on industry needs, and technology that schools were unable to provide and resource. 

·       FA and schools wanted to increase student numbers in the programme and schools were starting to create pathway opportunities for rangatahi themselves however, were hampered by funding so were starting to consider other avenues, i.e. philanthropic, industry and iwi funding.

·       Industry was looking for opportunities to lift Māori in employment.

·       Would consider seek local government support for training opportunities in the Taiao/environment space.

Key Points - Members:

·       Thanked and congratulated the FA for the work that was being done and congratulated the students for progressing in their programme fields.

·       Providing attractive spaces for students to stay in school.

·       Having business mentors to support student placements was an important factor for success, alongside good grounding in employability and soft skills.

·       Noted Toi Moana BOPRC’s He Toka Tu Moana scholarship for consideration of how it could assist the FA.

 

5.2

Ngāti Rangitihi Treaty Settlement/Tarawera Restoration Group

Presentation - Ngati Rangitihi Treaty Settlement and the Tarawera Awa Restoration Strategy Group: Objective ID A4192910

Tabled Document 1 - Ngati Rangitihi Claims Settlement Act 2022: Objective ID A4179662  

Presented by: Leith Comer (Chairperson, Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi), Anthony Olsen (General Manager, Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi) and Tiipene Marr (Trustee, Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi)

 

Key Points:

·       Leith Comer, Tiipene Marr, Ken Raureti and Selwyn Rondon were the negotiators for Ngāti Rangitihi’s Treaty Settlement, supported by Anthony Olsen, as their principal historian.

·       Expressed thanks to BOPRC for the work and involvement of Kataraina O’Brien and Stephen Lamb during discussions with the Crown in the shaping of the Tarawera Restoration Strategy Group.

·       Outlined Ngāti Rangitihi’s pre- and post-comprehensive Treaty positions, which had provided confidence to the iwi and restored culturally significant whenua and their relationships with Tūhourangi and Ngāti Awa.

·       In the Treaty Settlement legislation, the Crown had acknowledged:

o   The significant breach for the pollution of the Tarawera Awa (river) and Te Awa-o-te-Atua (outlet).

o   The significant impact to war veterans, mahinga tuna, fisheries, and impacts on the Iwi following the Tarawera eruption.

·       A significant piece of the Settlement legislation was the establishment of the Tarawera Restoration Strategy Group (TRSG) for the Iwi to restore the mauri of the Tarawera River catchment, and the councils had been appointed because of their responsibilities for discharges to the awa and Te Awa-o-Te-Atua.

·       Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi were delighted to have the councils’ appointed to the TRSG and for BOPRC to administer it.

·       Three Waters and RMA reforms had not been factored into settlement negotiations, and Ngāti Rangitihi were concerned that water entity decision makers would not be at the table.

·       Key pieces of work identified for the TRSG to complete by the end of 2022 were: the current state of the awa, understanding iwi aspirations for restoration; and future state to discuss and put in place a five-year plan.

·       Crown settlement funding ($780K) had been set aside to support the TRSG’s administration and restoration work, however no discretionary funding had been provided for resolving wastewater systems.

·       It was the hope of Te Mana o Te Rangitihi that the TRSG could find ways to restore the mauri and obtain the necessary resources with their collective influence.

Key Points - Staff:

·       Chris Ingle, General Manager Integrated Catchments would be the TRSG’s champion with support from the Strategic Engagement/Te Amorangi (Māori Policy) team.

·       Due to the time needed for councils to appoint members after the Local Government Elections in October, an establishment date for the TRSG would be sometime in December, with informal whakawhanaungatanga sessions to be arranged between iwi and council partners prior to this.

Key Points - Members:

·       Thanked Leith, Tiipene and Anthony for their presentation and history of the Crown’s breaches and background information on the Treaty Settlement, noting that it should be shared with the wider community for their education.

·       Congratulated Ngāti Rangitihi on the signing of their Treaty Settlement.

·       Supported the restoration of the awa and outlet.

·       It would be important for iwi to guide and direct the mahi of the TRSG.

·       Consideration given to the Three Waters reform and consents expiring in 2025-2026 would be critical.

·       Commended Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi for holding early discussions with TRSG partners prior to its establishment.

·       Wished Ngāti Rangitihi well in their future work to restore the awa and outlet and looked forward to working in the collective partnership.

 

11:07 am – the meeting adjourned.

 

11:26 am – the meeting reconvened.

6.     Reports
Ngā Pūrongo

6.1

Climate Change Adaptation Update

Presented by: Nic Newman, Principal Advisor

Key Points:

·       Outlined the three climate change adaptation initiatives that Council was leading to provide a regional view and which could also assist local level adaptation.

·       Five community-led climate change adaptation projects were currently underway. Four of the projects were from coastal hapū due to their connection to place and the impact that change would have on their communities. The next funding round closing at the end of October 2022.

·       Adaptation was a learning space for Council and everyone involved and would primarily be placed-based at the local level.

·       Council had responsibilities for river scheme asset resiliency. The Waioeka-Otara river scheme was a long-term project, with other river schemes to follow.

·       Noted feedback from Iwi/Māori reported under Māori implications and questions of ‘who pays’ for significant climate change adaption actions reported under financial implications.

·       The regional risk assessment would be presented to Council prior to being presented to the Mayoral Forum.

·       Introduced Akuhata Winiata-Bailey and Roana Bennett who were in attendance to present their mahi/work in the adaptation space.

 

Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Receives the report, Climate Change Adaptation Update. 

White/Clark

CARRIED

7.     Presentations (Continued)
Whakaaturanga

7.1

Research into Sea Level Rise and Risks to Marae

Presentation - Adaptation of coastal marae to impacts of sea level rise: Objective ID A4192930  

Presented by: Akuhata Bailey-Winiata, PhD Student at Waikato University

 

Key Points:

·       Outlined the expanse of climate change impacts from rising sea levels and greenhouse gas emissions and complications for Aotearoa from extreme SLR (Sea Level Rise), land movement and subsidence.

·       Provided real life examples of SLR impacts on marae and urupa.

·       Masters thesis objectives were:

o   Determine which marae/urupa were potentially exposed to a 100-year extreme sea level event

o   Susceptibility and potential response to SLR

o   Outline potential legislation relevant to climate change adaptation for coastal marae

·       Research had identified 191 marae within 1km of the coastline, of which 100 marae were exposed to 100-year flood events, and that SLR had not been factored in.

·       Outlined coastal geomorphology (i.e. wave/tidal fluctuations, over land flooding, spatial extent) which SLR may have an impact on species, mahinga kai and land erosion and how understanding these impacts would assist with management strategies and adaptation planning for each marae.

·       Engagement with marae had posed a number of questions on a range of climate change impacts, which science would assist in understanding the issues.

·       Background on PhD:

o   Research would look at what managed retreat looks like for marae

o   Would interface western science and indigenous knowledge systems to deliver positive outcomes for the future

o   Referred to key influences regarding anthropogenic climate change, historic government-mandated tribal relocations, decolonization of research; and interfacing all science and indigenous knowledge at our disposal for all communities

o   Adaptation was effective when all options were considered together to deliver outcomes for the community

o   Aim was to co-develop and refine a framework to help decolonise and promote a more equitable and culturally sensitive approach to managed retreat in Aotearoa.

o   Outlined future plans that included PhD completion in October 2024, co-developing a framework with at risk Māori communities for the final chapter.

In Response to Questions:

·       Aotearoa and the South Pacific was more exposed to SLR relative to other continental masses and vertical land movement estimates needed to be factored in.

·       Considered there should be opportunity for iwi to have conversations in regard to Crown redress for relocation of marae, noting that some marae did not have the means to relocate due to historical land confiscations.

·       Accretion and aggradation impacts were importance processes that should be factored in however was complex to model.

·       Acknowledged there was value in taking account of oral histories of migration and global warming to help with understanding however, was not within the scope of the PhD study as it would require in depth engagement with iwi/hapū.

Key Points - Members:

·       Commended the presentation and pragmatic approach being undertaken with the research study.

·       Council’s Long Term Plan currently did not have the long-term foresight.

·       The concept of having to move marae was a painful mamae (hurt), particularly for kaumātua and kuia.

·       Referred to the previous experiences of the 2005 Awatarariki fanhead flooding and debris event at Matatā which should be kept in mind.

 

 

7.2

Maketū Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Presentation - He Toka Tū Moana Mō Maketū Climate Change Adaptation Plan: Objective ID A4179829  

Presented by: Roana Bennett and Hemi O'Callaghan on behalf of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū, Te Rōpu o Ngāti Pikiao ki Tai, and Maketū marae kaitiaki/kainga/community

 

Key Points:

·       Maketū adaptation planning had begun with community wānanga to establish the cultural foundations and connections to people, place, taiao (environment), whakapapa/identity, wairua/hauora (health) and mātauranga (knowledge).

·       The climate change adaptation plan was anchored by the toka/stone of Takaparore and Te Arawa waka and symbolised a steadfast community.

·       Reasons for commencing adaptation planning was: inability to accurately predict climate change impacts, future negative impacts to the marae/community, possibility of having to relocate the marae and for future generations.

·       Council’s community-led adaptation fund had enabled Te Arawa iwi and the community to develop a collective approach to climate change adaptation in Maketu.

·       Four wānanga had been held with iwi and the community and led by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whakau ki Maketu and supported by Justin Paul Robinson and council partner staff knowledge and understanding and to workshop key themes and finalise priorities.

·       Outlined the key values, vision, strategic priorities and projects developed by the Maketū community.

·       A number of the projects had commenced with a view to partner and share.

·       Recognised the importance of connections and collaboration.

Key Points - Members:

·       Thanked and commended the presentation and development of the Maketū adaption plan.

 

7.3

Perspectives on Climate Change and the Maori Economy

Presentation – Māori and Climate Change: Objective ID A4193049  

 

Presented By:  Chris Karamea Insley, Chair of Te Taumata and Te Arawa Fisheries

Key Points:

·       Emphasized the complexity of climate change and the importance of incorporating environmental, cultural, social and economic outcomes to support economic growth and wealth for our people and communities.

·       Provided an overview of the range of economic initiatives taking place by Māori locally, regionally, nationally and internationally that included offsetting of emissions and climate change.

·       Highlighted the significant achievements with resolving with ministers the issue of the removal of exotic pines from the Emissions Trading Scheme which would have had a significant negative impact on Māori landholdings; and the signing of international free trade agreements and indigenous trade collaborations that embedded climate change and Māori interests.

·       Other substantial initiatives that were underway included:

o   Research studies with Te Pūtea Whakatupu and Toi Ohomai institutes to investigate workforce development that provided green jobs at maturity of Māori trade enterprise projects.

·       Memorandum of Understanding between Plant & Food Research, Cawthron Institute, Waikato and Otago universities, NIWA and Scion to support a science, research and technology strategy for the Waiariki region.

12:34 pm – Cr Winters and Cr von Dadelszen exited the meeting.

12:49 pm – Cr von Dadelszen entered the meeting.

In Response to Questions:

·       Growing exotics on marginal land provided economic benefit as part of the transition to native.

·       Supported riparian planting which had been discussed with Sealord who were interested in taking the discussion further to filter out sedimentation.

·       Trade agreements made with the European Union (EU) was a win-win for both Aotearoa New Zealand and Māori in terms of building strategic relationships.

Key Points - Members:

·       Corridor to trade and the EU was based on climate change initiatives.

·       Māori had positioned themselves based on kaitiakitanga which had opened the door to trade negotiations, which had been a major achievement.

·       Thanked Chris Insley for his presentation and the need to take on board consideration around climate change and economy.

 

 

 

12:53 pm – Cr Rose exited the meeting.


 

 

7.4

SmartGrowth Combined Tangata Whenua Forum

Presentation - SmartGrowth Combined Tangata Whenua Forum: Objective ID A4179827  

Presented by: Elva Conroy, Conroy Consultants Ltd/Kai Ārahi – Technical Advisor

 

Elva Conroy provided an update from the SmartGrowth Combined Tangata Whenua Forum (CTWF), a collaboration between the three councils, central government agencies and tangata whenua to ensure growth in the Western Bay sub-region happened in the right places and in the right way.

Key Points:

·       Background on the structure of SmartGrowth Leadership and CTWF.

·       CTWF long term vision, guiding principles and collective outcomes

·       2022 Work Programme priorities:

o   Realising and enabling Māori Housing on Māori whenua (land)

o   Spatial planning – where tangata whenua want to be

o   Cultural heritage research – planning mechanisms to mitigate/offset impacts

o   Transport system plan – guiding implementation

o   Treaty-based partnership/participation and ensuring filtering down

·       To support the above, CTWF were looking to:

o   Build collective capability

o   Effective communication and engagement with hapū/iwi, marae communities and Māori land trusts

o   Support from SmartGrowth partners

Key Points - Members:

·       Thanked Ms Conroy for her presentation noting that the SmartGrowth Leadership Group meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 17 August 2022 would elaborate further on this work.

8.     Reports (Continued)
Ngā Pūrongo

Information Only
Hei Pānui Anake

8.1

Ripoata o Te Tiamana (Chairperson's Report)

 

Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Receives the report, Ripoata o Te Tiamana (Chairperson's Report).

Leeder/Bruning

CARRIED

 

8.2

Komiti Māori Highlights from Dec 2019 to Aug 2022

Presented by: Kataraina O’Brien and Herewini Simpson

Key Points:

·       Highlighted key achievements of Komiti Māori during the triennium, including:

o   The extension of the Terms of Reference to a committee of the whole.

o   Receipt of 41 presentations which contributed directly to Council’s community outcomes.

Key Points - Members:

·       Acknowledged Kataraina O’Brien and Te Amorangi/Māori Policy team for their contribution and influence locally and nationally.

·       Applauded councillors for raising the mana of Komiti Māori and making the decision to become a committee of the whole.

·       Inducting the new incoming Council following the Local Government elections would be important.

·       Considered that the work of Komiti Māori would continue to grow in strength to create a platform for Māori to engage in conversations.

·       Acknowledged the contributions made by all councillors.

 

Resolved

That the Komiti Māori:

1          Receives the report, Komiti Māori Highlights from Dec 2019 to Aug 2022.

Leeder/Clark

CARRIED

 

9.     Closing Prayer
Karakia Kati

A karakia was provided by Cr White.

 

1:20 pm – the meeting closed.

 

 

Confirmed                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                     Cr Matemoana McDonald

Chairperson, Komiti Māori