Agenda of Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Aotea / Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update July 2022	9
b ⇩	Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust update – August 2022	15

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Councillor Pippa Coom's update - 11 June to 8 August 2022	21

Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board

23 August 2022

Auckland Council’s Quarterly Performance Report: Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board for quarter four 2021/2022

File No.: CP2022/11601

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board with an integrated quarterly performance report for quarter four, 1 April to 30 June 2022 and the overall performance for the financial year against the approved 2021/2022 local board work programmes.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. This report provides an integrated view of performance for the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board and includes financial performance and delivery against work programmes for the 2021/2022 financial year. The work programme is produced annually and aligns with Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Plan 2020 outcome.

3. There were 48 activities in the agreed Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board work programme 2021/2022 financial year. Thirty-eight activities were delivered including multi-year projects that are progressing as expected. Three activities were undelivered or cancelled and seven multi-year projects/activities have not progressed as expected during 2021/2022.

4. Key activity achievements from quarter four of the 2021/2022 work programme include:

· Construction waste leadership project (SP ID #3313) commenced with the employment of a Construction and Demolition Waste Advisor who ran a detailed survey and successful builder’s breakfast. Support for construction waste diversion is vital given the closing of the landfill in June 2022 and waste being shipped off-island.

· Dark Sky Sanctuary (SP ID #150) funding was allocated to Kawa Marae to support its 2022 Matariki celebrations. The event was a huge success. Read more about it online here.

· Electric bike charging station (SP ID #22250) was installed outside the Local Board office. The Locky-Dock charging station is solar-powered, free, and available 24/7. Read more about it online here.

5. Key activities not delivered / not progressed as expected include:

· Accessways and linkages plan (SP ID #3055) was placed on hold awaiting engagement with mana whenua and is due to be workshopped with Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust in the 2022/2023 financial year.

· Natural environment ambassadors project (SP ID #670) was cancelled in quarter 2 due to COVID-19 impacting face-to-face visitor surveys.

· Emergency water supply project (SP ID #866) is awaiting a resource consent for tree trimming or removal and due to Healthy Waters budget constraints will be delivered in the 2023/2024 financial year.

6. Qualifying budgets of unfinished activities will be carried forward into 2022/2023 work programmes.

7. The financial performance report is attached but is excluded from the public. This is due to restrictions on releasing annual financial reports and results until the Auckland Council Group results are released to the NZX – on or about 29 August 2022.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board:

a) receive the performance report for quarter four ending 30 June 2022.

b) note the financial performance report in Attachment B of the report will remain confidential until after the Auckland Council Group results for 2021/2022 are released to the New Zealand’s Exchange (NZX) which are expected to be made public on or about 29 August 2022.

Horopaki

Context

8. The Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board approved the 2021/2022 work programme on Tuesday 22 June 2021, as follows:

· Customer and Community Services (Resolution number GBI/2021/72)

· Infrastructure and Environmental Services (Resolution number GBI/2021/73)

· Auckland Emergency Management (Resolution number GBI/2021/74)

9. All 48 work programme activities meet the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Plan 2020 outcome ‘Ko te tino hia hia kia a manawaroa to tatou motu / Our island is resilient’.

COVID-19 restrictions

10. Auckland has faced COVID-19 restrictions (Level 3 and 4) from 17 August to 2 December 2021, when all of New Zealand moved to the COVID-19 Protection Framework, also known as the traffic lights. Auckland went into traffic light red, moving to traffic light orange on 30 December 2021.

11. Auckland Council regional and community facilities were closed in Level 3 and 4. Restrictions were slightly eased in Level 3, Step 2 and from mid-November 2021 libraries and most arts and community centres were reopened. Pools and leisure centres were able to reopen from 3 December 2021 when New Zealand moved to the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

12. From 30 December 2022 until 13 April 2022, Auckland was in the red traffic light setting under the COVID-19 Protection Framework, which impacted council and community-delivered event planning and programming. From 13 April 2022 Auckland has been in the orange traffic light setting.

13. COVID-19 has also had an impact on the supply chain for capital projects materials causing delays.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Local Board Work Programme Snapshot

14. The graph below identifies work programme activity by RAG status (red, amber, green and grey) which measures the performance of the activity. It shows the percentage of work programme activities that are on track (green), in progress but with issues that are being managed (amber), activities that have significant issues (red) and activities that have been cancelled/deferred/merged (grey).

Graph 1: Work programme performance by RAG status

Chart, pie chart

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15. The graph below shows the stage of the activities in each departments’ work programmes. The number of activity lines differ by department as approved in the local board work programmes.

Graph 2: Work programme performance by activity status and department

Chart, bar chart

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Key activity updates from quarter four

16. The following are key activity highlights in the delivery of Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board’s 2021/2022 work programme for reporting period quarter four, 1 April to 30 June 2022:

· Construction waste leadership project (SP ID #3313) commenced with Anamata employing a Construction and Demolition Waste Advisor (picture A). Site visits have begun which has included a detailed survey gathering information and ideas from the builders. A builder’s breakfast event was held, and the results of the survey shared with those in attendance. During this quarter, the landfill has stopped receiving waste and a transfer station operation has been set up at the weighbridge with waste including construction and demolition now being transported off island.

· Dark Sky Sanctuary (SP ID #150) funding was allocated to Kawa Marae to support its 2022 Matariki celebrations (picture B). The event was a huge success. Also, a group of "dark sky enthusiasts" have approached staff and the local board to form a committee, for overseeing Dark Sky work, education and activities.

· Electric bike charging station (SP ID #22250) was installed outside the Local Board office. The Locky-dock charging station (picture C) has room for five bikes, is solar-powered, free, and available 24/7.


Picture A: Anamata Resource Recovery Shop	Picture B: Matariki cake decorated by Joelene Nepia	Picture C: Aotea Locky-dock station

Changes to the local board work programme in quarter four

17. The following work programmes activities have changes which been formally approved by the board within quarter four.

Table 1: Work programme changes formally approved by the board

ID/Ref	Work Programme Name	Summary of Change	Resolution number
#604	Freshwater Management programme	At its May business meeting the local board agreed that $10,000 of the unspent budget be allocated to the community grants fund.	GBI/2022/50
#158	Iwi responsiveness	At its June business meeting the local board agreed that $5,000 of the unspent budget for iwi responsiveness be allocated to Motairehe Marae Trust for communications and marketing of the Motairehe Marae initiated rāhui on the waters around Aotea / Great Barrier Island.	GBI/2022/63

Key activity achievements from the 2021/2022 work programme

18. The key achievements in the delivery of the local board work programmes for 2021/2022 include:

· The Food Resilience and Sustainability (SP ID 1765) project commenced with AoteaOra Trust appointing a food resilience coordinator and an Oruawharo community garden coordinator (picture D). Both roles have been incredibly successful in working towards the ultimate resilience goal of people growing and buying local and being less reliant on (and spending less on) freight.

· The Mulberry Grove skate ramp renewal (SP ID 26289) was completed with resurfacing of the ramp and the school children painting the plywood panel (picture E). A second stage looking at installing a shelter over the ramp is being investigated.

· The Aotea Lifelong Learning Action Strategy (SP ID 149) has achieved some huge successes with the Aotea Learning Hub building being established on Kaitoke School land (picture F) and an Aotea Early Learning Centre set up and due to launch in Term 3.


Picture D: Oruawharo community garden	Picture E: The renewed Mulberry Grove skate ramp surface	Picture F: New Aotea Learning Hub building

Overview of work programme performance

Customer and Community Services work programme

19. In the Customer and Community Services work programme, there are 32 activities. Twenty-six activities were completed by the end of the year or will be by end of June 2022 (green), five activities are in progress but are delayed (amber), and one activity that is significantly delayed, on hold or not delivered (red). Activities with significant or moderate impacts are discussed below:

Table 2: Customer and Community Services activities with significant or moderate impacts

Activity name	RAG status	Activity status	Explanation and mitigation
Accessway and linkages plan FY20 (SP ID 3055)	Red	In progress	The two elements to this project (Pou Whenua and Accessway Development) will be further progressed in next year’s programme. The next step in the new financial year is to have a face-to-face hui with the iwi trust and local board to identify preferred route options.
Māori Responsiveness: Community Te Reo course (SP ID 148)	Amber	In progress	The classes were paused due to the availability of the tutor and will resume next year. The remaining funds will be used to employ Rodney Ngawaka as a cultural adviser and Te Reo teacher for the Learning Hub pupils.
Iwi responsiveness: Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea coordinator (SP ID 158)	Amber	In progress	Development of the iwi liaison role was progressed, and it will now commence in 2022/2023 Q1. $5,000 of the iwi responsiveness budget was allocated to assisting Motairehe Marae with communications and marketing of a two-year scallop, paua and crayfish rāhui and remaining $10,000 requested as carry forward.
Aotea Great Barrier Island - Interpretive signage (SP ID 22286)	Amber	In progress	There are three components to the interpretative signage project: large map signs, Quick Response (QR) code and plant metal image signs. The local board has requested to pause the large map signs and QR codes. Plant metal image signs were presented to the local board for feedback and currently awaiting iwi feedback on content.
General open space and building assets – renew (SP ID 20222)	Amber	In progress	Scope of this project includes investigation into providing a roof or shelter over the Mulberry Grove Skate Ramp. A contract is being finalised for ordering the shelter with delivery estimated in early 2023.
Tryphena Coastal Trail directional signage (SP ID 22285)	Amber	In progress	The local board has expressed their desire to work with Iwi on the installation of Pou markers which will progress before directional signage.

Infrastructure and Environmental Services work programme

20. In the Infrastructure and Environmental Services work programme, there are 12 activities. Ten activities were completed by the end of the year or will be by end of June 2022 (green), one activity was significantly delayed, on hold or not delivered (red) and one activity that has been cancelled in the period April to June 2022 (grey). Activities with significant or moderate impacts are discussed below:

Table 3: Infrastructure and Environmental Services activities with significant or moderate impacts

Activity name	RAG status	Activity status	Explanation and mitigation
Natural environment ambassadors (SP ID 670)	Grey	Cancelled	This project was cancelled in quarter 2 due to COVID-19 impacting face-to-face visitor surveys. As a result, $17,000 was reallocated towards the Construction Waste Advisor role.
Aotea / Great Barrier emergency water supply (SP ID 866)	Red	Completed	A resource consent has been submitted for tree trimming or removal. Discussions are ongoing with community stakeholders regarding the use of solar power. Due to budget constraints the full delivery of this programme is now scheduled for the 2023/2024 financial year.

Plans and Places work programme

21. In the Plans and Places work programme, there is one activity named ‘An area plan for Aotea Great Barrier’ (SP ID 1513). This activity is on hold awaiting feedback from the mandated representatives of Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust. Delivery of the plan is expected by the end of the 2022/2023 financial year.

Auckland Emergency Management work programme

22. In the Auckland Emergency Management work programme, there are three activities. One activity was completed by the end of the year or will be by end of June 2022 (green), and two activities that are in progress but are delayed (amber). Activities with significant or moderate impacts are discussed below:

Table 4: Auckland Emergency Management activities with significant or moderate impacts

Activity name	RAG status	Activity status	Explanation and mitigation
Business emergency resilience programme (SP ID 1590)	Amber	In progress	The information packs are complete. Planning for the workshops and other engagement activities will commence shortly. Sadly, face-to-face engagement with Aotea's business community has been delayed due to COVID-19.
Fire risk prevention and emergency preparation (SP ID 1588)	Amber	In progress	Delays have been seen in this work programme for FY21/22 due to the COVID-19 lockdown last year (August - December). However, the current stability has allowed us to plan a proposed workshop alongside Aotea Emergency Management Committee and FENZ to encourage succession planning and further strengthen Aotea's fire resiliency.

Deferred activities

23. The Lead Financial Advisors are identifying projects from the local board’s 2021/2022 Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI) operational budget which meet the criteria to be carried forward. These will be added to the work programme to be delivered in 2022/2023.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

24. Receiving performance monitoring reports will not result in any identifiable changes to greenhouse gas emissions.

25. The local board is currently investing in several sustainability projects, which aim to build awareness around individual carbon emissions, and changing behaviour at a local level. Some key updates from this quarter include:

· Freshwater management programme (SP ID 604): The freshwater management programme has been completed. The finalised version of the wastewater report will be distributed to the board in quarter one of the 2022/2023 financial year. The Wai Care education sessions were well attended.

· AoteaOra Community Trust administration support (SP ID 156): The second lot of water tanks arrived as part of its local water resilience work, and are being distributed around the island, in some cases to low-income families, who will pay them back according to their means. The first drinking water station is now in place and functioning at the Claris centre and the Aotea Ecological footprint survey has been completed and is being analysed.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

26. When developing the work programmes council group impacts and views are presented to the local board.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe

Local impacts and local board views

27. This report informs the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board of the performance for quarter four ending 30 June 2022 and the performance for the 2021/2022 financial year.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

28. The 2021/2022 work programme supports the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Plan 2020 outcome ‘Ko te tino hia hia ki a manawaroa to tatou motu / Our island is resilient’. One of the plan’s main objectives is that mana whenua will prosper.

29. Auckland Council have been actively engaging with mana whenua on several regional and local projects. Some key updates from this quarter include:

· Connectivity improvements (SP ID 155): There is a Marae trial with a new provider trialling an innovative solution to bring cell coverage to Motairehe Marae and potentially the papakainga housing nearby. If successful, the trial could offer coverage from all 3 cellular networks from a single site.

· Community emergency resilience programme (SP ID 1589): A trip occurred in early July to GBI to meet with representatives from Kawa and Motairehe Marae, staff from Kaitoke school and the learning hub to discuss the possibility of delivering Kia rite, kia mau the education programme.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

30. This report is provided to enable the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board to monitor the organisation’s progress and performance in delivering the 2021/2022 work programme. There are no financial implications associated with this report.

Financial Performance

31. Auckland Council (Council) currently has a number of bonds quoted on the NZ Stock Exchange (NZX). As a result, the Council is subject to obligations under the NZX Main Board & Debt Market Listing Rules and the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 sections 97 and 461H. These obligations restrict the release of annual financial reports and results until the Auckland Council Group results are released to the NZX – on or about 29 August 2022.

32. Due to these obligations the financial performance attached to the quarterly report is under confidential cover.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

33. Information about any significant risks and how they are being managed and/or mitigated is addressed in the ‘Overview of work programme performance’ section.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

34. Work programmes for 2022/2023 were approved at the board’s business meeting in June 2022.

35. Deferral of budgets of unfinished activities will be added into 2022/2023 work programmes by quarter one reporting.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board - 1 April to 30 June 2022 Work Programme Update	53
b ⇩	Aotea / Great Local Board - Operating Performance Financial Summary - CONFIDENTIAL (Under Separate Cover) - Confidential

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Authors

Jacqui Fyers - Senior Local Board Advisor

Audrey Gan - Lead Financial Advisor Local Boards

Authorisers

Louise Mason - General Manager Local Board Services

Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager

Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board

23 August 2022

End-of-year accountability reports of Aotea / Great Barrier Island community groups

File No.: CP2022/11538

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To approve the end-of-year accountability reports from mana whenua and six community groups funded by the local board.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The local board supports mana whenua and six community groups to undertake work in the community. They are:

· Ngāti Rehua-Ngātiwai ki Aotea (NRNWKA) for Visitor Information Centre

· Aotea Family Support Group (AFSG) for welfare services including management of the Community Worker contract

· Destination Great Barrier Island (DGBI) for tourism support

· Aotea Education Trust (AET) for education services including Learning Hub, Early Childhood Education and te reo courses

· Aotea Ora Community Trust (Aotea Ora) for sustainability projects including management of two food resilience contracts

· Building a Flourishing Community Aotea (BFCA) for affordable housing projects

· GBI Community Heritage and Arts Village Trust for local artist support

3. Funding is provided to support the delivery of initiatives outlined in the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Plan 2020 and the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Agreement 2021/2022.

4. The mana whenua and community groups’ funding agreements stipulate that they must submit accountability reports at the end of the funding period.

5. This report presents the annual accountability reports of the groups.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board:

a) receive the end-of-year accountability reports from the following entities (Attachment A -H to the agenda report):

i. Ngāti Rehua-Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust – Visitor Information Centre

ii. Aotea Family Support Group

iii. Aotea Family Support Group - Community Worker project

iv. Destination Great Barrier Island

v. Aotea Education Trust (including community Te Reo courses)

vi. Aotea Ora Community Trust (including food resilience work programme)

vii. Building a Flourishing Community Aotea

viii. Great Barrier Island Community Heritage and Arts Village Trust

Horopaki

Context

6. The 2021/2022 local board work programme included funding to mana whenua and six community groups to support the delivery of initiatives outlined in the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Plan 2020 and the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Agreement 2021/2022. The group, purpose and funding amounts are outlined in table 1.

Table 1 Mana whenua and community groups funding table:

Community Group	Purpose of funding	Amount of funding
Ngāti Rehua-Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust	Manage and run the Visitor Information Centre at the Claris airfield	$29,450
Aotea Family Support Group	Provide services for the island's families, youth and elderly	$40,400
Aotea Family Support Group	Support the community worker to provide a focal point for residents trying to navigate central government departments, with a focus on community health and social services, safety, and marae capacity building.	$42,420
Destination Great Barrier Island	Fund DGBI to employ a Trust administrator.	$25,000
Aotea Education Trust	Support AET to govern the Aotea Lifelong Learning Strategy and Action Plan (which aims to improve education outcomes among all age groups on the island – from Under 5s to adult learners) and contribute to the running of the Aotea Learning Hub.	$45,450
Aotea Education Trust	Fund AET to deliver a community Te Reo course in collaboration with Kawa marae.	$10,000
Aotea Ora Community Trust	Provide funds to the AoteaOra Community Trust so the Trust can employ an administration person	$10,100
Aotea Ora Community Trust	Fund a Food Resilience Coordinator role and a manager of the Oruawharo Community Garden in Medlands.	$34,000
Building a Flourishing Community Aotea	Fund BFCA to progress potential solutions to Aotea / Great Barrier Island's housing issues	$15,000
GBI Community Heritage and Arts Village Trust	Operate the Great Barrier Island Community Heritage and Arts Village, including the art gallery and museum.	$35,200
Total		$287,020

7. The funding agreements with mana whenua and the six community groups stipulate that they must provide an accountability report to the local board at the end of the financial year.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

8. The following local board-funded mana whenua and community groups have provided accountability reports for financial year 2021/2022 (Attachment A - H):

· Ngāti Rehua-Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust

· Aotea Family Support Group (2x reports – one covering core work and one covering the Community Worker project)

· Destination Great Barrier Island

· Aotea Education Trust (covering two funding agreements – core work, plus delivery of a community Te Reo course)

· Aotea Ora Community Trust (covering two funding agreements – administration and food resilience work)

· Building a Flourishing Community Aotea

· Great Barrier Island Community Heritage and Arts Village Trust

9. The groups’ work includes social service provision, family support, education, administration of Aotea’s tourism sector, improving island resilience and sustainability, addressing Aotea’s housing pressures, running the visitor information centre, and running the island’s main art gallery and museum.

10. The reports identify challenges and successes experienced by the service providers.

11. Overall there is a strong theme of achievement, however this is coupled with some significant challenges. Covid-19, rising living costs, overworked staff/ volunteers and difficulties recruiting new staff are weighing on our trusts.

Ngāti Rehua-Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust (NRNWKAT)

12. In December 2021, NRNWKAT agreed to take over the running of the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in Claris. This followed DGBI’s decision to pull out of managing the site.

13. $29,450 was allocated to NRNWKAT to carry out the project.

14. The Trust employed two kuia to operate the site, an approach that aligns with the traditional welcoming and nurturing role of kuia within the whanau, marae and papakainga.

15. The two “aunties” worked Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, which the Trust calculated were the busiest days at the airfield. However staffing and attendance at the VIC was significantly impacted and periodic in March/April 2022 due to an omicron outbreak on Aotea.

16. Overall the Trust reports that the experience of running the VIC has been positive, and it is building good relationships with airport vendors and island operators. But it believes there are opportunities to improve the user experience and it will be working on these in the coming year.

17. The Trust identifies a need to improve engagement with tourism groups and businesses, as well as strengthen engagement with Māori-led tourism and accommodation experiences to allow a more diverse visitor experience.

Aotea Family Support Group (AFSG)

18. AFSG describes the past year as “challenging”, however it managed to fulfil its commitments to the community and funders and strengthen its capacity.

19. AFSG reports that recruitment of both care workers and volunteers remains a struggle. They currently have 13 care workers compared to 27 at the same time last year.

20. 146 families were provided welfare support to prevent or mitigate crises.

21. Older residents benefitted from the following AFSG programmes and services: Over 60s meals; weekly arts and crafts; Positive aging advice; basic home maintenance and repair services; the use of one community van and one vehicle.

22. AFSG’s school holiday programmes were, as usual, a huge success, with on average 30 kids enrolled in each programme.

23. Sixteen Y7/8 students regularly took part in AFSG’s after school group activities.

24. The 2021 annual off-island trip was cancelled due to Covid lockdown, but is now rescheduled for November.

25. Mainly Music events continued weekly for Under 5s.

26. As the board knows, vehicles have been an issue for AFSG in recent times. In Q4, insurance money received from the write-off of a previous vehicle allowed them to purchase a new vehicle for its youth services.

27. AFSG acted as an umbrella organisation for funding requests by other groups such as Building Flourishing Community Aotea.

Community Worker

28. The community worker has been at the coalface of the island’s Covid-19 response.

29. Prior to the virus arriving on Aotea, she worked with AFSG and the regional commissioner for Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to develop a welfare plan for the island.

30. The plan still comprises a large part of the community worker’s workload. She assists residents isolating at home with Covid-related requests including food, petrol, LPG and medical supplies, arranges delivery and provides ongoing support

31. A significant Te Puni Kokiri housing repair programme commenced on Aotea, which has included things like new roofs, solar power systems, heating systems and insulation for whānau-owned homes.

32. Winter warmer packs were delivered to 15 local homes, with an additional 15 referrals to complete. The packs include curtains, hot water bottles, blankets, mould kits, eco light bulbs, baby blankets, new shower heads etc. This is the second year the scheme has been running and is proving very successful.

33. The Manawa free childcare programme that launched two years ago (with funding support from the local board) is now being run in both the south and north of the island, with high attendance numbers among Under 5s. This programme is designed to provide parents with a much-needed break for half a day each week.

34. In terms of core crisis and welfare support, the community worker reports a significant increase in requests for assistance across all categories.

35. The community worker expresses serious concerns about huge price increases in food, petrol, freight and travel, all of which are basic needs, yet are becoming out of reach for some residents.

Destination Great Barrier Island (DGBI)

36. The funding for DGBI changed slightly this year, to focus solely on the funding of an administrator for the Trust, rather than a broader remit.

37. The administrator kept the greatbarrier.co.nz website and social media content up to date and worked with local operators to regularly update information, listings, events, and Covid-19 guidance.

38. The Trust worked to progress Aotea’s Destination Management Plan.

39. It continued to build relationships with Ngāti Rehua-Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust, and offered its full support to the Motairehe Marae Trust in relation to the two year rāhui on scallops, paua and crayfish.

40. It continued with its Island Stories series – promoting people and projects on Aotea in the Barrier Bulletin and online.

41. It worked with Mark Russell to update promotional video material.

42. The Trust reports that the printed visitor guide has been invaluable, in light of good numbers of people still arriving to the island, but reduced man hours at the visitor information centre. The guide may not need a reprint this year as half a season was lost to Covid-19, so they still have got good numbers in stock

43. Now predeparture Covid testing is no longer required to enter New Zealand, DGBI expects more foreign visitors to the island, and will be changing communications accordingly to make them more accessible to those from overseas.

44. The Trust is very committed to sourcing visitor data from transport operators, and has expressed frustration at slow progress on this. It is hoping a new Tourism Data Group formed with Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) funding will move things along.

45. The group also expresses frustration over a lack of progress with long term planning and development of walking tracks around the island.

Aotea Education Trust (AET)

46. AET’s report is a mix of highs and lows. What is clear is that it has been another hugely busy year for the Trust.

47. AET reports that working towards the opening of Aotea’s first ever early learning centre has proved “a monumental task”. They also report rising costs associated with the centre.

48. At time of writing they were very close to the finish line and the launch of the centre in Term 3.

49. The Aotea Learning Hub students settled into their new building on Kaitoke Lane, but behaviour remains an issue among the students.

50. Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns set many of the students back and re-engaging them has been a challenge, however the Trust reports some good outcomes from collaborations with youth support agencies.

51. This year the board allocated $10,000 to AET to run community Te Reo classes. The Trust reports that when the classes did occur, they were well attended, however lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions prevented the sessions from taking place and/ or excluded some of those wishing to take part.

52. The Te Reo tutor was then advised by her doctor to cease teaching during her pregnancy, which led to a further halt on classes.

53. They hope to resume the classes in 2023.

Aotea Ora Community Trust

54. This is just the second year the Aotea Ora Trust has received local board Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI) budget for administration, and the first year it has received budget for food resilience.

55. The administrative support has allowed the Trust to function efficiently and get on with a range of core work, including:

a) The ecological footprint survey - the results of this are now being collated, with a report due shortly.

b) The water tank project, which has brought twenty 6000L tanks to the island, including for low income households, and

c) The drinking station project, which involves setting up water stations around the island in order to reduce waste. One is in place at the Claris centre, and discussions are underway to get one set up at the Fitzroy store.

56. The food resilience funding has gone into two roles, 1) Food Resilience Coordinator and 2) Oruawharo Community Garden coordinator.

57. Both roles have proved highly valuable, with tangible improvements at the community garden and a range of outputs from the resilience coordinator, including: researching an on-island abbatoir; scoping of land for a second market garden; providing advice to local gardeners, and setting up and managing an interactive and very popular Facebook page.

Building a Flourishing Community Aotea (BFCA)

58. Local board funding has allowed BFCA to engage an administrator and develop a website. It has also contributed to the costs of preliminary planning advice, a land valuation and a pre-consent application.

59. The Trust has had a busy year, and overall feels that progress has been made on what it describes as a “big project with no quick or easy pathways”.

60. Its main focus has been identifying land available for housing development on the island.

61. At time of writing its report, a preferred piece of land had been selected, with a Heads of Agreement signed with the landowner and final agreement terms being finalized.

62. Meanwhile discussions continue in relation to several other sites.

63. The Trust reports that significant work has also gone into discussions with potential investors and funders.

64. BFCA has worked hard to build relationships within the community and across other groups and organizations, including AoteaOra, a group looking to progress a Tiny Homes project in Tryphena, and a local strategic planner.

65. The report concludes that BFCA’s commitment to the development of community housing remains strong, and they intend to “persevere until completion”.

Great Barrier Island Community Heritage and Arts Village Trust (Arts Village)

66. The Trust describes the past year as a “rollercoaster”, with lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions impacting travel and visitors to the gallery, which in turn impacted sales and income.

67. The pandemic also impacted the Trust’s volunteer base, as many of their volunteers are elderly and vulnerable and hesitant to be in such a public space.

68. The downtime of Covid-19 did however permit the Trust to do some longer term thinking, with a plan now in place to establish a stand-alone arts studio on site which local artists can hire.

69. The Arts Village once again hosted Matariki celebrations in July 2022.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

70. The Te Puni Koriri home repair scheme being delivered on island by the community worker is leading to greener, more efficient homes, with large parts of the funding going into insultation, more efficient heating and cleaner energy systems.

71. The Habitat for Humanity/ Winter Warmer Packs are also contributing to more energy efficient homes, through heat and water conservation mechanisms.

72. DGBI’s Destination Management work will take climate change into account and consider ways to mitigate visitors' effects on the climate.

73. Much of the work of Aotea Ora touches on climate change – whether it be mitigating against it via local food production, adapting to it via increased use of rainwater tanks, or measuring the overall carbon footprint of the island in order to then try and shrink that footprint.

74. Food resilience work must bear climate change in mind, as crops and production may be impacted by changing climatic conditions into the future.

75. Overall, developing Aotea / Great Barrier’s ability to be self-sufficient in providing community services reduces the number of residents travelling to the mainland to access these services which reduces carbon emissions.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

76. There are no identified council group impacts associated with this report.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe

Local impacts and local board views

77. Funding is provided to mana whenua and the six community groups to support the delivery of initiatives outlined in the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Plan 2020 and the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Agreement 2021/2022.

78. The work of mana whenua and the community groups aligns with the outcome of the local board plan – “Ko te tino hia hia ki a manawaroa to tatou motu / our island is resilient”.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

79. There are some very tangible and specific outcomes for Māori in the work of our community groups over the past year.

80. The Te Puni Kokiri Home improvement scheme (being managed on island by the community worker) is specifically targeted at whānau-owned homes.

81. AET’s community Te Reo courses aim to grow the number of Aotea residents familiar with and using the Māori language.

82. The community worker works specifically with mana whenua one day a week and has an active presence in the North.

83. The Visitor Information Centre in Claris is now managed and run by mana whenua.

84. The roll at the Aotea Learning Hub is now 70 per cent Māori.

85. Overall there have been real gains in this area to support mana whenua aspirations and prosperity.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

86. The local board allocated a total of $287,020 across mana whenua and the six community groups in 2021/2022.

87. All funding was accounted for within the received accountability reports.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

88. There are no identified risks associated with this report.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

89. The financial year 2022/2023 funding for mana whenua and the six community groups was approved at the 28 June 2022 Local Board Business Meeting (resolution number #GBI/2022/68). Implementation plans for the groups’ work programmes will now be finalised and the annual grants paid out.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	End of year accountability report: Aotea Family Support Group	77
b ⇩	End of year accountability report: Aotea Family Support Group - Community Worker	83
c ⇩	End of year accountability report: Destination Great Barrier Island	91
d ⇩	End of year accountability report: Aotea Education Trust	101
e ⇩	End of year accountability report: Building a Flourishing Community Aotea	111
f ⇩	End of year accountability report: AoteaOra Community Trust	115
g ⇩	End of year accountability report: Ngāti Rehua-Ngātiwai ki Aotea	123
h ⇩	End of year accountability report: Great Barrier Island Community Heritage and Arts Village Trust	129

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Kathy Cumming – Strategic Broker, Aotea / Great Barrier Island

Authorisers

Stephen Johnson – Lead & Coach, Connected Communities

Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager

Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board

23 August 2022

Local board feedback on the proposed Auckland Climate Grant programme 2022/2023

File No.: CP2022/12081

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To seek local board feedback on the proposed new Auckland Climate Grant, including grant programme scope and criteria, priority action focus areas and timing of funding rounds.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Budget for a climate grant programme was allocated through the 10-year Budget 2021-2031.

3. In 2021/2022 these additional funds were distributed through the existing Regional Environment and Natural Heritage grant while staff worked to establish a new grant scheme.

4. Staff have now developed a proposal for a new Auckland Climate Grant. This has been developed with feedback from mana whenua and community group stakeholders.

5. In 2022/2023 the Auckland Climate Grants programme has a budget of $400,000.

6. The purpose of the grant scheme is to support projects that will:

· reduce greenhouse gas emissions through community-based action

· build community resilience to climate change impacts

· support Māori-led responses to climate change

7. Key priority areas for funding for the grant in 2022/2023 have been identified, based on the priorities in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri and an analysis of other available grants. They are:

· Transport: Projects that support a low carbon and safe transport system.

· Built environment and Energy: Projects that support a built environment and energy system that provides for a low carbon, climate disaster resilient Auckland.

· Food: Projects that support a low carbon, resilient, local food system and enable Aucklanders to make sustainable and healthy food choices.

· Māori-led projects: Projects that build Māori capacity to respond to climate impacts and support mana whenua and mātāwaka to reduce emissions and build community resilience.

8. All local board feedback received by 26 August 2022 on the proposed Auckland Climate Grant will inform the recommendation to the Environment and Climate Change Committee.

9. The proposed Auckland Climate Grant will be presented to the Environment and Climate Change Committee for approval on 8 September 2022.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board:

a) provide feedback on the proposed Auckland Climate Grant.

Horopaki

Context

New funding for a climate grant scheme

10. Budget for a climate grant programme was allocated through the 10-year Recovery Budget 2021-2031. The grant was intended to provide increased investment to support local community-based climate projects that would:

· reduce emissions

· increase community resilience to climate impacts

· generate more community-based climate action projects, reaching at least 20,000 Aucklanders over 10 years.

11. Previously support for regional sustainable living projects has been allocated through the Regional Environment and Natural Heritage (RENH) grant programme.

12. In 2020/2021 staff distributed the increased funding for community climate projects through the RENH. This allowed funds to be allocated rapidly to the community by December 2021, after the adoption of the Recovery Budget in July 2021.

13. While funds were being allocated in this fashion, staff carried out a review of the current processes used to distribute climate and sustainability grants through the RENH along with the other priorities it covers such as conservation, water quality and kaitiakitanga.

14. The review showed that there are various disadvantages to continuing to use the existing Regional Environmental and Natural Heritage Grant to distribute climate and sustainability projects. These include that the:

· the existing process covers many priorities with less clear guidance about what type of climate projects to fund than might be expected from a stand-alone climate grant

· assessment processes are more complex and time consuming for staff due to the wide range of priorities – they require various moderation and review workshops to ensure that grants are being compared fairly across the range of priority areas.

15. Staff determined that creating a stand-alone climate grant would provide a better experience for applicants and simplify and improve the grant assessment process.

Stocktake of existing grants and analysis of allocations

16. To develop a new climate grant, staff carried out a review of other grants that are available to fund projects which have climate outcomes. Grants identified include the:

· RENH – provides funding for conservation projects

· Community Coordination and Facilitation grant – supports capacity building for conservation groups

· Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund

· Love Food Hate Waste

· Auckland Transport Community Bike Fund

· Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant Streets Programme

· local board grants to projects with climate outcomes.

17. Grants external to Auckland Council, such as those offered through Foundation North were also considered. This process aimed to avoid the grant ‘duplicating’ or ‘replacing’ other potential sources of funding for community groups.

18. Staff also analysed allocations from regional and local grants to over 200 projects with climate outcomes over the last five years. This review yielded insights into which areas the community are already active and working in (and seeking funding in). It also identified that some Aucklanders are being under-served by our current grants processes.

19. The proposed new climate grant aims to expand areas of community enthusiasm for climate action and to make the grant process more accessible to some under-served groups (including Māori, Pacific people, other diverse ethnic groups and youth-led organisations).

20. Three online workshops were also held to get feedback from community group stakeholders and previous grant applicants in May 2022.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

21. An outline of the proposed grant purpose, priorities, criteria, activities that are in scope and exclusions are provided below for local board members to review.

Proposed grant purpose

22. For the 2022/2023 pilot year the Auckland Climate Grant programme has a proposed purpose of supporting projects that:

· reduce greenhouse gas emissions through community-based action

· build community resilience to climate change impacts

· support Māori-led responses to climate change

23. The Auckland Climate Grant programme will support community projects focused on providing resources, education, and opportunities that result in more Aucklanders engaging with climate change issues. It will support Aucklanders to make behaviour changes in areas with the greatest greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential.

24. Projects that support reductions in greenhouse gas emission will be the focus for the 2022/2023 funding allocations with a target allocation of 70 per cent of grants. This allocation target will be reviewed annually. This 70 per cent may also include projects that are Māori-led (the purpose statements are not exclusive).

25. The Auckland Climate Grant programme will also support projects that build community resilience to respond to the impacts of climate change. Projects should focus on giving Aucklanders a voice in proactive community resilience planning and climate adaptation, particularly communities who will be the most vulnerable to climate impacts and have traditionally been under-served by the council.

26. By building stronger connections between neighbours and within neighbourhoods, at key community sites, and with community-based organisations, projects can create resilience against climate-related stresses with a focus on food and energy.

27. The Auckland Climate grant programme will also aim to support projects that enable mana whenua and mātāwaka to respond to climate change. The allocation of funding will recognise the partnership between the council and Māori-led organisations – particularly mana whenua in the council’s role as a partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Scope and criteria

28. Projects supported through the Auckland Climate Grant programme should meet one or more of the following criteria:

· result in new or expanded climate action activity, either by implementing new initiatives, or by significantly expanding the scope or coverage of existing activities

· support mana whenua and mātāwaka to reduce carbon emissions and build community resilience to climate related impacts

· provide support and resources to Māori organisations and community groups to build organisational capacity and capability, develop strategic plans and develop sustainable funding models, increasing the total funding or support secured for climate projects in Auckland

· increase participation in climate action activity in high emission communities (generally, higher income communities) targeting the highest emitting behaviours

· increase participation in activities that build community resilience in under-served communities who most need our support to respond to climate impacts

· support Aucklanders of different ages, abilities and ethnicities to take climate action.

Climate action priority areas

29. Projects supported through the climate grant may address a wide range of the priorities included in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan including built environment, energy, transport, communities and coast, food, and Te Puawaitanga ō te Tātai.

30. For the 2022/2023 pilot year priority will be given to applications under the transport, energy and food themes and to Māori-led projects. This will include:

· Transport: Projects that support a low carbon, safe transport system that delivers social, economic and health benefits for all.

· Food: Projects that support a low carbon, resilient, local food system that provides all Aucklanders with access to fresh, sustainable, affordable and healthy food and projects that support Aucklanders to make sustainable dietary choices.

· Energy: Projects that support a built environment and energy system that provides for a low carbon, climate disaster resilient Auckland.

· Māori-led projects: Projects building Māori capacity to respond to climate change and supporting mana whenua and mātāwaka to reduce emissions and build community resilience.

31. Some projects that support other priorities in the plan may also be funded. These include:

· Built environment: Projects that support a low carbon and resilient built environment.

· Communities: Projects that support communities to increase awareness of climate change and to prepare for changes in our climate and coastline and projects that support Aucklanders to understand their carbon footprints and changes they can made to reduce these.

32. Applicants will be directed for future guidance on what types of activities to support through these priorities to Auckland Council’s Live Lightly website, which provides advice and information for individuals and community groups on climate change: https://livelightly.nz/

33. Priority areas will be updated on an annual basis.

Exclusions

34. General grant programme exclusions outlined in the Community Grants policy will apply to the Auckland Climate Grants. In addition, specific exclusions for the Auckland Climate Grants programme are:

· climate action projects focused on the natural environment, industry and the economy are out of scope for the Auckland Climate Grant programme – this will avoid duplication with other funds such as the RENH and Climate Connect, the new climate innovation hub being developed by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

· projects with a focus on the circular economy, food waste, composting, upcycling, recycling, repair and reuse should apply through the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund

· activities whose primary purpose is the private gain or advancing of private business interests without a significant public good component

· purchase of vehicles and any related ongoing maintenance, repair, overhead costs or road user charges

· conference fees and costs

· funding for existing roles or organisational costs

· subscription services where these are ongoing and not associated with a specific event or outcome

· replication of council services

· websites and electronic platforms.

Applicants

35. The grant will be open to community groups, neighbourhoods, mana whenua and mātāwaka applicants, social enterprises, businesses, business improvement districts and education providers (early childhood centres, schools, kura and tertiary institutions).

36. Staff propose to hold several response grants rounds which are intended to make the application process quicker, simpler and easier for community groups and increase the volume of successful applications from under-served groups.

Types of grants available

37. Grants from $1,000 up to $50,000 will be offered, with both response grants and strategic grants available as shown in Table 1 below.

Response grants ($1,000 - $15,000)

38. These grants seek to grow community participation in climate action, and amplify existing community action, particularly among under-served communities such as youth, Pacific peoples and Māori-led groups.

39. Applications will be encouraged from groups that have not previously engaged with climate action activity or are rapidly building capacity in this area.

40. Staff propose that for these smaller grants, allocation decisions will be made by the General Manager of Environmental Services.

Strategic grants ($15,000 – $50,000)

41. These grants seek to support programmes and activities aligning with the Auckland Climate Grant purpose, scope and priority actions. Strategic grants will be expected to have more significant impacts than response grants. They could potentially be used to either expand best practise projects or develop innovative new responses to the climate challenge.

42. Staff propose that allocation decisions for strategic grants could be made by the Environment and Climate Change Committee (or equivalent committee) in future years.

43. In 2022, because of the timing of the proposed grant adoption decision in early September, staff propose that decision-making for the strategic grant be delegated to the General Manager Environmental Services for this year. This will provide continuity of funding for community groups by December 2022.

44. If grants are approved by a committee of council, it will not be possible for them to be allocated to community groups until May 2023 due to the timing of the election and the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Table 1. Timing of grants rounds

Open

Close

Decision date

Response grants

September 2022

February 2023

April 2023

October 2022

March 2023

May 2023

November 2022

April 2023

June 2023

Strategic grants

September 2022

October 2022

December 2022

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

45. The Auckland Climate Grant will support projects that lead to community climate change action to reduce carbon emissions and increase community resilience to climate impacts. The provision of grants through the Auckland Climate Grant programme contributes towards Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan action area C4: Remove barriers and support community initiatives that reduce emissions and build resilience in a fair way.

46. Individual projects supported through the Auckland Climate Grant programme may respond to a range of action areas within Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan including:

· Action area T3: Increase access to bicycles, micro-mobility devices and the safe, connected and dedicated infrastructure that supports their use.

· Action area C1: Work together to strengthen the resilience of our communities, people and places.

· Action area F4: Increase supply and demand for local, seasonal and low carbon food.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

47. The Auckland Climate Grants may potentially impact work within the Waste Solutions and Customer and Community Services departments, and the existing support provided to community-led food initiatives. Input from the Waste Solutions department and Regional Service Planning, Investment and Partnerships team within Customer and Community Services was sought during the development of the Auckland Climate Grant and their views on relevant applications will be sought during the delivery of the 2022/2023 pilot grant rounds.

48. The Auckland Climate Grants support of community-led transport initiatives may have an impact on Auckland Transport. Input from Auckland Transport was sought during the Auckland Climate Grant development and their views on relevant applications will be sought during the delivery of the 2022/2023 pilot grant rounds.

49. Input into the Auckland Climate Grant was sought from Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. These grants will not overlap with support provided through Climate Connect and there is no impact on Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.

50. The Environment Climate Committee decision is not a strategy, bylaw, policy or plan so the local board’s feedback can be made under delegated authority if needed (Local Government Act 2022, sch7 clause 36D (1) (a)).

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe

Local impacts and local board views

51. Equitable geographical distribution of grant allocations across different local board areas will be considered alongside other factors when setting funding recommendations for the Auckland Climate Grants.

52. Information on funding allocation and successful applicants will be provided to all relevant local boards following the approval of grant recommendations by the General Manager Environmental Services or Environment and Climate Change Committee.

53. Local boards have the ability to operate their own local grants programmes and may choose to fund local climate action projects and activities, some of which may complement the grants provided at a regional level, or vice versa.

54. Local board views are being sought on the proposal to establish the Auckland Climate Grant programme. Local board feedback will inform the recommendation to the Environment and Climate Change Committee on 8 September 2022.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

55. Staff presented to the Infrastructure and Environmental Services Mana Whenua Hui seeking feedback from mana whenua kaitiaki representatives on aspects of the grant development.

56. Key feedback points included the need for the grant process to be easy and accessible to mana whenua organisations and for the grants to build capacity of mana whenua to respond to climate change.

57. From December 2021 to March 2022, Māori specialists in the Community Climate Action team also met with each of the 19 iwi to seek their feedback on climate priorities that they would like to see advanced through the sustainable and resilient marae project. Feedback from mana whenua through this process has informed the priorities identified in the grant scheme, particularly in relation to Māori-led climate action.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

58. Budget for the Auckland Climate Grants was allocated through the 10-year Recovery Budget 2021-2031. For 2022/2023 financial year there is $300,000 available for allocation.

59. As climate projects had historically been supported through the Regional Environment and Natural Heritage (RENH) grant programme, $100,000 from the RENH grant budget will be used to support grant allocations through the Auckland Climate grant.

60. Grant allocations through the Auckland Climate grant response and strategic grant rounds will be managed within the $400,000 total grant budget. The majority of funds will be allocated through the strategic grants round.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

61. A risk assessment has only identified two low level risks associated with the adoption of the Auckland Climate Grant programme. These are listed below along with the mitigations:

· Low reputational risk – applicants may query the grant scope, priorities and decision making and feel these are inconsistent or unfair. This risk is mitigated through the grant development process seeking community input and the transparent evaluation and assessment process applied to guide decision making.

· Low financial risk – insufficient applications of sufficiently high quality will be received to fully allocate available funds. This risk is mitigated through grant programme promotion and applicant support. Support with the application process will be available from Auckland Council staff and community contractors involved with delivery of other areas of the Community Climate Action Team local and regional work programme.

62. Once grant allocation decisions are made, staff will maintain regular contact with grant recipients during project implementation to follow up on progress and make sure any risks of individual projects are properly addressed.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

63. All local board feedback received by 26 August 2022 on the proposed Auckland Climate Grant will be considered before an updated version is presented to committee.

64. Staff will present the proposed Auckland Climate Grant to Environment and Climate Change Committee for approval on 8 September 2022.

65. Once guidelines for the Auckland Climate Grant have been approved, staff will start the promotion and delivery of 2022/2023 Auckland Climate Grant funding rounds.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Authors

Emma Cowie-Dixon - Principal Advisor

Jacob van der Poel - Advisor Operations and Policy

Authorisers

Carol Hayward - Team Leader Operations and Policy

Louise Mason - General Manager Local Board Services

Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager

Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board

23 August 2022

Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill

File No.: CP2022/11764

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide feedback to the Governing Body for when it considers an Auckland Council submission on the Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill (the Bill).

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Bill is an omnibus bill in that it amends several statutes. It:

· removes the restriction of 20 councillors on the Governing Body

· provides a revised process for establishing Māori wards

· allows minor changes to local board boundaries for the purpose of alignment between ward and local board boundaries

· provides a dedicated process for the reorganisation of local boards

· provides more flexibility for lodging candidate nominations (eg electronic nominations)

· provides more detail around resolving ties and conducting recounts

3. The provisions that relate to Auckland Council are in response to submissions the council has made previously. Staff recommend general support for the provisions relating to the number of councillors on the Governing Body, the alignment of boundaries and a separate process for the reorganisation of local boards (as in the proposed Schedule 3A).

4. The process for establishing Māori wards arises out of feedback from consultation on a discussion document. The proposed provisions generally align with the feedback provided by Auckland Council on the discussion document. Some local boards at that time raised the issue of Māori representation on local boards. That has not been addressed in the proposed provisions.

5. Staff recommend support for the provisions relating to candidate nominations, tied votes and recounts.

6. The Bill is attached as Attachment A. There is an explanatory note at the front of the Bill. There is additional information, including Cabinet papers and submissions on the previous discussion document, on the Department of Internal Affairs website: https://www.dia.govt.nz/maori-wards

7. Attachment B contains a comparison of proposed provisions for the reorganisation of local boards in Schedule 3A with the current provisions in Schedule 3.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board:

a) consider its feedback on the Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill.

Horopaki

Context

8. The Bill was introduced on 26 July 2022. It has had its first reading and has been referred to the Governance and Administration Committee. Submissions to the committee close on 14 September 2022.

9. The Bill is an omnibus bill and amends three statutes.

10. It amends the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 to remove the set number of councillors on the governing body for Auckland Council. Like every other council, the number of councillors on the governing body will be able to be reviewed to be between 5 and 29 total councillors. Auckland Council has been requesting this since 2015.

11. It amends the Local Electoral Act 2001 to:

a) provide a revised process for establishing Māori wards

b) allow minor changes to local board boundaries for the purpose of alignment between ward and local board boundaries, to be included in the council’s proposal when it conducts its review of representation arrangements

c) provide more flexibility for lodging candidate nominations (eg electronic nominations)

d) provide more detail around resolving ties and conducting recounts.

12. It amends the Local Government Act 2002 to include a new Schedule 3A. The current schedule 3 deals with the reorganisation of councils (establishment, abolishment, amalgamation) and any reorganisation of local boards would currently have to be conducted under those provisions. The proposed schedule 3A provides a process specifically for unitary authorities which have local boards.

13. The Governing Body will consider a submission from Auckland Council at its meeting on 25 August 2022.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Local Government Auckland Council Act 2009

14. The amendment to the Local Government Auckland Council Act 2009 to remove the restriction on the number of councillors on the governing body has been requested previously by the council. It will allow the council to review the total number of members when it conducts a representation review for the 2025 elections.

15. Every other council in New Zealand is able to review the number of councillors between a minimum of 5 and maximum of 29. In reviewing the number of councillors, Auckland Council will be able to consider Auckland’s growing population. It will also take into account that the number of members elected from Māori wards is proportional to the total number of councillors.

16. Staff propose that the Auckland Council supports this provision in line with its previous submissions.

Local Electoral Act 2001 – Māori wards

17. The proposed process for establishing Māori wards has two-steps:

a) A council decides whether it should have Māori representation

b) If a council resolves to have Māori representation, then it must provide for Māori wards when it conducts its representation review.

18. The Bill requires a council to consider Māori representation at the following times:

a) If the council did not have Māori wards for the previous two elections, it must consider Māori representation for the next election

b) If the council did have Māori wards for the previous two elections, then it may consider Māori representation for the next election.

19. Before a council decides whether to have Māori representation it must engage with Māori and other communities of interest and take their views into account.

20. The decision on whether to have Māori representation must be made by 20 December two years prior to an election. The review of representation arrangements takes place in the year prior to an election year, following the decision on Māori representation.

21. Auckland Council’s submission on the discussion document that preceded the bill reflected the position of the Governing Body that Māori representation in local government should be modelled on Māori representation in Parliament. The Parliamentary Māori electorate provisions are contained in legislation – the Electoral Act 1993. Any legislation, before it is made, must provide for public consultation through a select committee. Once enacted, legislation remains in place until Parliament chooses to review it.

22. The proposed process requires councils to consider Māori representation if they do not already have it, including engagement with Māori and the community. There is no requirement on councils to resolve to have Māori representation. However, if a council has Māori representation then it is not required to reconsider Māori representation though it may if it chooses. Staff consider that the proposed process is in line with the previous position of the Governing Body and recommend support for the process.

23. Staff propose that Auckland Council supports these provisions.

24. Some local boards, in their feedback on the previous discussion document, advocated for Māori representation on local boards (the local board equivalent to a Māori ward would be a Māori subdivision). The Bill does not address this. Although possibly out of scope of the current proposals, local boards who feel strongly about Māori representation on local boards might consider advocating for this.

Local Electoral Act 2001 – minor changes to local board boundaries as part of a representation review

25. When a council establishes wards one of the principles it must observe is fair representation. This principle requires that each councillor represents the same number of people as the average across the whole of Auckland, within a 10 per cent margin. The Local Government Commission may approve exceptions to this requirement based on maintaining communities of interest. However, when ward boundaries have to change to meet the fair representation requirement, they get out of alignment with local board boundaries.

26. The Governing Body, at its meeting on 30 July 2015, aware of the potential for such misalignments to occur, resolved to:

“seek legislative change that provides the Local Government Commission the power to determine a change to a local board boundary where the key purpose is to achieve alignment with a ward boundary that is changed as a result of a review of representation; provided that either the change is minor or, if not minor, the change:

(i) ensures effective representation of communities of interest within both the local board area and the ward, and

(ii) is supported by the affected local boards, and

(iii) was publicly notified as part of the representation review.”

(GB/2015/1)

27. The advice received back at the time was that the Minister declined to take this forward. The Bill picks this issue up again but in a slightly different way.

28. Presently the boundaries of local boards can only be altered through a reorganisation process. This is a resource intensive process which means it is unlikely to be used to make minor changes to local board boundaries.

29. The Bill provides that a unitary authority, when it proposes its representation arrangements, is able to include proposals for adjusted local board boundaries in order to maintain alignment with ward boundaries where these are minor. The extent of permissible adjustment will be defined in regulations in terms of the maximum population transfer permitted. Staff expect this quantity to be low.

30. Such changes would need to result in boundaries that enable democratic local decision making by, and on behalf of, communities of interest throughout the district and enable equitable provision to be made for the current and future well-being of all communities of interest within the affected area. They would also, so far as practical, coincide with ward boundaries.

31. Staff consider that this provision will most likely be rarely used but support its inclusion as an option available to the council when it conducts its review of representation arrangements. The provisions in the Bill mean that any proposal to change local board boundaries will be included in the council’s initial proposal. The Governing Body has, in the past, consulted with local boards on any matters it includes in the council’s initial proposal that affect local boards. Following public notification of the initial proposal, the public and local boards can make submissions and the Governing Body then decides the council’s final proposal which is publicly notified for objections and appeals. The Local Government Commission determines any objections and appeals. There is therefore ample opportunity for consideration of a proposal to change local board boundaries to align with ward boundaries, with local boards and the public able to make their views known.

32. There are operational costs associated with changes to local board boundaries and these would need to be considered as part of any change to local board boundaries. For example, records on council’s property database include a local board field. A change to a local board’s boundaries would require changes to affected property records.

33. Staff propose that the Auckland Council supports these provisions.

Local Electoral Act 2001 – ties and recounts

34. The Bill provides that rather than resolving a tie by lot, a judicial recount is held. A council cannot be sworn in until recounts are resolved, but an urgent meeting may be held if necessary.

35. Staff propose that the Auckland Council supports this provision.

Local Electoral Act 2001 – candidate nominations

36. The Bill provides for candidates to submit nominations in a manner approved by the Electoral Officer (such as electronically).

37. Staff propose that the Auckland Council supports this provision.

Local Government Act 2002 – Schedule 3A - Establishment or reorganisation of local board areas in unitary authority districts

38. Currently any reorganisation of local boards would have to be carried out under the provisions relating to reorganisation of local authorities (Schedule 3 of the Local Government Act 2022). Because of this, these provisions are cumbersome when used solely to address local board numbers and boundaries within a single unitary authority. For example, they provide for dealing with assets and for transition committees, which are not relevant to local board reorganisation.

39. The Bill proposes a new Schedule 3A as a replacement for Schedule 3 when being used to addressing local board numbers and boundaries within a single unitary authority. It retains the two alternative processes for determining a reorganisation plan, but removes unnecessary requirements:

a) The Local Government Commission conducts an investigation, on receipt of a re-organisation initiative or a request for an investigation, and, as a result, adopts a re-organisation plan

b) A unitary authority adopts a re-organisation plan which the Local Government Commission must approve if the requirements in the Bill are met.

40. Attachment B contains a table comparing the current process under Schedule 3 with the proposed process under Schedule 3A. This shows the process the council would use for a reorganisation of local boards without a legislation change compared to the process with the legislation change.

41. The following describes the key elements of the process in Schedule 3A.

First process

42. Under the first process, a unitary authority or group of 10 per cent or more of electors (of the affected area), or the Minister, may submit a reorganisation initiative or request for an investigation. Before making a decision on whether to investigate the Commission must consult the unitary authority and any affected local board. If the Commission decide to investigate, it must adopt a process. The process must include consultation.

43. The Commission must take into account how best to achieve all of the following objectives:

a) enabling democratic decision making by, and on behalf of, communities within the local board area

b) better enabling the purpose of local government to be given effect to within the local board area

c) efficiencies and cost savings

d) assurance that a local board has the resources necessary to enable it to effectively perform or exercise its responsibilities, duties, and powers in respect of any local board area established or change

e) effective responses to the opportunities, needs, and circumstances of the affected areas

f) better alignment of local board areas with communities of interest

g) enhanced effectiveness of decision making for non-regulatory activities of a unitary authority

h) enhanced ability of local government to meet the changing needs of communities for governance and services into the future

i) effective provision for any co-governance and co-management arrangements that are established by legislation (including Treaty of Waitangi claim settlement legislation) and that are between local authorities and iwi or Māori organisations.

44. The Commission may then adopt a reorganisation plan. In deciding whether to adopt a reorganisation plan the Commission must have regard for:

a) the scale of the potential benefits of the proposed changes in terms of the objectives set out in the previous paragraph and the likelihood of those benefits being realised

b) the financial, disruption, and opportunity costs of implementing the proposed changes at the proposed time

c) the risks and consequences of not implementing the proposed changes at the proposed time

d) existing communities of interest and the extent to which the proposed changes will maintain linkages between communities (including iwi and hapū) and sites and resources of significance to them

e) the degree and distribution of demonstrable public support for the proposed changes within communities in the affected area

f) the degree and distribution of any public opposition to the proposed changes within communities in the affected area.

45. A reorganisation plan specifies:

a) the name of the district of the unitary authority

b) the number and names of local board areas within the district

c) the boundaries of—

(i) each local board area

(ii) electoral subdivisions, if any, of each local board area

d) the number of elected members of the local board for each local board area and, if a local board area is subdivided for electoral purposes, the number of members to be elected by the electors of each subdivision

e) whether each local board may include members appointed by the governing body of the unitary authority

f) for each local board, whether the chairperson of the local board is to be—

(i) elected by the members of the local board from among themselves using one of the systems of voting set out in the Local Government Act 2002; or

(ii) directly elected to that office by the electors of the local board area.

46. The provision in e) is relevant to local boards established under the Local Government Act 2002 and does not apply to Auckland Council local boards (Auckland Council local boards are established under the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009). It allows a unitary authority to appoint ward councillors to local boards.

47. The provision in f) is also relevant to local boards established under the Local Government Act 2002 and not Auckland Council local boards.

Second process

48. The second process is termed a unitary authority-led reorganisation application. A unitary authority may adopt a reorganisation plan as if it were the Commission and then submit it to the Commission for approval.

49. Before submitting a unitary authority-led reorganisation application, the unitary authority must consider any views and preferences expressed by any local boards that would be affected by the reorganisation plan.

50. The reorganisation plan must be accompanied by—

a) a statement that

· explains how the plan will achieve the objectives (as set out above for an investigation by the Commission)

· provides a balanced assessment of the reorganisation plan and outlines the advantages and disadvantages of the plan.

b) a report from the affected unitary authority, adopted by that unitary authority, that records—

(i) unconditional support for the plan from the governing body of the unitary authority

(ii) any views and preferences expressed by any local boards that would be affected by the reorganisation plan

(iii) the public consultation undertaken by the unitary authority

(iv) the themes and outcomes of that consultation.

51. The Local Government Commission must not approve the reorganisation plan if:

a) the reorganisation plan is not accompanied by the required documentation; or

b) the Commission considers, on reasonable grounds, that—

(i) the provisions for adopting reorganisation plans, their notification and content, were not complied with; or

(ii) the unitary authority has not complied with the requirement to consider the views of affected local boards; or

(iii) the plan does not have the support of affected communities.

Submission

52. Staff consider the council should support a streamlined process defined for the reorganisation of local boards within a single unitary authority. The proposed process maintains the essence of the current process but provides a process that is more fit for purpose for local boards and requires a unitary authority to consider the views and preferences of affected local boards.

53. There has been longstanding provision for reorganising community boards as part of the review of representation arrangements conducted by a territorial authority. Community boards may be established and disestablished as a part of such a representation review. An option might be to deal with the reorganisation of local boards through a representation review similarly to community boards. Staff consider that this would not be appropriate. Local boards are a part of the shared decision-making governance of Auckland Council and not just a means of increasing representation at the community level. It is more appropriate for the reorganisation of local boards to be dealt with as if they were local authorities rather than as if they were community boards but the processes for reorganisation should be simpler than those for local authorities – as being proposed in Schedule 3A.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

54. The proposals being considered in this report are neutral in terms of impact on climate.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

55. The outcome of a change in representation arrangements or the organisation of local boards would have implications for the group. However, the proposed legislative change is about the process for deciding the outcomes and not about the outcomes themselves.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe

Local impacts and local board views

56. The provisions relating to the alignment of local board and ward boundaries and the provisions for the reorganisation of local boards are of major significance to local boards. Local boards will be supported by local board staff with feedback or drafting their own submissions for attachment to the Auckland Council submission approved by the Governing Body.

57. The provisions relating to Māori wards are of significance to those local boards who consider there needs to be Māori representation on local boards (Māori subdivisions).

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

58. Staff are currently engaging with mana whenua and mataawaka on Māori representation. The models being considered are the ‘Parliamentary’ model (which the current legislation provides), the ‘Royal Commission’ model (which provides for an appointed mana whenua councillor as well as two elected members) and other less-developed models.

59. The current position of the Governing Body is to support the Parliamentary model but the Independent Māori Statutory Board has asked the Governing Body to also consider the Royal Commission model. The incoming Governing Body will reconsider its position based on feedback from the engagement in December 2022.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

60. There are no financial implications surrounding the decisions to make a submission.

61. The proposed legislative provisions may or may not have financial implications. Engaging with the community on establishing Māori wards will have a cost. Increasing the number of councillors will have costs associated with councillor support and corporate property and technology assets. The reorganisation of local boards will have an associated cost.

62. Increasing the number of councillors is likely to have an impact on the remuneration of councillors under current Remuneration Authority determination framework.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

63. With all submissions to Parliament the time frame is constrained and there is a risk that local boards and the Governing Body do not have sufficient time to consider all the ramifications. Usually this risk is mitigated in the sense that all other councils, Local Government New Zealand and Taituarā also make submissions – any aspect that is missed by one may be picked by another. However most other councils will not be interested in the provisions that apply only to Auckland or that apply only to unitary authorities. The mitigation here is that there has been good communication between the Department of Internal Affairs and Auckland Council at staff level.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

64. Staff will be reporting the Bill to the Governing Body on 25 August 2022 and seeking approval for a submission to the Select Committee.

65. Boards who wish their feedback to be reported to the Governing Body should provide it by Monday 22 August 2022. Staff will recommend that the Governing Body delegates further consideration of local board feedback to the mayor and deputy mayor following the Governing Body meeting, then those boards who cannot meet the 22 August 2022 deadline have until Friday 26 August 2022.

66. The deadline for submissions to the select committee is 14 September 2022.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments