Agenda of Hauraki Gulf Forum - 22 September 2014

Hauraki Gulf Forum

22 September 2014

Hauraki Gulf Forum Manager's Report

File No.: CP2014/20638

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.

Recommendations

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) note the 2014 Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Seminar will be held on 20 October 2014 and that members advise the Hauraki Gulf Forum Manager if they wish to attend, to secure seating.

b) confirm the membership of a three person sub-committee to consider candidates for the second year of the Holdaway Award.

Comments

Confirmation of tangata whenua members

3. The Minister of Conservation has notified his decision about appointments of tangata whenua representatives to the Hauraki Gulf Forum for the three year period 1 August 2014 – 31 July 2017:

· Re-appointments: Paul Majurey (Ngāti Maru), Liane Ngamane (Ngāti Tamaterā) and Terrance (Mook) Honneck (Ngāti Manuhiri)

· Appointments: Nicola MacDonald (Ngāti Rehua), Moana Tamaariki-Pohe (Ngāti Whatua o Ōrakei) and Lucy Steel (Ngai Tai ki Tamaki)

4. An orientation meeting for new members was arranged on September 9 with Liane Ngamane and Meg Poutasi. The new members will be welcomed at the start of the meeting.

Technical Officers Group

5. A meeting of the Technical Officers Group was hosted on 3 July to plan the agenda for this meeting and guide the state of the environment assessment through its final review.

Annual report

6. Forum members should have received a copy of the 2013-2014 Annual Report, which has been provided to the Minister of Conservation with the attached cover letter. (Attachment A)

7. The actual report is posted here - http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/representativesbodies/haurakigulfforum/Documents/hgfannualreport2014.pdf

2014 Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Seminar

8. The 2014 Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Seminar – “On The Horizon: The 2014 State of our Gulf report and beyond” is scheduled on 20 October 2014 from 9.30am to 5.00pm at the Auditorium of the Auckland Museum. The programme and speaker list for the seminar is appended as Attachment B. Bookings have opened on the Auckland Museum web site - http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/whats-on/series/on-the-horizon-hauraki-gulf-marine-park-seminar

9. I can reserve seats for members who wish to attend, but please confirm as the seminar will sell out.

Holdaway Awards

10. The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Seminar will include the announcement of a winner of the Holdaway Award, now in its second year. Last year, a shortlist of candidates was drawn up for consideration by a three person sub-committee of the Forum, which included John Tregidga and Pauline Kingi. Confirmation of the make-up of a sub-committee is sought.

Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari project

11. As you are aware I serve on the project board, which manages agency support for the Seachange Tai Timu Tai Pari marine spatial plan process.

12. The stakeholder working group held its 9th meeting on 22 August at NIWA and received a range of technical presentations as well as discussions with mana whenua representatives of the stakeholder working group and project steering group. The latest project newsletter is here - http://engage.ubiquity.co.nz/mail/view/SIwOqqsAz0e9EwjRg2eb9g

13. A Matauranga Māori hui to inform the project was held in the Hotunui meeting house at Auckland Museum on 21 July. A presentation by Justice Joe William’s on findings within the Waitangi Tribunal report Ko Aotearoa Tenei was notable and is available here - http://engage.ubiquity.co.nz/mail/view/SIwOqqsAz0e9EwjRg2eb9g

14. An Independent Review Panel of experts in spatial planning, science, matauranga Māori and engagement has completed its first assessment of progress with the project, affirming its work and providing some valuable recommendations. The report was received by the Project Steering Group on September 8. It will be posted on the www.seachange.org.nz website shortly.

15. The 2014 State of our Gulf assessment will be presented to the next meeting of the Stakeholder Working Group on September 30.

Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill passed

16. The Forum’s attention is drawn to the passing of the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill on 21 July, recognising the historical claims of 13 iwi and hapū over their shared interests in the Auckland area, including 14 of the region’s maunga (volcanic cones), and motu (islands).

17. The third and final reading of the legislation completes fine years of collective tribal endeavour.

18. The redress includes:

· Vesting of certain volcanic cones in the Tāmaki Collective and a co-governance partnership with the Auckland Council over those maunga

· A long-term right of first refusal over certain land held by the Crown in Tāmaki Makaurau

· The vesting and re-vesting of certain motu (islands), vesting of certain Rangitoto Island properties and the recording of iwi and hapū interests, and the start of the Tāmaki Makaurau Motu Plan by the Department of Conservation.

19. The Maunga Authority will have its first formal meeting this month. See - http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/newseventsculture/OurAuckland/News/Pages/protectionoftupunamaungaassuredunderownershiptransfer.aspx

20. The implications of the Act for the Department of Conservation is the subject of a presentation within the agenda.

Opening of Rangitoto wharf and Te Waharoa o Peretu

21. On 14 August, I attended the opening of a new wharf and welcoming gate (waharoa) on Rangitoto hosted by Nga Mana Whenua o Tamaki Makarau and the Department of Conservation.

22. The significance of the new redress legislation was noted by mana whenua speakers, and acknowledged by Minister of Conservation Nick Smith.

23. Members Meg Poutasi, Pauline Kingi and Rob McGuire attended. See - http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-wharf-opens-rangitoto-island

Whale and ship strike

24. A summary of vessel traffic speed has been completed for the first period since introduction of a voluntary protocol by the Ports of Auckland.

25. The International Fund for Animal Welfare has produced unique reports for each ship transiting the Gulf, and these will be provided to shipping companies to encourage compliance.

26. Generally, the reports indicate little change in ship behaviour, highlighting the need for more effective communication and continued monitoring.

27. This pattern is reiterated in a citizen-initiated ‘Jolly Whale Speed-Cam’ page on Facebook showing frequent departures from the recommended safe speed of 10 knots. See - https://www.facebook.com/groups/526856610751844/

28. Overseas experience has shown that communicating voluntary protocols through International Maritime Organisation channels, enabling incorporation on official charts, is important for successful uptake.

29. A further meeting of parties in the collaborative group will be convened in the next quarter to discuss the monitoring results and next steps.

Seabird by catch

30. I have hosted three meetings of a Southern Seabird Solutions Trust - convened collaborative working group to advance seabird smart practices in the commercial fishing fleet in northern waters.

31. The group has completed targets and milestones to deliver on its goal to:

a) Ensure seabirds that use the FMA 1 fishing area thrive without pressure from fishing related activities.

b) Assist FMA 1 fishers to become recognised locally and nationally as seabird advocates.

32. An event to mark pledges towards this goal and the anticipated arrival of black petrels back to the Hauraki Gulf /Tῑkapa Moana after their winter migration to South America is planned for October.

33. A recreational fishing targeted seabird smart campaign will begin this summer, stimulated by a workshop hosted by the Forum last year and a small seed funding grant.

EDS Conference

34. On 8 August, I chaired a breakfast session at the Environmental Defence Society annual conference on ‘The Hauraki Gulf ecosystem: productivity, drivers and stressors’, with Dr John Zeldis, Principal Scientist – Marine Ecology, NIWA. His long term research shows changes in the Firth of Thames water column from nutrient inputs. See – http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/new-hauraki-gulf-pollution-alarming-eds/5/198524. This has been picked up in a recent stories in the New Zealand Herald - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11320995 and http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11319874

35. Members John Tregidga and Peter Buckley participated in the conference, the proceedings and webcasts of which are available from http://www.edsconference.com/programme.cfm.

Indonesian study tour

36. On 12 August, I gave a presentation on the Hauraki Gulf Forum and the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act to an Indonesian delegation on a ‘marine protected areas management comparative study’, hosted by AUT University. The relative lack of emphasis put on marine protected areas as a fisheries management tool here, and the use of a collaborative process for the Sea Change process, was of particular interest to them.

Conservation International

37. On 27 August, Chairman John Tregidga and I attended the launch of a new office of Conservation International. The international environmental NGO is located within the University of Auckland and supports marine research programmes, particularly in the Pacific region. The office will complement the Leigh Marine Laboratory in broadening opportunities for students and building leadership in Auckland for marine matters.

38. The launch also served to welcome Professor Simon Thrush to the role of Head of Institute of Marine Sciences.

39. See - https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/news-events-and-notices/news/news-2014/07/new-collaboration-between-uoa-and-conservation-international.html

Education initiative

40. On 19 August, I attended the launch of a fund raising project to enable the first 10 episodes of Young Ocean Explorers and an accompanying book to be distributed free to every school in New Zealand and the Cook Islands (approx. 2560 schools).

41. Eight of the 10 episodes were filmed in the Hauraki Gulf / Tῑkapa Moana, looking at resident species and presented by 13 year old Riley Hathaway.

42. The engaging formula has proved successful with the popular What Now children’s television programme and is attracting overseas interest. A second series will include further episodes in the Gulf, and stories are planned about mussel restoration, Bryde’s whales and black petrels.

43. I have arranged a small grant to support the work, and a current crowd sourcing fund raising campaign has been successful at raising necessary funds to take the initiative forward. See - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1062176248/young-ocean-explorers-book-and-dvd-into-every-scho

44. Film maker Steve Hathaway is one of the speakers at this year’s seminar.

Revive our Gulf

45. The Revive our Gulf project to restore the lost mussel beds of the Gulf, spawned from the Forum’s 2012 seminar, is making significant progress.

46. In September, it deposited a further 3.5 million live adult mussels (about 63 tonnes) near eastern Waiheke, close to initial beds established in November, which are being monitored by University of Auckland and appear to forming healthy reefs and attracting spat deposition. See press release here - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1409/S00243/boost-for-magic-mussel-carpets.htm

47. The project is receiving important support from mussel farms and is attracted interest from funding bodies. It is working with closely with iwi and was able to supply mussels for an associated project to use mussels in Okahu Bay for bioremediation purposes as part of the Okahu Catchment Ecological Restoration Programme. See - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1408/S00392/okahu-bay-mussel-reef-restoration-project-commences.htm

Weaving the Strands

48. The newsletter is in preparation and should be available at the meeting.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

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

Māori impact statement

50. 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

51. 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

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

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	HGF Annual Report cover letter to Minister of Conservation	59
b View	Programme/Speaker list - 2014 Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Seminar	61

Signatories

Authors	Tim Higham – Hauraki Gulf Forum Manager
Authorisers	Ludo Campbell-Reid - Environmental Strategy & Policy Manager

Hauraki Gulf Forum

22 September 2014

Community Shellfish Monitoring Programme Annual Report 2013-2014

File No.: CP2014/20645

Purpose

1. This report updates the Hauraki Gulf Forum (the Forum) on the community shellfish monitoring programme for the period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014.

Executive summary

2. Eleven sites were monitored over the 2013/14 summer period by schools and community groups supported by Auckland Council, Waikato Regional Council and Department of Conservation (DOC). Data from the surveys has been analysed by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). A total of 384 volunteers from nine schools and four community organisations were involved in the programme. Sites are located in both the Auckland and Waikato regions, although a large portion of the sites are within the Auckland region. The programme is generating useful long term monitoring data. The information from the programme is also used to support MPI and council monitoring of shellfish in the Hauraki Gulf / Tῑkapa Moana, including informing trends and management decisions for areas in the region.

3. Shellfish monitoring results are presented for the 11 sites that were surveyed. No region-wide trends in density over time are apparent from the data where most sites indicate natural fluctuations around an average. The most notable change in these time series is the cockle mortality in early 2009 at Lews Bay (Whangateau Harbour). At this location, subsequent survey results indicate cockle densities are still about half of what they were before the mortality event.

4. Participating schools and community groups continue to experience educational benefits from the programme. With the support of coordinators and the project leader, the programme continues to be well received and supported by the schools involved.

Recommendation

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) note the continued success and value of the programme and acknowledge the coordinator and sponsoring agencies for their support.

Comments

5. In 2006, the Forum agreed to lead and support a community/iwi/school-based intertidal shellfish monitoring programme to detect trends in shellfish populations at selected beaches. Since the establishment of the programme, the number of sites that have been monitored by the community has increased from three to 20, however not all of these sites have been surveyed each year. Survey sites are located in both the Auckland and Waikato regions with a large portion of the sites being within the Auckland region. The surveys are undertaken by schools, community organisations and iwi supported by Auckland Council, Waikato Regional Council and Department of Conservation. The data from the surveys is analysed by MPI.

6. The programme is generating a useful long term monitoring record, which supports MPI monitoring of shellfish in the Hauraki Gulf / Tῑkapa Moana. This provides information on trends and informs management decisions in the region. The community shellfish monitoring complements MPI’s intertidal shellfish monitoring programme by providing more frequent information and potentially earlier warning of intertidal shellfish depletions than is provided by MPI sampling alone. Community involvement helps to support the implementation and enforcement of management responses such as closures. The programme also provides scope for monitoring of sites where environmental rather than harvesting pressures may be driving shellfish population changes.

7. Key strengths of the programme are the inter-agency collaboration, the teacher resource kit that the Forum funded in 2007, the coordinator guidelines, the provision of equipment, and Auckland and Waikato Council assistance with the organisation and overseeing of survey days.

Analysis

Sites Monitored

8. Over the 2013-2014 summer months, 384 volunteers, including students, teachers and parents from nine schools and volunteers from four community organisations were involved in surveys at 11 sites as listed in the table below.

Survey Site	Community Group/School
Cockle Bay	Howick College
Whangateau Harbour, Lews Bay	Whangateau Harbour Care with Mahurangi College
Whangateau Harbour, Horseshoe island	Whangateau Harbour Care with Mahurangi College
Sandspit	Sandspit SOS Inc with Kaurilands School
Sandspit - Rainbow's End	Sandspit SOS Inc, Rainbows End and Rivers Environmental Group
Green Bay (Near Pine Harbour Marina)	Maraetai Beach School
Beachlands	Beachlands School
Beachlands - Motukaraka	Beachlands School
Whangapoua Harbour, Great Barrier	Okiwa School, Kaitoki School, Mulberry Grove School
Mercury Bay, (Whitianga Estuary) Coromandel	Mercury Bay Area School
Wharekawa (Opoutere)	Ecoquest Foundation

Auckland Council supported shellfish monitoring

9. Auckland Council supports community shellfish monitoring at 15 sites in the Auckland Region. Currently 10 of these sites are active and have been surveyed most years since community monitoring was initiated, including eight of the sites listed in the table above.

10. During 2013/14 one new monitoring site was added to the programme at Sandspit, to monitor the shellfish beds in the area known locally as Rainbows End.

11. Two of the ten active sites, Okahu Bay and Kawakawa West were not monitored in summer 13/14 but are anticipated to resume in 14/15.

12. Since monitoring was established, five sites have become inactive. Three sites (Umupuia Beach, Duder Regional Park and Kawakawa Bay East) were put on hold at the request of Te Waka Totara Trust (Ngai Tai). The Trust was concerned about monitoring at Umupuia being perceived by on-lookers as harvesting, subsequently impacting on compliance with the rahui that is in place there. At Duder Regional Park and Kawakawa Bay East, the iwi have concerns about the potential for the exposure of koiwi (ancestral bones) in the intertidal area and the spiritual and cultural safety of children. The Ngaio Bay survey with the senior biology class from Mahurangi College has been discontinued due to a change in the schools’ curriculum programme. The Whangateau Harbour Causeway site will continue to be surveyed once every 5 years by the Habourcare group. The group are focusing their attention on two other sites in the harbour which are more interesting and rewarding for working with students from Mahurangi College.

13. In 2014/15, Auckland Council is implementing the Environmental Services Operational Strategy, which will involve considering the extent to which community shellfish monitoring initiatives align with priority environmental outcomes.

DOC supported monitoring

14. The Great Barrier Area Office has supported annual shellfish monitoring at Whangapoua Harbour since 2007 with the three island schools.

15. The Te Matuku Bay site has not been surveyed since 2011 due to budget limitations at DOC. DOC have now identified a local volunteer group to support Waiheke High School to undertake the monitoring within a new Marine Studies course at the school. It is anticipated the survey will be reactivated in summer 14/15.

16. Shellfish monitoring at Gardiners Gap on Motutapu Island has not been continued as the Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp have decided not to incorporate shellfish monitoring into their environmental education programme.

Independent community monitoring

17. Cheltenham Beach Caretakers have not carried out a survey in the last three years as they are finding it difficult to continue to engage volunteers in monitoring when cockle densities remain very low.

Waikato Region Shellfish Monitoring

18. Currently there are two community shellfish monitoring sites within the Waikato Region, at Wharekawa and Whitianga Estuaries on the eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. The Waikato Regional Council also undertakes regular state of the environment monitoring (which includes shellfish monitoring) at five sites in the Firth of Thames. Tairua estuary has recently been added into the long-term monitoring programme.

19. During the 2014/15 financial year, the Waikato Regional Council is developing a Science Strategy which will consider the role of citizen science and community shellfish monitoring initiatives.

20. The development of Waikato region sites within the Forum’s community shellfish monitoring programme has been in response to interest from suitable schools or community groups. The portion of the Waikato Region that lies within the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park has very low population density (5-10% of that in the Auckland Region). While there are only two sites in the Waikato Region, the participation per capita or per school is currently higher than in the Auckland Region.

Shellfish Population Density and Size Class Trends

21. Attached are a series of charts showing the changes in shellfish density and size frequencies from the 11 sites monitored during summer 13/14. An interpretation of the results is also provided. (Attachment A)

22. At most sampling sites, a variety of shellfish species are recorded in addition to cockles and pipi, including wedge shells, nut shells and gastropods. These species are not reported as the sampling programme is focused on the dominant shellfish species, which in most cases are cockles.

23. Early on in the time series it is easy to report trends which are later shown to be part of natural fluctuations in abundance. Time series become increasingly valuable as the length of time monitored increases. Therefore groups are encouraged to continue their surveying.

24. No region-wide trends in density over time are apparent from the data, with most sites showing natural fluctuations around an average. The most notable change in these time series is the cockle mortality in early 2009 at Lews Bay in the Whangateau Harbour. The site experienced substantial decline from 750 cockles per m² (considered high compared to other monitored sites) to 300 cockles per m²between January and May 2009. This decline was caused by a combination of naturally occurring effects including a coccidian parasite and a mycobacterium. This effect was possibly exacerbated by heat stress^{^[1]}. Surveys carried out in December 2012 showed the first marked density increase since 2009. This was driven by a pulse of recruits. However, this was followed by a slight decrease in cockle density in the following year (2013 survey).

25. The largest densities of cockles from the monitored sites in the past year were found at: Sandspit, Rainbow’s End, which showed a density of 1656 per m²; and Whitianga which showed a density of 934 per m². Although high in density, these sites supported smaller cockles (the most common size at both of these sites was 10-20 mm long). The smaller cockle sizes are generally less preferred by harvesters. The greatest densities of larger sized cockles (greater than 30 mm in length) were seen at Cockle Bay and Lews Bay in Whangateau Harbour. The lowest densities of cockles were seen at Whangapoua estuary on Great Barrier Island. This site was dominated by cockles less than 25 mm in length.

26. Cockle density can be highly variable, both spatially and temporarily. Recruitment in cockles is sporadic so often recruitment ‘pulses’ of large numbers of juveniles will enter the population which may, or may not, grow into adults at that site. Cockles grow the best in sandy sheltered sites with high current flow so these sites usually support the largest cockles. Changes in shellfish densities or sizes are due to either harvesting or environmental effects (position relative to tidal ranges, changes in sediment grain size, food supply, competition etc). Harvesting will often result in a decline in the number of the largest cockles (as harvesters usually preferentially take larger cockles). Environmental effects can also cause a decline in densities of large cockles. For example, naturally increasing deposition of fine sediments at a site may be accelerated by human activities (e.g. excavations upstream). This can lead to a siltier and shallower cockle habitat, influencing the site’s ability to support larger sized cockles.

27. Variability in recruitment, and other changes to a habitat, means that it is not always easy to identify the cause of declines in intertidal shellfish. This makes it difficult for implementing the best management response. Some sites where fishing has ceased cockle beds have never recovered to their former health (e.g. Cheltenham beach). This indicates that something about the cockle habitat conditions have changed at the site.

Monitoring Information and Management

28. The information being generated by the community shellfish monitoring programme complements and extends monitoring that MPI and the Regional Councils are able to achieve in the Hauraki Gulf / Tῑkapa Moana with limited resources. The Forum’s programme delivers quality information, which is often difficult to achieve in community-led programmes. This reflects the rigorous planning, coordination and close engagement with the groups maintained by the project leader and other council staff.

29. The value of the programme is already evident and the longer the monitoring continues, the more useful the information will become.

30. Information from the monitoring programme has already been greatly influential in shellfish management within the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. For example, data from the programme helped to identify changes in populations and support a closure to the harvesting of cockles at Umupuia Beach. Data from the programme was also the primary information used in the establishment of the seasonal closure to shellfish harvesting at Cockle Bay. Both of these controls commenced in late 2008.

31. The closure at Umupuia was extended for two more years in 2014 (expiring in September 2016). MPI survey information indicates that shellfish populations have increased, but the typical size of cockles are too small for harvesting.

32. The seasonal closure at Cockle Bay is continuing. The area is closed for the taking of all shellfish from 1 October to 30 April each year during the times when harvesting pressures are heaviest. Reports from honorary fisheries officers indicate that the control is working well. Results from MPI and community monitoring also indicate that densities and average sizes of cockles are generally increasing.

33. Information from the Whangateau Harbourcare surveys was also influential in determining the magnitude of the cockle die-off within the Whangateau Harbour. With strong support from local residents and iwi, the Minister for Primary Industries decided to extend the closure in March 2013 until March 2016. Currently, information from both the programme and MPI survey information show that the shellfish population has not recovered to levels observed before the die-off.

Educational Value

34. In past years, schools and community groups participating in the surveys were requested to complete an evaluation form. The results consistently showed that schools rated the programme and the supporting resources very highly. It was not considered necessary to continue to resurvey the same schools every year.

35. Schools have variable levels of follow-up action that they take in response to, or connected with, the shellfish monitoring programme. The shellfish monitoring activity reinforces the link between catchment health and shellfish health. Three of the eight Auckland Council supported schools are enrolled in the Wai Care and/or Trees for Survival programmes and are engaged in catchment care activities such as stream water quality monitoring and tree planting. Two of the eight are also Enviroschools. Okiwi School have been involved with DOC in riparian planting in the catchment that drains into Whangapoua Harbour.

36. Synergistic links with other programmes are intentionally explored with a view to encouraging environmental enhancement actions such as riparian planting and/or awareness-raising/advocacy actions.

Advances in Community Shellfish Monitoring Resources

Māori Translation of Teacher Resource Kit

37. The Forum’s community shellfish monitoring programme’s teacher resource kit was translated into Te Reo Māori by Ngaati Whanaunga Incorporated Society (NWIS). This bilingual shellfish monitoring tool kit has been presented to the programme’s Steering Group. It forms part of an educational strategy of NWIS to promote kaitiaki practices. The resource is also used as a Maori language teaching and learning resource for tauira and kaiako that is aligned with the curriculum reo used within science and maths. The resource will sit alongside work the Iwi has done with NIWA for the estuarine tool kit ‘Ko Ngaa Waihotanga Iho’. Ngaati Whanaunga has been working as part of a trial to test the resource in conjunction with a language resource, with seven schools within the Thames Coromandel district. Professional development for teachers to support them to utilise the resource is being negotiated by NWIS and Ministry of Education.

38. There is potential for further monitoring sites as part of an environmental studies programme being supported by Ngaati Whanaunga subject to interest from schools. The bilingual shellfish monitoring resource can be accessed through Mike Baker^{^[2]}.

Significance of Decision

39. The recommendation acknowledges the success of the community shellfish monitoring programme and the potential for its replication and integration with other education activity.

Consultation

40. This report was developed with an officers group from participating agencies.

Financial and Resourcing Implications

41. There are no financial implications for the Forum arising from this report. Coordinator support for the surveys will continue to be provided by Auckland Council’s Environmental Services Unit and Waikato Regional Council’s Science and Strategy Directorate for 2014/15.

Legal and Legislative Implications

42. There are not considered to be legal or legislative implications arising from the report.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

43. Local boards are informed of community shellfish surveys taking place in their area through quarterly reports from the Environmental Services Unit. Results from surveys are likely to be of interest to them and Local board officer engagement in the technical officer group can facilitate this.

Māori impact statement

44. Iwi have been consulted regarding community shellfish monitoring in their rohe and have helped direct the programme, as noted about. The resources are available in Te Reo through engagement with Ngaati Whanaunga.

Implementation

45. Existing commitments should ensure the programme operates at similar levels in coming years.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Shellfish Monitoring Survey Results - population density trends and size frequency distribution	71

Signatories

Authors

Liz Ross – Environmental Programmes Advisor

Richard Ford – Scientist, Minstry for Primary Industries

Victoria Jollands - Fisheries Analyst, Ministry of Primary Industries

Authorisers

Gael Ogilvie – Acting Manager, Environmental Services

Hilke Giles – Team Leader Coasts, Land & Wetlands Programme, Waikato regional Council

Ludo Campbell-Reid - Environmental Strategy & Policy Manager

Hauraki Gulf Forum

22 September 2014

Constituent Party Report

File No.: CP2014/20769

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. 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

Recommendation

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) receive the Constituent Party report.

Comments

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

4. The sub-headings describe broad functional areas that can be used to categorise activity.

Auckland Council

Regional and Specialist Parks

Regenerating green and blue areas

Enhanced fisheries

On the 18 September, the Orākei Local Board is opening the Orākei Point to Shore Road Walkway and after much planning, the Waitemata Local Board is about to commence opening up the Weona coastal walkway at Cox’s Bay.

Council has been delighted to support Ngati Whatua Orakei with their mussel reef project in Okahu Bay which saw the first stages of the mussel reef restoration beds laid on 23 of August 2014.

Council has constructed approximately 11km of new fencing on Te Muri Regional Park to protect waterways and bush.

Volunteers and partners planted over 40 thousand trees this winter at Shakespear and Tawharanui Regional Parks.

The 19 hectares of Heritage Protection Zone at Long Bay Regional Park has been retired from livestock grazing and preparation of the heritage management plan and associated resource consent has begun. This will be publicly notified in early 2015.

Local Boards (Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands)

Regenerating green and blue areas

Enhanced fisheries

Waiheke Island

The draft Waiheke Local Board Plan contains a number of outcomes and initiatives focused on preserving its natural environment for future generations. The board’s “Treasured Islands, Coastlines, Wetlands and Marine” outcome includes initiatives to protect and maintain our islands, land, coastline, wetland and marine environments. Initiatives such as fostering partnerships with volunteer groups and promoting best practice for environmental management will assist in achieving this outcome.

The board will also be advocating for a network of marine protected areas that link our islands to help retain and enhance biodiversity.

The board will be undertaking stream remediation in a number of catchments. To minimise the effects of sedimentation and pollution in our bays, the board will be seeking stormwater management in accordance with water sensitive design principles.

Environmental education is a priority including marine education and research programmes. Development of management plans for esplanade reserves is another project which will assist in their aspiration to improve protection and conservation of our coastal environment.

Great Barrier Island

Submission on the draft Aotea Great Barrier Local Board Plan closed on 6 August and the hearing was held on 28 August. The plan’s focus is very much on environmental enhancement being the best way to improve resident’s lives, create jobs and attract visitors. A link to the Auckland Plan has also been made with the idea that Great Barrier could be THE place in the region where the Auckland Plan’s “A Green Auckland” outcome can best be delivered.

The local board plan seeks to build on the 2013 work of the previous Great Barrier Local Board to advance marine protection around the island’s coastline. Strong support for this proposal was received in submissions with marine protection attracting the second highest number of comments just behind support for predator control and enhancing biodiversity. Next steps in the marine protection proposal include engaging with Ngati Rehua Ngatiwai ki Aotea to support the previous board’s partnership with iwi on this subject.

The island has also been closely involved in Sea Change Listening Posts sessions and discussions with locals about marine protection have shown a strong measure of support. The board sees a leadership role for Great Barrier in delivery at the local level on the Sea Change objectives.

The board is also developing its work programme for the financial year which started on 1 July and is placing a priority on commencing a robust fresh and marine water quality monitoring programme.

Operations and Asset Management

Biodiversity

Regenerating green and blue areas

Threatened species management:

Threatened species protection programmes have been carried out within the gulf for Lepidium oleraceum (Cook’s scurvy grass) on Mahuki Island and Leptinella tenella on Great Barrier. Planning and organisation for the monitoring and protection of a range of other threatened species including gecko and seabirds is also underway.

Rodney Ecological Survey:

An ecological survey has been completed for 162 local parks within Rodney in partnership with the Rodney Local Board. The purpose of the survey was to increase understanding of the ecological values of parkland within Rodney to inform management priorities. The survey resulted in several threatened plant and animal populations being identified.

Habitat Restoration:

The annual revegetation programme within regional parks has been completed with close to 9ha of new indigenous habitat being re-established. Planning for 14/15 is underway with a similar target set.

Seabirds

Auckland Council is seeking to develop a greater understanding of the status of many seabird species in the region as part of councils species prioritisation programme. The goal is to develop management prescriptions, and subsequently management programmes, to ensure these species are maintained within the region for the next 40 years. Initially, acoustic monitoring will be undertaken on several islands within the Hauraki Gulf / Tῑkapa Moana to determine the presence or absence of seabirds, followed by a second monitoring trip to determine breeding success. This work will be undertaken during the breeding season for both summer and winter breeding species and targets those already prioritised species. Analysis of the data from these surveys will allow future management needs for these species to be determined in consultation with leading seabird experts from Council, DOC and Auckland Museum.

Research, Investigations and Monitoring Unit (RIMU)

Knowledge generation

2014 State of Auckland report cards

The 2014 State of Auckland report cards report on Auckland’s environment. Reports for air quality, freshwater, marine, soil, plants and animals; and Auckland community capacity for growth, demographics and quality of life are available this week. The report cards assist with council's RMA required environmental monitoring and reporting obligations.

The cards are arranged by local board and by topic on the State of Auckland website, http://stateofauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz which will be updated soon. There is a link on the Auckland Council website here: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/stateofauckland

A small number of printed cards will be distributed to the mayor, councillors, local boards, advisory panels (including the Independent Maori Statutory Board) and some CCOs. Sets of printed cards can also be viewed at the main Auckland Council libraries, local board offices and council service centres.

Knowledge generation

Forest bird (kaka) movement modelling

RIMU 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 / Tῑkapa Moana 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 as well as to use the location data to parameterise spatially explicit individual-based models. This 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 this data should help inform Auckland Council’s biodiversity enhancement planning and management activities.

UPDATE: This project is in its second year with three birds still being tracked; loggers will eventually fail within the next few months after which the first spatial analyses will be conducted by the University of Auckland.

Knowledge generation

Regenerating green and blue areas

Black petrel foraging ecology & fisheries interactions

RIMU, University of Auckland, and Wildlife Management International Limited are conducting a two-year study on Black petrel foraging ecology. The aims of these studies are to better understand the bird’s 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. The second year of GPS and dive depth logger deployments occurred in January/February of this year and this data is presently being analysed at the University of Auckland where Behavioural Modelling Analyses are being conducted.

UPDATE: This data was recently provided to Dragonfly - Quantitative Science who have been contracted by MPI to run an analysis of the overlap of Black petrel with New Zealand trawl and longline fisheries. A report of the findings is expected to be released shortly.

Knowledge generation

Regenerating green and blue areas

New Zealand Storm Petrel

The recently rediscovered New Zealand storm petrel in the Hauraki Gulf / Tῑkapa Moana is being studied by a group of collaborators including Kiwi Wildlife/Natural Lines Consultancy, RIMU, Landcare Research, Department of Conservation, plus several others. This project is in its third phase after the discovery of this critically endangered bird’s breeding grounds on Little Barrier Island last year and subsequent colony surveys. The major aim is to understand the bird’s breeding and population biology, identify all nests, and develop a conservation management plan.

UPDATE: A publication is being prepared which will detail the radio-tagging study and colony discovery on Little Barrier conducted in 2013.

Department of Conservation

Mana whenua integration

Regenerating green and blue areas

Mana whenua integration

Policy and Plan Development, Regulation and Compliance

Waikato and Auckland Conservation Management Strategies (CMS)

The draft Auckland CMS has been sent to the Minister of Conservation by the NZ Conservation Authority to seek any comments he might have before the Authority approves it. The recent passing of the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014 and the decision to establish a conservation park on Aotea Great Barrier Island are included in the draft CMS.

The Minister has advised the Authority that there are no matters he wishes be further considered in the draft Waikato CMS so its approval is imminent with a tentative operative date of 29 September 2014.

CMPs with iwi as part of treaty Settlements

The Department is working closely with Ngāti Manuhiri and the Auckland Conservation Board to prepare engagement plans and programmes to inform and prepare for the Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island Conservation Management Plan. A joint working party has been formed and provides oversight of these preliminary processes.

Outside In – reviewing the authorisation process for wildlife, research and collection activities

The Department is reviewing the authorisation (permitting) process for wildlife, research or collection activities undertaken on public conservation land and in relation to wildlife species. This programme of work is called ‘Outside In’.

The programme focuses on:

· DOC’s policies and processes involving wildlife, research and collection activities

· Māori or individual customary use of native plants, animals and materials, such as rongoā (medicine), kai (food), raranga (weaving) and whakairo (carving)

· Giving effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and supporting a living Treaty partnership

· Our processes for moving native plants and animals from one place to another (translocation)

The Department aims to work with our customers, Treaty partners and other interested parties to help shape a collaborative review process for activities requiring authorisations in the future.

The first phase, understanding the current situation through listening to our customers, is expected to be complete at the end of September 2014. Hui are being conducted throughout the country. The process is expected to be complete by September 2015.

Mana whenua integration

Regenerating green and blue areas

Mana whenua integration

Regenerating green and blue areas

Mana whenua integration

Regenerating green and blue areas

Mana whenua integration

Active land management to address nutrient, sediment and contaminant pollution

Regenerating green and blue areas

Active land management to address nutrient, sediment and contaminant pollution

Mana whenua integration

Regeneration of blue and green areas

Regenerating green and blue areas

Active land management to address nutrient, sediment and contaminant pollution

Mana whenua integration

Regenerating green and blue areas

Regenerating green and blue areas

Operations

Appointment of tangata whenua representatives to Hauraki Gulf Forum

The Minister of Conservation’s appointment process for tangata whenua representatives to the Hauraki Gulf Forum is complete. We welcome back Paul Majurey, Liane Ngamane and Terrance (Mook) Hohneck, and welcome Nicola MacDonald, Moana Tamaariki-Pohe and Lucy Steel to the Hauraki Gulf Forum. The appointments are for a 3 year term and commenced on 1 August 2014.

Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau (Tāmaki Collective)

Strategic Meeting 16 October 2014

The 13 iwi and hapū members of Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau and the Department are committed to establishing an effective partnership. The objective is to better protect the health, wellbeing, mauri and wairua of the resources and heritage of the Tāmaki Makaurau region.

Lou Sanson, the Director General of Conservation, will lead the Department’s engagement in the first strategic meeting between DOC and Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau since the passing of the Collective Redress Act. Discussions will include strategic objectives for the partnership, business planning processes and timeframes for annual work programmes. Specific topics will include the development of the Tāmaki Makaurau Motu plan, Maunguika/North Head, and Tikapa Moana and marine issues.

The Department’s Relationship Agreement with Nga Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau can be found in the Deed of Settlement.

Conservation Board Appointments

The new Conservation Board appointments are Glenn Wilcox (Ngati Whatua Rōpu); Nathan Kennedy (Marutuahu Rōpu); and James Brown (Waiohua Rōpu). Confirmation processes are currently underway.

The current members of the Auckland Conservation Board are:

· Ross Aitken (Chair)

· Laurie Beamish (Deputy Chair)

· Michael Fitchett

· Thomas Grace

· Alec Hawke

· Lyn Mayes

· Ian McDougall

· Rodney Ngawaka

Profiles of the Board members are attached as Attachment A.

Aotea/Great Barrier Island

Following major damage sustained from a serious storm on 10 June, the Department has relocated its operations to Okiwi Station. Significant damage occurred to infrastructure and visitor facilities in the north of the island.

The weather event also caused substantial damage in the Kaiaraara Valley with four bridges and the historic Kauri dam destroyed, along with multiple landslides and windfalls.

The damage caused to tracks and bridges has delayed the formal opening of the new three day Aotea Track experience. Fortunately, damage to Day 1 of this walk was minor, but the damage to Days 2 and 3 is substantial and will take a number of months to repair. Plans are being developed to re-open a three day walk in time for the 2014-15 summer. It is unlikely to follow the exact route of the Aotea Track as this will require more substantive work before it can be re-established.

Aotea Conservation Park

The Minister of Conservation recently announced the establishment of the Aotea Conservation Park on Aotea/Great Barrier. The Minister and other dignitaries were welcomed by Ngāti Rehua, and the event was well attended by members of the island community. The Minister indicated an intention to return to the island to open the park once survey and gazettal action has been completed. He also announced the opening of Day 1 of the Aotea Track and funding to repair and re-open the rest of the track in time for the coming summer. The Minister hopes to walk the track on his return visit.

The Minister also announced his intention to appoint an advisory committee for the new park. The advisory committee will be an opportunity for iwi and the local community to have input into the park’s management. A paper is in preparation for the Minister which will discuss the size, membership and functions of the committee, and seek his decision on these.

Leigh Reserves complex (Wakatūwhenua)

The Department is working closely with Ngāti Manuhiri together with other stakeholders such as the Auckland University Marine Laboratory, dive groups and commercial operators about management of the reserves. The group is exploring how to develop greater awareness of the ecological health of the reserves and better awareness of effective biosecurity measures (practical solutions) for use by the broader user base of community groups.

Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island

A partnership with Fletcher Construction has now progressed work to upgrade the sewage system on Hauturu. This comes after two months of disruption caused by inclement weather. This project is collaboration between the Department, Fletcher Construction, iwi partners and the suppliers of the sewage systems.

Kawau Island

The consent process for the pine logging operation is ongoing. Preparatory work is underway including renovation of the wallaby fence near Mansion House and upcoming weed and pest control programmes. Kawau received some damage in the recent storms with some trees damaging power lines and parts of the island going without power for a few days.

Motuora Island

The Motuora Restoration Society and the Department continue to work closely together on the management of the island. Temporary measures have been put in place to address the functionality of the current camp toilets.

Tiritiri Matangi Island

A request from the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi has been received to upgrade the old workshop in the historic precinct on the island. Plans to transform the current workshop to a museum to house the refurbished Cuvier light are being analysed.

A further request has also been received by the Supporters to build a new bunkhouse to cater for overnight stay visitors.

Motutapu & Rangitoto Islands

Fresh water springs on Motutapu are flowing at very low rates after the summer drought. This has resulted in poor recovery of bulk water storage for the island. Restrictions have been placed on the number of visitors staying overnight on the island in an effort to conserve the supply. Campground bookings for the coming summer have been closed off until such time that the situation improves. Work is underway to look at alternative methods of capturing potable water for both residents and visitors.

Considerable storm damage in terms of downed trees and slips has occurred during the recent storm events. All tracks and roads are open but there is still a lot of residual clean up to be completed once ground conditions improve.

The new Rangitoto wharf and waharoa was opened by the Minister of Conservation and Nga Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau on 14 August. Ferries have returned to using the wharf for passengers.

Two further takahē were released on Motutapu in July, bringing the total number of birds on the island to 18. The birds were raised in the Burwood Bush takahē breeding unit near Te Anau.

Inner Gulf Island Weed Strategy

The Department commissioned a review of the Department’s and island groups weed programmes on the inner gulf islands. This has highlighted the need for additional resources, new tactics and stronger collaboration between DOC, Auckland Council and island conservation trusts or societies. These partners are now collaborating to produce an Inner Gulf Islands Weed Strategy.

Noises Biodiversity Management Plan

The Noises Trust was successful in gaining funding from the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund to produce a Noises Island Biodiversity Management Plan. The Department and Auckland Council are assisting the Noises Trust with the production of the plan. The plan will help the Trust access funding to undertake biodiversity and biosecurity projects for the Noises.

The new Community Conservation Partnerships Fund (Pūtea Tautiaki Hāpori (CCPF).

The Community Conservation Partnership Fund replaces the Biodiversity Condition and Advice Funds. In the first year, more than $8.5 million dollars has been granted to support more than 100 community-based conservation groups nationwide to work on conservation projects alongside the Department.

Auckland community groups with projects ranging from early childhood education to habitat restoration and pest control have been granted more than $690,000.

The funded projects include initiatives on Great Barrier Island, Motutapu Island, Motuihe/Te Motu-a-Ihenga Island, Tiritiri Matangi Island, as well as marine spaces and mainland areas.

Two education initiatives focusing on growing an understanding of kaitiakitanga, in a primary school pilot and at an iconic marine reserve (Motu Haawere/Goat Island), have received funding. DOC is pleased to support new initiatives with the Ngati Tamaoho Trust and Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust amongst others.

Tourism Industry Association and DOC Regional Forums

The Tourism Industry Association and the Department of Conservation are holding a series of forums around the country with tourism and recreation concessionaires. The Auckland forum on 21 July was well attended by around 40 tourism operators and concessionaires, another forum was held in Hamilton on 4 August. The forums are an opportunity to build strong and effective partnerships between the Department and operators in Auckland, update operators on the Department’s new structure and provide an opportunity to meet relevant department contacts. Discussions on how DOC can grow conservation through increased business partnerships and why relationships between the tourism industry and the Department are important were a focus for the workshop.

DOC and Auckland Council partnership

The signing of an MOU in November 2012 reflected the shared intent for DOC and Auckland Council to increase collaboration to deliver significant value to the public and stakeholders and enhance protection of the regions natural and historic environment.

The MOU signals areas where the organisations might collaborate. These include:

· Collaborative Strategy and Planning

· Biodiversity, biosecurity and historic heritage planning and management

· Recreation and open space management; service delivery, facilitating visitor experience and tourism development

· Co-ordinating shared knowledge base, tools and reporting

· Strengthening mana whenua relationships

A strategic workshop for senior managers from Council and DOC to explore opportunities to achieve growth and implement the MOU was held on 28^th August. This workshop identified priority initiatives for collaboration.

DOC – Auckland Zoo Partnership

The Department has been working closely with Auckland Zoo to build a strong working relationship. There are a number of initiatives being implemented. A key project relates to the conservation restoration and education programmes being developed by The Rotoroa Trust on Rotoroa Island. The island has been mammalian pest free for two years. A series of species translocations are planned to create an outdoor zoo concept. A large scale school education programme will be built around experiential learning for school students through island visits.

So far translocations of tieke (saddleback) and popokotea (whitehead) were undertaken in May 2014. Approval has just been granted to transfer kiwi onto the island to establish a kiwi crèche similar to the way Motoura is used to raise young kiwi chicks in a protected environment before re-releasing in suitable adult habitat areas. Further translocations are planned over coming years.

The Department is also working with the zoo to support their native species programmes at the zoo, following on from the establishment of their Te Wao Nui programme. This requires a number of statutory processes to be worked through for captive management and advocacy.

DOC and Auckland Zoo staff meets monthly to undertake forward planning.

DOC-Fonterra Partnership - Miranda / Pukorokoro Catchment

The Community Investment in Water Programme (CIW) is a joint project between the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Fonterra working with local communities, dairy farmers, iwi and other stakeholders to improve sensitive water catchments.

The Programme Vision is “A sustainable dairy industry is part of healthy, functioning ecosystems that together enrich the lives of all New Zealanders.”

While dairy farming is not the only activity to impact on water quality and biodiversity in these catchments, it is a significant land use and this programme will develop effective solutions to improve water quality.

The Miranda/Pūkorokoro is one of five programme sites across New Zealand. The others are Waikato Peat Lakes, Kaipara Harbour-Hikurangi Catchment, Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and Waituna.

The site’s Annual Operational Plan 2014/15:

· Outlines the site vision, strategic approach, goals and how we will collaborate with others;

· Highlights some of the special values and catchment issues at the site;

· Details the key 2014/15 catchment management and monitoring tasks and projected DOC and Fonterra investment.

More information can be found by visiting www.fonterralivingwater.com

DOC/Te Puni Kōkiri Cadetship Programme - DOC invests in growing Māori capability

The Department of Conservation is piloting six cadetships – four in Auckland, one in Hamilton and one in Rotorua – to support increased Māori representation in the conservation sector. The pilot scheme is developed in partnership with Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK). This partnership enhances the Department’s ability to attract Māori employees from iwi with connections to the Auckland area in critical functions for the Department.

Great Mercury Island on its way to becoming pest free

The final of two aerial bait applications required to remove rats and feral cats from Ahuahu/ Great Mercury Island have been safely and successfully completed in August 2014.

The partnership to eradicate pests from Great Mercury was formed to reduce the threat of rats on Great Mercury spreading to the six neighbouring islands in the Mercury Group that are all pest free Nature Reserves.

More information can be found by visiting www.doc.govt.nz/greatmercuryisland

Discover the World Where You Live - Conservation Week 1-9 November 2014

Conservation Week (1 – 9 November) is about encouraging the people of Auckland to explore their ‘local treasures’ – the parks, scenic reserves, tracks, campsites, forests, wetlands and marine reserves.

New Zealand, and Auckland in particular, is full of special places and we want to enthuse people to get out and discover what’s in their backyard.

DOC has range of resources online that will help school children and students learn about and explore local treasures. We are working with a large number of partners to socialise the focus on the week.

Waikato Regional Council
Hauraki Gulf Forum Strategic Issue	Policy and Plan Development, Regulation and Compliance
	Tairua Marina The construction of the marina in Paku Bay, Tairua Harbour has been completed and the marina is now fully operational. There remain some outstanding compliance matters which are being worked through with WRC, TCDC and Tairua Marine Ltd. The matters are contentious and complex and are likely to result in notified consent processes.
	Moorings WRC is half way through reconsenting approximately 700 moorings in the Coromandel harbours. The process has met with considerable disdain in some sectors of some communities and as a result WRC is looking at alternative ways to manage moorings in the region. A number of options have been scoped and the preferred option of management of moorings through the Navigation Safety Bylaw rather than by an individual consent basis will be presented to Council in September for approval or otherwise.
	Judicial review Tasman Buildings Ltd (TBL) has issued notice of proceedings against WRC for processing number of marine farm extensions on a non-notified basis adjacent to islands owned by TBL. A high court hearing is set aside for 11 – 12 September 2014 however legal counsel for the parties are hoping to resolve the matter out of court. TBL’s primary concern is that WRC did not undertake an appropriate assessment of cumulative effects, particularly in terms of visual and landscape effects. WRC’s decision was based on two conflicting landscape assessments.
	Whangapoua erosion A storm event in July has left a number of beach front properties at immediate risk due to severe coastal erosion. The property owners hold a resource consent for beach scraping, whereby sand from the lower beach face is pushed up to reform a dune and provide a protective buffer should further erosion occur. If further erosion does not occur in the short term the beach scraping contributes to dune restoration. The property owners are hoping to claim costs from EQC to fund the works.
	Seawall consent applications WRC and TCDC are undertaking a joint consent process for a seawall extending the entire length of Brophy’s (Ohuka) Beach. The applicant is TCDC. The project has proven rather controversial – WRC publicly notified its part of the application whereas TCDC did not. WRC received a number of submissions and will be heard by independent commissioners later in the year. The application before WRC is presently on hold for further information to inform the decision. TCDC are preparing consent applications to WRC to extend two existing seawalls to repair end effect erosion at Cook’s Beach and Buffalo Beach.
	Mussel farm bonds In accordance with consent requirements all consent holders holding authorisations for marine farms which were previously administered by the Ministry of Fisheries have recently been requested to provide a bond for security in case of farm abandonment. The deadline to provide the bond is 30 October 2014.
	Investigations and Monitoring
Knowledge generation within an ecosystem based framework	Regional Estuary Monitoring Programme (REMP) 10 year trend report Waikato Regional Council’s Regional Estuary Monitoring Programme (REMP) was initiated in April 2001 to determine the current status and monitor the temporal changes in the state of selected estuaries (Raglan Harbour, southern Firth of Thames, Tairua Harbour (since 2012) in the region. A trend report of the first 10 years of monitoring data (April 2001 to April 2011) has been published (http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/tr201441). It provides analyses of trends over this period of time and investigates pattern and features in results that indicate the ecological health of the monitored estuaries.

Ministry for Primary Industries

Hauraki Gulf Forum Strategic Issue

Regenerating green and blue areas

Update on the implementation of the NPOA-Seabirds

The Seabird Advisory Group has now met twice and developed a series of actions to guide the implementation of the NPOA – Seabirds. These include specific actions relating to the black petrel and flesh-footed shearwater which are prevalent in the Hauraki Gulf / Tῑkapa Moana. The group will be monitoring progress on these actions and will reconvene in early December.

The MPI seabird coordinator role has now been in place for two months and has aided in maintaining the momentum of seabird work within MPI. Significant workstreams with regard to the Hauraki Gulf / Tῑkapa Moana include development of the black petrel action plan and the development of performance measures and targets for seabird capture rates. Key work in the Gulf includes:

· The FMA1 Seabird Liaison Officer role is in the process of being renegotiated for the coming summer. The scope of the role has been expanded and will build on the initial work carried out last season. The aim is to have the officers start their engagement with fishers by 1 October 2014 to align with the return of the black petrels to the Hauraki Gulf / Tῑkapa Moana.

· MPI is a partner of Southern Seabird Solutions Trust who has established an FMA1 Collaborative Seabird Group to specifically address seabird issues in FMA1. MPI has agreed to support and fund the group which has representation from Government Agencies, ENGOs, Iwi, Industry as well as a recreational representative. The group is meeting regularly and has established a terms of reference and targets and milestones.

Enhanced fisheries

Snapper (SNA1)

The SNA1 Strategy Group has continued to meet monthly and is progressing work on the development of a strategy for future management.

In the meantime the roll out of initiatives from last year’s decisions continues, with the monitoring programme set to increase to observer or camera coverage on 50% of the trawl fleet by 1 October 2014 increasing to 100% by 1 October 2015.

Update on management of rock lobster (CRA 2)

A management procedure is now used to guide catch limit setting in the CRA 2 fishery. This management procedure will be operated in November 2014 with new catch-per-unit-effort information. Any catch limit change that results from the operation of the management procedure will be released for public consultation towards the end of this year. Early in 2015, MPI will recommend to the Minister whether any new catch limit should apply to CRA2 for the fishing year beginning 1 April 2015.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

5. 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.

Māori impact statement

6. 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

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

Implementation

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

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Auckland Conservation Board Member Profiles	99

Signatories

Authors

Various Auckland Council staff

Alicia Warren – Ranger (Partnerships), Department of Conservation

Graeme Silver – Senior Coast Policy Advisor, Waikato Regional Council

Victoria Jollands - Fisheries Analyst, Ministry of Primary Industries

Authorisers

Ludo Campbell-Reid - Environmental Strategy & Policy Manager

[1] http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/media/21-08-09/cockle-death-whangateau-estuary

[2] For copies of bi-lingual resource email Mike Baker: mbaker@ngaatiwhanaunga.maori.nz


Chairperson	Mayor John Tregidga	Hauraki District Council
Deputy Chairperson	Ms Liane Ngamane	Tangata Whenua
Cr Peter French	Thames-Coromandel District Council	Cr Wayne Walker	Auckland Council
Cr Rob McGuire	Waikato District Council	Ms Meg Poutasi	Department of Conservation
Cr James Thomas	Matamata-Piako District Council	Ms Moana Tamaariki-Pohe	Tangata Whenua
Cr Peter Buckley	Waikato Regional Council	Mr Terrence Hohneck	Tangata Whenua
Mr Jeff Cleave	Great Barrier Local Board (Auckland Council)	Mr Steve Halley	Ministry for Primary Industries
Mr John Meeuwsen	Waiheke Local Board (Auckland Council)	Mr Paul Majurey	Tangata Whenua
Cr Christine Fletcher	Auckland Council	Ms Nicola McDonald	Tangata Whenua
Cr Michael Lee	Auckland Council	Ms Pauline Kingi	Te Puni Kōkiri
Cr Bill Cashmore	Auckland Council	Ms Lucy Steel	Tangata Whenua
Cr Chris Darby	Auckland Council

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

Authors	Meg Poutasi – Auckland Partnerships Director, Department of Conservation
Authorisers	Ludo Campbell-Reid - Environmental Strategy & Policy Manager