Agenda of Rural Advisory Panel - Friday, 8 September 2023

I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Rural Advisory Panel will be held on:

Date:

Time:

Meeting Room:

Venue:

Friday, 8 September 2023

12.30pm

Room 1, Level 26
135 Albert Street
Auckland

Ngā Hui a te Rōpū Kaitohutohu Take ā-Taiwhenua / Rural Advisory Panel

OPEN AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP

Chairperson	Cr Andy Baker	Auckland Council
Deputy Chairperson	Alan Cole	Franklin Local Board, Auckland Council
Members	Mike Bramley	Dairy New Zealand
	Jesse Brennan	Federated Farmers of NZ
	Trish Fordyce	National Forest Growers Levy Trust
	Tim Holdgate	Rodney Local Board, Auckland Council
	Steve Levet	Rural Contractors New Zealand
	Greg McCracken	Fonterra Shareholders Council
	Andrew McKenzie	Beef and Lamb New Zealand
	Brian Mason	Land Owners and Contractors Association (Wellsford)
	Annaliese Morgan	Young Farmers
	Linda Potauaine	Waitākere Ranges Local Board, Auckland Council
	Leanne Roberts	Horticulture NZ
	Cr Greg Sayers	Auckland Council
	Wayne Scott	Aggregate and Quarry Association
	Geoff Smith	Equine Industry
	Peter Spencer	NZ Forest Owners Association
	Keith Vallabh	Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association
	Glenn Wilcox	Māori representative

(Quorum 10 members)

Sandra Gordon

Kaitohutohu Mana Whakahaere Matua / Senior Governance Advisor

1 September 2023

Contact Telephone: (09) 8908150

Email: sandra.gordon@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

1 Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies

2 Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest

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

3 Te Whakaū i ngā Āmiki | Confirmation of Minutes

That the Rural Advisory Panel:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Friday, 23 June 2023 as a true and correct record.

4 Ngā Pakihi Autaia | 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.”

Rural Advisory Panel

08 September 2023

Auckland Ballance Farm Environment Awards 2023

File No.: CP2023/12674

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To congratulate Brett and Fenella Wheeler of BFG Kiwi Ltd Glenbrook, winners of the Auckland Region Ballance Farm Environment Award 2023, and to receive a presentation from them about their kiwifruit orchard.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Brett and Fenella Wheeler have been managing BFG Kiwi Ltd since 2015. At the Ballance Farm Environment Awards evening in May, they were announced as the winners of the 2023 Auckland Region Ballance Farm Environment Award.

3. They also won the following awards:

- Hill Laboratories Agri - Science Award

- Norwood Farming Efficiency Award

- NZFET Innovation Award

4. Their 22-hectare property spans two orchards, with 13 hectares being effective. They work together using a science =based approach that is tailored to the natural environment.

5. The property’s soil is tested annually and has been fully mapped. Providing a clear picture of its structure and properties. This knowledge is combined with the use of technology to guide irrigation and fertigation with pin-point precision- tailored to each plant’s age, stage of growth and variety.

6. The orchards are divided into seven sections, each with its own water meter and irrigation system that are controlled and monitored through a mobile app. Plant health is central to the team’s approach and this is achieved with minimal use of sprays,

7. In awarding the regional Supreme Award, the judges commended the Wheelers clear focus on improving soil health through a combination of regenerative and conventional practices, and their use of innovative methods to enhance soils, improve water efficiency and benefit the natural environment.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Rural Advisory Panel:

a) congratulate Brett and Fenella Wheeler for winning the Auckland Regional Ballance Farm Environment Award 2023 and thank them for their presentation.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Warren Maclennan – Lead Officer
Authoriser	Warren Maclennan – Lead Officer

Rural Advisory Panel

08 September 2023

Essential Freshwater update

File No.: CP2023/12166

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide an update on central government’s Essential Freshwater programme and an overview of Auckland Council’s implementation of regulatory instruments.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Central government’s Essential Freshwater programme encompasses several regulatory instruments that came into effect from 3 September 2020. Key regulatory instruments of relevance to this update include the:

· National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM)

· National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020 (NES-F)

· Resource Management (Stock Exclusion) Regulations 2020

· Resource Management (Freshwater Farm Planning) Regulations 2023 (FWFP)

3. Central government has been working with interested parties to address implementation concerns with various 2020 regulatory instruments. Several new guidance documents and reports have been published since the last Rural Advisory Panel meeting in June to aid implementation of the Essential Freshwater programme. Of note is new guidance around the use and assessment of modelling software and tools as well as new guidance on FWFP auditor and certifier functions.

4. Primary sector key stakeholder engagement workshops were held over August as Auckland Council staff work towards changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP) as part of the NPS-FM implementation. Staff are still working through the options available to address regional freshwater challenges and further engagement with key stakeholder groups is proposed.

5. Staff intend to notify the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) of its preferred phasing of the FWFP roll-out across Tāmaki Makaurau in September. Council staff are proposing to push the start of the roll-out out to November 2024, which will bring it closer to the notification of the NPS-FM changes to the AUP.

6. Staff are looking to increase engagement with mana whenua and the primary sector representative bodies on the implementation of FWFPs for the region.

Guidance documents / reports published

7. Central government is working with the regional sector and industry bodies to develop technical and policy guidance documents to accompany the roll-out of the Essential Freshwater regulatory instruments. MfE information documents, including guidance and fact sheets, released by central government departments since the last panel meeting in June include:

· MfE – Updated guidance for councils implementing clause 3.13 of the NPS-FM 2020. Updated in response to February 2023 amendments to the NPS-FM (updated 17 August 2023)
Ø A guide to implementing clause 3.13 of the NPS-FM 2020

· MfE – Summary table of regulations to improve New Zealand’s freshwater quality. Includes timings for when different regulations come into effect (published 3 August 2023)
Ø Summary table: Regulations to improve Aotearoa New Zealand’s freshwater quality

· MfE – Guidance to help councils assess and respond to the Overseer whole-model peer review report (2021) and the redevelopment review (2022) (published 24 July 2023)
Ø Responding to the Overseer model redevelopment review: A guide for councils

· MfE – Technical memo – Computer-based model using machine-learning to establish a proof of concept for the Jobs for Nature environmental monitoring work programme (published 17 July 2023)
Ø Technical memo: Riparian planting survival assessment

· MfE – Essential Freshwater progress report (published 12 July 2023)
Ø Essential Freshwater progress report

· MfE – guidance for tangata whenua on how they can participate across the freshwater farm plan system, and how tangata whenua values and outcomes can be expressed across the system (published 10 July 2023)
Ø Tangata whenua and the freshwater farm plan system: Information for tangata whenua

· MfE – Guidance for users of the Fish Index of Biotic Integrity (Fish IBI) calculator when being used to meet the NPS-FM (published 6 July)
Ø Using the Fish Index of Biotic Integrity Calculator to meet the NPS-FM

· MfE – Guidance for the use and development of models in the regulatory context (published 29 June 2023)
Ø Developing, adapting and applying environmental models in a regulatory context in New Zealand

· MfE - Freshwater farm plan audit guidance (published 29 June 2023)
Ø Freshwater farm plan audit guidance

· MfE - Freshwater farm plan certifier guidance (published 29 June 2023)
Ø Freshwater farm plan certifier guidance

Regulatory and planning updates

NPS-FM implementation

8. Council staff are running NPS-FM engagement workshops with key stakeholders. The purpose of the engagement is to introduce Auckland Council’s NPS-FM programme to key stakeholders, to understand their interests in how NPS-FM will be implemented in Auckland, and to identify topics for further discussion. Three workshops with rural sector groups, including pastoral farming, forestry, and horticulture representatives were completed in August. Staff have received positive feedback from stakeholders who attended the workshops. Some of the key matters discussed and feedback provided included:

· Pastoral farming – integration with Waikato and Northland NPS-FM processes, use of Freshwater Farm Plans and avoiding duplication in reporting requirements, stock exclusion requirements to complement the national regulations, integration with industry practices such as the Dairy NZ Good Farming Practice Principles, updated standards for on-site wastewater systems, consideration of dairy shed wash down in water take permitted activities, providing for off-stream water collection and storage, wetland management and restoration, and the need to minimise adding to administrative burdens for farmers.

· Forestry – integration with requirements of the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry, support for seeking restoration of waterbodies but not back to a pre-development date, issues with few monitoring sites being in forestry areas, need for reviewing recent reports on forestry and sediment to consider how they apply to Auckland, need to link with existing forestry best practice guides, recognition of differences in riparian management for forestry and farming, wetland mapping needs.

· Horticulture – recognition of the lag times expected before seeing improvement in waterways due to the connections between groundwater and streams, support for setting initial target attribute states for nutrients below the National Bottom Lines, recognition of the need to make improvement over time, integration with Waikato regional council processes, avoiding duplication in reporting or adding to regulatory burdens, need to provide for crop rotation practices, need to understand the market yield concept, integration with freshwater farm plans and NZGAP processes, importance of water availability for irrigation.

9. Further stakeholder engagement and public consultation will be held from October to December this year.

10. The Tāmaki Makaurau Water Hui was held on 10 August at the Viaduct Events Centre. The hui provided opportunities for direction setting in relation to major water management challenges facing the region, including how we respond to flooding, how we regulate activities that impact our freshwater systems, and setting direction for council to partner with mana whenua to achieve water management long term visions.

Specified Vegetable Growing Areas (SVGA), as specified in clause 3.33 of the NPS-FM

11. The final report, ‘Sensitivity Of Domestic Food Supply To Loss In Vegetable Growing Production In Specified Vegetable Growing Areas’ commissioned by MfE has been completed (available on request). The report indicates that a 24% reduction in vegetable-related N leaching can be achieved across the Pukekohe SVGA through the widespread uptake of Good Management Practices, while still maintaining commercial viability. This equates to around 8.5% of total N leaching across the Pukekohe SVGA. However, this reduction would not be enough to achieve NPS-FM national bottom lines for nitrogen in the relevant waterways.

12. The final Pukekohe Integrated Catchment Management Plan (ICMP) under the Essential Freshwater Fund’s Pukekohe SVGA Investment, is being drafted. The vision and priorities of the ICMP have been agreed by Te Tautara o Pukekohe and finalised along with the evaluation criteria for assessing catchment projects for funding. Several quick win projects have been put forward for early approval.

13. MfE are in the process of appointing a project manager to support and oversee scoping, procurement, and delivery of funded projects under the Pukekohe SVGA Investment. This is to be a part-time, 6-month contract while Te Tautara o Pukekohe sets up a charitable trust that will lead the implementation of the ICMP action plan and selected priority projects.

NES-F: Nitrogen cap national database

14. As of 22 August, Auckland has 69 farm returns for N-Cap reporting, which represents 33.5% of the region’s dairy farms. This is an increase from the same time last year (29%). The submission count as at the end of August 2023 will be what is reported to MfE through the Te Uru Kahika report.

15. N-Cap reporting returns from the 2021/22 season have continued to trickle in with 77 submissions now received for the season (37.4%).

16. Council’s compliance and monitoring staff will be following up with dairy farmers in October. Farmers can expect to receive email notification indicating that they have either:

submitted – compliant with N-Cap

submitted – non-compliant with N-Cap

not submitted – non-compliant.

17. Staff will continue to work with farmers to the end of the calendar year to ensure a further increase in 2023 submissions.

National stock exclusion regulations

18. The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sought public feedback between 19 June and 16 July 2023 on options to amend stock exclusion regulations in relation to lower intensity farming systems. The rationale for the proposed changes is that lower intensity farming systems tend to be stocked at lower rates, and therefore the marginal environmental benefit of excluding stock is reduced while cost is increased.

19. Staff coordinated a Te Uru Kahika regional sector staff submission that included feedback from ten regional and unitary councils across Aotearoa New Zealand and submitted it on 13 July 2023 (Appendix B).

20. The regional sector expressed concerns about the proposal for exceptions to stock exclusion for low intensity farming on the basis that it introduces limited benefits at the cost of significant regulatory complexity for farmers and councils.

Freshwater farm plan regulations (FWFP)

21. On 16 July, Natural Environment Strategy staff ran a FWFP workshop with Planning, Environment and Parks Committee members as well as the Rodney and Franklin local board chairs. The workshop provided a high-level overview of the FWFP implementation implications for Auckland Council and Tamaki Makaurau, including building an awareness of the council’s statutory responsibilities and likely resourcing required to cater for the additional regulatory services functions.

22. Sequencing or ‘switching on’ of the regulations by region is enabled through an Order in Council (OIC) by section 217C of Part 9A of the Resource Management Act 1991. The first regions to be switched on were Waikato and Southland from 1 August 2023 OIC for Phase 1 regions. Roll-out across all other regions in now expected to be put through under one OIC with timing of this yet to be confirmed.

23. Staff will be advising MfE in September on Auckland Council’s preferred phasing of the roll-out in the region. Our proposed phasing for Tāmaki Makaurau is for each NPS-FM Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) to be switched on at approximately six-monthly intervals as follows:

1) 1 November 2024 – Kaipara FMU

2) 1 May 2025 – Manukau FMU

3) 1 November 2025 – Hauraki FMU

24. Staff are currently in the early stages of engagement with mana whenua around their involvement in the FWFP implementation.

25. Staff are engaging with neighbouring regional councils to align thinking where possible and to utilise common resources. This included attendance at a July 25 & 26 workshop in Taupo hosted by Waikato Regional Council looking at its preparation for roll-out. We are also having monthly joint meetings with Northland Regional Council and the Kaipara Moana Remediation project staff to work through how to best align and communicate a whole ecological catchment context though Catchment Context, Challenges, and Values (CCCV).

26. Staff are working to engage with primary sector representative bodies and Fonterra as it progresses its FWFP implementation programme. With the August NPS-FM key stakeholder workshops complete, we are considering quarterly FWFP update meetings with DairyNZ, Beef & Lamb, HortNZ and Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association, and Fonterra.

27. A national and regional communications plan is being implemented to inform agricultural interests about the new regulations, guidance, and fact sheets (see earlier section, and also Rural hub | Ministry for the Environment). In addition, staff are updating to the council’s webpages when required and have the dedicated email address on the council’s farm planning webpage to aid interests with queries (freshwaterfarmplans@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz)

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Rural Advisory Panel:

a) whiwhi / receive the staff update on central government’s Essential Freshwater programme and amendments to the regulatory framework, its implementation and interpretation.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Te Uru Kahika Regional Sector submission on stock exclusion exemption for low intensity farming	19

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Andrew Bird - Senior Analyst Natural Environment Strategy

Authorisers

Jacques Victor – General Manager Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Warren Maclennan – Lead Officer

Rural Advisory Panel

08 September 2023

Biodiversity Credit System - central government discussion document

File No.: CP2023/12441

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide an overview of central government’s discussion document entitled ‘Helping nature and people thrive – Exploring a biodiversity credit system for Aotearoa New Zealand’, and its potential implications for Auckland Council should such a system be advanced.

2. To provide an opportunity for the panel to offer any feedback to council staff as they prepare a council submission on the proposed Biodiversity Credit System.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

3. Central government (Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation) has recently put out a discussion document (weblink: Biodiversity Credit System) which is exploring the potential for a ‘biodiversity credit system’ that could be developed for Aotearoa New Zealand. Central government is seeking feedback on the need for and the design of a biodiversity credit system, and the distinct roles of government and Māori in implementing it.

4. The development of a national biodiversity credit system is intended to increase funding opportunities from the private sector towards restoration efforts. This could be a catalyst to, or supplement, council activities, such as the regulatory implementation of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB) and the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM).

5. There are potential benefits that a biodiversity credit system could have for funding protection, restoration, and enhancement of indigenous biodiversity on public and private land in the Auckland region. Depending on the scope and design of a biodiversity credit system, it would be of relevance to rural initiatives seeking to achieve positive biodiversity and freshwater outcomes as they complement regulatory requirements (e.g., stock exclusion, farm planning etc).

6. Staff from Natural Environment Strategy (NES) are coordinating the development of a proposed Auckland Council submission. Staff are seeking feedback from local boards and the Rural Advisory Panel, prior to the proposed Auckland Council submission being considered by the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee on 5 October 2023.

Main points covered in discussion document

7. The discussion document explains:

a) what biodiversity credits and a biodiversity credit system are with some international examples that are emerging

b) what the benefits could be in the Aotearoa context

c) different approaches that could be taken to the scope and design of a system, and

d) the distinct roles that government could play.

8. The discussion document includes consultation questions that seek views on the different approaches and roles for a biodiversity credit system.

9. Biodiversity credits are a way of attracting funding from the private sector, to invest in efforts by landowners to protect, maintain and enhance indigenous vegetation and habitats, including shrublands, grasslands, wetlands and natural and regenerating native forests. The credits are intended to recognise, in a transparent and consistent way, landholder projects or activities that protect, maintain and enhance indigenous biodiversity, or positive outcomes, e.g., a 1 % increase (or avoided decrease) in the indigenous biodiversity of a hectare.

10. By purchasing credits, people and organisations can finance and claim credit for their contribution to ‘nature-positive’ actions and outcomes. This is an emerging approach that is gaining considerable interest internationally. In Aotearoa, credits could relate to protecting, restoring, and enhancing nature on public and private land, including whenua Māori (Māori land).

11. A biodiversity credit system could recognise efforts to protect, enhance and restore indigenous biodiversity in any habitat (on land, in freshwater, and / or coastal and marine environments) or only in some. Biodiversity credits could represent work on whole ecosystems or catchments or focus on endangered or taonga species or remnant habitats.

12. The discussion document suggests seven principles that could apply to the design of a government supported biodiversity credit system. The principles would let people know what they can expect when they participate in a biodiversity credit system and what is expected of them. For example, the system should have clear rules for the claims investors can make to avoid ‘greenwashing,’ or the system should maximise positive impact on biodiversity (including uplifting mauri and mana of biodiversity).

13. The discussion document also explains the components of a fully functioning system, including measurement, verification and reporting, legal recognition, potential ways credits can be traded and the roles of industry experts. It notes that regional and district councils could potentially play a role in providing expertise to landowners for biodiversity credit activities and / or projects.

14. The Government is exploring the roles it could play to support the establishment of a biodiversity credit system for Aotearoa New Zealand that would operate with both integrity and impact. It suggests the following two roles but notes that a blend of these options may be appropriate, which could evolve over time:

a) market enablement: where it provides policies and guidance for the development and uptake of voluntary schemes in New Zealand, and potentially funding for system development as the market is established. An enablement role seeks to influence the outcomes and operation of the market, using non-regulatory tools such as good practice guidance and optional standards.

b) market administration: where it establishes and manages a voluntary biodiversity scheme and is active in the ongoing management and administration. A market administration role includes setting a regulatory framework, with tools to direct the outcomes and the operation of the market.

15. There are 23 questions asked in the discussion document, but NES staff have identified the following key questions that are more about the system design and overall approaches that could be taken, which we thought the Rural Advisory Panel may want to focus any feedback on:

a) do you support the need for a biodiversity credit system for New Zealand?

b) should credits recognise only positive actions to support biodiversity, or actions that avoid decreases in biodiversity too?

c) should a biodiversity credit system focus on terrestrial environments only, or extend to freshwater/estuaries, or coastal marine environment too?

d) should a biodiversity credit system cover all land types (public / private / whenua Māori) or be limited to certain categories, e.g., private/whenua Māori?

e) should a biodiversity credit system be based primarily on outcomes, activities, or projects?

f) should biodiversity credits be able to be used to offset development impacts as part of resource management processes?

g) should a biodiversity credit system complement the resource management system? e.g., it could prioritise Significant Natural Areas and / or endangered and at-risk taonga species.

h) what assurance would you need to participate in a market, either as a landholder or as a potential purchaser?

i) what do you see as the benefits and risks for a biodiversity credit system not being regulated at all?

j) what is your preference for how a biodiversity credit system should work alongside the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme or voluntary carbon markets?

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Rural Advisory Panel:

a) whiwhi / receive the Natural Environment Strategy staff overview of central government’s discussion document ‘Helping nature and people thrive – Exploring a biodiversity credit system for Aotearoa New Zealand’

b) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that staff invite any feedback on the consultation questions from the Rural Advisory Panel, by 20 September, to help inform the proposed council submission that will be presented to the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee on 5 October 2023.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Taran Livingston - Lead Analyst Natural Environment Strategy

Authorisers

Jacques Victor – General Manager Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Warren Maclennan – Lead Officer

Rural Advisory Panel

08 September 2023

Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan

File No.: CP2023/12214

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To brief the Rural Advisory Panel on the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan consultation version (draft CDEM Group Plan) and seek feedback from the Panel.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The draft CDEM Group Plan (Attachment A) sets out the strategic direction for our work on Auckland’s Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) system. It outlines the CDEM mission and objectives for Tāmaki Makaurau, how we will achieve them and how we will measure our performance.

3. The draft Group Plan is designed to be used by the CDEM Group and key partners and stakeholders involved in CDEM functions in Auckland. It also provides the public with an understanding of how these stakeholders work together, and the role they themselves can play in building individual and community resilience.

4. In accordance with the CDEM Act and Director’s Guidelines for Group Plans, the draft Group Plan includes a comprehensive summary of the natural, built, social and cultural environments of Tāmaki Makaurau and an analysis of the hazards and risks facing Auckland. These factors guide the focus of activities and actions that are described in the later chapters of the plan.

5. The plan contains chapters on the four Rs of emergency management (reduction, readiness, response and recovery), and chapters addressing mana whenua and mātāwaka partnership, management and governance, and monitoring and evaluation. Each chapter describes the existing arrangements that are in place, identifies what we need to focus on to make improvements in that area, and sets out objectives and actions over the 5-year life of the plan. An ‘action plan’ table is set out for each chapter, which describes the objectives, actions, key deliverables or success measures, and results expected from achieving the objectives.

6. The lead within Auckland Council and key supporters (either from within Auckland Council or the wider community of CDEM partners and stakeholders), are also identified for each action. This is intended to support clarity of roles and responsibilities, and to communicate that everyone has a role to play in contributing to a Tāmaki Makaurau that is resilient to disasters. Further detail on timing of delivery of actions will be set out in business plans, to ensure they can be adapted quickly to changing circumstances.

7. The areas of focus have been informed by learnings from the early 2023 emergency responses (among other things). Examples include actions to:

· Collaborate with central government to design a clearer process for adaptation options such as managed retreat, avoiding development in areas where hazard risk is unacceptable

· Develop and maintain emergency management plans for high priority hazards (flood, tsunami) or events/impacts (concurrent events, evacuation)

· Work with local boards on local board response plans

· Ensure Aucklanders can access safe refuge spaces that are stocked with necessary supplies in emergency events by having a pre-qualified schedule of Civil Defence Centres and Community Emergency Hubs, supply depots and means of transport

· Enhance capability through training and exercising

· Ensure response communication is clear and supports timely and effective delivery of information to decision makers, the mayor and elected members, emergency management partners and the public.

8. Rural issues are addressed in several places throughout the plan as follows:

· The rural Auckland context is described in the environment section (pages 18-19)

· Rural infrastructure is referenced (page 20)

· The partnerships section addresses how AEM work with both the Northland Adverse Events Team and the Waikato Primary Industry Cluster Groups that are facilitated by the Rural Support Trust (RST). RST is funded by the Ministry of Primary Industries to support rural communities and ensure they are well prepared and able to recover quickly from emergencies that impact the rural environment, rural production, and animal welfare. The RST boundaries from Northland and Waikato extend to cover the entire Auckland region (page 50)

· The community resilience section refers to the rural lifestyle communities handbook that has been developed to support lifestyle block owners with individual and community resilience (page 58)

· The impact of flash flooding (page 109), and drought (page 112) on rural areas are described in Appendix A, hazard descriptions

· Impacts to rural communities are considered as part of the ‘social environment’ in the risk assessment process (page 116).

9. The draft Group Plan has been open for public feedback throughout August. A copy of the English feedback form is attached (Attachment B). As of 24^th August, 130 submissions have been received. Attachment C indicates levels of support to date for the proposed strategic approach from individuals within the rural Auckland local board areas.

10. Following completion of public engagement, the development of the Group Plan will progress as follows:

· September: Analysis of submissions and hearings for those who wish to be heard. Consideration of local board and advisory panel feedback.

· October: Present summary of submissions to Coordinating Executive Group and Civil Defence Emergency Management Committee.

· November – December: Completion of CDEM Group Plan.

· January 2024: Submit final plan to Minister of Emergency Management.

· Early 2024: CDEM Committee adopt plan.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Rural Advisory Panel:

a) whiwhi / receive the update on the draft Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan and provide feedback.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Public feedback form	59
b ⇩	Draft Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan	67
c ⇩	Interim levels of support for proposed strategic approach	195

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Kristen Spooner - Principal Advisor Strategy and Planning

Authorisers

Paul Amaral - General Manager Auckland Emergency Management

Victoria Wicks-Brown - Principal Advisor Panels

Warren Maclennan – Lead Officer

Rural Advisory Panel

08 September 2023

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Rural Advisory Panel

08 September 2023

Healthy Waters regular update

File No.: CP2023/12565

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To update the panel on Healthy Waters’ current operational work affecting the rural sector.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. This report provides updates on current priority issues for Healthy Waters in the rural sector:

· the storm recovery and resilience consultation

· a riparian planting study to inform new guidelines.

3. A further update report will be provided to the panel at its November 2023 meeting.

Storm recovery and resilience

4. Auckland Council, through its Recovery Office, is coordinating efforts to support communities to recover from the extreme weather events of early 2023. A Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan is being developed to guide this work. As part of the Recovery Office programme, Making Space for Water proposes a range of flood resilience activities.

5. Over August 2023 the council sought feedback from Aucklanders on the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan and proposed Making Space for Water programme.

6. The consultation document and supporting material were adopted on 27 July 2023 (GB/2023/138), outlining the purpose of the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan and proposals for the Making Space for Water programme. A high-level indication of programme cost of $1.65 billion was also included, with the understanding that this would be subject to further consultation.

7. As of 28 August, the council had received over 1750 pieces of feedback. No submissions had yet been received from organisations represented on the Rural Advisory Panel.

8. Feedback from rural local boards, businesses, mana whenua, and residents will be analysed to support tailored approaches to meet the unique needs of rural communities and businesses, and to inform the rural settlements initiative –which will respond to specific stormwater needs in rural storm-affected communities, including marae and papakāinga. This initiative will include co-developed resilience solutions, upgrades and repairs to small water assets and critical bridges and culverts, and advice for residents on water supply and wastewater resilience.

9. At the time of writing, the interim key themes of rural feedback are:

· support for improved roadside drain maintenance

· concern for whether rural areas will receive equitably benefit, compared to urban areas

· need for access to essential services to be prioritised.

10. All feedback will be considered to refine the Making Space for Water programme. It will also inform the development of the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan and local recovery plans.

11. A full summary of feedback received on the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan and Making Space for Water will be presented to the Governing Body’s 28 September meeting. The final Making Space for Water programme will be presented to the Governing Body for consideration at the same meeting.

Te Paiaka – riparian planting study to inform new guidelines

12. Te Paiaka is a collaborative project between Healthy Waters and Stantec, with support from Manaaki Whenua – Landcare. The project identified the best plants to improve streambank stability. The study analysed the root characteristics of 11 native species tensile strength (amount of pressure it takes to break the roots) and root architecture (the layout of the roots), to determine their ability to reduce streambank erosion. The project was done in collaboration with mana whenua on the selection of species for analysis and to identify further benefits of the species from a cultural lens.

13. Results showed that out of the 11 species, Tī Kouka/Cabbage tree was the most effective plant at providing increased bank strength through root reinforcement. The next most effective species was Houhere/Lacebark. The relative effectiveness of different species will vary for banks of different geometries and composition.

14. These preliminary experiments represent vegetation located only on the top 1.5m of the bank. Effectiveness would increase if additional vegetation on the bank face was also considered. Additional tests reflecting increased hydraulic roughness provided by established herbaceous species shows large potential reductions in hydraulic erosion as well.

15. Native vegetation can be effective in protecting streambanks and reducing erosion, which has regional and national significance under operational programmes and Te Mana o te Wai. Real data from native species has been applied in a modelling framework to aid in testing the effectiveness and benefit of this stream management tool as part of a holistic approach to erosion management.

16. Healthy Waters staff will use this data to contribute to technical guidance on riparian and stream bank planting. Fact sheets and wider guidance will be further developed in partnership with mana whenua, and rural industry experts, and will follow a holistic approach to include cultural and biodiversity outcomes, rather than just water quality, in regards to species selection.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation

That the Rural Advisory Panel:

a) whiwhi / receive the update on Healthy Waters’ current operational work affecting the rural sector.

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Attachments

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Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Elizabeth Johnson – Senior Specialist, Wai Ora Strategic Programmes

Authorisers

Craig Mcilroy – General Manager Healthy Waters

Barry Potter - Director Infrastructure and Environmental Services

Warren Maclennan – Lead Officer

Author	Sandra Gordon - Kaitohutohu Mana Whakahaere Matua / Senior Governance Advisor
Authoriser	Warren Maclennan – Lead Officer