Agenda of Hauraki Gulf Forum

Hauraki Gulf Forum

09 December 2013

Hauraki Gulf Forum Manager's Report

File No.: CP2013/26737

Purpose

1. A quarterly update from the Hauraki Gulf Forum Manager.

Executive Summary

2. This report is prepared by Hauraki Gulf Forum Manager to update Forum members on the delivery of the annual work plan, follow up actions from previous meetings, delivery of statutory requirements, and other matters of relevance since the last meeting.

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) confirm an invitation to host the March 2014 meeting on Kawau Island by the Kawau Island Resident and Ratepayers Association be accepted and a full day allocated for this purpose.

Discussion

Technical Officers Group

3. A meeting of the Technical Officers Group was hosted on 24 October to plan the agenda for the current meeting.

4. Terms of reference for the state of the environment report update required in mid-2014 were reviewed and finalised.

5. A request for proposals to prepare the report was posted on the Auckland Council procurement website on 11 November. See appended extracts from documentation (Attachment A).

6. Evaluations of proposals and a contract for services will be issued by mid-December in accordance with an approved procurement plan.

7. A final annual budget was set with officers within the parameters approved by the Forum in June. Contributions have been decreased by spreading a slightly reduced amount for the state of the environment work over three years, rather than solely the current year. This has also enabled an indicative amount to be set for future years, to assist officers in forward planning. Final spread appended (Attachment B). Invoices for the 2013-14 are in preparation.

Seabird Update

8. On November 11 the Hauraki Gulf Forum hosted a workshop to build awareness of seabirds among agency staff and capacity to communicate seabird smart fishing messages.

9. The workshop was held in conjunction with Southern Seabird Solutions Trust and Forest and Bird, with contributions also from NIWA and Department of Conservation.

10. See agenda (Attachment C) attached. Presentation material is posted at http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/representativesbodies/haurakigulfforum/Pages/home.aspx#workshops

11. About 40 people attended from Auckland Council (policy, environmental services, parks, and harbourmasters office), Department of Conservation, the Ministry for Primary Industries, Auckland Zoo and other education providers.

12. Feedback from participants has been positive.

13. Workshop outcomes included peer reviewed and revised messaging for an advocacy brochure, to be prepared with partner agencies, communication and campaign ideas for further development, and an inter-agency network for communication and coordination of activities.

14. A DVD advocating seabird smart fishing by commercial long line fishers prepared by Southern Seabird Solutions Trust, with support from the Forum, has been completed and is posted at www.southernseabirds.org.

15. The Forum requested updates in relation to seabird management issues. Todd Landers, a member of the Technical Officers Group, is monitoring this area on behalf of the Forum. He has been involved in MPI led meetings to develop a short term Black Petrel action plan. Progress is included in the MPI Constituent Party report.

Bryde’s whale ship strike

16. The Hauraki Gulf Transit Protocol for Commercial Shipping (Attachment D).was issued by Ports of Auckland recently, following a series of stakeholder workshops hosted by the Forum, the Environment Defence Society and University of Auckland.

17. See Herald story at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11127884.

18. The first report cards of ship movements since the protocol began have been prepared by the International Fund for Animal Welfare using AIS tracking data. They will be provided to shipping companies with a cover letter co-signed by IFAW, the Forum, Department of Conservation and Port Company, as part of a monitoring regime associated with the protocol.

19. The report cards will be discussed at a follow up workshop with stakeholder groups on December 16, along with the results of new research, promotion of the protocol internationally through Maritime New Zealand.

2014 Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Seminar/ Holdaway Award winners

20. Publicity about the winners of the inaugural Holdaway Awards was published in the New Zealand Herald on 21 September. See Wildlife Heroes Honoured (Attachment F) and Whale of an Achievement (Attachment G). Also University of Auckland story. (Attachment H)

21. Proceedings from the seminar are now posted at http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/representativesbodies/haurakigulfforum/Pages/2012HaurakiGulfMarineParkSeminar.aspx

2014 poster series

22. I have been working with the New Zealand Herald, artist Dave Gunson and content specialists to prepare the 2014 poster series.

23. The series – themes around Wonders of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park – will examine the dynamics of ‘boil ups’, seabirds on islands, and shorebird migration. (Attachment I).

24. Sponsorship has been secured/ is expected from the Department of Conservation, Auckland Council and the Tindall Foundation. Insertion dates are planned for the first week of March, which co-incides with Seaweek.

Community shellfish monitoring

25. The community shellfish monitoring programme, initiated and supported by the Hauraki Gulf Forum, has begun for the summer season with three surveys completed to date.

Weaving the Strands

26. The newsletter is in preparation and will be completed on confirmation of the Chair for the coming term.

Marine spatial plan

27. I continue to represent the Forum’s interests on the marine spatial plan project board, which co-ordinates inter-agency support to the project.

28. I briefed the recently appointed independent chair Nick Main on the background work and interests of the Forum in relation to the project, and attended the stakeholder working group selection meetings held in Thames on 14 October and Gordonton on 14 November.

29. A report on progress in provided as a separate agenda item.

30. I have been invited to contribute a briefing on the project to the annual Environment and Conservation Organisations conference in Thames on 30 November.

Next meeting

31. The Forum has an outstanding invitation to meet on Kawau Island, issued on behalf of the Kawau Island Residents and Ratepayers Association. The Forum has not previously had the opportunity to familiarize itself with Kawau Island and the interests of its community. The meeting would require a full day to complete and can be arranged with boat and/or bus travel from Auckland.

Consideration

Local Board Views

32. Delivery of the work plan and identification of issues is informed by a local board officer on the Technical Officers Group.

Maori Impact Statement

33. Delivery of the work plan and identification of issues is informed by the tangata whenua technical officers as per the governance arrangements of the Forum.

General

34. Receipt of the report aids accountability for the delivery of the annual work plan and other duties between the Forum and the Forum Manager.

Implementation Issues

35. Progress in these areas will be discussed with the Technical Officers Group and reported back to future Forum meetings.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a	Extract from RFP documentation for 2014 state of the environment	45
b	Budget	49
c	Hauraki Gulf Transit Protocol for Commercial Shipping	51
d	Seabird Workshop agenda	53
e	Wildlife Heroes Honoured	55
f	Whale of an achievement	57
g	Whale scientist honoured	61
h	Poster Roughs	63

Signatories

Author	Tim Higham – Hauraki Gulf Forum Manager
Authoriser	Gael Ogilvie – Manager Environmental Services

Hauraki Gulf Forum

09 December 2013

Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan Update

File No.: CP2013/26711

Purpose

1. To meet the reporting requirements established between Sea Change, the Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan (HGMSP) project and the Hauraki Gulf Forum (HGF).

Recommendation

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) receive the report.

Discussion

Introduction

2. This is the fourth Project Manager Report to the Hauraki Gulf Forum (HGF), as specified in Resolution HGF/2012/44. The report includes a summary of progress to date and an outline forward plan for the next six months. It is presented by The Hauraki Gulf Forum’s Manager who represents the interests of the Forum on the Project Board, providing advice to Roger Blakeley (Chair of the Sea Change Project Board) and participating in Board discussions and decision making.

3. For the first time, this report will be accompanied by a discussion with the Independent Chair of the Sea Change Stakeholder Working Group.

General Progress

4. The project has supported two Project Steering Groups (PSG) and two Project Board meetings since the previous meeting of the HGF.

5. An Independent Chair of the Stakeholder Working Group, Nick Main, assisted by a Facilitator, Kaaren Goodall, was appointed to lead the SWG and started on 1 November 2013.

6. The Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) selection forums took place on 11 (Auckland) and 14 October (Thames) respectively with over 160 people attending. A hui on 14 November (Gordontown) selected the members of the SWG. Further detail will be provided by the Independent Chair.

7. The project continues to develop stakeholder engagement, communications and the development of the SeaSketch tool processes. It also is organizing the support from the various supporting agencies.

TIMELINE

8. The project is currently in the end of the “initiation” stage, which ends when the PSG and SWG are in place, and work can now commence on developing the Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan.

Progress Report – Stage 2

9. Project Steering Group (PSG)

The Project Steering Group has met twice since the last report in October and November 2013. It has tackled a number of issues relating to the project and provided leadership and strategic thinking to the Project Board. With the Local Government elections and re-organisation of the Department of Conservation, some representatives have changed and the permanent Waikato Regional Council representatives will not be known until March 2014. Representation of the Hauraki Gulf Forum on the Project Steering Group remains strong.

10. Stakeholder Working Group (SWG)

Progress on the SWG will be reported upon by the Independent Chair appointed on 1 November 2013.

11. Project Management Team

This is the multi-agency team that will support the PSG through the Board, and SWG by providing information, expert advice, resources, guidance and administrative services. It has the following elements:

· Project Board comprising senior officers from the agencies. Membership confirmed.

· Project Manager who manages the project on a day-to-day basis. Appointed

· Support Group comprising agency officers that co-ordinates the operational aspects of the project. Membership confirmed.

· Expert Advisory Group (EAG). The Support Group is still working on the details of how expert advice will be provided to the SWG by the project.

12. Communications

A Communications plan supports the Engagement Plan, and updates are provided to the PSG.

13. Stakeholder Engagement

The Official Launch of Sea Change took place on 9th September 2013. This will occurred in conjunction with the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Seminar. The papers of the seminar have been made available to the PSG through the Forum’s website.

The Engagement Plan is in initial draft format and will be heavily influenced by the SWG.

14. SeaSketch

SeaSketch is a decision support and survey tool for the HGMSP project. The SeaSketch team has continued to develop this tool for the duration of Stage 2 with a focus on configuring it for public engagement.

15. Forward Plan: December 2013 to June 2014

· Support the PSG meetings and completion of any resulting actions

· Support the Independent Chair of the SWG

· Form the SWG and support subsequent meetings

· Form the Expert Advisory Group

· Complete the Engagement Plan and associated Communications Plan

· Develop the project team capability

· Develop SeaSketch tool to assist the engagement process

Consideration

Local Board Views

16. Opportunity for the engagement of local boards and district councils has been identified within the initial draft of the Sea Change engagement plan.

Maori Impact Statement

17. The involvement of mana whenua in the formulation of the plan has been identified within the project design at multiple levels. Mana whenua co-chair the PSG, are represented at the Project Board level and will be contributing to the project team.

General

18. The project plan is contained with the previous agenda papers prepared for the Forum, Auckland Council and Waikato Regional Council and is further documented in a project management plan.

Implementation Issues

19. Implementation of the project is documented in a project management plan.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors

Eddie Wrench – Project Manager, Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan

Tim Higham – Hauraki Gulf Forum Manager

Authoriser

Gael Ogilvie – Manager Environmental Services

Hauraki Gulf Forum

09 December 2013

Hauraki Gulf Forum Constituent Party Report

File No.: CP2013/26406

Purpose

1. This report describes recent activities undertaken by Forum constituent parties which address the strategic issues of the Forum. This report is a regular means of meeting the Forum’s purpose of facilitating communication, co-operation and co-ordination among its members.

Executive Summary

2. This report describes recent activities undertaken by Forum constituent parties which address integrated management and prioritised, strategic issues. This provides a regular means of meeting the Forum’s purpose of facilitating communication, co-operation and co-ordination among its members.

3. The strategic issues framework adopted by the Forum for focus and action identified the following management response areas:

· Regenerating green and blue areas.

· Enhanced fisheries.

· Mana whenua integration.

· Active land management to address nutrient, sediment and contaminant pollution.

· Knowledge generation within an integrated eco-system management approach.

· The left-hand column of the following table links each reported activity to the response framework.

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) receive the report.

Discussion

Auckland Council
Hauraki Gulf Forum Strategic Issue	Local Boards
Regenerating green and blue areas Enhanced fisheries	Great Barrier Local Board The newly elected Great Barrier Local Board confirmed Jeff Cleave as its Hauraki Gulf Forum representative and Judy Gilbert as the alternate at its 21 November 2013 business meeting. The board has wasted no time in agreeing to reconstitute its successful environment committee which will meet for the first time on 11 December 2013. Through that committee the board will review where the last board got to on the Aotea local marine protection initiative and consider a way forward. The board is keenly interested to better understand its role in the Sea Change project and how its marine protection initiative might fit with that.
Hauraki Gulf Forum Strategic Issue	Operations and Asset Management Officers responsible for environmental outcomes across Auckland Council (including representatives from RIMU, Policy and Environmental Services) are preparing the Environmental Strategic Action Plan (ESAP). ESAP will define intended environmental outcomes and prioritise actions required to deliver on these. The initiative is currently in the scoping stage and plan will be completed by September 2014. Plans to implement the National Policy Statement for Freshwater (NPSFW) are being developed. The objective is to manage both landuse practices (diffuse runoff) and point source discharges to meet a suite of receiving water values and uses that have been agreed with the community. Environmental Services are currently adapting existing community collaboration practices in high priority catchments to be aligned with NPSFW. Environmental Policy are taking a regional approach and currently finalising co-governance arrangements for delivering NPSFW across Auckland region.
	*Biodiversity*
Regenerating green and blue areas	The Biodiversity team has commenced the rollout of its species prioritisation framework. There are 36 priority species in total identified for management across the Region. Resourcing for specific species will be determined as soon as the final prioritization is completed. In the interim a number of ecosystem and species related management activities have been continued. Biodiversity staff continue to provide advice and support to landowners throughout the Region. Some recent examples of work activity include: · The completion of grant funding application assessments for Council’s Environmental Initiative Fund, including projects protecting, restoring and enhancing native wetland, forest, waterways around catchments associated with the Hauraki Gulf. Funding decisions are expected in December. · A number of initiatives associated with the “North West Wildlink” are in progress. The Wildlink programme is designed to provide healthy and safe habitat from the Hauraki Gulf Islands and Whangaparaoa through to the Waitakere Ranges and to link community, individual and agency effort along the Wildlink. Several initiatives around “Wildlink Wonders” are underway promoting enhancement of these areas of significant ecological values through specialist advice and direction for restoration. Bird and bat surveys have also been undertaken to establish baseline information on several Wildlink Wonder sites. · A Biodiversity Student Partnership Programme which involves recruitment of graduate ecology students to support implementation of the bushlot covenant monitoring programme has been implemented. This summer, the programme will be undertaken across the legacy Rodney & Franklin areas engaging with covenant owners and providing them with biodiversity information and guidance to enable better protection and management of their covenants.
Knowledge generation	Biodiversity staff are leading an ecological survey programme across the local parks in the Rodney Local Board area to provide an improved understanding of the biodiversity values on Council owned land and to inform prioritisation of efforts to protect and restore these values.
	*Biosecurity*
Regenerating green and blue areas	· The Hauraki Gulf Islands Biosecurity Working Group, comprising AC Biosecurity, Waikato Regional Council Biosecurity, DOC staff (Northland, Auckland, Waikato) and representatives from two privately owned islands, met to achieve better collaboration regarding pest free islands within the entire Marine Park area, and also to coordinate with the Project Island Song programme (Bay of Islands). A key achievement has been to extend the Treasure Islands campaign into the Waikato region and the addition of Waikato Regional Council logos on key signage. Treasure Islands signage will shortly be established on Great Mercury Island, with discussions on land-based signage underway. · The Kawau Argentine ant eradication programme passed a significant milestone with the third audit showing no ants at the three ha Schoolhouse Bay spring baiting trial site. A final monitor will occur in late summer. Monitoring and control at the Vivian Bay site showed considerable reduction of ants in some areas but concern with high densities of ants in another area. This area was re-treated. It is likely that this new spring baiting regime will be implemented at the Vivian Bay site and on Great Barrier Island. A new brochure and business card, co-funded by the Rodney Local Board, were produced for the Kawau Argentine ant programme and sent to all Island landowners along with a letter outlining the ant eradication programme. · The Great Barrier Island rainbow skink surveillance programme, funded by the Great Barrier Island (GBI) Local Board, discovered a single site at Tryphena. Control at this site is ongoing. No new sightings have been recorded. · Biosecurity staff created a rabbit management plan for Great Barrier Island, requested and funded by the GBI Local Board. The plan also included integrated pest management at five key sites in order to protect threatened plants, pateke and banded rail. · The Treasure Islands campaign review with DOC commenced. New monitoring equipment and signage were created and installed at Rotoroa Island and Downtown. Editorial and Treasure Island advertisements were produced for the Professional Skipper magazine. Signage development for Rakino is ongoing, and involves the Waiheke Local Board. · The quarterly monitor of the Broken Islands confirmed clear of rodents, a significant achievement. Staff also checked the Grey Group (islands north of the Broken Islands) and confirmed the outer islands to be clear of ship rats and the inner islands close to GBI at zero to low density. These islands were treated. · Pakatoa and Tarakihi Islands were also confirmed as zero density for ship rats. The Noises Islands were confirmed as completely rodent free. The landowner on Motuhaku Island (GBI) was supplied with rodent bait. · At Rotoroa, staff assisted the mouse eradication programme, and designed and placed Treasure Island signage on the island, 360 Discovery, DOC and Auckland Transport Downtown. This signage also includes kauri dieback messages. · Rodent bait stations on Matiatia, Kennedy Point, Orapiu wharf and the Waiheke Island Refuse Transfer Centre were checked and were clear of pests. Mainland rodent surveillance continued with audits and relationship building with all waterfront stakeholders, especially at Wynyard quarter and Half Moon Bay, ferry buildings and wharves. · Staff maintained monthly inspections of the Sealink barge freight run, and intermittent audits of other commercial craft in the Gulf. Four Pest Free Warrant applications were processed (Sandfords, Auckland Council Harbourmaster, Sealink, Fullers). Staff attended the Auckland on the water Boatshow at the Viaduct. · Contracts for control of rhamnus on Waiheke Island and rhamnus/tradescantia on Motukaha Island are progressing. Biosecurity and Biodiversity staff visited Crusoe Island and controlled all pest plants. The network of stoat traps on Waiheke Island was checked and reset. Stoat numbers on Waiheke are low. · Following recent detection of a new site of the Total Control pest plant, scrambling lily (Geitonoplesium cymosum), an extensive delimiting survey of the Omiha Bay foreshore area (Waiheke Island) was completed with no further plants found.
	*Stormwater*
Integrated management Water quality Coastal hazards	The Stormwater Unit continues delivering the physical works programme for 2013/14. Some examples of recent award winning project are: Stormwater Project wins award The Barbados Wetland Enhancement Project recently won an award from the New Zealand Contractors Federation in the under $200,000 category. This project was completed last season on the North Shore near Unsworth Heights. The award recognises excellence in civil construction carried out by New Zealand companies. La Rosa Project The project involved daylighting 180m of Stormwater pipe and restoring the stream. The project included walkways, bridges and community art as well as improving the ecology. This project has officially opened on 16 November. It recognised the completion of the La Rosa Gardens Reserve Daylighting Project, the community contributions to the project, and the unveiling of the eel sculpture and other art works to be installed within the reserve.
	Research, Investigations and Monitoring Unit (RIMU)
Knowledge generation	*Beach water quality forecasting model* RIMU is developing a forecasting model for beach water quality for the Waitemata Harbour (from St Heliers Bay, Viaduct Harbour and up into the Upper Waitemata). We currently have a proof of concept forecast model that is forecasting water quality for Auckland's Waterfront (Viaduct basin and St Marys Bay). The forecast has been used to inform the 2012 Iron man and the 2013 International Triathlon events and will be used for the 2014 Ironman event. This model uses rainfall forecasts from MetService, modelled bacteria loads derived from published data, enterococci testing of harbour waters, oceanographic data, wind and tidal data. The beach water quality forecast model for the Waitemata Harbour will be web based and accessible by the public with the intension for a phone app to be developed. The forecast will provide a 3 day forecast with the level of risk displayed as a coloured flag and will align with the Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Health's recreation water quality guidelines. We envision the model to available early this summer.
Knowledge generation	*New Zealand Storm Petrel* The rediscovered New Zealand storm petrel in the Hauraki Gulf is being studied by a group of collaborators including Chris Gaskin (Kiwi Wildlife/Natural Lines Consultancy), Matt Rayner, Todd Landers (RIMU), Neil Fitzgerald (Landcare Research), Graeme Taylor (DOC), plus several others. This project is in its second phase after the discovery of this critically endangered bird’s breeding grounds on Little Barrier Island earlier this year, and now the major aims are to understand the bird’s breeding and population biology, identify all nests, and develop a conservation management plan. Ongoing acoustic and video monitoring is taking place around the 4 known nest sites and also new areas.
Knowledge generation	*Forest bird (kaka) movement modelling* RIMU scientist Todd Landers is working with a diverse group of University of Auckland researchers on a project modelling forest bird movements in Auckland. This project spans the region and includes Hauraki Gulf kaka populations on Great Barrier Island (at Glen Fern sanctuary). The major aims are to look at seasonal movements of birds on and between island populations and potentially mainland sites (and vice versa) as well as to use the location data to parameterise spatially explicit individual-based models which will be used to identify the key habitats and environmental variables associated with kaka space use (and may be used for predictions with other key Auckland species). Ultimately these data should help inform Auckland Council’s biodiversity enhancement planning and management activities. Six kaka are presently being tracked with plans to deploy a further nine devices this summer.
Knowledge generation	*Black petrel foraging ecology & fisheries interactions* Todd Landers (RIMU), Todd Dennis (University of Auckland), and Biz Bell (Wildlife Management International Ltd) are conducting a two-year study on Black petrel foraging ecology. The second year of GPS and dive depth logger deployments will occur sometime in February-March 2014 when birds are feeding their chicks to assess the key foraging areas used and the depths of the bird’s prey dives. This data will be analysed with the aim to better understand the birds at sea behaviour and their interactions with fisheries so as to identify any potential management practices which may reduce Black petrel fisheries by-catch mortality. NOTE: Some financial support was given by the Great Barrier Island Local Board to purchase the required loggers for the 2014 deployment.

Ministry for Primary Industries

Regenerating green and blue areas

Enhanced fisheries

Update on the implementation of the NPOA-Seabirds

With a number of actions to address risks to black petrel and other seabirds already in progress, including:

· Workshops with commercial fishers to promote awareness of the need and requirements for mitigation

· Recruitment of a liaison officer to work directly with fishers

· Increased observer coverage of the bottom longline fleet

· Promotion and distribution of the “seabird smart” waterproof card to recreational fishers

Attention is now being focused toward development of the Black Petrel Action Plan which will identify and drive further work in this area.

Update on management of snapper 1 (SNA 1)

Implementation of the Minister’s September 2013 decisions on the review of the management of SNA 1 is underway.

The decisions are available at http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Consultations/Archive/2013/Ministers+decisions+on+2013+Sustainability+Round

Sir Ian Barker, an ex high court judge and international arbitrator and mediator, has been appointed to chair a SNA 1 strategy group that will be tasked with developing a long term management strategy by 1 October 2015. A process to determine members of the group is currently underway.

Increased monitoring of the SNA 1 commercial fishery is also in place. In addition to bottom longline coverage mentioned above, observer coverage is in place across 25% of the bottom trawl fleet. This is set to increase to 100% by 1 October 2015. A trial of camera technology is occurring as part of this programme.

Work is also underway to develop precision seafood harvesting equipment to better enable commercial fisheries to target specific species and sizes of fish. This also allows for fish to be landed in better condition. The project has been co-funded by government and industry with each party contributing $26 million. More information is available on http://www.mpi.govt.nz/agriculture/funding-programmes/primary-growth-partnership/precision-seafood-harvesting.

Work is occurring on a number of the other initiatives to be rolled out over 2014 including:

· Vessel monitoring systems, to be in place across the SNA 1 fleet from 1 October 2014. The estimated cost, which will be covered by industry, is $600,000.

· Frameworks to support

o reporting of snapper returned to the sea under the minimum legal size

o a new voluntary rule that will require commercial fishers to move from an area where a significant number of juvenile snapper have been caught

o latitude and longitude reporting from Danish Seine vessels

· Planning for a $7 million dollar biomass survey that will be co-funded by industry.

· Education material for recreational fishers to support changes to fishing rules (April 2014) including updated material about handling and release of snapper.

Matamata-Piako District Council
Hauraki Gulf Forum Strategic Issue	Policy and Plan Development, Regulation and Compliance
Active land management	District Plan Review The Matamata-Piako District Council has been undertaking a rolling review of its District Plan, which became operative in 2005, so that the ten-yearly review required by the Resource Management Act 1991 is completed by 2015. The rolling review means that the plan is being reviewed in sections, through a number of plan changes, rather than being issued as a whole proposed district plan. As part of this review, Plan Change 43 – Transportation and Plan Change 44 – Works and Network Utilities were notified on 30 October 2013 for submissions, and will be open for further submissions in early 2014. The works and network utilities plan change considers the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 relevant in that consideration needs to be given to methods to reduce contaminants entering the Gulf’s coastal marine area, for instance by: · Encouraging the use of “green” stormwater infrastructure; and: · Ensuring new development does not overload existing infrastructure and lead to increased discharges of contaminants into the coastal marine area. The plan change provides for these essential services to continue to be provided. Earlier sections reviewed and notified as plan changes have been the rural subdivision provisions – with the plan change proposing an increase in minimum lot size in the rural area from 8 hectares to 40 hectares, and providing one opportunity per existing title for a rural lifestyle lot. This plan change will be operative on 4 December 2013.
Department of Conservation
Regenerating green and blue areas Enhanced fisheries Mana whenua integration Active land management	Auckland Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) review The Revised Draft Auckland CMS, along with a summary of submissions and the department’s proposed responses, was referred to the Auckland Conservation Board in early September 2013. The Conservation Board has been reviewing the proposed responses and testing these with the Department. The Board must complete its review by February 2014, before it has to submit the Revised Draft to the New Zealand Conservation Authority for final review and approval. More info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/consultations/all-consultations/2011/auckland-cms-consultation/ Waikato Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) review The Revised Draft Waikato CMS was referred to the Waikato Conservation Board for its review in early September 2013. The Conservation Board has completed its review of the proposed responses and has approved referral of the Revised Draft to the New Zealand Conservation Authority for final review and approval. More info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/consultations/all-consultations/2012/waikato-cms-consultation/ Draft National Plan of Action on Sharks The Government has recently released for public comment a Draft National Plan of Action on Sharks. The Draft Plan contains a range of objectives to ensure the biodiversity and long term viability of shark populations. The Draft includes a proposal to ban shark finning. MPI is the lead agency. Submissions close on 8 December 2013. More info: http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Consultations/npoa+sharks+2013/default.htm
Regenerating green and blue areas Active land management	Operations and Asset Management Aotea/Great Barrier Conservation Park investigation In response to the recent report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment into stewardship land, in early September the Minister of Conservation announced a proposal for creating a conservation park on Aotea/Great Barrier. Much of the public conservation land on Aotea/Great Barrier is stewardship land, a category of land under which land is held pending decisions about its long term protection status. The Department is planning to release a public discussion document in early December. More info: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-conservation-park-and-pest-free-sanctuary-proposed-hauraki-gulf Pest eradication planned for Rakitu/Arid Island The Minister of Conservation also announced in early September the grant of $190,000 from the Nature Heritage Fund towards a pest eradication operation to clear Rakitu/Arid Island of rats. The expiry of the grazing lease over the island in November this year has cleared the way for work on restoring the island to begin in earnest, which will realise the vision for the island at the time of its purchase by the Crown. Ngati Rehua have expressed support for the eradication, and the Department will work closely with iwi as the island holds great significance for iwi. More info: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-conservation-park-and-pest-free-sanctuary-proposed-hauraki-gulf Reward for sightings of red vented bulbuls The Minister of Conservation has announced an increased reward of $1,000 for sightings of the aggressive red vented bulbul, which has real potential to become a serious pest of the horticultural industry if populations establish in New Zealand. The bird has been sighted in several widely spread parts of the city, and is believed to have arrived on shipping or by private yacht. More info: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/red-vented-bulbul Air New Zealand / DOC partnership extended to include marine work The successful partnership between Air New Zealand and the Department has recently been extended, including a new focus on marine protection with funding to support the monitoring of environments protected within marine reserves. The Minister of Conservation announced that the value of the partnership will increase by $4.5 million, taking the total value of the partnership to $7.4 million. The monitoring will include work at the Cape Rodney – Okakari Point Marine Reserve near Leigh. More info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/partnerships-and-donations/partnerships/air-new-zealand/ New Rangitoto wharf Work on construction of the new Rangitoto wharf is on track for completion in March/April 2014. Once open this will be a significant new facility, enabling safer access to the island in a greater range of wind conditions, and replacing the aging old structure. More info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/about-doc/news/media-releases/2012/new-rangitoto-wharf-to-enhance-island-experience/ New gannet colony on Motuora Island A project led by the Motuora Restoration Society to create a new gannet colony appears to have been successful. At least 12 gannets have been observed nesting among a set of decoy models of the birds, located on a headland of the island that was identified as having suitable aspect and slope. More info: http://motuora.org.nz/?page_id=65 Pest eradication on Ahuahu/Great Mercury Island The owners of Ahuahu/Great Mercury Island and the Department are planning to undertake a pest eradication operation over the island in the winter of 2014. Pests to be targeted include kiore, ship rats, mice and cats. Removal of these pests will allow populations of a number of threatened species to thrive, improve habitat, and provide better security against pest invasion of adjacent smaller islands in the Mercury Island group which have been pest free for many years and contain many threatened species. Pest eradication on Ahuahu/Great Mercury is one component of a larger programme of heritage protection including restoration planting and weed control. Successful possum control on Coromandel Peninsula In June this year the Department undertook two large possum control operations on the Coromandel Peninsula, one over the Moehau block (4,500ha) and the second over the Papakai block within Coromandel Forest Park. Post operation monitoring has identified that both possum and rat numbers are down to very low levels, with no possums being caught in the monitoring trap lines in both blocks. These operations are part of an ongoing cycle of pest control in high value parts of the Forest Park, aimed at protecting habitat for a range of threatened species including North Island brown kiwi, North Island kaka, Archeys and Hochstetter’s frogs, and long tailed bats.
	Investigations and Monitoring Bryde’s whale ship strike prevention protocol The Department was pleased to mark the announcement by Ports of Auckland Ltd. of a voluntary protocol for large ships aimed at preventing ship strike in the Hauraki Gulf. The Department is working with others to monitor the success of the protocol, including reviewing sighting data. More info: http://www.poal.co.nz/news_media/2013_mediareleases/20130920_Whales.htm World Heritage for Auckland Volcanic Cones The Auckland Council, central Government and the Tamaki Collective are working together to undertake work to investigate the feasibility of seeking World Heritage Area status for the Auckland volcanic cones. This work is still at a very early stage, but it is hoped that a decision about whether or not to proceed to a nomination will be made in mid 2014. More info: (see link below)
Waikato Regional Council
	Policy and Plan Development, Regulation and Compliance
	Tairua Marina Tairua Marina construction is underway, with capital development anticipated to be completed by February 2014. Compliance thus far has been good, with Tairua Marine Ltd and WRC working through issues that have arisen in a pragmatic manner.
Active land management	Whitianga Coastal Futures Project TCDC and WRC met to discuss the scenarios to be tested for the longer term management of Buffalo beach, Whitianga. Several scenarios were decided on and will be the subject of an eventual tender. The possibility of a WRC staff member doing some of this modelling was discussed and will be investigated. Meetings between TCDC and WRC have also occurred to discuss the longer-term funding options for undertaking such work.
	Cook’s Beach Backstop Wall The wall construction is progressing. A section of the completed wall withstood a storm event and property owners are reported to be satisfied with its performance.
	Marine farm compliance monitoring Mussel farms have been a recent focus for compliance monitoring. 42 individual farms were monitored in January 2013, with 36 having an unacceptable level of non-compliance, primarily relating to oversize and/or off site. As a result a series of abatement notices have been issued and the farmers are proving receptive to rectifying the situation. Follow up audits are currently being undertaken to re-assess and follow up on compliance resolution.
	Operations and Asset Management
Regenerating green and blue areas Enhanced fisheries Mana whenua integration Active land management	Harbour and Catchment Management Plans (HCMPs) Work is ongoing for the implementation of the Whangamata, Wharekawa (Opoutere) and now Tairua HCMPs, with scoping and information gathering for the Whangapoua HCMP underway. Key activities include: Coastal wetland restoration works at Waahi Tapu, Oturu and Waikawau Bay. Planning is underway for saltwater paspalum control at these sites for the new year. Investigation for a district-wide mangrove seedling consent. Planning for current programmes to finish works in property areas and in the case of Whangamata and Wharekawa look to complete whole sub catchment riparian protection and associated works.
Regenerating green and blue areas Active land management	Mangrove Clearance Consents The Rivers and Catchment Services Group (RCS) of WRC holds a resource consent to remove 22.91 hectares of mangroves from Whangamata Harbour by mechanical means and associated stockpiling and burning of removed trees. Mechanical clearance commenced in March 2013. Issues around ground conditions at some sites and failure to sufficiently dry material to a state where it will burn has led to further delays. RCS was recently granted resource consent to remove 21.8 hectares from Tairua Harbour using a staged approach. The consent holder is presently preparing a suite of management plans in consultation with DOC and hopes to commence initial clearance before the end of 2013.
	Investigations and Monitoring
Knowledge generation within an ecosystem based framework	Marine Management Model The model is being developed by the Cawthron Institute and MetOcean Solutions Ltd and the first stage of the model has been handed over to WRC. Stage one of the model simulates water currents and environmental effects of fish farms (benthic farm footprints and nitrogen release) in the Firth of Thames and Hauraki Gulf (west of the Coromandel peninsula). WRC is currently becoming familiar with the model and has started to plan the next stage of the model. WRC has received funding from the Ministry of Primary Industry-administered Aquaculture Planning Fund for this project.

Consideration

Local Board Views

4. No consultation with Local Boards was required for the preparation of this report. Individual items that make up the report will be reported directly to the relevant Local Boards as appropriate.

Maori Impact Statement

5. This is a report for information only. Individual items that make up the report may impact on mana whenua, who would then be consulted as the work programmes are developed.

General

6. This report collates the activities of the Forum’s constituent parties to facilitate communication, co-operation and co-ordination.

Implementation Issues

7. There are no implementation implications arising from the activities detailed in this report.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author	Tim Higham – Hauraki Gulf Forum Manager
Authoriser	Gael Ogilvie – Manager Environmental Services

MEMBERSHIP
Chairperson	TBC
Deputy Chairperson	TBC
Cr Peter French	Thames-Coromandel District Council	Mayor John Tregidga	Hauraki District Council
Cr Rob McGuire	Waikato District Council	Ms Meg Poutasi	Department of Conservation
Cr James Thomas	Matamata-Piako District Council	Mr Shane Ashby	Tangata Whenua
TBC	Waikato Regional Council	Mr Terrence Hohneck	Tangata Whenua
Mr Jeff Cleave	Great Barrier Local Board (Auckland Council)	Pirihira Kaio	Tangata Whenua
TBC	Waiheke Local Board (Auckland Council)	Mr Paul Majurey	Tangata Whenua
Cr Christine Fletcher	Auckland Council	Ms Liane Ngamane	Tangata Whenua
Cr Michael Lee	Auckland Council	Ms Jodi-ann Warbrick	Tangata Whenua
Cr Bill Cashmore	Auckland Council	Ms Pauline Kingi	Te Puni Kōkiri
Cr Chris Darby	Auckland Council	Mr Andrew Doube	Ministry for Primary Industries

Cr Wayne Walker	Auckland Council

(Quorum 11 members)

Auckland Council is the administering authority for the Hauraki Gulf Forum.

Authors	Mary Binney - Democracy Advisor
Authoriser	Gael Ogilvie – Manager Environmental Services