Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group

Ngā Meneti

Open Minutes

Commencing:             Friday 10 June 2022, 09:30 am

Venue:                         Council Chambers, Rotorua Lakes Council, 1061 Haupapa Street, Rotorua and via Zoom (Audio Visual Meeting)

Heamana Tuarua

Deputy Chairperson:  Mayor Steve Chadwick (Rotorua Lakes Council)

Ngā Kopounga

Members:                    Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC):

                                    Deputy Mayor David Donaldson

Te Arawa Lakes Trust (TALT):

Nuki Nicholson, Arapeta Tahana

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana (BOPRC Toi Moana):

Chairman Doug Leeder; Cr Kevin Winters; Cr Te Taru White (Alternate)

Observers from Ministry for the Environment (MfE):

Juscinta Grace - Manager – Funds; Caytion Wineera - Senior Analyst Fresh Water Investments

Te Hunga i Tae Ake

In Attendance:            TALT: Geoff Rolleston – Interim Chairman; Nicki Douglas – Environmental Manager; Mariana Te Rangi – Biosecurity Co-ordinator

RLC: Stavros Michael – Deputy Chief Executive Environmental and Infrastructure Solutions

BOPRC Toi Moana: Cr Lyall Thurston; Fiona McTavish – Chief Executive (via Zoom); Helen Creagh – Rotorua Catchments Manager; Michelle Lee – Planner (Water Policy); James Dare – Environmental Scientist – Water Quality; Ashleigh Grant – Kaikarere (Communications Partner); Rosemary Cross - Senior Projects Manager – Rotorua; Reuben Gardiner – Senior Planner (Water Policy) (via Zoom); Merinda Pansegrouw – Committee Advisor

                                                      Other: Elva Conroy – Consultant Planner/Director - Conroy & Donald Consultants Limited (via Zoom); Phill Thomass –Rotorua Lakes Community Board Chair; Chris Sutton - Rerewhakaiitu Incorporated Society.

Ngā Hōnea

Apologies:                  Poū Tākiwaiora Sir Toby Curtis,  Lorena Stephen - Director of Sustainable Land Use Delivery(MfE) and Cr Te Taru White (early departure).

 

 

1.     Karakia Whakatuwhera
Opening Karakia

A karakia was provided by Arapeta Tahana.

2.     Ngā Hōnea
Apologies

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1           Accepts the apologies from Sir Toby Curtis for absence, Lorena Stephen for absence and Cr Te Taru White for early departure tendered at the meeting.

Winters/Donaldson

CARRIED

 

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

None declared.

4.     Ngā Meneti
Minutes

Kia Whakaūngia Ngā Meneti
Minutes to be Confirmed

4.1

Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group Minutes - 20 April 2022

Matters Arising

·       In relation to Minute Item 3.1 - regarding the presentation by John Gifford, Chair, Lakes Water Quality Society (LWQS), members noted that the dates for the LWQS Symposium 2022 had been set for 10 - 11 November 2022 at the Millennium Hotel, Rotorua and online; Theme: “Get on the Boat - Lake Restoration”

·       In relation to Minute Item 8.4 - noted that as a staff action point, the LWQS would be consulted in the review of the Strategy Group and Lakes Programme Review.

 

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1.     Confirms the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group Minutes - 20 April 2022 as a true and correct record, subject to the following amendment:

·     Minute Item 8.4 “Rotorua Lakes Council Report: East Rotoiti Sewerage Reticulation Scheme – Funding Balance” (Agenda Page 16, Resolution 5) – to include reference to “the inclusion of an independent/objective overview as part of the process”

Winters/Donaldson

CARRIED

5.     Whakaaturanga
Presentations

5.1

Presentation: Tarawera Collective Impact

Presentation Elva Conroy - Tarawera Collective - 10 June 2022 PDF: Objective ID A4123249  

Presented by: Elva Conroy - Consultant Planner/Director at Conroy & Donald Consultants Limited.

 

Key Points - Presentation:

·     In 2020 scoping was undertaken to determine the following:

o   whether a collective impact would be feasible for the Tarawera Lakes System

o   how the collective impact might work (in practice)

·     Outcome of the scoping study had confirmed that a collective impact framework was possible for the Tarawera Lakes System

·     As a next step, further work was undertaken to develop the concept into a work programme/identify sources for funding

·     Highlighted the principles applicable as:

o   Long-term/collective/proactive/joined-up action for the health and wellbeing of the Tarawera Lakes System reflecting Te Arawa values/incorporating cultural monitoring, practices and mātauranga

·     Incorporated the following feedback received:

o   Keeping it simple – fewer hui, more “dooey”

o   Working bottom up, not top down – to connect the doers

o   Since it was a social/people issue: to connect communities, agencies and projects to change mindsets, practices and actively supporting each other’s goals

·     Three basic project outcomes: connectivity/capacity/co-ordinated

·     Confirmed that funding had been obtained from the Ministry for the Environment’s Te Mana o Wai Fund (3 years).  Action would commence shortly, and recruitment of a team was currently underway

·     Focus for 2022/23 would be:

o   Establishment of the Project team

o   Building tāngata whenua capability in freshwater management

o   Building tāngata whenua and community capability in conservation management planning.

Key Point - Members:

·     With reference to “fewer hui, more “dooey”, highlighted the importance of quality, not sacrificing simplicity for shortcuts and understanding networks was critical.

 

 

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1           Receives the presentation, Tarawera Collective Impact.

Tahana/Leeder

CARRIED

 

5.2

Presentation: Te Tūāpapa & Deed Fund Report

Presentation - Kia kotahi te wai o ngā roto moana o Te Arawa
MfE Deed Fund - Annual Report: Objective ID A4123258
 

Presented by: Nicki Douglas, TALT Environment Manager and Mariana Te Rangi, TALT Biosecurity Co-ordinator.

 

Key Points:

·     Kia kotahi te wai o ngā roto moana o Te Arawa/MfE Deed Fund - Annual Report:

o   Context and Rationale

o   Purpose was to enable Te Arawa to deliver as a partner to the programme; $1,050,000 over 3 years

o   Current status in Year 2

·     11 Goals of the Strategy

·     Te Arawa Lakes Trust Focus

o   Embed Te Tūāpapa o ngā Wai o Te Arawa across the Lakes Programme

o   Engage in programmes that drove implementation of the Strategy - He Mahere Taiao

·     Measures of success – developing a dashboard to narrate the story

·     Management Plan

·     Framework and activities

·     Update on progress with the development of the uwhi project - monitoring of Lakes Rotoiti, Tarawera and Rotomā – using uwhi for data collection/uwhi condition and species presence

·     Acknowledged the contributions by all partners contributing to the mahi/success of Te Tuapapa.

Key Points - Members:

·     Highlighted the importance of the relationship/whakapapa between lakes plants similar to the whakapapa of trees in forests

·     TALT would lead discussion on sustainable solutions/future utilisation of alum dosing as part of their Mātauranga/Lakes Programme

·     Highlighted the possibility of alternative revenue streams following international interest which ultimately needed to be protected (branding/royalties)

·     Emphasised the importance of TALT staff liaising closely with BOPRC Toi Moana staff to incorporate the mahi undertaken by TALT in the Rotorua Lakes into the plan change for the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM)

·     Suggested looking at the possibility of using the uwhi project as part of wetlands establishment

·     Due to the tight timelines for consultation on the plan change for the NPSFM, pointed out the value of a lead agency, representing iwi/hapū in  Rotorua Lakes rohe, contributing to the process; ideally Te Arawa as the predominate entity. TALT acknowledged the challenge of consultation across the board; concurred that TALT could potentially play a role, based on its relationships with iwi/hapū; this would however be dependent on the availability of suitable resources

·     Acknowledged that this mahi had provided the opportunity to apply/test Mātauranga Māori – congratulated staff on applying this with Te Tūāpapa.

 

Resolved

 

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1           Receives the presentation, Te Tūāpapa & Deed Fund Report.

Leeder/Winters

CARRIED

6.     Ngā Pūrongo
Reports

Hei Pānui Anake
Information Only

6.1

Te Arawa Lakes Trust Update

Tabled Document 1 - TALT Update to RTALSG June 2022: Objective ID A4117649  

 

 

Presented by: Nicki Douglas, TALT Environment Manager.

 

Item for Staff Follow Up:

·     TALT to prepare a report to the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group hui scheduled for 30 September 2022 on the scope for the review of the strategy programme/strategy group (with the inclusion of an independent/objective overview as part of the process).

 

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1           Receives the tabled report, Te Arawa Lakes Trust Update.

Winters/Donaldson

CARRIED

10:36 am - The meeting  adjourned.

10:50 am - The meeting  reconvened.

 

6.2

Ministry for the Environment Update

 

Presented by: Juscinta Grace, Ministry for the Environment (MfE) Manager – Funds, Sustainable Land Use Delivery.

Key Points:

·     Following the 20 April 2022 hui, had prepared a submission to the Minister for the Environment with a recommendation to support the resolutions by the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group

·     Had secured funding to support the review of the Strategy Group

·     Update on the Te Mana o Te Wai (TMoTW) Fund – eight projects had been approved for the Bay of Plenty rohe; total value approximately $9 million

·     Main aim of the TMoTW Fund was to build capacity and capability that would enable Māori to be involved in and make decisions for freshwater management in their rohe, including implementing the Essential Freshwater reforms. Encouraged close liaison between councils and rōpu in this space

·     Waste Minimisation Fund was scheduled to open in October 2022

·     MfE had recently released further documentation on the National Objectives Framework

·     Climate Change programme progress

·     Resource Management Act Reform - submissions received by MfE would be available online shortly

·     MfE was currently seeking feedback on proposed drafting of amendments to the wetland regulations in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management – consultation would be open until 10 July 2022.

 

6.3

Rotorua Lakes Council Update to Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group - 10 June 2022

Presented by: Stavros Michael Deputy Chief Executive Environmental and Infrastructure Solutions.

Key Points:

·     Highlighted Rotorua Lakes Council activities currently underway that impacted the Lakes Programme:

o   Wastewater treatment and stormwater projects

o   Planning Policy (Plan changes and consents)

Key Points - Members:

·     Sustainable Forest Alternative: expressed concern about the delay in the identification of potential sites where the proposed future discharge point of the effluent from the upgraded treatment plant could be located – flagged this as a potential risk

·     Ngongotahā flooding/review and actions – important for the public to be kept informed on progress/development relating to the showgrounds.

 

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1           Receives the report, Rotorua Lakes Council Update to Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group - 10 June 2022.

Donaldson/Tahana

CARRIED

 

11:00 am - Cr White withdrew from the meeting.

 

6.4

Essential Freshwater Policy Programme Update

Presentation Freshwater Update Rotorua Te Arawa: Objective ID A4123270  

Presented by: Michelle Lee, Planner (Water Policy) and James Dare, Environmental Scientist – Water Quality.

Key Points:

·     Update on progress with the Essential Freshwater Policy Programme (EFPP) work

·     Current focus was engagement with iwi/hapū

·     Expressed thanks for the feedback that had been shared by iwi members in April 2022 on incorporating perspectives of Mātauranga Māori

·     Online engagement has now been launched and was available here: Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes feedback | Essential Freshwater Visions and Outcomes | Participate BOPRC for people to express thoughts on freshwater values that would help inform long term visions alongside tangata whenua input

·     Feedback could be submitted online by 29 June and would be eligible to enter a draw for $200 gift vouchers

·     Demonstrated the interactive Water Ecology Tool (WET) which provided access to water quality information from regular monitoring of Bay of Plenty rivers, groundwater and lakes:

shiny.boprc.govt.nz/Water_Ecology_Tool/

·     Data could be refined by indicator, freshwater management unit or rohe to view baseline states, current states, and trends

·     Encouraged members to use the WET tool to provide feedback.

Key Points - Members:

·     Enquired about the possibility of training users/iwi practitioners to use and navigate the WET.  This would create further awareness of its functionalities/maximise opportunity

·     Enquired about the possibility/ability in future to incorporate iwi/hapū data onto the WET platform/alignment with an iwi application

·     Iwi/hapū would be keen on having access to live data relating to their own rohe

·     Expressed appreciation/support for the WET; concurred that there was huge potential for the tool.

Key Points - Staff:

·     Essential Freshwater community consultation to follow would incorporate training/guidance on using/navigating the WET.

 

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1           Receives the report, Essential Freshwater Policy Programme Update.

Tahana/Donaldson

CARRIED

 

6.5

Programme Status Update

Presentation - Programme Status Update - Helen Creagh: Objective ID A4123274  

Presented by: BOPRC Toi Moana’s Rotorua Catchments Manager Helen Creagh:

Key Points:

·     Update on the recent Ngongotahā Flood Event - 31 May 2022 (5 year return storm event) and actions arising

·     Ngongotahā Community Reference Group Catch-up scheduled for Monday 13 June 2022 to inform public/provide update on status/progress/next steps

·     Community Reference Group Catch-up would be followed-up with a pānui/email to the wider community

·     Status update of recent and current activities within the Programme since 20 April 2022

·     In relation to the Low Nitrogen Land Use Fund, a Hazelnut Field Day had been scheduled for 11 June 2022

·     Okere Gates - consent hearing was coming up to implement the recommendations of the Cultural Management Plan required by the consent, i.e. a trial for lowering of lake levels

·     Overseer Redevelopment Update/timeline for the programme.

Key Points - Members:

·     Noted the Science Review, as required by the Lake Rotorua nutrient management provisions of the Regional Plan, was underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2022 – to be undertaken by Professor Warwick Vincent

·     Overseer was primarily a farm management tool; it was a dynamic model and the question remained whether it was fit for purpose as a regulatory/enforcement tool.

 

Item for Staff Follow Up:

·     Provide the proposed timelines for the Okere Gates Trial to Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson.

 

Resolved

That the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group:

1           Receives the report, Programme Status Update.

Winters/Nicholson

CARRIED

 

7.     Wāhanga Tūmataiti
Public Excluded Section

Resolved

Resolution to exclude the public

1       Excludes the public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting as set out below:

The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

Item No.

Subject of each matter to be considered

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Grounds under Section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

When the item can be released into the public

7.1

Public Excluded Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group Minutes - 20 April 2022

As noted in the relevant Minutes.

As noted in the relevant Minutes.

To remain in public excluded.

Winters/Nicholson

CARRIED

 

8.     Karakia Kati
Closing Karakia

A karakia was provided by Arapeta Tahana.

 

12:20 pm – the meeting closed.

 

 

Confirmed 30 September 2022                                                    

Deputy Mayor Steve Chadwick

Deputy Chairperson, Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group