Agenda of Hauraki Gulf Forum - 12 September 2016

I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Hauraki Gulf Forum will be held on:

Date:

Time:

Meeting Room:

Venue:

Monday, 12 September 2016

1.00pm

Reception Lounge
Auckland Town Hall
301-305 Queen Street
Auckland

Hauraki Gulf Forum

OPEN AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP

Chairperson	Mayor John Tregidga	Hauraki District Council
Deputy Chairperson	Ms Liane Ngamane	Tangata Whenua
Deputy Mayor Peter French	Thames-Coromandel District Council	Cr Wayne Walker	Auckland Council
Cr Rob McGuire	Waikato District Council	Mr Andrew Baucke	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 MacDonald	Tangata Whenua
Cr Michael Lee	Auckland Council	Mr Leo Koziol	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.

(Quorum 11 members)

Bree Kurtovich

Democracy Advisor

6 September 2016

Contact Telephone: 021 710 159

Email: bree.kurtovich@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

1 Apologies

At the close of the agenda no apologies had been received.

2 Declaration of Interest

Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.

At the close of the agenda no requests for declarations of interest had been received.

3 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Monday, 20 June 2016, as a true and correct record.

4 Public Forum

At the close of the agenda no requests for Public Foum input had been received.

5 Extraordinary Business

Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-

(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and

(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-

(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and

(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”

Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-

(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-

(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and

(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but

(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”

6 Notices of Motion

At the close of the agenda no requests for notices of motion had been received.

Hauraki Gulf Forum

12 September 2016

Foundation North's Gulf Innovation Fund Together

File No.: CP2016/19616

Purpose

1. To receive information about a new fund to support innovative projects in the Hauraki Gulf.

Executive summary

2. Foundation North has created the Gulf Innovation Fund Together (G.I.F.T), that is worth $5 million over five years.

3. The purpose of the fund is to encourage breakthrough insights, innovations and solutions to the complex environmental issues facing the Hauraki Gulf.

4. Prototypes that have the potential to significantly improve the mauri of the Foundation North region of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park are a priority.

5. A first innovation lab is planned for 14 September 2016 to help groups and individuals turn ideas into prototypes. Following the lab, ideas with strong potential will be able to apply to access a small grant to enable first stage prototyping.

6. Foundation North has a long history of supporting conservation projects and the new innovation fund builds on the collaborations and conservation work already happening in the Gulf.

7. Foundation North’s Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Gill has been invited to brief the forum on the initiative.

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) congratulate Foundation North for the Gulf Innovation Fund Together, and thank Jennifer Gill for her attendance.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Press release: Foundation North creates $5 million Hauraki Gulf fund	9

Signatories

Author	Tim Higham - Executive Officer, Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authoriser	Jacques Victor - GM Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Hauraki Gulf Forum

12 September 2016

Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island Conservation Management Plan

File No.: CP2016/19668

Purpose

1. To receive an overview of the preparation and notification of a draft Conservation Management Plan for Te Hauturu-o-Toi/ Little Barrier Island.

Executive summary

2. The Ngāti Manuhiri Claims Settlement Act 2012 required the Director-General of Conservation to prepare a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for Te Hauturu-o-Toi/ Little Barrier Island (Hauturu) in consultation with the Auckland Conservation Board and the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust.

3. The draft CMP was publicly notified on 10 August 2016. The public have until 4pm 11 October 2016 to lodge a submission.

4. The Auckland Conservation Board and the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust have the statutory role of jointly approving the CMP.

5. The CMP is among several precedents for the delivery of co-governance arrangements within the Hauraki Gulf area through statutory planning and policy setting.

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) receive the information about the draft Conservation Management Plan for Te Hauturu-o-Toi/ Little Barrier Island.

Comments

6. Hauturu is a place of iconic importance for Ngāti Manuhiri. Until 1896, the island was a permanent home for Ngāti Manuhiri, a refuge and an important burial place for Ngāti Manuhiri rangatira. The Ngāti Manuhiri Claims Settlement Act 2012 requires the Director-General of Conservation to prepare a CMP for Hauturu in consultation with the Auckland Conservation Board and the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust.

7. The CMP is a ten-year document that implements the Auckland Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) 2014-2024 and establishes detailed objectives and policies for the management of the island. It is prepared under the Conservation Act 1987, the Reserves Act 1977 and Treaty Settlement legislation. The CMP cannot derogate from any Act, the Conservation General Policy (2005), nor the Auckland CMS.

8. The Auckland Conservation Board and the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust have the statutory role of jointly approving the CMP. Submissions from the public and comments from the Minister of Conservation and the New Zealand Conservation Authority will be considered.

9. The Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust and the Auckland Conservation Board worked closely with the Department on the preparation of the draft through discussions and workshops. Pre-notification consultation was undertaken by the Department, Ngāti Manuhiri and the Auckland Conservation Board with other interested iwi in the Auckland and Northland regions.

10. The draft CMP was publicly notified on 10 August 2016. Interested parties and the public have until 4pm 11 October 2016 to lodge a submission. It is expected that hearings will occur early in November.

11. Iwi, local authorities and stakeholders have been informed of the notification of the draft CMP and public notices placed in newspapers. Copies of the draft CMP are available for public viewing at the Whangarei, Warkworth, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel, and Auckland DOC offices, and the Leigh, Snells Beach, and Warkworth Public Libraries. An electronic copy of the CMP and information on the notification/submission process is available on www.doc.govt.nz/hauturucmp.

12. The draft CMP has four main parts:

· Part 1: sets out the traditional associations of Ngāti Manuhiri with the island.

· Part 2: describes the island and its values.

· Part 3: sets out the management direction through detailed policies.

· Part 4: details administrative arrangements to give effect to the CMP.

13. Policies in Part 3 are set out for a range of matters which are grouped as follows:

· Treaty of Waitangi partnerships

· community awareness, engagement and participation

· biodiversity and biosecurity

· authorisations (general)

· access

· research

· translocations

· concessions.

14. The Hauturu CMP is among several precedents for the delivery of co-governance arrangements within the Hauraki Gulf area. It is the first of two conservation management plans to be prepared under Treaty settlement legislation within the Hauraki Gulf area. The second is a CMP for the inner motu of Rangitoto, Motutapu, Motuihe/Te Motu-a-Ihenga, and Motukorea/Browns Island, provided for under the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014. An Integrated Management Plan for fourteen maunga is to be prepared and approved by the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, also under the Collective Redress Act. Other statutory plans may be required under settlements yet to be finalised in the wider Gulf area.

15. Several fact sheets are attached which were prepared to support the development of the draft Hauturu CMP. These cover:

· Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island and nature reserve land classification

· significance of Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island to Ngāti Manuhiri.

· what is a conservation management plan? (Includes a process flow chart for its preparation).

No.	Title	Page
a⇩	Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island Nature Reserve Fact Sheets	15

Attachments

Signatories

Author	Nick Turoa, Acting Operations Manager, Mahurangi - Warkworth Office , Te Papa Atawhai - Department of Conservation
Authoriser	Jacques Victor - GM Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Hauraki Gulf Forum

12 September 2016

Governance Review update

File No.: CP2016/19681

Purpose

1. To receive an update on responses to the Governance Review and Recommendations Report.

Executive summary

2. Following an external review completed last year a small working group was commissioned to consider future governance options for the Hauraki Gulf Forum.

3. The report was intended as navigational advice and contained recommendations on how to approach governance moving forward.

4. In resolutions made in June 2016 the forum received and noted the recommendations and sought responses to them from constituent parties at its next meeting, after consultation with their respective bodies.

5. Most councils have used a common template to inform relevant committees of the report and recommendations and noted they will be further considered post the October 2016 local government elections.

6. Specific resolutions have been made by the Great Barrier Local Board and Waikato District Council. Comment has also been received by Ngati Manuhiri and draft notes from Ministry for Primary Industries.

7. This communication and feedback is attached.

8. It is recommended that the Governance Review and Recommendations Report be further considered by the forum when it convenes after the 2016 local government elections.

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) note and receive the responses to date on the Governance Review & Recommendations Report.

b) agree to consider the Governance Review and Recommendations Report when the Hauraki Gulf Forum reconvenes after the 2016 local government elections.

Background

9. In June 2015 an external review completed by Dr Nigel Bradly - involving interviews with Forum members and associates - recommended strengthening of governance capacity to enable the forum to more effectively promote the management objectives of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act.

10. The Bradly review recommendations included:

· "Recommendation 1. Governance should be reformed and the current structure replaced with a smaller, more agile Forum membership that provides a peer group of politically aware and strong leaders committed to promoting the objectives of the Act, and that reflects the national significance and expectations of government in creating the Marine Park and the Forum. The Forum needs to work with statutory organisations but not necessarily be formed by them (as it currently largely is), and needs greater representation of tangata whenua to reflect the nature of the Crown – Iwi partnership. See Recommendation 4 for more detail."

· "Recommendation 4. This Review has not examined an alternative governance model in sufficient detail to recommend a specific structure, size or make-up of a future Forum. We recommend a small group of experts external to the Forum be tasked with examining this issue in depth and report back to the September 2015 Forum meeting with clear options for future governance. These individuals should have experience and expertise in natural resource management and the unique context that the Forum operates in, Treaty matters including co-governance and co-management, and best practice governance models. This would include consideration of an alternative governance model that includes the following elements:

o a smaller size, consideration of the appropriate length of term for appointments;

o rather than the current individual agency representative model, consider appointment of a peer group of politically aware and strong individuals who are committed to promoting the objectives of the Act and thus can demonstrate the leadership that government intended, but are not ‘tied’ to any particular agency or policy position;

o structure and decision rules that reflect the Crown – Iwi partnership and that is capable of enduring through future Treaty settlements without additional need to restructure the Forum or revisit its underpinning principles;

o consideration of whether, and how co-governance might be applied to the Forum, recognising lessons from both Sea Change, Tai Timu Tai Pari and Treaty settlements as well as other examples in New Zealand (i.e. there is no single model for co-governance, and it must be fit for purpose); and

o alternative funding models to provide significantly greater resourcing for the Forum to more effectively deliver its functions and promote the objectives of the Act.”

11. In response to receipt of the external review the forum (Resolution number HGF/2015/14) reads:

MOVED by Mr P Majurey, seconded by Cr WD Walker:
That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) initiate a small working group to further consider the findings and recommendations of the review and their implications and to report back with options for accommodating them at the next Forum meeting in September 2015.

b) delegate authority to the chair and deputy chair to determine the make up a working group with input, via email, from forum members.

12. The forum was kept abreast of progress; the identification and formation of the working group (email notification from chair to members on its composition on 24 Aug 2015) and a revised timeline for preparation of the advice was contained in subsequent Executive Officer reports.

13. The March 2016 Executive Officer report informed members of a meeting between the chair and Minister of Conservation at which the minister "encouraged resolution of the governance questions raised through the review" and "interest in receiving advice on the forum's recommendations before completion of the current local body electoral term.”

14. A working group of Paul Beverley (lawyer and currently Independent Chair of the Tai Timu Tai Pari Sea Change Stakeholder Working Group), Vaughan Payne (Chief Executive, Waikato Regional Council) and Mark Maloney (Head of Audit, Auckland Council) was commissioned to prepare advice. This group was instructed to seek input from deputy chair Liane Ngamane and Mook Hohneck to understand tangata whenua perspectives.

15. The working group presented its report and recommendations to the June 2016 meeting. The resolution from that meeting (Resolution Number HGF/2016/11) reads:

MOVED by Chairperson John Tregidga, seconded by Deputy Chairperson Liane Ngamane:

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) receive the ‘Hauraki Gulf Forum - Governance review and recommendations’ report.

b) note the recommendations from the ‘Hauraki Gulf Forum - Governance review and recommendations’ report:

i. that particular attention is paid to Treaty settlement processes and the Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari process alongside this governance review process;

ii. that the governance model for the Forum is changed to a co-governance approach;

iii. that mana whenua appoint their members directly through a process designed and approved by mana whenua;

iv. that the size of the Forum is reduced to 16 members;

v. that the Forum membership is made up as follows:

· 8 members appointed by mana whenua;

· 5 members appointed by the Minister of Conservation (for example political, business or NGO leaders rather than Crown representatives);

and

· 3 members appointed by local authorities (1 from each of the Auckland Council, Waikato Regional Council and the territorial authorities collectively) – these may or may not be elected members;

vi. that the term of appointments be 3 years with the ability to reappoint up to a maximum number of terms to be agreed, with a staggering of terms to ensure that there is some continuity of knowledge across terms;

vii.that in addition to the other changes recommended in this report, the Forum undertakes a process to promote a clear understanding of and focus on the governance task of the Forum, including the relevant purpose, objective and function provisions of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000;

viii.that any reform of the governance arrangements for the Forum should include provision for the Forum to have more statutory authority and a stronger and more direct role in terms of statutory decision-making over the Hauraki Gulf.

ix. that, as an interim step, the Forum creates a smaller ‘core group’ of 12 members to drive more focused and strategic governance for the Forum, and at the same time advance a case for legislative amendment to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000; and

x. that the chief executives of the local authorities and relevant ministries/departments work together to implement these recommendations immediately following the 2016 triennial local authority elections.

c) constituent parties respond to the recommendations from the ‘Hauraki Gulf Forum - Governance review and recommendations’ report at the next meeting of the Hauraki Gulf Forum, following consultation with their respective bodies.

16. At the June 2016 meeting the chair requested the authors include reference to guiding principles used in preparation of the advice in the report.

Guiding Principles

17. In undertaking the review we have used the following guiding principles:

a) existing and future Treaty settlements need to be respected and accommodated in any governance reform of the forum;

b) the approach to governance structures for resources recognised as being of national significance has evolved significantly since 2000, including in relation to co-governance with mana whenua and national resourcing, and the current approach to the governance of Forum needs to reflect contemporary best practice;

c) the future governance model for the forum should be based on 'influence' rather than 'representation';

d) Rangatira to Rangatira: the forum must be made up of influential leaders, and the Crown needs to play a greater role at the forum table; and

e) the governance of the forum needs to be simplified and there is a need for greater focus on the purpose of the forum.

18. An updated version of the report containing these principles (above) was circulated to members by the chair on 22 July 2016 with a covering email noting “While I’m aware that impending elections may curtail decisions, it would be useful to hear views about the recommended direction and/or alternative arrangements or additional principles that can enhance our work in the next term.”

19. In follow up email communication on 2 August 2016, the chair indicated to members that “from feedback I have had from a number of you, I will be suggesting at our next forum meeting that any decision on the future of the governance of the Hauraki Gulf Forum be held off and dealt with by the new forum post elections. However, I do believe that it would be helpful for the next term’s forum members to receive feedback from present members. Therefore as in line with the last meeting’s resolution there will be on the next agenda the opportunity for members to report back from their constituent bodies on the proposed governance report.”

20. Most councils have used a common template to inform relevant committees of the report and recommendations and noted they will be further considered post the October 2016 local government elections, see Auckland Council memo (Attachment A) and Waikato Regional Council report (Attachment B). Specific resolutions have been made by the Great Barrier Local Board (Attachment C) and Waikato District Council (Attachment D).

21. Feedback has also been received from Ngati Manuhiri (Attachment E) and Ministry of Primary Industries (Attachment F).

22. This communication and feedback is attached.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Auckland Council :18 August 2016 Memo to Regional Strategy and Policy Committee Members	37
b ⇩	Waikato Regional Council: 3 August 2016 Report to Council	41
c ⇩	Great Barrier Local Board: 9 August 2016 resolution and feedback	45
d ⇩	Waikato District Council: 16 August 2016 resolution	49
e ⇩	Ngati Manuhiri: 26 August 2016 response to proposed Governance Review	51
f ⇩	Ministry of Primary Industries: 18 Aug 2016 DRAFT ONLY Notes on the proposal to review the Governance of the Hauraki Gulf Forum	53

Author	Tim Higham - Executive Officer, Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authoriser	Jacques Victor - GM Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Signatories

Hauraki Gulf Forum

12 September 2016

Executive Officer's report

File No.: CP2016/19696

Purpose

1. To receive a quarterly update report from the Hauraki Gulf Forum’s Executive Officer.

Executive summary

2. This report is prepared by Hauraki Gulf Forum Executive Officer 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) receive the Hauraki Gulf Forum Executive Officer’s report.

Comments

Annual Report

3. The 2015-16 Hauraki Gulf Forum Annual Report has been prepared and a hard copy will be provided with the 12 September 2016 Hauraki Gulf Forum agenda.

4. The accompanying letter to the Minister of Conservation is appended as Attachment A.

5. The Minister’s office has indicated that this report will be tabled in the House of Representatives on 6 September 2016.

6. Additional copies of the report are available and it will be circulated to stakeholders with the final September 2016 issue of Weaving the Strands.

‘The Story of the Hauraki Gulf’ book launch

7. On the evening of 12 September 2016 the Environmental Defence Society are hosting the launch of ‘The Story of the Hauraki Gulf’ by Raewyn Peart.

8. This coffee table book explores the ‘discovery, transformation and restoration’ of the gulf. Its production was supported by the forum and publication has been timed to increase awareness of the completion of the Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari marine spatial plan.

9. Members have been invited to attend a launch function at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Westhaven at 5.30-7.30 pm.

10. See http://haurakigulfstory.com/hauraki-gulf-book/ for more information.

Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari project

11. I continue to be involved in the Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari project through involvement in Project Board meetings, which coordinate agency support, and attend the monthly Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) meeting with senior agency officials, to provide a conduit to the forum’s work and interests.

12. The Stakeholder Working Group is working hard to bring together all elements of a marine spatial plan together by the end of this month. Integration of fisheries issues is the final piece of the package.

13. Once complete a timetable for consideration by the Project Steering Group will be confirmed, with a public launch of the plan anticipated in early December 2016.

Tamaki Estuary public input follow up

14. In response to the resolution made at the last meeting “that the Hauraki Gulf Forum request an update from Auckland Council’s CCO Governance and Monitoring Committee regarding responses to the environmental state of Tamaki Estuary as per previous ‘State of the Environment’ reports”, I prepared the appended letter (Attachment B) and discussed an appropriate response with Alastair Cameron, Manager, CCO Governance & External Partnerships.

15. Alastair has undertaken to review CCO Statement of Intent documents to identify any Key Performance Indicators that could help provide accountability for estuarine and harbour health. I will communicate his analysis when received.

Marine reserve monitoring update

16. In March 2016 the forum was informed of marked declines in the number of crayfish inside the gulf’s marine reserves.

17. This year’s survey shows crayfish numbers have continued to decline inside and outside Leigh and Tawharanui reserves – populations in the reserves are down a further 25% from 2014 and follow a consistent downward trend which is reflected in CRA 2 fishery statistics.

18. Numbers outside the reserve are the lowest they have been since monitoring began in the 1990s. Biomass is estimated to be less than 5 per cent of unfished levels.

19. Dr Nick Shears, a winner of the 2015 Holdaway Award, attributes the continued decline to sustained fishing pressure on the offshore boundary (and has advocated a case for extending the offshore boundary). The lack of recruitment of young fish into the population and continued high fishing pressure are bigger problems facing the fishery, according to Dr Shears.

Bryde’s whale ship strike working group

20. An annual meeting of the collaborative group is scheduled for 20 September 2016 to consider vessel speed monitoring results and the latest research work.

21. The latest quarterly ship speed monitoring results (April - June period), compiled independently by both the International Fund for Animal Welfare and Ports of Auckland Ltd, show speeds well under 11 knots on average (Attachments C and D).

22. June 2016 recorded the lowest monthly average of 10.44 knots and also the first month with no vessels above 18 knots. Ports of Auckland report continued good co-operation from shipping lines to the voluntary speed protocol.

Black Petrel Working Group

23. I continue to support the Black Petrel Working Group, which met at Auckland Council on 29 August 2016.

24. The group is keen to find a way to enable camera monitoring in the FMA 1 bottom longline fishery this season to enable better monitoring of the success of seabird smart mitigation measures. It has provided industry and MPI with suggested protocols to find a satisfactory way forward.

25. It is also planning publicity associated with the return of black petrels to the gulf in the next month.

26. Researcher Biz Bell will gain welcome assistance from fishers in monitoring of the colony on Mt Hirakimata from 28 November to 14 December 2016. If any members would like to visit the colony and assist please let me know (reasonable fitness required).

27. I have arranged for Kennedy Warne to broadcast his Radio NZ ‘Off the Beaten Track’ interview on the Nine to Noon Show from the colony in December 2016.

28. Reports from Ecuador - where black petrels spend the New Zealand winter - suggest El Nino conditions have altered the birds’ usual foraging patterns, driving them further inshore in search of food. Any impacts of this should be picked up in the monitoring of tagged returning birds.

GIFT

29. Foundation North has been invited to introduce its new Gulf Innovation Fund Together (GIFT) initiative within the agenda.

30. On 30 August 2016 I worked with GIFT to present gulf issues to one hundred students participating in a SolveIt’ challenge, organized by Velocity, the business and entrepreneurial arm of Auckland University. Students had a fortnight to work in syndicates with mentors to respond to selected issues from the State of our Gulf reports.

31. As noted previously, there is growing interest from donors in gulf initiatives as a result of the forum’s products and investment in the Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari process. The Nature Conservancy, a new Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) to New Zealand, is involved in the seminar.

Publicity

32. The Neureuter family - a winner of the 2015 Holdaway Award - continue to contribute to informed discussion about conservation challenges and opportunities in the gulf. See Boating New Zealand article appended (Attachment E).

33. The Noises Islands, which they own, were also featured in Kennedy Warne’s ‘Off the Beaten Track’ slot on Nine to Noon: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201813994/off-the-beaten-track-with-kennedy-warne.

34. In August I participated in EDS’s Wild Places Conference along with the chair and several other forum members. I was invited to MC the conference dinner and introduce speaker Steve Hathaway, maker of the television series Young Ocean Explorers, which was supported by a grant from the forum.

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Seminar

35. This year’s seminar will be held the day after the forum meeting on Tuesday 13 September 2016. There is strong interest in the event and the final programme is appended. See Attachment F. Please advise if you would like to attend. Reserve seats are limited and the seminar usually sells out several days in advance.

36. Radio NZ’s Nine to Noon plans to interview speaker Jochen Zaeschmar on his research on false killer whales to preview the event.

37. Public bookings can be made through - http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/whats-on/series/on-the-horizon-hauraki-gulf-marine-park-seminar.

Weaving the Strands

38. A final printed issue of Weaving the Strands is currently in production and will be available at the 12 September 2016 Hauraki Gulf Forum meeting.

39. Subscribers will be directed to register for future e-newsletters from the website – www.gulfjournal.org.nz – which also carries additional content and provides access to the forum’s knowledge products.

40. This quarter’s issue features submitted material focussed on the magic of the gulf’s smaller islands.

41. The website is attracting 2,416 page views and 1,060 users a quarter and currently has 162 subscribers.

Community Shellfish Monitoring Programme

42. In December 2015 Auckland Council’s Environmental Services Unit advised the forum it faced budget cuts and would facilitate discussions with parties involved in the Community Shellfish Monitoring Programme about alternative options for supporting the programme.

43. It has advised there is interest from Healthy Waters (previously the council’s Stormwater Unit) to continue to provide support for the programme. I will provide further details in due course.

Graduate Planner

44. I have been able to secure a six month placement as part of Auckland Council’s Graduate Programme to consider the application of blue design and blue infrastructure principles and best practice in future development.

45. In December 2015 the forum received a presentation on the work of the Urban Design Panel and indicated support for “further scoping and development of projects to assist awareness building and promotion of the HGMPA’s management objectives.”

46. Tara Hurley has a planning background and will contribute to research and advice in this area.

Technical Officers Group

47. A meeting of the Technical Officers Group was held on 18 August 2016 to plan the agenda for the 12 September 2016 meeting and review work planning and delivery.

48. A candidate for the 2016 Holdaway Award was identified and conveyed to the forum’s designated sub-group for confirmation.

Consideration

49. This report was prepared by the Hauraki Gulf Forum Executive Officer with input from the Technical Officers Group as set out in the forum’s governance statement.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Cover Letter to Minister of Conservation regarding Hauraki Gulf Forum Annual Report 2015-2016	61
b ⇩	Letter to CCO Governance & Monitoring Committee regarding Tamaki Estuary	63
c ⇩	April-June 2016 Large Vessel Speed Monitoring, International Fund for Animal Welfare presentation	65
d ⇩	April-June 2016 Large Vessel Speed Monitoring, Ports of Auckland Ltd	77
e ⇩	27 July 2016 Boating NZ Article - Fixing the Gulf	79
f ⇩	2016 Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Seminar Programme	85

Signatories

Author	Tim Higham - Executive Officer, Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authoriser	Jacques Victor - GM Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Hauraki Gulf Forum

12 September 2016

Constituent party report

File No.: CP2016/19801

Purpose

1. To receive a report of recent activities undertaken by Hauraki Gulf Forum constituent parties which address the strategic issues of the forum.

Executive summary

2. This report is 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.

4. The left-hand column of the following table can be used to link initiatives to this response framework. The sub-headings describe broad functional areas that can be used to categorise activity.

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) receive the constituent party report.

Comments

Department of Conservation
Hauraki Gulf Forum Strategic Issue	Policy and Plan Development, Regulation and Compliance
Regenerating green and blue areas Enhanced fisheries Mana whenua integration Active land management Knowledge generation within an eco-system based framework	Hauturu/Little Barrier Conservation Management Plan The draft Conservation Management Plan was notified for public submissions on 10 August 2016. The submission period closes on 11 October 2016, after which there will be hearings if requested by any submitters. See separate agenda report for further detail. More info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/have-your-say/all-consultations/2016/te-hauturu-o-toi-little-barrier-island-conservation-management-plan/ Inner Tīkapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf motu Conservation Management Plan Development of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for four inner Gulf Islands (Rangitoto, Motutapu, Motuihe/Te Motu-a-Ihenga, Motukorea/Browns) was a key component of the Tāmaki Collective Treaty settlement. The department has been working with the Tūpuna Taonga o Tāmaki MakaurauTrust (a post Treaty settlement entity of the Tāmaki Collective) on planning for this project. Indicative plans are to undertake pre-consultation and drafting through 2017. The department will also be engaging in discussions with Auckland Council about planning for and management of Motukorea/Browns Island as council is the underlying owner.
	Operations and Asset Management Departmental re-organisation The department nearing the end of its re-organisation to improve how it delivers its work in the Hauraki Gulf area. Final decisions on the boundaries and staffing of an Auckland-based Operations Region are due to be made in early September. The operations group is responsible for delivering conservation work on the ground including growing conservation with partners. A smaller national partnerships group is responsible for investigating and facilitating step change conservation growth opportunities. Aotea Conservation Park Advisory Committee inaugural meeting In December 2015 the Minister of Conservation appointed the Aotea Conservation Park Advisory Committee, five of whom represent tangata whenua. The purpose of the committee is to represent iwi and local community interests and provide advice to the Director-General about the management of the Conservation Park on Great Barrier Island. The inaugural meeting of the committee will be held on 14 September 2016. More info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/have-your-say/all-consultations/2015/aotea-conservation-park-advisory-committee/ Kauri die-back recreation project In 2014 the government allocated $21m over three years to the department to help manage the spread of kauri die-back. Much of these funds will be spent on improving tracks in areas of kauri to minimise the risk of the disease being spread further. Following an assessment phase a programme to upgrade some 200 tracks in the upper North Island has been approved. Work commenced in mid-2016. More info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2016/preventing-the-spread-of-kauri-dieback/ The department has closed a number of areas to prevent further spread of the disease. For example earlier this year on the Coromandel Peninsula the department closed the Manaia Sanctuary to maintain its disease free status, and extended the closure of the Hukarahi Block.in which the disease was first detected in 2013. More info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2016/kauri-dieback-disease-closes-coromandel-forests/ Predator Free New Zealand 2050 In July the government announced its adoption of the Predator Free New Zealand 2050 target. It also announced that to help achieve that goal it would set up a public - private partnership company to generate funding for regional large scale predator eradication programmes. The intention is that the department, along with the Ministry for Primary Industries, will work with a range of partners in regions to achieve the goal. More info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/predator-free-nz-2050
	Investigations and Monitoring
	Education and Communication Conservation Week 2016 Conservation Week takes place over 10-18 September 2016, with the theme of “Heathy Nature Healthy People”. A large number of conservation themed events are taking place that week around the Auckland and Waikato regions, including a number in the Hauraki Gulf. More info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/news/events/conservation-week/

Auckland Council

Hauraki Gulf Forum Strategic Issue

Policy and Plan Development, Regulation and Compliance

Auckland Council has established the Wai Ora – Healthy Waterways programme to foster increased internal and external collaboration opportunities for improved water outcomes across the Auckland region. Leadership of this programme has been given to the ‘Healthy Waters’ department (previously ‘Stormwater’) within Infrastructure and Environmental Services. This programme will include Auckland Council’s implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM), in line with the direction set in the Auckland Unitary Plan with respect to the integrated management of freshwater with the use and development of land. For further information on this programme and the NPS-FM - http://tinyurl.com/h5bcbpq

Auckland Council has established a cross-council working group to co-ordinate marine biosecurity policy implementation and operational activity by business units of Council and its CCOs, such as Consents, Natural Environment Strategy, Harbourmaster, Auckland Transport and marinas managed by Panuku.

Operations and Asset Management

Auckland Council’s Biodiversity Team have been undertaking surveys of spotted shags in the Hauraki Gulf (as well as on the West Coast of Auckland) since 2013. Results so far have highlighted the importance of the remaining colonies on Tarahiki Island and at the eastern end of Waiheke (at Hooks and Anita Bays).

Research and Evaluation

The 2016 updates of the State of Auckland report cards will be published in September, with new data on air quality, marine environments, plants and animals, population, soil quality, and water quality.

Once uploaded, the new cards will be available on the State of Auckland website, http://stateofauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Recently published reports:

Emerging contaminants report (Stewart, M., Northcott, G., Gaw, S and Tremblay, L A (2016)).

· an update on emerging organic contaminants of concern for New Zealand with guidance on monitoring approaches for councils. Prepared by Streamlined Environmental Ltd, Northcott Research Consultants Ltd, University of Canterbury, Cawthron Institute and the University of Auckland for Auckland Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Environment Canterbury Regional Council. Auckland Council technical report, TR2016/006.

· a group of chemicals collectively termed “emerging organic contaminants” (EOCs) have the potential to enter the environment and impact human and ecological health, however their actual levels and effects in the environment are not well know

· these chemicals are often produced and used in high volumes (e.g. paracetamol, the contraceptive pill) but have not traditionally been monitored in the environment due to a lack of awareness and understanding

· as understanding of potential risks increases the need to better quantify actual risk through further monitoring and research also increases

· we all need to consider how best to use and dispose of chemicals and what alternatives exist to reduce the risks of chemicals to people and the environment.

2015 sediment contaminants data report (Mills, G N (2016)).

Marine sediment contaminant monitoring: data report for November 2015 sampling. Prepared by Diffuse Sources Ltd for Auckland Council. Auckland Council technical report, TR2016/020.

· This document describes the marine sediment contaminant monitoring undertaken in October-November 2015, for the Auckland Council’s “Regional Sediment Contaminant Monitoring Programme” (RSCMP).

· Sediments from a total of 21 sites were sampled for chemical contaminants: 20 RSCMP sites (of which, 17 were from the former Regional Discharges Project (RDP), and two from the former State of the Environment (SoE), monitoring programmes) and one site from the Central Waitematā Harbour benthic ecology programme (CWH).

· Results are broadly in line with previous findings where some sites in older industrial catchments like the Tamaki estuary continue to display flat or increasing levels of zinc while lead levels continue to decrease. Copper levels are generally flat.

Ministry for Primary Industries

Hauraki Gulf Forum Strategic Issue

Policy and Plan Development, Regulation and Compliance

Enhanced fisheries

Draft Snapper 1 management plan launched

A new draft plan for the long-term management of the important snapper one fishery was released 2 September.

The plan was devised by the SNA1 Strategy Group, comprising customary, recreational and commercial fishers.

The draft Plan sets out a series of recommendations for managing the fishery, which includes Bay of Plenty, the Hauraki Gulf and the eastern coast of Northland.

The draft Plan has a strong focus on improving fishing practices, minimising waste, and gathering accurate information. The recommendations include:

· aiming to achieve a biomass target of 40% of the unfished state by 2040, with an intermediate checkpoint of 30% by 2025

· undertaking a snapper tagging survey to estimate biomass, which begins later this year

· regular monitoring of the status of the fishery to ensure it is on course to reach targets and timeframes

· educating all fishers on ways to avoid catching juvenile fish and increasing survival rates of released snapper

· regular monitoring and analysis of catch levels by all sectors.

Public drop-in sessions to discuss the plan are being held at main centres in the region this month.

http://mpi.govt.nz/law-and-policy/legal-overviews/fisheries/snapper-1-management-plan/

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Signatories

Author	Tim Higham - Executive Officer, Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authoriser	Jacques Victor - GM Auckland Plan Strategy and Research