Agenda of Hibiscus and Bays Local Board - Tuesday, 12 September 2023

1 Nau mai | Welcome

The chairperson opened the meeting and welcomed those in attendance.

2 Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies

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

3 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.

4 Te Whakaū i ngā Āmiki | Confirmation of Minutes

That the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Tuesday 22 August 2023 as a true and correct record.

5 He Tamōtanga Motuhake | Leave of Absence

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

6 Te Mihi | Acknowledgements

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

7 Ngā Petihana | Petitions

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

8 Ngā Tono Whakaaturanga | 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 Hibiscus and Bays 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 Te Matapaki Tūmatanui | 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 three minutes per speaker 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 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.”

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board

12 September 2023

Submissions and feedback on the draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023

File No.: CP2023/13028

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide an overview of feedback and submissions received from public consultation on the draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 requires that each local board adopt a local board plan by 31 October of the year following election and uses the special consultative procedure to engage with its communities.

3. In June 2023, the local board approved their draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023 for public consultation. The consultation period ran from 13 July to 14 August 2023.

4. A total of 228 pieces of stakeholder and community feedback was received for Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, including 155 submissions through the online survey tool, 54 hard copy submissions and 136 pieces of feedback through Have Your Say events.

5. No feedback was received from mana whenua, but one mataawaka organisation provided feedback.

6. Staff have prepared a Summary of Feedback report (Attachment A to the agenda report) summarising the results of the consultation. This will be made available for the public to view on the AK Have your say website.

7. All feedback submissions will also be available on the Auckland Council website at https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/local-board-plans-2023-feedback.

8. When asked if the local board plan reflected the needs and preferences of the local community, the majority of individual submissions at 67 per cent replied positively. In comparison, 82 per cent of organisational submitters responded positively to this question.

9. There was strong support for the environmental initiatives, community resilience, and providing separated walking and cycling routes through greenways.

10. There was weaker support for heritage projects, and for fairer funding for Arts and Theatres.

11. The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board should consider the submissions and feedback prior to adopting the final local board plan in October 2023. Any changes and/or responses to feedback will be detailed in the report to adopt the plan.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board:

a) whiwhi / receive submissions and feedback on the draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023.

b) kohuki / consider feedback when finalising the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023.

Horopaki

Context

12. The Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 requires that each local board must:

· adopt its local board plan by 31 October of the year following an election

· use the special consultative procedure (SCP) to engage with their communities.

13. On 20 June 2023, the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board approved the draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023 for public consultation (HB/2023/67).

14. Early engagement with the community helped inform the draft local board plan as did feedback from the Annual Budget consultation.

15. The key features of the draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023 were:

· Māori Outcomes: acknowledging the mana whenua; we work closest with (Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara) by initiating relationship agreements with them. Engaging with our communities, and in particular mana whenua, during the process of adapting our coastal reserves to prepare for and mitigate damage from storms, flooding and erosion as well as on future recreational uses for parks and reserves – especially cost-effective recreation and play options. Lastly, continuing to support the telling of our local stories of Māori and European heritage, in our area

· Climate Action: continuing to support restoration, education and advocacy in the areas of climate change, mitigation of effects via projects such as the Urban Ngahere (forest) and supporting efforts to introduce a circular or regenerative economy. Supporting and funding the use of connected routes for active transport modes which are separated from roads and utilise the parks and reserves network

· Our People: the voices of our community are heard, and all feel welcome. Our resilience networks enable us to be prepared for emergencies, while our youth thrive

· Our Environment: native birds, plants and animals thrive in an environment where pests are eliminated. We have planned and designed our coastlines to be resilient to storms and the effects of climate change, our waterways are clean, and we minimise waste as we move to a circular economy

· Our Community: in a word, vibrant. Our past is remembered, and our facilities cater for future needs. Our open spaces can be used by all, and we have an abundance of recreation facilities

· Our Places / Our Economy: our town centres are lively and dynamic, with a network of paths and cycleways that are as equally connected as our current roading network, all serving to create a safe, busy, and pleasant neighbourhoods.

How we consulted

16. The consultation was held between 13 July and 14 August 2023. A communications campaign encouraged people to “Help Shape the Future” of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area and to “Tell us what’s important”. This was promoted through libraries and council facilities, social media, and promotion to community partners.

17. A range of engagement activities were undertaken to encourage the public to have their say, with a focus on digital and online platforms:

· Public submissions: these were hard copy and online collected via email, post, and through libraries, service centres, local board offices, People’s Panel members and the online engagement platform https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/hub-page/local-board-plans-2023

· Have Your Say: two face-to-face engagement events (spoken interaction) were held on 25 July 2023 in Ōrewa, and 1 August 2023 in Browns Bay

· Translations: the summary of the draft plan was translated into the following languages for the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, Chinese and Korean. Some information was also available in Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language through the Ak Have Your Say website.

18. In response, the local board received the following feedback:

· 155 submissions through the online survey tool

· 54 hard copy submissions

· 136 pieces of feedback via Have Your Say events.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Summary of consultation feedback

19. The results and analysis of the public consultation should be considered by the local board when developing the final local board plan.

20. Staff have prepared a Summary of Feedback report (Attachment A) summarising the results of the consultation. The key messages of the report are described in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Summary of Feedback key messages

Consultation question	Themed feedback
How well does our draft local board plan reflect what you want for this community over the next three years?	A majority responded very or quite well, with support strongest for initiatives relating to climate change and resilience, facilities for young people, environmental concerns, and transport – especially in relation to the local boards position of promoting active modes of transport, but not at the expense of private vehicles on roads.
These are all new initiatives in the draft local board plan. We’d like to know your thoughts on them. How important are they to you?	Strongest support was for making parks and reserves more resilient to climate change and flooding, followed by safer separated walking or cycling routes through greenways, and lastly for the development of community-led resilience networks.
We think we have something here for everyone, but we need your thoughts. Is there something for you?	The majority of submitters responded positively to this question, with strong support for arts centres, environmental initiatives, walking and cycling, and new or improved facilities.

Publishing the results of public consultation

21. To conclude the consultation phase of the local board plan development, staff recommend that the local board receive the submissions and feedback for consideration.

22. All feedback is available on the Auckland Council website at https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/local-board-plans-2023-feedback.

23. The Summary of Feedback report (Attachment A) will also be available on the AK Have your say website following approval of this report.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

24. Receiving the submissions and feedback has a neutral climate impact. The submissions are available online to reduce the printing of hard copies.

25. The draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023 contained a specific Climate Action section, focusing on the scope of challenges posted by climate change. It considered such impacts as increasing temperatures, rising sea levels and changing rainfall patterns on the local board area.

26. Amongst the submissions there was support for initiatives that involved adaption to future climate events, and mitigation of future climate change effects. support recognition of the volunteers that are the backbone of environmental restoration work, and support for greater investment in the environmental projects.

27. There was also a request for more integration of the topics of resilience, community wellbeing, council procurement and climate change.

28. The climate impact of any initiatives the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board chooses to progress will be assessed as part of the relevant reporting requirements and project management processes.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

29. Workshops were held with the local board, and they also had the opportunity to attend briefings on a range of topics including community investment, Māori outcomes, local economy and climate action. Written advice was also provided to the local board on a number of topics including strategic context and environmental services.

30. Subject matter experts from across the council, Auckland Transport and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited were also given the opportunity to peer review the draft local board plan and provide advice.

31. Staff will work closely with the local board in the development of the final plan.

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

Local impacts and local board views

32. The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board should consider all submissions and feedback to the draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023 prior to adopting the final local board plan in October 2023. Any changes and/or responses to feedback will be detailed in the report to adopt the plan.

33. Feedback received from community in the Annual Budget consultation was used to shape the draft plan. This shaped the three priorities of the environment, youth, and resilience.

34. The following local community groups were involved in either the early engagement or through the consultation period:

· Friends of Okura Bush, Trash Free Taiaotea, Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste, Restore Hibiscus and Bays, Big Manly Dotterals Group, Centennial Park Bush Society, Forest and Bird Pest Free Hibiscus and Bays.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

35. The draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023 was developed with consideration given to existing feedback from mana whenua and mataawaka. This included seeking their views and values throughout the development of the local board plan 2023.

36. Two online information sessions for mana whenua were held on 8and 13 June 2023. These sessions provided an opportunity for mana whenua to hear about local board plans, how the perspective of Māori could be reflected through their input, the feedback process and timelines.

37. Mana whenua organisations were asked which (of the 21) draft local board plans they wanted to review, and those requested were shared, along with tailored feedback forms.

38. The Hibiscus and Bays draft Local Board Plan was shared with Ngati Manuhiri and Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua. No written submissions were received from any mana whenua entity.

39. Mataawaka engagement included Te Herenga Waka o Orewa Marae.

40. Six submissions were received from those identifying as Māori comprising 2.6 per cent of submissions overall.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

41. There are no direct financial implications associated with receiving the submissions and feedback.

42. The budget to implement initiatives and projects is confirmed through the annual plan budgeting process.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

43. The local board will consider all submissions and feedback before making changes to the draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

44. The submissions and feedback are available on the Auckland Council AK Have Your Say website.

45. The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board will adopt the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023 on 24 October 2023.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023 - Summary of Feedback report	13

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Matthew Kerr - Senior Local Board Advisor

Authorisers

Louise Mason - General Manager Local Board Services

Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board

12 September 2023

Local board feedback on Māori seats for Auckland Council

File No.: CP2023/11801

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. For local boards to provide feedback to the Governing Body on whether Māori seats should be established for Auckland Council for the 2025 local elections.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Auckland Council is undertaking public consultation on whether to establish Māori seats for the 2025 local elections.

3. Local board views and preferences are being sought concurrently as there is a statutory deadline of 23 November 2023 under the Local Electoral Act 2001.

4. Consultation is open from 21 August to 24 September 2023. Feedback provided through consultation will be reported to the Governing Body at their October 2023 meeting where a decision will be sought.

5. The materials developed to support consultation on this matter are attached to this report and include a full consultation document, summary document and feedback form (Attachments A, B and C to the agenda report). They are also available at akhaveyoursay.nz/maoriseats

6. The current legislation allows for one to two elected Māori ward seats on the Governing Body only. There are currently no provisions for Māori seats on local boards and no ability to make appointments to the Governing Body.

7. This report provides local boards with the consultation materials and seeks feedback to inform a Governing Body decision on Māori seats in October 2023.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board:

a) whakarite / provide feedback to the Governing Body on whether Māori seats should be established for Auckland Council for the 2025 local elections.

Horopaki

Context

8. On 27 April 2023, the Governing Body agreed to seek the views and preferences of Māori and the wider public on Māori seats for Auckland Council.

9. Feedback received through this consultation will inform decision-making on whether to establish Māori seats for the 2025 local elections. This decision needs to be made in October 2023 to both align with the Governing Body meeting schedule and meet the Local Electoral Act 2001 deadline.

10. The material to support this consultation received approval from the Governing Body on 22 June 2023 and is attached to this report (Attachments A, B and C).

11. Local board feedback on Māori representation has been provided previously. In September 2022, Auckland Council submitted feedback on the Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill. Within this omnibus bill are proposed changes to the provisions for Māori representation in local government.

12. In preparation of this submission, staff sought feedback from local boards. Thirteen of the 19 local boards that provided feedback on the omnibus bill requested that Māori representation at the local board level was investigated.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

13. Māori seats are designated seats on a council for Māori representatives. Seats can be filled by election or by appointment, although in Auckland there is no ability to make appointments to the Governing Body. A change to legislation would be needed to do this.

14. Auckland Council has to date faced two challenges in introducing Māori seats: a binding poll provision and a set number of councillors for Auckland Council. The binding poll provision was repealed in 2021 and proposed legislative changes to the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, currently before the House, will remove the set number of councillors.

15. The removal of the set number will allow Auckland Council to determine the total number of councillors on the Governing Body between five and 29, in line with other councils in Aotearoa New Zealand.

16. Since 2017, the Governing Body has previously agreed ‘in-principle’ support for establishing one or more Māori wards (using the ‘Parliamentary model’) once the set number of councillors had been removed. This position remains the Governing Body’s preference on record to date. The Independent Māori Statutory Board has supported the ‘Royal Commission’ model for Māori representation on Auckland Council since 2021.

17. The ‘Parliamentary model’ (Māori wards) only includes elected seats. This model reflects how the Parliamentary Māori electorates are established. The ‘Royal Commission’ model that has received some support includes both elected and mana whenua appointed seats. This model would require changes to legislation as noted above.

18. Staff undertook preliminary engagement with mana whenua and mataawaka in 2022 on Māori seats for Auckland Council. Feedback from participants in this process was that neither the ‘Parliamentary’ nor the ‘Royal Commission’ model were suitable for Tāmaki Makaurau, however the ‘Royal Commission’ model received slightly stronger support for its inclusion of an appointed mana whenua seat.

19. The only model of Māori representation that is available under existing legislation is the ‘Parliamentary model’. This model includes a formula for determining the number of elected members representing Māori based on the number of voters on the Māori electoral roll and the total number of ward councillors. For Tāmaki Makaurau, this model would result in one or two elected Māori representatives depending on the total number of councillors. Any other model would require legislative change.

20. While the feedback from mana whenua and mataawaka contained a unanimous recognition that the status quo is no longer an option, it also emphasised that timing constraints to investigate and pursue legislative change should not deter investigating a bespoke approach for Tāmaki Makaurau.

Consultation on Māori seats for Auckland Council

21. The decision on Māori seats for Auckland Council is a significant one. It is about how Māori are represented in Auckland and how Aucklanders are represented by their Governing Body. As such, consultation with Aucklanders on this matter will consist of:

· regionwide consultation

· five-week consultation window (21 August to 24 September 2023)

· two streams of engagement: a Māori engagement stream and a wider public engagement stream.

22. A range of engagement methodologies will be used including ‘in person’ and virtual with both hard copy and digital materials available. Engagement methods will include:

· marketing (Radio ads, social media, media releases)

· AK Have Your Say webpage

· webinars

· interest group events

· raising awareness of the consultation amongst diverse groups through community partner networking

· hard copy consultation materials at libraries, local board offices and Māori service provider sites

· dedicated mana whenua and mataawaka engagement

23. A key part of the consultation process is seeking input from local boards and presenting these views to the Governing Body for consideration in October 2023. This report seeks feedback to contribute towards decision-making.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

24. While a decision about Māori seats does not in itself impact on climate, the introduction of Māori ward representatives as Auckland Council decision-makers may improve consideration of te ao Māori views on climate change and council-led responses.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

25. This matter affects the composition of the Governing Body and does not impact the group.

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

Local impacts and local board views

26. This report seeks the views and preferences of local boards on Māori seats for Auckland Council’s Governing Body. This feedback will be provided to the Governing Body for consideration when a decision is sought on the matter in October 2023.

27. While the decision to be made in October 2023 is whether to establish Māori seats on Auckland Councils’ Governing Body, local boards have previously provided feedback on establishing Māori seats at the local board level.

28. Māori representation at the local board level is outside of the Local Electoral Act and legislative change would be required to introduce Māori seats on local boards. In the process of seeking local board views on the Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill, thirteen of the 19 local boards that provided feedback requested that Māori representation at the local board level was investigated.

29. Not all local boards who wish to introduce Māori representation would be eligible for Māori seats under the ‘Parliamentary model’ formula. If legislation were amended to allow for Māori representation on local boards, the formula would only allow for nine out of 21 local boards (43 per cent) to have Māori subdivisions based on current member numbers.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

30. Auckland Council has legal obligations to seek and consider Māori views on matters that Māori will be particularly affected by or interested in. The Local Government Act 2002 requires local governments to maintain and improve opportunities for Māori to contribute to decision-making processes and to consider the views and preferences of the persons likely to be affected by or have an interest in a matter. There are also common law obligations to consider Treaty principles, including partnership, rangatiratanga, active protection and informed decision-making.

31. The Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 requires the council to consider the Independent Māori Statutory Board’s advice on matters. The Independent Māori Statutory Board’s Schedule of Issues of Significance to Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau recognises that increasing Māori representation is a priority action for enhancing Māori leadership and participation in local government decision-making. The schedule advocates for council to ensure that Māori are enabled to contribute actively and meaningfully to the long-term future of Auckland through representation on council.

32. Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau – the Auckland Council Group’s Māori Outcomes Performance Measurement Framework - includes ten priority outcomes areas to direct council group investment and resource towards delivering Māori Outcomes in Tāmaki Makaurau.

33. The framework includes Kia Ora Te Hononga (effective Māori participation) and is underpinned by the ‘Mana’ outcome objective to ensure that “mana whenua and Māori are active partners, decisionmakers and participants alongside the Auckland Council Group”.

34. The Auckland Plan 2050 includes the outcome area of ‘Māori Identity and Wellbeing’. Council is committed to recognising and providing for te Tiriti o Waitangi outcomes, enabling Māori to exercise rangatiratanga in decisions that matter to and affect them.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

35. As this report is seeking the views and preferences of local boards for Governing Body consideration, there are no financial implications associated with this report.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

36. There are two key known risks associated with consultation on Māori seats for Auckland Council:

· there may be an increased risk of legal challenge due to the high level of public interest in the decision

· the set number of councillors is not removed for Auckland Council.

37. The risk of legal challenge can be mitigated through the commitment of appropriate budget and resourcing to deliver a robust consultation process.

38. As previously reported, the Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill is currently in front of the House and has progressed to the Committee of Whole House stage. Among other legislative changes, the Bill proposes a removal of the set number of councillors for Auckland Council. This change, when it is enacted, will allow council to determine any number of councillors between five and 29, in line with all other councils in New Zealand.

39. Previously, Governing Body has agreed ‘in-principle’ support for establishing Māori seats subject to the removal of the set number of councillors.

Risk

Mitigation

Legal challenge

Failing to undertake a robust consultation process may increase the risk of legal challenge. This risk involves both reputational and financial consequences and may require the consultation to be repeated, resulting in additional costs to the council.

Ensure that the consultation process is robust and effective. This requires budget and resource commitment at a time when council is working within a constrained environment. However, staff strongly advise that this robust process is required.

Legislative change not enacted

The Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill may not be enacted before parliament rises, meaning that Auckland Council is uncertain whether or not it will be able to determine the total number of councillors on the Governing Body.

This could impact the decision of the Governing Body to proceed with Māori wards as it will mean that a general ward would need to be disestablished in order to add a Māori ward.

Council cannot fully mitigate this risk.

However, we have provided coverage of this possibility in the consultation material to ensure that Māori and the wider public are appropriately informed when providing feedback.

Staff will monitor the progress of the Bill closely in order to provide accurate advice on options.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

40. Staff will report feedback from Māori, the wider public and local boards along with analysis to the Governing Body in October 2023 and seek a decision on establishing Māori seats for Auckland Council.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Māori Seats Consultation Document	41
b ⇩	Māori Seats Consultation Summary Document	57
c ⇩	Māori Seats Consultation Feedback Form	63

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Libby Orr - Advisor Governance Services

Authorisers

Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager

Rose Leonard - Manager Governance Services

Louise Mason – General Manager Local Board Services

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board

12 September 2023

Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024

File No.: CP2023/12875

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To seek feedback on the proposed direction of the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2023/2024-2033/2034.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Ministry of Transport has released the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2023/2024-2033/2034 for public consultation.

3. The draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 sets out the priorities for a 10-year period to 2034 and is updated every three years. It outlines what the government wants to achieve in land transport, and how it expects to see funding allocated between types of activities across the land transport system.

4. The draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 identifies six strategic priorities that the government wants its investment programme to achieve:

a. Maintaining and Operating the System: focuses on efficiently maintaining the condition of the existing transport system to meet the current and future needs of users

b. Increasing Resilience: aims to enhance the transport system's ability to withstand natural and human-made hazards

c. Reducing Emissions: aims for a transition to a lower carbon transport system to address climate change

d. Safety: aims to significantly improve safety across all modes of transportation

e. Sustainable Urban and Regional Development: aims to provide accessible and reliable transport options to support social, cultural, and economic opportunities. Also emphasizes developing low-emission transport and reducing congestion

f. Integrated Freight System: focuses on designing and operating efficient, resilient, and low-carbon transport corridors and hubs to support economic activities.

5. The draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 proposes an increase in National Land Transport Fund revenue from $15.5 billion in 2021/2022-2023/2024 to $20.8 billion in 2024/2025-2026/2027, an increase of $5.3 billion (34 per cent).

6. Submissions are due on Friday 15 September 2023, which is after Parliament rises for the 2023 General Elections. Submissions will therefore be received by the incoming government, and it is likely that changes will be made to the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 as a result.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board:

a) whakarite / provide feedback on the proposed direction of the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024.

Horopaki

Context

7. The draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 (draft GPS 2024) outlines what the government wants to achieve in land transport, and how it expects to see funding allocated between types of activities (for example, roading, public transport and road safety) across the land transport system. The draft GPS 2024 sets out the priorities for a 10-year period to 2034 and is updated every three years. Auckland Council made a submission on the GPS 2021 in May 2020.

Discussion

Summary of strategic priorities

8. The draft GPS 2024 identifies six strategic priorities that the government wants its investment programme to achieve (Attachment A to the agenda report):

· maintaining and operating the system – the condition of the existing transport system is efficiently maintained at a level that meets the current and future needs of users

· increasing resilience – the transport system is better able to cope with natural and anthropogenic hazards

· reducing emissions – transitioning to a lower carbon transport system

· safety – transport is made substantially safer for all

· sustainable urban and regional development – people can readily and reliably access social, cultural, and economic opportunities through a variety of transport options. Sustainable urban and regional development is focused on developing resilient and productive towns and cities that have a range of low-emission transport options and low congestion

· integrated freight system – well-designed and operated transport corridors and hubs that provide efficient, reliable, resilient, multi-modal, and low carbon connections to support productive economic activity.

Discussion of strategic priorities

9. The government’s priorities for GPS 2021 are safety; better travel options; improving freight connections; and climate change. An overview of the draft GPS and related documents can be found here.

10. The draft GPS 2024 removes the specific priority around travel options with this largely, although less explicitly, being incorporated into the urban development strategic priority.

11. Sustainable urban and regional development is a new strategic priority in the draft GPS 2024. Previously, economic and development objectives were less explicit and were spread across the freight and travel options priorities.

12. Maintaining and operating the system is also a new priority. In contrast to GPS 2021 which emphasizes transformation (as opposed to “business as usual”), the draft GPS 2024 seeks to boost funding for maintenance to address what it sees as significant under-investment.

13. The climate change priority in GPS 2021 has been separated into two components, reflecting the need to both mitigate (reducing emissions) and adapt to climate change and other events (increasing resilience).

14. The priorities guide investment decisions by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) and the crown.

Summary of GPS funding

15. The draft GPS 2024 proposes an increase in National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) revenue from $15.5 billion in 2021/2022-2023/2024 to $20.8 billion in 2024/2025- 2026/2027, an increase of $5.3 billion (34 per cent).

16. This requires a funding package of $7.7 billion, because revenue over 2021/2022-2023/2024 was augmented by a $2 billion crown loan.

17. The proposed between $7-8 billion funding package is made up of:

· increases in fuel taxes over three years ($1.4 billion)

· crown grants of $2.9 billion, including $500 million from the Climate Emergency Recovery Fund (CERF), which would be added to the walking and cycling activity class

· hypothecating traffic infringement fee revenue to the NLTF to increase the safety activity class

· A $3.1 billion crown loan.

18. Key changes in activity class allocations include:

· the public transport services activity class increases by 50 per cent

· the local road maintenance and renewals activity class increases by 35 per cent

· the safety activity class decreases by 37 per cent. Note that this is due to the reallocation of funding for safety related infrastructure improvements to the State Highway and Local Road Maintenance activity classes. The government expects this will enable safety improvements to be delivered as part of a wider improvement programme.

Strategic Investment Programme

19. The draft GPS 2024 also sets out a series of projects that the government considers strategically important for the development of New Zealand’s transport system in the coming decades. Projects identified in the Auckland region are:

· Warkworth to Whangārei – State Highway 1

· Auckland Northwest Rapid Transit

· Auckland rail third and fourth Mains Expansion

· Avondale to Onehunga rail link

· Level Crossing Upgrade and Removal Programme.

20. The Waka Kotahi board approves projects funded from the NLTF, but by highlighting these projects, the government expects that their strategic importance will be given particular consideration during the development of the National Land Transport Plan.

Auckland Council submission process

21. The Ministry of Transport has provided four weeks for consultation on the draft GPS 2024, with submissions closing on Friday 15 September 2023.

22. Auckland Council staff will draft the submission, with input from Auckland Transport (AT). Because submissions close before the next Transport and Infrastructure Committee meeting on 21 September 2023, staff will propose that members of the Governing Body and representatives of the AT Board and Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB), be given delegation to approve the submission.

23. A report summarising the draft GPS 2024 and proposing approval delegations to a sub-committee will be presented to the Governing Body at its next meeting on 24 August 2023.

Government consideration of feedback

24. The delay in publication of the draft GPS 2024 means that the consultation period overlaps with Parliament rising on 31 August 2023, in the lead-up to the 14 October 2023 General Election. This means that feedback will be received by the next government.

25. The Green, National and Act parties have all identified different transport priorities to those outlined in the draft GPS 2024. Changes, potentially of a substantial nature, could be made by the incoming government. It is not clear whether an additional round of consultation will be held should substantive changes be made. Accordingly, staff advise proceeding on the assumption that this may be the only formal opportunity for council to provide feedback to the government on GPS priorities, issues and opportunities.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

26. The timeframe for next steps in the submission process are set out in the table below:

Dates	Events
24 August	Governing Body meets: · approval sought to delegate approval of the submission to members of the Governing Body and representatives of the AT Board and IMSB
1 September	· anticipated first draft to all elected members and IMSB members for feedback, and local board members for information and feedback
6 September	· councillors and IMSB members feedback due
14 September	· delegated group feedback on second draft due · local board views to append to Governing Body submission due
15 September	· finalise submission · delegated group approval · lodge submission.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a	Draft Government Policy on Land Transport 2024 (Under Separate Cover)

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Jacob van der Poel - Advisor Operations and Policy

Authorisers

Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager

Carol Hayward - Team Leader Operations and Policy

Louise Mason - General Manager Local Board Services

Chairperson	Gary Brown
Deputy Chairperson	Julia Parfitt, JP
Members	Jake Law	Victoria Short
	Sam Mills	Gregg Walden
	Alexis Poppelbaum, JP	Leanne Willis