Agenda of Hauraki Gulf Forum

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

Date:

Time:

Meeting Room:

Venue:

Monday, 25 May 2020

1.00pm

This meeting will be held remotely

Hauraki Gulf Forum

OPEN AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP

Co-chairperson	Cr Pippa Coom	Auckland Council
Co-chairperson Tangata Whenua	Ms Nicola MacDonald	Tangata Whenua
Members	Cr Donna Arnold	Matamata-Piako District Council
	Mr Andrew Baucke	Department of Conservation
	Cr Christine Fletcher	Auckland Council
	Mayor Sandra Goudie	Thames-Coromandel District Council
	Ms Cath Handley	Waiheke Local Board (Auckland Council)
	Mr Terrence Hohneck	Tangata Whenua
	Mr Jacob Hore	Ministry for Primary Industries
	Mr Paul Majurey	Tangata Whenua
	Mr Martin Mariassouce	Te Puni Kōkiri
	Cr Rob McGuire	Waikato District Council
	Mr Scott Milne	Orakei Local Board (Auckland Council)
	Mr Dean Ogilvie	Tangata Whenua
	Cr Anne Marie Spicer	Hauraki District Council
	Cr Denis Tegg	Waikato Regional Council
	Ms Valmaine Toki	Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board (Auckland Council)
	Cr Wayne Walker	Auckland Council
	Cr John Watson	Auckland Council

(Quorum 11 members)

Mike Giddey

Kaitohutohu Mana Whakahaere / Governance Advisor

18 May 2020

Contact Telephone: 027 221 7183

Email: mike.giddey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Selected extracts from the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000

3 Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to—

(a) integrate the management of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments:

(b) establish the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park:

(d) recognise the historic, traditional, cultural, and spiritual relationship of the tangata whenua with the Hauraki Gulf and its islands:

(e) establish the Hauraki Gulf Forum.

Part 1 Management of Hauraki Gulf

7 Recognition of national significance of Hauraki Gulf

(1) The interrelationship between the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments and the ability of that interrelationship to sustain the life-supporting capacity of the environment of the Hauraki Gulf and its islands are matters of national significance.

(2) The life-supporting capacity of the environment of the Gulf and its islands includes the capacity—

(a) to provide for—

(i) the historic, traditional, cultural, and spiritual relationship of the tangata whenua of the Gulf with the Gulf and its islands; and

(ii) the social, economic, recreational, and cultural well-being of people and communities:

(b) to use the resources of the Gulf by the people and communities of the Gulf and New Zealand for economic activities and recreation:

8 Management of Hauraki Gulf

To recognise the national significance of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments, the objectives of the management of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments are—

(a) the protection and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the life-supporting capacity of the environment of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments:

(b) the protection and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments:

(c) the protection and, where appropriate, the enhancement of those natural, historic, and physical resources (including kaimoana) of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments with which tangata whenua have an historic, traditional, cultural, and spiritual relationship:

(d) the protection of the cultural and historic associations of people and communities in and around the Hauraki Gulf with its natural, historic, and physical resources:

(e) the maintenance and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the contribution of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments to the social and economic well-being of the people and communities of the Hauraki Gulf and New Zealand:

(f) the maintenance and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments, which contribute to the recreation and enjoyment of the Hauraki Gulf for the people and communities of the Hauraki Gulf and New Zealand.

Part 2 Hauraki Gulf Forum

15 Purposes of Forum

The Forum has the following purposes:

(a) to integrate the management and, where appropriate, to promote the conservation and management in a sustainable manner, of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people and communities of the Gulf and New Zealand:

(b) to facilitate communication, co-operation, and co-ordination on matters relating to the statutory functions of the constituent parties in relation to the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments, and the Forum:

(c) to recognise the historic, traditional, cultural, and spiritual relationship of tangata whenua with the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and, where appropriate, its catchments.

16 Establishment of Forum

(1) A body called the Hauraki Gulf Forum is established.

(2) The Forum consists of the following representatives:

(a) 1 representative appointed by the Minister:

(b) 1 representative appointed by the Minister of Fisheries:

(ca) 7 representatives appointed by the Auckland Council:

(d) 1 representative appointed by each of the following local authorities:

…(iv) Hauraki District Council:

…(vi) Matamata-Piako District Council:

…(ix) Thames-Coromandel District Council:

…(x) Waikato District Council:

…(xi) Waikato Regional Council:

(e) 6 representatives of the tangata whenua of the Hauraki Gulf and its islands appointed by the Minister, after consultation with the tangata whenua and the Minister of Maori Affairs.

(2A) The representatives appointed in accordance with subsection (2)(ca) must—

(a) be members of—

(i) the Auckland Council; or

(ii) a local board of the Auckland Council elected in accordance with the Local Electoral Act 2001; and

(b) include 1 member of each of the Great Barrier Island and Waiheke Island local boards.

(3) The representatives appointed in accordance with subsection (2)(d) or (5) must be members of the local authority elected in accordance with the Local Electoral Act 2001.

17 Functions of Forum

(1) To promote sections 7 and 8, the Forum has the following functions in relation to the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments:

(a) to prepare a list of strategic issues, determine a priority for action on each issue, and regularly review that list:

(b) to facilitate and encourage co-ordinated financial planning, where possible, by the constituent parties:

(d) to receive reports on the completion and implementation of deeds of recognition:

(e) to require and receive reports from constituent parties on the development and implementation of policies and strategies to address the issues identified under paragraph (a):

(f) to receive reports from the tangata whenua of the Hauraki Gulf on the development and implementation of iwi management or development plans:

(g) to prepare and publish, once every 3 years, a report on the state of the environment in the Hauraki Gulf, including information on progress towards integrated management and responses to the issues identified in accordance with paragraph (a):

(h) to promote and advocate the integrated management and, where appropriate, the sustainable management of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments:

(i) to encourage, share, co-ordinate where appropriate, and disseminate educational and promotional material:

(j) to liaise with, and receive reports from, persons and groups having an interest in the Hauraki Gulf and business and community interests to promote an interest in the purposes of the Forum:

(k) to commission research into matters relating to the functions of the Forum.

(2) When carrying out its functions under subsection (1), the Forum must have particular regard to the historic, traditional, cultural, and spiritual relationship of tangata whenua with the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments.

18 Powers of Forum

(1) The Forum has the powers that are reasonably necessary to carry out its functions.

(2) The Forum’s powers include the powers—

(a) to consider issues related to its purpose; and

(b) to receive reports from constituent parties; and

(d) to advise any person who requests the Forum’s advice; and

(e) to commission or undertake those activities that are necessary to achieve its purpose.

(3) The Forum must not—

(a) appear before a court or tribunal other than as a witness if called by a party to proceedings; or

(b) take part in a decision-making process under any enactment other than to advise when requested to do so.

Hauraki Gulf Forum

25 May 2020

ITEM TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

Mihi whakatau

1 Apologies 7

2 Declaration of Interest 7

3 Confirmation of Minutes 7

4 Public Forum 7

4.1 Public Forum - Rescue Fish Ika Rauora - A proposed pathway to abundance 7

4.2 Public Forum - The Noises update 7

5 Extraordinary Business 8

6 Co-Chairs' Report 9

7 Constituent Party Reports on Impact of COVID-19 17

8 Governance Statement 29

9 Work Plan 2020-2022 37

10 Budget 2020-2021 49

11 Annual Report 2019-2020 55

12 Executive Officer's Report 57

13 Any Other Business 65

14 Consideration of Extraordinary Items

Karakia

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:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Monday, 17 February 2020, as a true and correct record.

4 Public Forum

4.1 Public Forum - Rescue Fish Ika Rauora - A proposed pathway to abundance

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. Sam Woolford, LegaSea Lead will present Rescue Fish Ika Rauora. Please refer to the attached Policy Summary document.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) thank Sam Woolford for his presentation.

Attachments

a Policy Summary document............................................................................. 69

4.2 Public Forum - The Noises update

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. Sue Neureuter and Rod Neureuter, Neureuter Family Trust, Katina Conomos, Project Manager, Dr Tom Trnski, Head of Natural Sciences, Auckland War Memorial Museum and Laurie Beamish, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki will present an update on The Noises. Please refer to attached memo to the Hauraki Gulf Forum.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) thank Sue Neureuter and Rod Neureuter, Neureuter Family Trust, Katina Conomos, Project Manager, Dr Tom Trnski, Head of Natural Sciences, Auckland War Memorial Museum and Laurie Beamish, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki for their presentation.

Attachments

a Memo to the Hauraki Gulf Forum................................................................... 81

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.”

Hauraki Gulf Forum

25 May 2020

Co-Chairs' Report

File No.: CP2020/05621

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide an update from the Co-Chairs.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

Key actions since last meeting:

- 20^th Birthday of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park / Auckland Conservations Panel

- Interviews with media on State of Our Gulf 2020

- Submission to Crown Infrastructure Partners on the ‘shovel ready’ process (Attachment A)

- Preparation of framework to action co-governance leadership model

- Online sessions with members

- Liaison with Iwi Chairs Forum and Independent Māori Statutory Board

- Press release on appointment as inaugural Co-Chairs (Attachment B)

2. When we last met in mid-February 2020, no one could have imagined how the past few months would unfold. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it much pain and hurt, with more to come. It also resulted in a unique – perhaps once in our lifetime – chance to see a quiet, peaceful Hauraki Gulf, Tīkapa Moana, Te Moananui-ā-Toi free from some of its usual pressures. We now know what that looks like, sounds like and feels like. Our agenda item at this meeting on COVID-19 impacts will help us understand what environmental changes occurred, their duration and impact.

3. While the COVID-19 situation continues to develop, we are sure of this: it cannot be a case of ‘back to normal’. The status quo was not working for the Hauraki Gulf. Our six State of our Gulf reports have chronicled that in detail. That is why, in our March 2020 submission on the Crown’s ‘Shovel-Ready’ process, we called for the prioritisation of a recovery which delivers both economic and environmental benefits, now and into the future. We need investment in traditional infrastructure to stop our sewerage and stormwater overflowing into the Gulf, and green infrastructure, such as riparian planting of our waterways, to restore our natural capital. We must do this in partnership with mana whenua and our communities. In this time of change and uncertainty, we must be resolute in our advocacy for the Marine Park.

4. As the first Co-Chairs of the Forum, and the first wāhine to hold the leadership since the Forum was established 20 years ago, we are ambitious for progress in the period ahead. We need more marine protection. We need more restoration. And we need to stop marine dumping in or near to the Marine Park. It is in that spirit that we bring to today’s meeting both a Governance Statement, covering how we will work and our roles and responsibilities, and a 2020-2022 Work Plan, covering who will be doing what by when. Our engagements with members over the past few weeks have shown strong support for this action-oriented approach, which enables the Forum to leverage the strength of its membership and deliver tangible outcomes. These documents will be our foundation for the future, following the Forum’s historic decision to adopt a co-governance leadership model at our last meeting.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) note the report.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Letter to Crown Infrastructure Partners	11
b ⇩	Press Release on Co-Chairs	13

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Authors

Cr Pippa Coom – Co-chairperson

Ms Nicola MacDonald – Co-chairperson Tangata Whenua

Hauraki Gulf Forum

25 May 2020

Constituent Party Reports on Impact of COVID-19

File No.: CP2020/05622

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To capture what is currently known about the impact of COVID-19 on (i) the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and (ii) Constituent Parties.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. COVID-19 has and will continue to impact on us all, including the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and Constituent Parties of the Hauraki Gulf Forum. However, the nature of the lockdown means that some positive impacts on the Marine Park are likely to be largely temporary, while negative the impacts on Constituent Parties will be more extensive in scope and time.

3. The attached reports from the following Constituent Parties help paint the story of what we know so far:

· Thames Coromandel District Council (Attachment A)

· Auckland Council (Attachment B)

· Department of Conservation (Attachment C)

· Waikato Regional Council (Attachment D)

· Fisheries New Zealand (Attachment E)

4. Regarding the Marine Park, they show that substantial air quality improvements made under Level 4 quickly regressed under Level 3 and are expected to revert further as restrictions are removed. The significant (more than 90%) reduction in marine vessel traffic at Level 4 continued to largely hold at Level 3 but is changing quickly now as restrictions are removed and recreational boaties get back on the water. In addition, while commercial fishing and aquaculture were essential services, fishing activity across all sectors was down. Commercial effort was impacted by demand, logistics and maintaining social distancing.

5. The reports also show some negative effects of a lack of available enforcement at Levels 4 and 3. For example, animals on islands they should not set foot on, and people making unauthorised visits – including one at 1:30am!

6. Then there is still a lot we do not know and, sadly, may never know as most environmental monitoring is not automated and was deemed non-essential at Level 4. That said:

· We await water quality data now that monitoring has resumed. Reports suggest that this is not expected to show much change in such a short period of time.

· We also await noise data, which will be interesting to analyse and see if it correlates with all the anecdotal stories of the impact of less noise on marine and terrestrial species.

· As pest and predator inspections resume, we await details – hopeful that, in such a short space of time, and given the time of year, the impact from potential spread is lessened.

· And we should soon have additional fishing data when the monthly harvest returns are completed.

7. All that data to come will help paint a fuller picture in time.

8. Regarding Constituent Parties, the reports foreshadow a difficult period ahead as revenue streams impact on budgets and, in turn, on the environmental, conservation, management and other services provided that are so crucial to our common work to restore and protect our taonga, the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

9. The direction of our recovery will therefore be a crucial pivot point. We all have a role to play in encouraging a future-focused recovery in which economic and environmental outcomes are pursued hand in hand.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) note the report.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	TCDC Report	19
b ⇩	AC Report	21
c ⇩	DoC Report	23
d ⇩	WRC report	25
e ⇩	MPI (FNZ) Report	27

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Alex Rogers - Executive Officer Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authoriser	Jacques Victor – General Manager Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Hauraki Gulf Forum

25 May 2020

Governance Statement

File No.: CP2020/05623

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To propose a new Governance Statement for the Forum.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. With the Forum adopting a co-chairing arrangement in February 2020, the time is right to adopt a new Governance Statement.

3. The proposed Governance Statement (Attachment A) covers how the Forum works, and key roles and responsibilities. It does not cover the Forum’s purposes, membership, functions and powers, as those are all set out in detail in Part 2 of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000.

4. The Governance Statement reflects the intent of the co-chairing arrangement, interweaving principles from Te Ao Māori as well as other world views. It details the new roles of co-chairs alongside other key roles held by those associated with the Forum.

5. The Governance Statement will be reviewed 1 year after its adoption.

6. In addition, an amendment to the Forum’s standing orders to reflect the co-chairperson arrangement, including protocol for the absence of both co-chairpersons at a meeting, is provided for in the recommendations.

7. A separate Co-Chairing Arrangement (Attachment B) covers the finer points of co-chairing and establishes a mechanism for resolving any issues where needed.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) adopt the Governance Statement.

b) update the Forum’s standing orders to reflect the co-chairperson arrangement including a provision that if both co-chairpersons are absent from a meeting then the meeting will elect one of the members present to co-chair the meeting and the tangata whenua members will confirm one tangata whenua member present as the other co-chair for the meeting.

c) note the separate Co-Chairing Arrangement.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Governance Statement	31
b ⇩	Co-Chairing Arrangement	35

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Alex Rogers - Executive Officer Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authoriser	Jacques Victor – General Manager Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Hauraki Gulf Forum

25 May 2020

Work Plan 2020-2022

File No.: CP2020/05625

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To propose a new Work Plan for 2020-2022.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Forum recently entered a new phase, adopting a co-chairing arrangement in February 2020.

3. The proposed Work Plan 2020-2022 (see Attachment A) reflects that development and will guide the Forum’s efforts for the next 3 years. It suggests an action-oriented approach, under the framework of the Forum’s strategic issues and big goals. It establishes both qualitative and quantitative targets for the Forum to achieve.

4. The Work Plan recommends upgrading the Forum’s existing marine protection big goal to 30% and setting two further goals to support riparian planting and end marine dumping – with stocktakes on both to follow before specific actions are set.

5. The Work Plan will remain a living document, able to be refined and updated as required.

6. The Work Plan will be reviewed 1 year after its adoption.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) adopt the Work Plan 2020-2022

b) upgrade the Forum’s existing marine protection goal from 20% to 30%

c) adopt a goal to support riparian planting of the Marine Park’s catchment

d) adopt a goal to end marine dumping in or near to the Marine Park

e) note that stock takes on both new goals will be completed prior to the setting of specific actions.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Work Plan 2020-2022	39

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Alex Rogers - Executive Officer Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authoriser	Jacques Victor – General Manager Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Hauraki Gulf Forum

25 May 2020

Budget 2020-2021

File No.: CP2020/05626

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To propose a budget for the 2020-2021 Financial Year.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. COVID-19 is and will continue to negatively impact on the budgets of Constituent Parties. The Forum must take all steps to deliver savings and efficiencies in the current environment.

3. The proposed budget options paper (see Attachment A) was distributed to members in advance for consideration. It presents three options, plus a recommendation on utilisation of most of the Forum’s accumulated surplus. All options would deliver significant savings over the current budget, though they also come with impacts on what the Forum can do.

4. The recommended option is #3. This would set a total budget of $277,500, which could be further reduced by $50,000 from the accumulated surplus. Total member contributions for the 2020-2021 financial year would therefore be $227,500. This represents a saving of $100,000, or roughly 30%, compared with the current financial year. Crucially, this option still enables the Forum to conduct important communications and community support work. Those are both priorities in the Work Plan presented to this meeting.

5. A breakdown of the proposed budget and individual member contributions are outlined in the attached options paper under Option 3. The formula used by the Forum to apportion the budget has been updated based on 2018 census data.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) adopt a budget of $277,500 for the 2020-2021 financial year.

b) agree to the apportionment of $50,000 of the accumulated surplus towards that budget, bringing the total member contributions for 2020/2021 to $227,500.

c) note the budget breakdown and individual contributions for each member as reflected under option #3 in the attached options paper.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Budget 2020-2021 - options paper	51

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Alex Rogers - Executive Officer Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authoriser	Jacques Victor – General Manager Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Hauraki Gulf Forum

25 May 2020

Annual Report 2019-2020

File No.: CP2020/05628

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To scope the Annual Report for 2019-2020.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Section 31 of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 requires the Forum to:

“(1) …on or before 31 August each year, report to the Minister on the exercise of its powers and the carrying out of its functions during the preceding year ending on 30 June. (2) The report must identify the progress made by the Forum towards achieving the purposes of the Forum set out in section 15. (3) A copy of the annual report must be presented to the House of Representatives by the Minister.”

3. With the 2019 – 2020 Annual Report due shortly after the next Forum meeting, the scope must be dealt with at this meeting.

4. Past Annual Reports have established a familiar framework, designed around the requirements listed above. For the 2019 – 2020 Annual Report, it is proposed to continue to use that framework, updated for co-chairing and the new Governance Statement and Work Plan adopted at this meeting.

5. A draft of the Annual Report will be circulated to all Forum Members for input and feedback once ready.

6. The budget for the report is $5,000. This includes design work, production and distribution.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) note the scope of the Annual Report for 2019-2020.

b) request that the Executive Officer proceed to draft the Annual Report for 2019-2020.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Alex Rogers - Executive Officer Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authoriser	Jacques Victor – General Manager Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Hauraki Gulf Forum

25 May 2020

Executive Officer's Report

File No.: CP2020/05642

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide an update from the Executive Officer.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Three months ago, we were about to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Marine Park and launch our 2020 State of Our Gulf report. That now feels like a lifetime ago, with our lives since consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I want to record my thanks to all members, technical officers and attendees for making the 20^th anniversary event at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron such a fantastic evening. The media coverage of the report was beyond all expectations: to be the number one story worldwide on the Guardian’s environment section (albeit, only for a moment) speaks to the interest in our kaupapa. I have received a lot of positive feedback on the report from members of the public, including tamariki, that it is accessible, engaging and compelling. As the year progresses, we will be doing some comms around specific aspects of the report.

3. Following that very public period with busy stakeholder engagement, the priority leading into this meeting has been to establish a fresh framework for the co-chairing arrangement adopted in February 2020 and the three-year cycle ahead. This has involved many sessions with our new Co-Chairs as they have stepped boldly and positively into the role, and I am grateful to members and technical officers for making themselves available and providing valuable feedback (notes from our last Technical Officers’ hui are attached – see Attachment A). The resulting Governance Statement and 2020-2022 Work Plan presented to this meeting foreshadow an active period ahead.

4. While the lockdown period restricted our physical movement, it was an excellent opportunity to have virtual catch-ups on key external processes, including with the Shellfish Restoration Coordination Group on its comms plan and consenting issues (I have written in support of their application to Auckland Council for a multi-site, multi-year consent), and with the joint MPI/DoC team leading the development of the Government’s Response Strategy to Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari. The lockdown was also a chance to reflect, connect and plan. Discussions were held with other parts of Aotearoa, including the Fiordland Guardians who have achieved great progress down there through working constructively with all sides, and also with other harbour and estuary forums on their approaches to the lockdown and the rebuild. Our submission to Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP) on the ‘shovel-ready’ process was an important reminder that economic and environmental progress are not an either/or but can be achieved hand in hand and will be more durable if so. Indeed, a recent Oxford University study demonstrates that governments get better return on investment in both the short and long-term by pairing economic and environmental objectives. Our letter to CIP also underscored the benefit of the Forum taking a public stance in support of initiatives from our members and external partners – something we can do more often in the period ahead.

5. Other recent developments of note include progress, led by DoC and involving TPK, on filling the current tangata whenua member vacancies (expected prior to the next Forum meeting), and a significant decision by the Environment Court in the Mōtītī case regarding Protection Areas, in which the court has essentially directed the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to implement new rules within its Coastal Plan to protect three reef systems and complete scientific monitoring to inform future integrated marine management solutions. The impact of this court case continues to reverberate around regional and central government and is one to watch for the Gulf as well.

Looking ahead

6. Looking ahead, we have a general election coming up. These next few months are perhaps the most critical in the three-year cycle for engaging with political parties and stakeholders to shape future central government policy impacting the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Our Work Plan gives our Co-Chairs and me a strong platform from which to be able to do that, and we will keep in touch as that develops.

7. In addition, more information will be coming from central government on the rollout of the ‘$1.1bn investment in 11,000 environmental jobs’ announced in Budget 2020, and we expect to see the release of the Government’s Response Strategy to Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari.

8. We will also be launching into a stock take around riparian planting and marine dumping, to enable the Forum to set actions against those goals.

9. Our 24 August meeting, pandemic-willing, will be in Te Aroha, the seat of the Matamata-Piako District Council. We are very grateful for the warm invitation to the Forum extended by Mayor Tanner and Councillor Arnold.

Financial Position

10. Attachment B contains the updated financials. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and anticipated financial hardship among constituent parties all effort has been made to reduce expenditure and carry forward budget to be able to net off the 2020-2021 financial year contributions. Separate paper refers.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) note the report.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments