Agenda of Whau Local Board - Wednesday, 24 August 2022

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

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. Specifically, members are asked to identify any new interests they have not previously disclosed, an interest that might be considered as a conflict of interest with a matter on the agenda.

The following are declared interests of the Whau Local Board:

Member	Organisation	Position
Kay Thomas	· New Lynn Citizens Advice Bureau · Friends of Arataki · Western Quilters · Citizens Advice Bureau Waitākere Board · Literacy Waitākere · West Auckland Heritage Conference	Volunteer Committee member Member Chair Board member Committee member
Susan Zhu	· Chinese Oral History Foundation · The Chinese Garden Steering Committee of Auckland · Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand	Committee member Board member Board member
Fasitua Amosa	· Equity NZ · Massive Theatre Company · Avondale Business Association	Vice President Board member A family member is the Chair
Catherine Farmer	· Avondale-Waterview Historical Society · Blockhouse Bay Historical Society · Portage Licensing Trust · Blockhouse Bay Bowls · Forest and Bird organisation · Grey Power	Member Member Trustee Patron Member Member
Te’eva Matafai	· Pacific Events and Entertainment Trust · Miss Samoa NZ · Malu Measina Samoan Dance Group · Aspire Events	Co-Founder Director Director/Founder Director
Warren Piper	· New Lynn RSA · New Lynn Business Association	Associate member Member
Jessica Rose	· Women in Urbanism-Aotearoa, Auckland Branch · Forest and Bird · Big Feels Club · Frocks on Bikes · Bike Auckland · Department of Conservation	Committee member Member Patron Former co-chair Former committee member Employee

Member

Organisation

Position

Kay Thomas

· New Lynn Citizens Advice Bureau

· Friends of Arataki

· Western Quilters

· Citizens Advice Bureau
Waitākere Board

· Literacy Waitākere

· West Auckland Heritage Conference

Volunteer

Committee member

Member

Chair

Board member

Committee member

Susan Zhu

· Chinese Oral History Foundation

· The Chinese Garden Steering Committee of Auckland

· Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand

Committee member

Board member

Fasitua Amosa

· Equity NZ

· Massive Theatre Company

· Avondale Business Association

Vice President

Board member

A family member is the Chair

Catherine Farmer

· Avondale-Waterview Historical Society

· Blockhouse Bay Historical Society

· Portage Licensing Trust

· Blockhouse Bay Bowls

· Forest and Bird organisation

· Grey Power

Member

Trustee

Patron

Member

Te’eva Matafai

· Pacific Events and Entertainment Trust

· Miss Samoa NZ

· Malu Measina Samoan Dance Group

· Aspire Events

Co-Founder

Director

Director/Founder

Director

Warren Piper

· New Lynn RSA

· New Lynn Business Association

Associate member

Member

Jessica Rose

· Women in Urbanism-Aotearoa, Auckland Branch

· Forest and Bird

· Big Feels Club

· Frocks on Bikes

· Bike Auckland

· Department of Conservation

Committee member

Member

Patron

Former co-chair

Former committee member

Employee

Member appointments

Local board members are appointed to the following bodies. In these appointments the local board members represent Auckland Council.

External organisation	Leads	Alternate
Aircraft Noise Community Consultative Group	Warren Piper	Catherine Farmer
Avondale Business Association	Kay Thomas	Warren Piper
Blockhouse Bay Business Association	Warren Piper	Fasitua Amosa
New Lynn Business Association	Susan Zhu	Kay Thomas Warren Piper
Rosebank Business Association	Fasitua Amosa	Warren Piper
Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust	Fasitua Amosa	Jessica Rose

4 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Whau Local Board:

a) confirm the minutes of its ordinary meeting, held on Wednesday, 27 July 2022, as true and correct.

5 Leave of Absence

At the close of the agenda no requests for leave of absence had been received.

6 Acknowledgements

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

7 Petitions

At the close of the agenda no requests to present petitions had been received.

8 Deputations

Standing Order 7.7 provides for deputations. Those applying for deputations are required to give seven working days notice of subject matter and applications are approved by the Chairperson of the Whau Local Board. This means that details relating to deputations can be included in the published agenda. Total speaking time per deputation is ten minutes or as resolved by the meeting.

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

9 Public Forum

A period of time (approximately 30 minutes) is set aside for members of the public to address the meeting on matters within its delegated authority. A maximum of 3 minutes per item is allowed, following which there may be questions from members.

At the close of the agenda no requests for public forum had been received.

10 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.”

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Whau Ward Councillor's Report - August 2022	9

Whau Local Board

24 August 2022

Whau Urban Ngahere 10-Year Action Plan

File No.: CP2022/11336

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To adopt the finalised Whau Urban Ngahere 10-Year Action Plan.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The regional Te Rautaki Ngahere ā-Tāone o Tāmaki Makaurau/ Auckland’s Urban Forest Strategy responds to changes in ngahere canopy cover and potential climate change impacts. The strategy’s target is to increase tree canopy cover across all local board areas in Tāmaki Makaurau to 30 per cent by 2050.

3. In 2020/2021, the Whau Local Board funded an implementation plan to understand the current canopy cover and plan for increasing ngahere cover in the local area. The three stages of the implementation plan are ‘knowing’, ‘growing’ and ‘protecting’.

4. The first part of the ‘knowing’ stage involved analysis of the 2013 and 2016/2018 Light Detecting and Ranging Technology (LiDAR) data for the Whau Local Board tree canopy cover.

5. Analysis of urban tree canopy coverages and comparison with the overall extents from 2013 and 2018 was undertaken, alongside population statistics and current growth projections outlined in the Auckland Plan.

6. The report has established that urban tree coverage in the local board area is approximately 17 per cent of the overall land area in 2018. The net change in overall tree canopy coverage since the first aerial survey in 2013 has seen a net negative change, of minus 1.5 per cent when comparing the same geographical areas and using the same data processing methods. Although a net reduction the overall canopy cover stays at an average of 17 per cent across the entire local board area.

7. The final part of the ‘knowing’ stage has been to develop a 10-year action plan that identifies target areas where new trees can be planted to help increase tree canopy cover in the local board area.

8. This report is seeking Whau Local Board’s adoption of the Whau Urban Ngahere 10-Year Action Plan 2022 (Attachment A to te agenda report).

9. The local board’s adoption of the action plan will set the direction for tree planting over the next 10 years and enable planning and preparation for the ‘growing’ phase to commence in 2023.

10. It is recommended the action plan is reviewed every three years to align with local board plan development. This will update the board on planting progress, enable planning for maintaining existing canopy, provide opportunities for inclusion of new initiatives, and highlighting next steps to further increasing tree canopy cover.

11. If funding is allocated in the local board Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI) CAPEX budget, the process is that each year annual planting plans, including site specific analysis, tree selection, soil and environmental condition analysis will be prepared. The development of the annual planting plan process and delivery of new tree planting will require local board funding.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Whau Local Board:

a) adopt the Whau Urban Ngahere 10-Year Action Plan as in Attachment A to the agenda report.

b) request that Parks, Sport and Recreation staff review the Whau Urban Ngahere 10-Year Action Plan every three years and provide a report updating the local board on progress of delivery of the action plan.

c) request that Parks, Sport and Recreation staff review the Whau Urban Ngahere Action Plan implementation work programme annually and provide a report to the Whau Local Board on the delivery of new tree plantings.

d) delegate authority to the General Manager - Parks, Sport and Recreation, to make minor changes and amendments to the text and design of the Whau Urban Ngahere Action Plan 2022.

Horopaki

Context

12. In 2016 staff studied the extent of urban forest canopy coverage across Tāmaki Makaurau using information captured from an aerial flight using LiDAR survey technology.

13. A detailed tree canopy analysis report was developed by staff from the Research Investigation Monitoring Unit (RIMU) and a regional strategy was developed, which the Governing Body approved in October 2018.

14. The regional strategy’s objective is to increase regional tree canopy cover to 30 per cent, with no local board area having less than 15 per cent canopy cover by 2050.

15. Local boards’ role in reaching this target is to develop local implementation plans to address the canopy loss in their local board area. The local implementation plan has three stages: ‘knowing’, ‘growing’ and ‘protecting’.

16. The ‘knowing’ stage of this planning included analysis of the cover that currently exists across the local board area, and a comparison of net change over a three to five-year period. The percentage canopy cover analysis measures all vegetation on public and private land that is over three metres in height.

17. The Whau Urban Ngahere (Forest) Analysis Report was approved by the local board on 27 October 2021 resolution WH/2021/113. It found that the average tree canopy cover across the local board area was nine per cent based on the findings of the 2013 LiDAR work.

18. The findings from the analysis report have been used to help inform development of the Whau Urban Ngahere 10-Year Action Plan, providing guidance on how to direct new tree planting efforts to increase overall tree canopy cover.

19. The action plan will provide long-term direction on planting new trees across the local board area with a goal to increase overall tree canopy coverage.

20. Adoption and implementation of the action plan will lead to:

· planting of new specimen trees

· undertaking enrichment planting in local parks

· working with Auckland Transport to increase tree cover in the road corridor

· providing guidance and direction for community groups and Council departments undertaking or organising community planting events.

21. Targets and areas to focus planting efforts are outlined in the action plan. Planting trees in these areas will increase canopy cover, establish or enhance ecological corridors for wildlife, and provide shade for key areas in parks and reserves.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

22. Two aerial LiDAR surveys of the region in 2013 and 2016-2018 enable Council to undertake detailed analysis of the vegetation cover. The draft high-level analysis indicates the extent and the changes in the canopy cover over this time has seen a minor decrease in overall canopy cover.

23. The net change in overall tree canopy coverage since the first aerial survey in 2013 has seen a negative change, of minus 1.5 per cent when comparing the same geographical areas and using the same data processing methods. Although a net reduction, the overall canopy cover stays at an average of 17 per cent across the entire local board area.

24. The comparative findings show the main area of net canopy change was approximately a difference of 6.7 Hectares (67,772 metres squared) less canopy cover than in 2013, and the main areas of change were seen on privately owned land, and on land zoned to be Public Other Land (POL) these areas are mostly state owned, and examples are schools, hospitals, Kāinga Ora property, Department of Conservation (DoC).

25. The positive findings saw a net increase in the overall canopy coverage on public land zoned as park, the coverage grew by one per cent overall and public roads a two per cent net overall increase. The increases in extent of tree coverage on public land will have helped to offset the loss of coverage on private land.

26. The longer-term objectives are to increase canopy cover, year on year, across the board area to achieve a regional target of 30 per cent over the next 30 years. This will involve more sustained work to increase the overall tree cover of the board’s area.

27. The development of the ngahere action plan has included site assessment surveying to investigate locations where opportunities exist for planting new specimen trees. The primary areas of assessment were parks with playgrounds and assessing local streets that could provide green corridor connections between local parks and Significant Ecological Areas (SEA).

28. These investigations along with spatial analysis and subject matter expert input, have helped to inform the proposed locations for new planting and set the target for planting that is outlined in the action plan.

29. The target for the local board is to maintain existing and to increase tree canopy cover by three per cent in the road corridor and on public reserve land over a 10-year period. This will require the planting of specimen trees annually.

30. A concerted effort is necessary to increase tree canopy cover on public land and a focus on planting large growing specimen trees will have long term positive effects for local communities. New planting, if completed annually, will increase overall tree canopy coverages on publicly managed land by 2030 and provide positive benefits to local communities.

31. The adoption of the action plan and its implementation will (over a 30-year period), lead to incremental changes that will help work towards achieving above the regional target of 30 per cent canopy cover.

32. Reporting on implementation of the plan every three years aligns with local board plan development. This will enable the local board to review the target and planting strategy, plan for the next areas of planting and consider the allocation of budgets required.

33. Staff have recommended a realistic target for the local board to work towards the action plan. It is forecast that with small increases in new planting and decreases in tree removal year on year; the current 17 per cent cover is at least maintained with potentially an incremental increase as the new annual tree plantings mature over the next 10 years.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

34. Implementation of the strategy and the action plan is an example of an integrated approach to help mitigate emissions, build resilience longer term and enable adaptation to the impacts of climate change to meet Auckland Council’s climate goals.

35. The strategy is identified as a key action in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri - Auckland’s Climate Plan 2020.

36. Increasing stock of trees and vegetation in Tāmaki Makaurau will increase carbon sequestration and contribute towards reducing net greenhouse gas emissions.

37. Increasing trees and vegetation also provides various natural functions that assist with adaptation to the climate change impacts for humans and other species, such as:

· providing a shading and cooling effect to counter rising temperatures

· slowing and reducing stormwater runoff to assist in managing increased rainfall events

· improve air quality by trapping particulates and filtering vehicle pollutants

· providing additional habitat for indigenous species to occupy, enhancing their resilience to climate change impacts.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

38. Collaboration across Parks, Sport and Recreation (PSR), Infrastructure and Environmental Services (I&ES) and Community Facilities (CF) has been key to the development of the action plan.

39. Community Facilities has helped inform where the current maintenance and renewal programme for trees can be strengthened to improve the overall diversity and increase the extent of the tree canopy cover.

40. Parks, Sport and Recreation will work with Community Facilities in developing the renewals programme to ensure an ongoing programme of tree renewal occurs to replace poor and ailing stock and to replant where dead, dying or diseased trees are removed.

41. Staff will continue to collaborate and develop a tree planting programme and implementation plan for the delivery of new tree plantings in the 2023 planting season and beyond.

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

Local impacts and local board views

42. The early draft action plan was workshopped with the local board on 6 April 2022. At the workshop board members were presented the draft plan and were asked to provide feedback.

43. The feedback received at the workshop has been incorporated into the final draft in Attachment A to the agenda report.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

44. The strategy was workshopped with mana whēnua during its development in three workshops during 2017 and 2018. Feedback and views discussed at the hui helped to shape the final version of the strategy.

45. The use of native trees for all new tree planting is a strong view of mana whēnua, and as such natives are the first choice for planting as outlined in the strategy. Native trees are also identified as the preference for planting in the action plan.

46. New tree plantings will benefit local Māori and the wider community by providing increased opportunities for access to nature and providing shade in the local park network.

47. Mana whēnua will be updated in the coming months on the local implementation programme and will be engaged to support tree planting advice and to provide a cultural narrative in the choice of species for local areas.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

48. The adoption of the action plan will conclude the ‘knowing’ stage of the local board’s implementation of the strategy, which is funded by the Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI) OPEX budget.

49. Delivery of the ‘growing’ stage will be funded by CAPEX from various budgets. These include Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI), Asset Based Services (ABS), the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) and Mayor’s Million Trees budgets that are allocated by the Governing Body.

50. In 2021/2022 the local board invested in new tree planting or the Ngahere programme. The adoption of the action plan will help direct priorities for future funding of the growing programme and ensure the right trees are planted in the right place.

51. To ensure the target outlined in the action plan is met, it is recommended that a scaled approach be implemented to increase the amount of LDI CAPEX through the local board’s Community Facilities annual work programme. This supports the increase in numbers of new trees being planted. The amount of funding required will be quantified annually, based on priorities to advance new tree plantings in areas of need.

52. LDI OPEX has been allocated in this year’s work programme and details on this will be workshopped with board members by the end of Quarter 2 of the 2022/2023 financial year.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

53. The trajectory of loss of tree canopy cover across the local board area is expected to continue on private land as the area develops. New tree planting on public land is necessary to help offset these changes over the longer term.

54. Sufficient time is required to plan and prepare for planting. Should the local board not adopt the plan there is a risk that the ‘growing’ stage of the strategy will not be able to start in June 2023.

55. The 10-year action plan outlines a detailed ‘Planting Opportunities List’ to ensure the right tree is planted in the right place. Should the local board not adopt the action plan there is a risk that no new trees will be planted and there are declines in the extent of tree canopy cover on public land.

56. Adoption of the action plan will help mitigate this risk, prioritise funding options when they arise and enable staff to employ best practice tree planting and ongoing maintenance methods.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

57. Following adoption of the action plan, annual planting plans will be completed that identify areas for new planting in 2023 and 2024 for workshopping with the local board. These assessments will advise CF, Auckland Transport and other delivery partners on priorities for the ‘growing’ stage.

58. Board approval will be requested for LDI Capex funding in the 2022-2023 and 2024 LDI work programme to continue the growing phase.

59. An annual report will be provided by departments that are leading the tree planting and collated by Parks, Sport and Recreation staff to enable high level reporting on total numbers of new trees planted.

60. In 2024, staff will review implementation progress of the action plan, report to the board on successes and challenges, and recommend direction for planting and funding allocation for the following three years.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Whau Urban Ngahere Action Plan 2022	19

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Howell Davies - Senior Advisor - Urban Forest

Authorisers

Mace Ward - General Manager Parks, Sport and Recreation

Adam Milina - Local Area Manager

Whau Local Board

24 August 2022

Whau Quick Response Round One 2022/2023 grant allocations

File No.: CP2022/10730

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide the Whau Local Board with information on applications in 2022/2023 Whau Quick Response Round One, and to enable a decision to fund, part fund or decline each application.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. This report presents applications received in 2022/2023 Whau Quick Response Round One (Attachment A).

3. On 25 May 2022, the Whau Local Board adopted the Whau Local Grant Programme 2022/2023. The document sets application guidelines for contestable grants submitted to the local board (Attachment B).

4. The Whau Local Board originally set a total community grant budget of $94,650 for the 2022/2023 financial year.

5. Eight applications were received for the quick response grant round, requesting a total of $19,074.20.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Whau Local Board:

a) agree to fund, part-fund, or decline each application in 2022/2023 Whau Quick Response Round One

Application ID	Organisation	Requesting funding for	Amount requested
QR2321-101	Asthma New Zealand Inc.	Towards the purchase of Asthma-Emergency-Banner Pens that will be distributed to the community in 581 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland from September 2022 to November 2022.	$2,000.00
QR2321-102	Fix Up Look Sharp	Towards leasing costs for new branch in West Auckland from September 2022 to September 2023.	$5,500.00
QR2321-103	Nandan (An Indian Bengali Association)	Towards venue hire for Nandan Milan Mela (Community Based Cultural Festival) from September 2022 to October 2022.	$1,800.00
QR2321-105	Blue Light Ventures Incorporated	Towards Rainbow's End Fundays for Whau Youth in September 2022.	$2,774.20
QR2321-107	Aotearoa Sustainability Group Limited	Towards operational costs, facilitator wages and admin costs for the delivery of waste minimisation and sustainable living workshop in central and west Auckland from June 2022 to August 2022.	$2,000.00
QR2321-110	Show Me Shorts Film Festival Trust	Towards venue hire for the Show Me Shorts Film Festival opening night at The Hollywood cinema in October 2022.	$2,000.00
QR2321-111	Youthline Auckland Charitable Trust	Towards Youthline operational costs in Youthline House,13 Maidstone St, Grey Lynn, from September 2022 to March 2023.	$2,000.00
QR2321-113	Fafine Suisui	Towards venue costs and sewing material for sewing skill share project in Kelston in September 2022.	$1,000.00

Total			$19,074.20

Horopaki

Context

6. The local board allocates grants to groups and organisations delivering projects, activities and services that benefit Aucklanders and contribute to the vision of being a world class city.

7. Auckland Council Community Grant Policy supports each local board to adopt a grant programme.

8. The local board grant programme sets out:

· local board priorities

· lower priorities for funding

· exclusions

· grant types, the number of grant rounds and when these will open and close

· any additional accountability requirements.

9. The Whau Local Board adopted its grant programme on 25 May 2022, which sets application guidelines for a contestable grant (Attachment B).

10. The community grant programmes have been extensively advertised through the Council grant webpage, local board webpages, local board e-newsletters, Facebook pages, Council publications and community networks.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

11. The aim of the Local Board Grant Programme is to deliver projects and activities which align with the outcomes identified in the local board plan. All applications have been assessed utilising the Community Grant Policy and the Local Board Grant Programme criteria. The eligibility of each application is identified in the report recommendations.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

12. The Local Board Grant Programme aims to respond to Auckland Council’s commitment to address climate change by providing grants to individuals and groups for projects that support and enable community climate action. Community climate action involves reducing or responding to climate change by residents in a locally relevant way. Local board grants can contribute to expanding climate action by supporting projects that reduce carbon emissions and increase community resilience to climate impacts. Examples of projects include local food production and food waste reduction; increasing access to single-occupancy transport options; home energy efficiency and community renewable energy generation; local tree planting and streamside revegetation; and educating about sustainable lifestyle choices that reduce carbon footprints.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

13. Based on the main focus of an application, a subject matter expert from the relevant department provides input and advice. The main focus of an application is identified as arts, community, events, sport and recreation, environment or heritage.

14. The grant programme has no identified impacts on Council-controlled Organisations and therefore their views are not required.

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

Local impacts and local board views

15. Local boards are responsible for the decision-making and allocation of local board community grants. The Whau Local Board is required to fund, part-fund or decline these grant applications against the local board priorities identified in the Whau Local Board Community Grant Programme.

16. The local board is requested to note that section 48 of the Community Grant Policy states: “We will also provide feedback to unsuccessful grant applicants about why they have been declined, so they will know what they can do to increase their chances of success next time”.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

17. The local board grant programme aims to respond to Auckland Council’s commitment to improving Māori wellbeing by providing grants to individuals and groups who deliver positive outcomes for Māori. Auckland Council’s Ngā Mātārae has provided input and support towards the development of the community grant processes.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

18. The Whau Local Board originally set a total community grant budget of $94,650 for the 2022/2023 financial year.

19. Eight applications were received for the quick response grant round, requesting a total of $19,074.20.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

20. The allocation of grants occurs within the guidelines and criteria of the Community Grant Policy and the local board grant programme. The assessment process has identified a low risk associated with funding the applications in this round.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

21. Following the Whau Local Board allocation of funding, the grant staff will notify the applicants of the local board’s decision.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	2022/2023 Whau Quick Response Round One Application Summary	65
b ⇩	2022/2023 Whau Local Board Grants Programme	127

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Vincent Marshall - Grants Advisor

Authorisers

Pierre Fourie - Grants amd Incentives Manager

Adam Milina - Local Area Manager

Whau Local Board

24 August 2022

Auckland Council's Quarterly Performance Report: Whau Local Board for quarter four 2021/2022

File No.: CP2022/10904

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide the Whau Local Board with an integrated quarterly performance report for quarter four, 1 March to 30 June 2022 and the overall performance for the financial year against the approved 2021/2022 local board work programmes. This report does not convey all the activities that have been undertaken in the Whau Local Board area in the 2021/2022 financial year, but it does highlight key activities.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. This report provides an integrated view of performance for the Whau 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 Whau Local Board Plan’s six outcomes.

3. In the Whau, 28 activities within the agreed 2021/2022 work programmes were completed and 66 others are in progress, including multi-year projects that will not be completed until the new financial year. 18 activities were flagged Amber, four as Grey, and two flagged Red.

4. Amber indicates that staff had identified and calculated the risks of progression. Staff intend to still progress all Whau’s activities flagged Amber, just on a later than anticipated timeline. Two projects, Olympic Park Master planning and Miranda Reserve playground and associated park furniture, were put on hold prior to quarter four and remain Amber.

5. The two Red flagged items were events-related and were casualties of COVID-19 response that discouraged large gatherings to avoid spreading of the virus. The Whau Senior Citizens’ function was cancelled and several groups who planned events with Whau Events Partnership funds did not proceed.

6. The four Grey flagged items are administrative. Three separate budget lines related to Te Whau boardwalk development will now be merged into a single line; and the repair of the Archibald Park pontoon was technically ‘cancelled’ as the work was carried out utilising regional rather than local budget.

Key activity achievements from the 2021/2022 work programme

7. Avondale Town Centre redevelopment – The preliminary designs for the development of a new community centre and library are being progressed. The upgrade of the playground and associated park furniture in the Avondale Central Reserve will be scoped once it is clearer as to how this space will relate to the new community centre and library facility.

8. Māori Responsiveness –There has been success with the increased opportunities through the local libraries, community centres and hubs to learn te reo, or to take part in cultural workshops such as rongoa mauri or herbal medicines, flax weaving, verbal history, etc. The local board also adopted a series of gifted Māori names as part of the Te Kete Rukuruku project that fosters dual naming of Council parks and facilities. Central Government passed the dual language Te Kahui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022 which established Matariki Observance Day as a public holiday in New Zealand – the first occurrence was Friday 24 June 2022. In the Whau, there was a noted increase in number of participants in the Matariki celebrations delivered in our community centres, hubs and houses.

9. Environmental Care – numerous projects have been delivered over the year through the vast network of community volunteers, and through partners such as Ecomatters, Whau Wildlink, Whau River Catchment Trust, and Friends of Oakley Creek. Work has also progressed with the Urban Ngahere Strategy that will put in place a long-term plan to restore the urban forest in the area.

Key activities not delivered / not progressed as expected

10. The Olympic Park Master planning exercise (Amber) is being carried forward in anticipation of better resourcing in the 2022/2023 year. The aim is to future-proof the park to cope with an expanding population requiring more diverse use.

11. The Eastdale Reserve Service plan (Amber) was delayed as staff responded to the local board’s request to extend the public consultation period. This project is still in progress and will be carried over into the new financial year.

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

13. The financial performance report is attached (Attachment B to the agenda report - Confidential) 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 New Zealand Stock Exhange (NZX) on or about 29 August 2022.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Whau 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 Stock Exchange (NZX) which are expected to be made public on or about 29 August 2022.

Horopaki

Context

14. The Whau Local Board has an approved 2022/2023 work programme for the following:

· Customer and Community Services

· Infrastructure and Environmental Services

· Plans and Places

· Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.

15. The graph below shows how the work programme activities meet the Local Board Plan outcomes. Activities that are not part of the approved work programme but contribute towards the local board outcomes, such as advocacy by the local board, are not captured in this graph.

Graph 1: Work programme activities by outcome

COVID-19 restrictions

16. 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.

17. 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 the majority of 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.

18. 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.

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

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Whau Local Board Work Programme Snapshot

20. 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 2: Work programme performance by RAG status

21. 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 3: Work programme performance by activity status and department

Key activity updates from quarter four

22. Avondale Town Centre Development – the past year has seen many component projects delivered in Avondale that all aim to achieve a high functioning, people-friendly town centre in future. Risks have been identified in association with the multi-million-dollar investment project to develop a new integrated community centre and library in the heart of the town centre and is flagged Amber. However, there has been forward momentum during quarter four with relative activities, with activities delivered throughout the town centre and the margins. The community had been engaged in planning conversations via Eke Panuku Auckland Limited.

23. The New Lynn to Avondale shared path was officially opened in the fourth quarter. The local board had contributed toward costs of the bridge crossing. Public feedback has been predominantly positive about the transformative options for cycling and walking.

24. Park improvements:

· The local board supported the public request to reopen the closed off section of Kurt Brehmer Walkway. This has been achieved through Community Facilities enabling considerable geotechnical investigations and assessments that measured and determined that potential risk to public users were manageable.

· Community Facilities delivered improvements across the parks and added drinking fountains to Blockhouse Bay Recreation Reserve and Sister Rene Shadbolt Park at locations of easy access for active and passive park users; walkways and paths were upgraded in Craigavon Park and Manuka Park; and the damaged pontoon at Archibald Park was repaired.

· In the Orange COVID-19 response setting, the Whau Art Brokers worked well with the local art community. Activities included tapa workshops, the inaugural Bay Art Exhibition involving 40 artists and live entertainment; Art Kitchen completed eight workshops – two in person and the rest online; Dung Beetle’s monthly series held a live gig, solo exhibition and weaving workshop all representing women from the LGBTQIA+ community, and the first Arty Meet Up was Arty Bike-Up, a collaboration with Bike Avondale which toured public art from Avondale to New Lynn.

Key activity achievements from the 2021/2022 work programme

Some highlights in the 2021/2022 financial year’s work programme were:

25. Community Arts Broker: Whau’s inaugural Arts Broker of seven years, Melissa Laing, stepped down, and was replaced by Jody Yawa McMillan and Janet Lilo who have invigorated the arts community in a socially challenging period.

26. The Whau Pasifika Komiti has grown its influence and actively supported community group activities e.g., youth Talanoa-hosted youth leadership event, and Whau Pacific Festival series of events.

27. Ethnic Voices have upskilled leadership roles within the group, and have become more strategic, looking to a strengthened network and more targeted activations, inviting all cultures to share and learn from each other.

28. Whau’s libraries continued to diversify and deliver alternative services, not least being the support of the local board’s Māori outcomes through programmes such as te reo beginners’ classes, Māori book giveaway for Matariki, free workshops for Tiriti o Waitangi as well as Traditional Māori Healing/ Rongoā, and more.

27. Ecological and Environmental topics were addressed through several departments and a variety of programmes:

· Parks, Sport and Recreation (PSR), through ecological and environmental programmes racked up voluntary hours through local groups for pest plant and pest animal control. Numerous planting and maintenance work was carried out and forward planning undertaken for sites right across the Whau.

· PSR also progressed the Urban Ngahere (Forest) initiative in the Whau and a planting strategy document will be brought to the local board in the new financial year for adoption.

· Infrastructure and Environmental Services’ programme saw EcoMatters volunteers’, from public and some of the local schools, continued contributions to the nursery, providing at least 2,000 plants available for community planting projects within the Whau Local Board area during the winter 2022 planting season.

· Libraries continued regular activities supporting children and youth focus on care and sustainability of our immediate environment; creating a Bug Hotels, exploring local ngahere, donations of food and items for the NZ Bird Rescue in Green Bay, Waste Wise guides on use of homemade natural cleaning products, and other sessions explored access to food including growing gardens, education on nutrition, sustainability, and food waste.

· Oakley Creek pest plan control buffer project: contractors commenced work in January 2022 and have worked closely with Council and Friends of Oakley Creek to contact property owners along the creek, to address pests such as moth plant and ginger.

28. The Youth Capacity Building programme saw Creative Souls’ continued guidance for young adults toward employment.

30. During the year, the local board adopted three strategic documents that will inform the future planning of parks and open spaces in the Whau: The Whau Local Board Accessibility in Parks Best Practice Report 2020; The Whau Local Path Plan (Greenways) Review document, and The Whau Toilet Provision Assessment 2022.

Location based activities in the 2021/2022 financial year

31. While Avondale, has been a focal point for activities carried out in the past year, other parts of the Whau have continued to be serviced by the work programme. Some activities are highlighted below.

32. Blockhouse Bay – ongoing maintenance of Blockhouse Bay Reserve, Blockhouse Bay Beach Reserve and Gittos Domain including adding a drinking fountain in Blockhouse Bay Reserve; Gittos Domain pathways suffered some storm damage, and these have been repaired. There is now planning to deliver a concentrated plant and animal pest management plan for Gittos Domain.

33. Glenavon – the local board’s Community Services staff have worked closely with the Glenavon Hub who have now established themselves as part of the community where ideas are shared through social interaction. The hub has successfully engaged the community, hosted successful events and got the neighbourhood involved in celebrations for events such as Matariki and Samoan Language Week.

34. Glenavon/New Windsor – The project to renew Miranda Reserve playground and associated furniture is on hold while WaterCare undertake work on a Central Interceptor Project station (a super-sized underground tunnel that will reduce wastewater overflows into central Auckland waterways) at the old Miranda Playground site. In the interim, with local board encouragement, WaterCare had engaged with community services staff, the Glenavon and New Windsor community through the Glenavon Hub, and Kainga Ora, (who have significant housing in the area) to plan for a mitigation play space that reflects the local environment through art, and also meets locally identified aspirations. This is now up and running and sited on vacant Kāinga Ora land on Miranda Street.

35. Green Bay – the beach has had major infrastructure installment to stem ongoing flooding issues – the access remediated, and planting undertaken. Public provided input into the planned renewal of Craigavon Park’s fitness trail – equipment has been ordered and the groundwork is being prepared in readiness for arrival of equipment in new financial year. The Green Bay Community House has had continued support from the local board to deliver community-based activities. La Rosa’s amenity block has been refurbished.

36. Kelston – The board continues to support the Kelston Community Hub which is very successful in engaging its community; the hub is also the focal point for giving local kaumatua a base to share tikanga Māori. Brains Park and Archibald Park have continued sports fields investment – for example, irrigation, lighting, and turf upgrades.

37. New Lynn – The multi-million-dollar Wolverton Culvert project, led by Auckland Transport and in partnership with all the major service providers, e.g., Transpower, Chorus etc, has finally been concluded. This was not a local board investment, but the local board did provide input to ensure that the effect on traffic and continued use of Olympic Park was managed as well as could be expected. The upgrade of the twin culverts reduces the risks of major flooding in the area such as was experienced at the opposite end of New Lynn in March 2017. The local board work programme will pick up the restoration planting in the area.

38. New Windsor – Te Kotuitanga Park is undergoing an upgrade. There have been delays but play equipment and safety surfaces have been ordered and construction work for the garden area is under way. The local board has also partnered with Community Waitākere Charitable Trust to introduce and deliver activities for the community while based at the New Windsor Primary School site.

39. Rosebank – The reopening of Kurt Brehmer walkway and work on the Avondale and Rosebank parks service assessment. The local board and mana whēnua provided input into the ongoing work to create a spatial plan and list opportunities as part of the 'future state' assessment.

Overview of work programme performance

Customer and Community Services work programme

31. The majority of activity in the Whau sits in the Customer and Community Services work programme (refer Graph 3.) There are 24 activities that were completed by the end of the year or will be by end of June 2022 and 55 are in progress; 18 activities that are in progress but are delayed are flagged as amber, two activities - one cancelled and the other in progress but partially cancelled - are flagged red and shown below. The four items tagged as grey, relate to administrative adjustments for Te Whau Pathway. The previous three lines for Te Whau Pathway will be merged into one and the Archibald Park pontoon refurbishment has been technically cancelled although the work was in fact carried out under a different non-local board budget.

32. The Whau Local Board Work Programme 2021/2022 Quarter 4 Update report (Attachment A to the agenda report) reveals the colour coded lines, and a brief explanation is provided in the commentary column. There is no ongoing significant impact as staff have the ambers and reds under control.

Table 3: Customer and Community Services activities with significant impact


*578. Senior citizens function Whau*	Red	Cancelled	No activity occurred as the Seniors High Tea was cancelled due to COVID-19
*579. Event Partnership Fund Whau*	Red	In progress	Whau Pacific Festival funding has been uplifted. No further funding was paid out in quarter 4. Waitangi Day unspent funds to be refunded; organisers to confirm remaining amount.

Infrastructure and Environmental Services work programme

33. In the Infrastructure and Environmental Services work programme, the Industrial Pollution Prevention Programme based in Kelston has been completed and the eleven other activities are in progress. There are no activities flagged red, amber or grey.

Plans and Places work programme

34. The West Auckland Heritage Festival based in Titirangi was cancelled, and the funds redirected to other heritage responses. Three marble plaques salvaged from the demolished St Andrew’s Hall in New Lynn were restored and a location is being investigated.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited work programme

35. The Tātaki Auckland Unlimited work programme in the Whau consists of two activity lines:

· The Young Enterprise Scheme – Kick Start Days programme was delivered by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in the Victory Convention Centre in Beaumont Street, Freemans Bay, in quarter three. It was reported that 10 students from Avondale College and 48 students from Green Bay High School attended the February event. The programme’s aim is to inspire young people to discover their potential in business.

· Pop Up Business School – the purpose of this programme is to provide the local community access to a free course to help develop business skills and confidence to start their own businesses. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this event was delivered online between 29 November and 10 December 2021 with a reported attendance of 26 persons.

Deferred activities

34. 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 financial year.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

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

36. The local board has invested in several sustainability projects, which aim to build awareness around individual carbon emissions, and changing behaviour at a local level. These include:

· Whau Bike Hub – educating users about active transport

· Healthy homes on a budget – provide education workshops

· Climate Action Network Whau – support and implement community level low carbon activities

· EcoMatters Environment Centre and Sustainability Hub – continued support for EcoMatters operation

· Community Nurseries – through EcoMatters, provide education and hands on practice on the benefits of plant restoration to ecology

· EcoFest West Festival – EcoMatters Whau – support running of an annual event on sustainable living

· Love Your Neighbourhood Whau – through EcoMatters, support volunteer-driven practical environmental initiatives

· Friends of Oakley Creek Restoration programme Whau – ecological restoration inviting private landowner participation along the creek

· Industrial Pollution Prevention Programmes – supporting local commercial industries to avoid pollution risks as a side effect of their business practices

· Manukau Harbour Forum – continued support of Forum activities.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

37. 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

38. This report informs the Whau 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

39. Many local board decisions are of importance to and impact on Māori. The Whau Local Board work programme is an important tool that enable and can demonstrate the Council’s responsiveness to Māori.

40. Local board plans, developed in 2020 through engagement with the community including Māori, form the basis of the local board area priorities.

41. Whau Local Board’s priorities for the past year gave due consideration to Māori identity and signaled the local board’s intention to continually look for ways to partner with mana whēnua, promote te reo, and enhance visibility of Māori history in the Whau. To this aim, the local board is in the process of setting a budget to deliver Māori responsive projects in its 2022/2023 work programme.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

42. This report is provided to enable the Whau 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.

43. Auckland Council (Council) currently has a number of bonds quoted on the New Zealand 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. Due to these obligations the financial performance attached to this report is excluded from the public.

44. Due to these obligations the financial performance report (Attachment B to the agenda report) is under confidential cover.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

45. 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

46. The Whau Local Board work programmes for 2022/2023 were approved at the local board’s business meeting on 22 June 2022.

47. 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 ⇩	Whau Work Programme Update Quarterly 4	145
b ⇩	Whau Quarterly 4 Financial Performance Report 2021-2022 (Under Separate Cover) - Confidential

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Antonina Georgetti - Local Board Advisor
Authoriser	Adam Milina - Local Area Manager

Whau Local Board

24 August 2022

Welcoming Communities – Te waharoa ki ngā hapori

File No.: CP2022/10986

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. The purpose of this report is to seek approval from the local board to submit an expression of interest to join the Welcoming Communities programme – Te waharoa ki ngā hapori in September 2022.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Immigration New Zealand and Auckland Council have collaborated in a scoping project that will enable the Whau Local Board and their communities to join the Welcoming Communities – Te waharoa ki ngā hapori programme.

3. The local board may submit an expression of interest to join the programme. If successful, Immigration New Zealand will support the programme in the form of knowledge sharing, Welcoming Standards that provide a benchmark for the development of a Welcoming Plan and an accreditation process, celebration of success, and seed funding over three years towards the development and implementation of a Welcoming Plan.

4. A Welcoming Plan helps to create more welcoming and inclusive environments to deliver activities that generate economic, social, civic, and cultural benefits for newcomers and established communities.

5. Welcoming Communities outcomes align strongly with the work programme that the Whau Local Board is already implementing, including through the delivery of its Local Board Plan, and through collaborations with community groups and stakeholders.

6. Staff have engaged with regional and local stakeholders though online and face-to-face meetings, as well as written feedback. All the organisations that responded expressed a desire to be involved in the programme and acknowledged its potential benefits to newcomers and communities.

7. Staff have presented the feedback to the local board through a series of workshops.

8. Staff recommend that the local board apply to join the programme and support the Community Innovation team in Connected Communities to manage and submit an expression of interest (EOI) on behalf of the local board in September 2022.

9. It is anticipated that the Whau Welcoming Plan development will commence early 2023 following successful acceptance of the application.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Whau Local Board:

a) request staff to complete an expression of interest on behalf of the local board to join the Welcoming Communities programme – Te waharoa ki ngā hapori.

b) delegate to the Chair the approval of the local board's expression of interest by 30 September 2022, for submission to Immigration New Zealand.

Horopaki

Context

10. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is leading a Welcoming Communities – Te waharoa ki ngā hapori programme (Welcoming Communities) under the auspices of the New Zealand Migrant Settlement and Integration Strategy, and the New Zealand Refugee Resettlement Strategy.

11. INZ and Auckland Council have collaborated in a scoping project that will enable five local boards and their communities to join the programme through a manageable pathway. All five local boards have a highly diverse and growing population and indicated interest in Welcoming Communities in previous years.

12. The local boards, through staff, may submit an expression of interest in September 2022 to join the programme. If successful, Immigration New Zealand will assist in the first three years of the delivery of the programme, in the form of knowledge sharing, recognition of achievements through an accreditation process and funding support.

13. This will include a $50,000 funding contribution each year for three years to help develop and implement a Welcoming Plan each for participating local boards. A Welcoming Plan helps to plan and monitor activities and initiatives that generate economic, social, civic, and cultural benefits for newcomers and local communities, using the Welcoming Communities standard as benchmark (refer to Attachment A: Welcoming Communities – Te waharoa ki ngā hapori, Standard for New Zealand, Dec 2017).

14. There is also provision for a one-off contribution of $9,500 towards activities once a local board becomes an Established Welcoming Community, which is the second stage of the accreditation process once the local board begins implementing the Welcoming Plan.

15. At a workshop on 9 March 2022, the Whau Local Board received information on the Welcoming Communities Scoping Project and an initial assessment from staff on the alignment of Welcoming Communities with Auckland Council and local board’s strategies, plans and work programmes.

16. The local board confirmed interest in Welcoming Communities and directed staff to move to the next stage of engagement with community stakeholders to seek their feedback on the programme.

Community stakeholders’ perspectives on Welcoming Communities

17. Staff engaged with mana whēnua, and regional and local stakeholders through online and face-to-face meetings, and also received written feedback. Staff also reviewed key strategic documents such as Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Ara Moana, Libraries Talanoa Strategy, Thriving Communities Ngā Hapori Momoho, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy to collate mana whēnua and community input relevant to this topic.

18. The table in Attachment B summarises key points of feedback received on the potential benefits and opportunities of the Welcoming Programme for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, including the following:

● ensure alignment with strategies the community has already engaged with

● integrate community engagement on Welcoming Communities matters with other local board engagement as much as possible

● uphold individual iwi identity and culture

● iwi leadership

● local board leadership

● amplify the voice of newcomers

● develop understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori culture amongst newcomers

● acknowledge the leadership and on-going involvement of marae, Pacific and ethnic grassroot organisations, and other community organisations in welcoming and/or assisting the successful settlement of newcomers

● create a more equitable and enabling system

● enhance social cohesion, belonging and participation.

19. Feedback from organisations based in the Whau Local Board area included the following:

● enable equitable access to community spaces

● identify networks for connection and employment

● identify opportunities to engage with less visible groups to connect with each other and services through sports and activities

● provide opportunities to interact with Māori culture and to learn te reo Māori.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

20. Based on the desktop review of existing policies and programmes and feedback from regional and local stakeholders, staff considered the following options:

	Option 1: status quo	Option 2: join Welcoming Communities
Opportunities	Continue to develop the work programme aligned with existing Council policies and local board plans. Opportunity for the local board to adopt the Welcoming Communities standard as a guide/ practice tool to assess and improve activities from the perspective of newcomers and host communities.	Continue to develop the work programme aligned with existing Council and local board plans and policies, with additional Welcoming Communities outcomes, with increased focus on the perspective of newcomers and host communities. Embed Welcoming Communities outcomes in future Local Board plans for teams across Council to consider in their programming. Recognition of the local board commitment to the wellbeing of newcomers and pro-active actions to enhance inter-cultural connections. Enhanced collaboration between local and central government as well as regional and grassroot organisations. Enhanced engagement with the local community, including newcomers. Additional resourcing for the planning and implementation of welcoming activities.
Considerations	Missed opportunity to access additional knowledge, expertise and funding resources to develop a consistent approach as Council in creating welcoming spaces.	Staff commitment to develop the Welcoming Plan with communities and the resources required to support embedding the plan. Commitment to staff resourcing and regular reporting processes to the Ministry for Business, Industries and Employment (MBIE) if accreditation is pursued as a next stage. Create a more joined up approach within Council services and also community groups to serve new communities.
Financial implications	The local board may wish to allocate additional funding within existing Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI) for existing or new welcoming activities without participating in the programme.	Expectation will be that the local board work programme will identify activities aligned with Welcoming Plan within existing or additional LDI allocations over time (part of existing initiatives or new activities). Joining the programme will provide three-year funding support towards developing and implementing the plan. Opportunity to create new collaborations, identify anchor partners, leverage local board funding and increase access to resources from Auckland Council for local groups.
Risks	Potential perception of a missed opportunity to focus on matters deemed to have deep impacts on community wellbeing and social cohesion.	Potential for a gap in funding towards implementation of the developed Welcoming Plan if clear outcomes have not been identified and earmarked within LDI. Sustainability and long-term vision of the programme including a whole of Council approach need to be considered from the start.

Recommendations

21. Staff consider that the benefits of joining the Welcoming Communities programme outweigh the potential costs and risks and recommend that the Whau Local Board submit an expression of interest to join the programme.

22. Should the application be successful, it is anticipated that the programme will commence early 2023. Staff anticipate that programme resources for the first three years of the programme would be targeted to achieve the following:

· Year 1: Mobilisation, planning and piloting new opportunities

o iwi engagement

o community engagement

o drafting of the Welcoming Plan

o design and piloting of key welcoming resources, such as local orientation programmes; learning about Aotearoa New Zealand and local history, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultures and traditions, the roles and functions of local board, Auckland Council and CCOs; local community asset maps and directories

o identifying key anchor partners

o mobilisation of funding and other resources for implementation of the Welcoming Plan within and outside of Council.

· Year 2 and 3: Implementation of the Welcoming Plan and continuous improvement

o coordination, liaison, capacity and capability building support aligned with Welcoming Community standards for initiatives led by communities, iwi and urban marae

o on-going support for iwi and community engagement and relationship building

o reporting against the Welcoming Communities Standards for accreditation purposes if the local board decide to pursue.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

23. The decision of the local board to join Welcoming Communities will not have any impact on greenhouse gas emission.

24. One objective of Welcoming Communities is to strengthen inter-cultural and community connections, and build social capital. This in turn will help increase the resilience of communities in the face of potential emergency situations such as those caused by extreme weather events. This aligns with the Auckland Climate Plan’s priority: Te manahau o te iwi me ngā wāhi – Resilience of our people and places.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

25. Welcoming Communities aligns strongly with the Auckland Plan Outcome of Belonging and Participation and will help the planning and implementation of targeted local programmes and activities in the following key Focus Areas:

● Focus Area 1: Create safe opportunities for people to meet, connect, participate in, and enjoy community and civic life. For example, Welcoming Communities can help identify and address barriers that prevent newcomers from participating in community activities and revitalise existing programmes in community facilities.

● Focus Area 2: Provide accessible services and social and cultural infrastructure that are responsive in meeting people's evolving needs. For example, Welcoming Communities will look at whether communications are appropriate and fit for purpose, and whether the design and operation of public spaces is welcoming and inclusive for diverse cultures.

● Focus Area 3: Support and work with communities to develop the resilience to thrive in a changing world. For example, Welcoming Communities will help reflect on how newcomers are supported to develop their leadership and civic engagement, and how easy it is for newcomers and receiving communities to interact, connect and learn about each other.

● Focus Area 4: Value and provide for Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi as the bicultural foundation for an intercultural Auckland. Mana whēnua will have a prominent role in defining the values and principles of the programme. Increasing knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori values and culture amongst newcomers will be a priority.

● Focus Area 5: Recognise, value and celebrate Aucklanders' differences as a strength. For example, through welcoming events and activities that showcase and celebrate cultural diversity.

26. Welcoming Communities also aligns with the Thriving Communities Strategy 2022-2032 – Ngā Hapori Momoho. It has the potential to improve Council engagement with communities and build community capacity and capability to participate, using a collaborative and empowering approach that brings together central government, council, local boards, local residents and community stakeholders. Specifically Welcoming Communities aligns with the outcomes of Whanaungatanga, Manākitanga and Kotahitanga, and Objective 4: Grow community and inter-cultural connection.

27. Staff are engaging with Auckland Council services, mana whenua representatives and community stakeholders to develop a framework for Welcoming Communities in Tāmaki-Makaurau Auckland that will deliver on local priorities identified in Welcoming Plans while building on regional level leadership and strategy and leveraging resources within and outside of Auckland Council, and in particular using the following approach:

· Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau outcomes and mana whēnua leadership and values reflected throughout the programme

· alignment with and strengthening of initiatives already underway under Ara Moana (Pasifika Strategy) focus areas, Libraries Talanoa strategy, Thriving Communities, and the Diversity and Inclusion strategy

· collaboration with community providers and funders at the regional level to support collective approaches, system improvements and learnings that empower grassroot organisations and enhance delivery of activities at the local board level.

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

Local impacts and local board views

28. This report follows a series of workshops where staff introduced Welcoming Communities, sought feedback from the local board on engagement with local stakeholders, and reported on the feedback and insights collated following engagement with regional and local stakeholders, central government organisations and mana whēnua.

29. Welcoming communities aligns strongly with the Local Board Plan, in particular Outcome one: Strong, resilient and inclusive communities where local identity, diversity and creativity are nurtured, and Outcome 6: Thriving town centres, a strong local economy and neighbourhoods that are supportive and connected.

30. There are already several activities within the local board’s work programme which align strongly with Welcoming Communities outcomes. These include for example:

● activities in libraries and community centres

● Whau Ethnic and Pacific Peoples Plans

● youth leadership and skills development programmes such as Tula’i

● events such as Chinese New Year, Pacific Festival, Matariki, CultureFest or Neighbours Day which foster inter-cultural connections

● parks improvements and activations to increase access by diverse communities

● the migrant community conservation programme

● transport and infrastructure improvements.

31. Welcoming Communities will help enhance local board engagement with new residents in several ways:

● provide more resources to better coordinate and integrate engagement with newcomers with the Local Board Plan and other engagement processes

● enhance existing relationships and local board initiatives as well as identify gaps and potential improvements to work programmes

● increase visibility and facilitate access to resources and information for grassroot organisations involved in welcoming activities, for example to amplify:

○ activities led by mana whēnua, urban marae and Māori-led organisations

○ grassroot ethnic people and Pacific people-led engagement, leadership, and activities

○ neighbourhood level engagement, leadership, and activities, particularly in areas undergoing significant change

● grow capability and learning opportunities for continuous improvements across all stakeholders.

32. For the Whau Local Board area, staff suggest, based on the initial assessment and community and local board feedback, that the Welcoming Communities programme may initially focus on:

● Engaging with existing Pacific and ethnic collectives to identify and map relationships, groups, and networks across the Whau Local Board area

● Develop an orientation programme that will be offered to newcomers

● Increase engagement with under-represented communities and ensure that they have equitable access to resources

● Support the development of a local community directory.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

33. Welcoming Communities, as a national programme, identifies that Māori – represented by tangata whēnua, mana whēnua, iwi and hapū and/ or other hapori Māori – have a prominent role in Welcoming Plan activities.

34. Welcoming Communities acknowledges the important role of tangata whēnua as respected leaders and key collaborators in the development and delivery of Welcoming Communities activities in Aotearoa New Zealand. Two key Māori cultural values underpin the programme. They are Whanaungatanga, the importance of relationships, and Manaakitanga, the value of extending hospitality and caring for other people

35. An outcome of the Welcoming Communities programme is that local government, tangata whēnua and other community leaders work together to create, advocate for, and continue to foster a welcoming and inclusive community. They lead a shared plan to increase connections between newcomers and local communities.

36. The Māori Outcomes Performance Measurement Framework – Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau will be utilised by staff to ensure that the approach will be relevant to the expectations and aspirations of Māori and that Council meets its obligation under the Treaty of Waitangi. Welcoming Communities has potential to influence outcomes in areas of te reo Māori development (Kia ora te Reo), Māori identity and culture (Kia ora te Ahurea), and marae development (Kia ora te Marae).

37. Staff are in the process of seeking input from mana whēnua into the strategic and delivery framework for the programme if it is rolled out in Tāmaki Makaurau. So far, staff have progressed discussions with Te Kawerau a Maki, and through the Parks and Recreation Mana Whēnua Forum (South/East/Central): Ngāti Whanaunga , Ngāti Maru and Ngāti Paoa. The following feedback has been received:

● Ngāti Whanaunga and Te Kawerau a Maki expressed an interest in being involved in shaping the programme at a regional and local level

● Te Kawerau a Maki suggested that the programme consider the engagement of tamariki and rangatahi in welcoming activities and rangatahi representation in any steering/advisory group

● Ngāti Whanaunga noted that initiatives such as Te Ara Kotui exist to support iwi engagement with the Southern local boards

● Ngāti Maru suggested that feedback on the strategic framework for the programme be elevated to the Mana Whēnua Kaitiaki Forum

● Ngāti Paoa questioned whether the programme would benefit mana whēnua and expressed concern that it may dilute the expression of individual iwi’s culture and identity

● Iwi expressed interest in finding out more about how the programme engaged with iwi in other councils, and questioned if this programme enabled authentic engagement by individual iwi and aligned with the Crown’s obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

38. Mana whēnua engagement is on-going. These early discussions have highlighted the need for the programme to enable genuine engagement with individual iwi and support for individual iwi’s expression of culture and identity through welcoming activities. Staff are considering options for the process and resourcing of an enhanced iwi engagement.

39. The feedback received through this project highlights that Welcoming Communities offers a unique opportunity to create a consistent approach across local boards to increase knowledge and understanding to New Zealand history, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori culture amongst newcomers.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

40. Once the local boards are selected to join Welcoming Communities, the Ministry for Business, Industry and Employment (MBIE) will contribute $50,000 per annum per expression of interest for three years towards the development and implementation of a Welcoming Plan.

41. Within the 2022/2023 financial year, there is no expectation that the local board will allocate funding to new activities as the focus for the programme will be on community engagement, mobilisation and planning of activities.

42. Once a Welcoming Plan is finalised, i.e., from mid-2023-2024, and in 2025, the local board may choose to invest in new activities or change activities in their work programme, within their LDI Opex budget. The programme will assist communities to also mobilise funding support from alternative funding sources such as Foundation North, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Ministry for Pacific People or Department of Internal Affairs, and are currently engaging with these organisations on potential collaborations.

43. Any additional resourcing sought for new activities will be presented to the local board following usual work programming processes from the 2023-2024 financial year and beyond.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

44. This report has described potential risks arising from a decision of the local board to join Welcoming Communities. Should the local board application be successful, staff will engage with the local board to ensure that these risks are appropriately mitigated.

45. There is a risk that the local board’s application to join the programme is declined. Staff are working closely with Immigration New Zealand staff to ensure the approach and the information provided meet common expectations and that this risk is minimised.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

46. Staff will draft an expression of interest and seek the Chair’s endorsement by the end September 2022.

47. If the local board is successful in their application, staff will provide an update towards the end of December 2022 and present a proposed work plan for delivery at a future workshop.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Welcoming Communities - Te waharoa ki ngā hapori	187
b ⇩	Welcoming Communities Insights	215

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Claire Liousse, Empowered Communities Specialist, Community Impact

Authorisers

Mirla Edmundson - General Manager Connected Communities

Adam Milina - Local Area Manager

Whau Local Board

24 August 2022

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

File No.: CP2022/12011

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 Whau Local Board:

a) provide feedback on the proposed Auckland Climate Grant programme 2022/2023.

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:

· 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 potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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 2022/2023 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 practice 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 Council committee, 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 2022/2023. 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 the Environment and Climate Change Committee.

64. Staff will present the proposed Auckland Climate Grant to the 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 – Senior Advisor Operations and Policy

Authorisers

Carol Hayward - Team Leader Operations and Policy

Louise Mason - General Manager Local Board Services

Adam Milina - Local Area Manager

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Feedback of the Whau Local Board to inform Auckland Council's submission on the Water Services Entities Bill	229
b ⇩	Memo from Council staff of 8 June on the Water Services Entities Bill	233
c ⇩	Whau Local Board feedback of 10 August 2022 on the Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill	243
d ⇩	Staff memo of 3 August on the Local Government Electoral Legislation Amendment Bill	247

Chairperson	Kay Thomas
Deputy Chairperson	Fasitua Amosa
Members	Catherine Farmer
	Ulalemamae Te'eva Matafai
	Warren Piper
	Jessica Rose
	Susan Zhu

Author	Rodica Chelaru - Democracy Advisor
Authoriser	Adam Milina - Local Area Manager

Author	Mary Binney - Senior Local Board Advisor
Authoriser	Adam Milina - Local Area Manager