Agenda of Policy and Planning Committee - Thursday, 14 November 2024

Policy and Planning Committee

14 November 2024

Auckland Council's submission on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act

File No.: CP2024/15111

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To approve Auckland Council’s submission to the central government public consultation on Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act, as facilitated by the Ministry for Primary Industries - Manatū Ahu Matua (MPI).

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. MPI’s consultation on Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act (the Act) is open for public submission from 19 September 2024, with a closing date of 29 November 2024.

3. The main purpose of these proposed amendments is to update and modernise the Act. The consultation package contains more than 70 proposals that span across a range of areas in the biosecurity system.

4. Auckland Council’s submission has been prepared based on input from across the council group, including council-controlled organisations and local boards. The submission responds to those proposals that either directly impact the Auckland Council group (the council), or that have a significant impact on the Auckland region.

5. The council’s submission is generally supportive of proposals put forward, noting their intention to improve the Act and address issues with legislative processes. In particular, the submission strongly supports:

· access to infringement offences for regional councils

· enhanced compliance options for breach of a Controlled Area Notice

· faster declarations for biosecurity emergencies

· improved processes for pest, pathway, and small-scale management plans

· precedence for biosecurity considerations over relevant sports fishing provisions within the Conservation Act and its Freshwater Fisheries regulations, as well as the Wild Animal Control Act.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Policy and Planning Committee:

a) whakaae / approve the attached draft submission, subject to minor editorial changes

b) pōwhiri / invite a Houkura member to be a signatory to the attached draft submission alongside the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee.

Horopaki

Context

6. MPI’s consultation on the Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act is open for public submission from 19 September 2024, with a closing date of 29 November 2024.

7. The Biosecurity Act 1993 underpins New Zealand’s biosecurity system. The biosecurity system helps protect our economy, environment, and people from the impacts of harmful pests and diseases.

8. The biosecurity system takes a multi-layered approach to managing biosecurity risk. It does so through interventions at the following levels:

· offshore – rules and standards specifying what commodities, goods, and craft can come into the country, and how they must be treated before they arrive

· at the border – management of biosecurity risks on the four main pathways to New Zealand – passenger, mail, cargo, and craft – upon arrival in our country

· within New Zealand – activities relating to surveillance of biosecurity risks, readiness and coordination, response to pest and disease incursions, and pest management programmes to control pests that are already here.

9. Staff consider it is important to submit on this public consultation because:

· the council has a mandated role under the Biosecurity Act to manage pests at a regional and local level (for example, through the Regional Pest Management Plan)

· the council has a large operational programme for pest management, predominately funded through the Natural Environment Targeted Rate

· several high-profile biosecurity issues have occurred in Auckland in recent years (Kauri dieback, Caulerpa, and multiple fruit fly incursions for example)

· biosecurity also has strong links to the council’s work in managing indigenous biodiversity, the resilience of natural ecosystems in relation to climate change, and managing significant amounts of public spaces (i.e. local and regional parks)

· as the main international gateway into the country, and with one third of the country’s population, Auckland is also more at risk of pests and diseases, both new and already here, causing biosecurity issues, compared to other regions.

Summary of the Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act

10. The Biosecurity Act 1993 provides the main legal framework for MPI and other organisations to manage and respond to harmful pests and diseases. The Act provides MPI and other organisations the tools to manage a biosecurity risk before arrival on New Zealand’s shore, at the border, and within New Zealand.

11. While the Act has served New Zealand well for the last 30 years, increasing pressures on the biosecurity system from trade, travel, online purchasing and climate change mean some changes are required to keep the system resilient and fit for the future.

12. The main purpose of these proposed amendments is to update and modernise the Act. This consultation package contains more than 70 proposals that span across a range of areas in the biosecurity system. The proposals are grouped into six topic areas: system-wide issues, funding and compensation, border and imports, readiness and response, long term management, and surveillance and interfaces with Department of Conservation legislation.

13. The proposals look to amend the framework and legislative tools within the Act that allow for the biosecurity system to operate effectively, rather than focus on issues regarding individual pests and diseases. Many of the proposals are technical in detail.

14. The consultation documents (consisting of a summary document, discussion documents based on six topic areas, accompanying Regulatory Impact Statements, and information sheets for Māori readers) can be found here: www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/proposed-amendments-to-the-biosecurity-act/.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

15. The council’s submission has been prepared based on input from across the council group, including council-controlled organisations and local boards. Development of the submission has been led by staff from the Natural Environment Strategy Unit, Policy department.

16. The submission responds to those proposals that either directly impact the council, or that have a significant impact on the Auckland region. Of the over 70 proposals within the consultation documents, approximately half were identified as having a direct impact on the council or having an impact on the Auckland region.

17. Staff recognise the importance of a strong biosecurity system and its role in protecting the things we value from the impacts of harmful pests and diseases. Staff support efforts to strengthen and improve the legislative and regulatory framework that underpins New Zealand’s biosecurity system. Staff also support that the Biosecurity Act remain fit-for-purpose, as well as adaptable in the future, as new and unforeseen issues arise.

18. The submission is generally supportive of proposals put forward for feedback, noting the intention to improve the Act and address issues with legislative processes within the Act. Proposals that staff do not agree with, or are missing technical details, are also highlighted. In particular, the submission strongly supports proposals to enable:

· access to infringement offences for regional councils

· enhanced compliance options for breach of a Controlled Area Notice

· faster declarations for biosecurity emergencies

· improved processes for pest, pathway, and small-scale management plans

· precedence for biosecurity considerations over relevant sports fishing provisions within the Conservation Act and its Freshwater Fisheries regulations, as well as the Wild Animal Control Act.

19. The submission also identifies issues missing from the consultation proposals. These missing issues relate to improving funding of environmental outcomes and long-term management, incorporation of Māori rights and facilitating participation in decision-making, improved coordination across the biosecurity system, and ensuring ongoing public engagement and education across communities.

20. Staff have also inputted into the regional sector submission being developed by Te Uru Kahika - Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa. Te Uru Kahika’s submission has yet to be finalised, but generally aligns with and supports the council’s proposed submission.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

21. A strong biosecurity system is vital to support the resilience of our natural environments to pests and diseases, and to help us protect Auckland’s indigenous biodiversity.

22. As our climate changes, our environment, people and communities will be susceptible to new pests and diseases alongside the changing distributions and impacts of those pests and diseases already here. Flooding and other extreme weather events as a result of our changing climate also increases the spread of pests around the region. Management of pest and diseases is a key activity to improve resilience to climate pressures.

23. One of the key aims of the Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act is to provide all users of the Act with a fit-for-purpose toolbox that is complete, effective, efficient and future-proof. Having a fit-for-purpose Act is vital to managing the changing risks from pests and diseases due to the effects of climate change.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

24. The following council directorates have been contacted to provide input into the Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act submission: Policy, Planning and Governance (Policy, Planning and Resource Consents, Māori Outcomes lead), Community (Environmental Services (including Māori Outcomes lead), Licencing and Compliance, Parks and Community Facilities), Resilience and Infrastructure (Auckland Emergency Management, Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience), Ngā Mātārae, Group Strategy and Chief Executives Office (Public Law). Council-controlled organisations (Watercare, Auckland Transport, Eke Panuku Development Auckland) and Ports of Auckland have also been contacted for input.

25. Several operational delivery programmes across council departments, council-controlled organisations may need to be revisited for compliance with any new legislative requirements when/if proposals are progressed and legislative changes come into effect.

26. Many of the proposals within the consultation package will support and improve operational and regulatory biosecurity programmes (such as the review and implementation of the Regional Pest Management Plan) if these proposals are progressed. Further evaluation will be needed (if and when these proposals progress into law) to understand the resourcing implications associated with these legislative changes.

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

Local impacts and local board views

27. Local boards were invited to provide feedback for thematic incorporation into the council submission. Staff provided a presentation via an online briefing and a supporting written memo to overview the proposals. All feedback received from local boards was incorporated into the draft submission, as common themes were able to be identified for several issues.

28. Feedback (see Attachment B) was received from the following local boards: Albert-Eden, Aotea/Great Barrier, Devonport-Takapuna, Franklin, Henderson-Massey, Howick, Kaipātiki, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Ōrākei, Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Papakura, Puketāpapa, Rodney, Waiheke, Waitākere Ranges, Waitematā, Whau.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

29. Biosecurity is a matter of importance to Māori and is an integral aspect of kaitiaki responsibilities. The biosecurity system plays an important role in protecting Māori values from the impacts of harmful pests and diseases, including the taonga of our indigenous species. Māori have consistently called for greater participation and inclusion across the biosecurity system, including for the utilisation of mātauranga Māori to inform biosecurity decision-making.

30. The Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act provide an opportunity to improve the recognition of Māori outcomes within the Act. The proposals enable processes for improved partnerships with mana whenua across the biosecurity system.

31. Proposals within the consultation documents provides opportunities for the Act to better align with the following Kia ora Tāmaki Makaurau outcome areas:

· Kia ora Te Taiao – by embedding and enabling mātauranga-led responses and solutions to support mana whenua to exercise their kaitiakitanga responsibilities

· Kia ora Te Hononga – by providing opportunities to identify new mechanisms to enable (and improve) mana whenua decision-making and partnership.

32. The council’s submission supports improved legislative mechanisms for the incorporation of Māori rights and facilitating participation in decision making, alongside greater recognition of Crown obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

33. Staff contacted Tāmaki Makaurau mana whenua and relevant mataawaka groups (via email), notifying them of the opportunity to make a direct submission to central government, and/or to advise staff of their perspectives so that this can be considered in preparing the council submission. No feedback on the consultation proposals was received from mana whenua and mātāwaka prior to the finalisation of this report. Indirect feedback provided by mana whenua to staff previously on biosecurity issues has been incorporated.

34. Staff have also facilitated direct engagement between MPI staff and the mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau via the Tāmaki Makaurau Mana Whenua Kaitiaki Forum. MPI presented at the 11 October Forum hui, and will also return to the Forum’s 8 November hui for further korero with mana whenua.

35. Departmental Māori outcomes leads and the Houkura secretariat have provided advice on the potential impacts to Tāmaki Makaurau mana whenua and mataawaka generally, which has also been included within the submission.

36. MPI has produced information sheets for Māori readers (in both te reo Māori and English) summarising key proposals that may have specific impacts on Māori.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

37. The decision to submit on the proposed amendments will not have a significant financial impact on the council group.

38. Implementation of these amendments, if they progress into legislation, may require significant resourcing to ensure the council meets its statutory obligations for biosecurity activities. Staff will provide further advice on resourcing and budget requirements regarding any legislative changes to the Biosecurity Act once any changes have come into force.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

39. Given the importance of this consultation to Auckland Council and the Auckland region, submitting on this consultation mitigates any potential political or reputational risk of not submitting.

40. Auckland Council will have further opportunities to provide its view on future Biosecurity Act amendments if and when an Amendment Bill is introduced to Parliament and any opportunity for subsequent input through a Select Committee process. MPI anticipate that Cabinet will consider final policy proposals in 2025 before progressing an Amendment Bill.

41. Staff will continue to engage with MPI (directly and via the regional sector network) as proposals are further developed, and respond to any potential emerging risks if required.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

42. Staff will finalise the attached submission, subject to any required minor changes identified, and submit to MPI prior to the closing of the public consultation period.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Auckland Council’s submission on Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act (draft)
b ⇨	Local Board feedback on Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Simon Fraser - Senior Analyst NES

Authorisers

Dave Allen - Manager Natural Environment Strategy

Louise Mason - General Manager Policy

Megan Tyler - Director Policy, Planning and Governance

Policy and Planning Committee

14 November 2024

Auckland Unitary Plan - Making operative Plan Change 80 - Regional Policy Statement Well-functioning urban environment, Resilience to the effects of climate change and Qualifying matters

File No.: CP2024/16577

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To approve Plan Change 80 - Regional Policy Statement Well-functioning Urban Environment, Resilience to the Effects of Climate Change and Qualifying Matters (PC80) to the Auckland Unitary Plan (Operative in Part) (AUP) and to obtain a direction to staff to undertake the necessary steps to make PC80 operative.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. PC80 is a complementary and companion change to proposed Plan Change 78: Intensification (PC78), the Council’s intensification planning instrument that amends the district plan provisions of the AUP. PC80 relates to the Regional Policy Statement (RPS) of the AUP and makes amendments to reflect specified aspects of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD). Specifically, it amended the RPS to introduce the new concepts of a well-functioning urban environment and qualifying matters, and to include direction on urban resilience to the effects of climate change.

3. PC80 was publicly notified on 18 August 2022. The Council received 44 submissions (1007 submission points), and 40 further submissions (3,204 further submission points) on PC80.

4. The hearing commenced on 13 June 2023 before independent hearing commissioners of the Council.

5. The Council’s decision on submissions was publicly notified on 14 September 2023.

6. The appeal period closed on 27 October 2023. One appeal was received on the Council’s PC80 decision from Beachlands South Limited Partnership (Beachlands). Foodstuffs North Island and Drive Holdings Limited joined the PC80 appeal proceedings as interested 274 parties.

7. Beachlands advised the Environment Court on 11 October 2024 that its appeal was withdrawn. On 12 October 2024 Foodstuffs North Island Limited and Drive Holdings Limited, as s274 parties to PC80, confirmed that they have no issues with the withdrawal. The withdrawal was confirmed by the Environment Court in its decision dated 15 October 2024 – Beachlands South Limited Partnership v Auckland Council [2024] NZEnvC 252.

8. The Council can now approve PC80, and staff can be directed to undertake the necessary steps to make PC80 operative.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Policy and Planning Committee:

a) whakaae / approve Plan Change 80 - Regional Policy Statement Well-functioning Urban Environment, Resilience to the Effects of Climate Change and Qualifying Matters to the Auckland Unitary Plan (Operative in Part) under clause 17(2) of Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991 as set out in Attachments A, B, C and D to the agenda report.

b) tono / request staff to complete the necessary statutory processes to publicly notify the date on which the plan change becomes operative as soon as possible, in accordance with the requirements in clause 20(2) of Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Horopaki

Context

Overview of Plan Change 80

9. PC80 is a complementary and companion change to PC78, the Council’s intensification planning instrument that amends the district plan provisions of the AUP. PC80 relates to RPS section of the AUP and makes amendments to reflect specified aspects of the NPS-UD.

10. PC80 makes the following amendments to reflect specified aspects of the NPS-UD:

· references to a well-functioning urban environment in the objectives and policies of the RPS – these references were added to the RPS because it is a key policy of the NPS-UD and sets a broad urban development context;

· references to qualifying matters in the B2.4 Residential growth objectives and policies of the RPS – these references were added to provide regional policy support for the use of qualifying matters which was part of PC78; and

· references to resilience to the effects of climate change in the RPS – these references were added to the RPS to provide further policy direction relating to the effects of climate change.

11. PC80 was publicly notified on 18 August 2022. There were 44 submissions (1007 submission points) and 40 further submissions (3,204 further submission points) received on PC80.

12. The hearing before independent hearings commissioners commenced on 13 June 2023. The Council’s decision on submissions was publicly notified on 14 September 2023.

Appeal

13. The Council’s decision on PC80 was publicly notified on 14 September 2023. The appeal period closed on 27 October 2023. One appeal was received from Beachlands South Limited Partnership (Beachlands) and Foodstuffs North Island and Drive Holdings Limited joined the appeal proceedings as interested section 274 parties.

14. Beachlands’ appeal sought amendments to PC80 relating to the addition of significant development capacity criteria and other changes.

15. Beachlands advised the Environment Court on 11 October 2024 that its appeal was withdrawn. On 12 October 2024, Foodstuffs North Island Limited and Drive Holdings Limited, as s274 parties to PC80, confirmed that they have no issues with the withdrawal. The withdrawal was confirmed by the Environment Court in its decision dated 15 October 2024 - Beachlands South Limited Partnership v Auckland Council [2024] NZEnvC252

16. As there are no other appeals on the Council’s decision on PC80 the Council can now approve PC80, and staff can be directed to undertake the necessary steps to make PC80 operative in accordance with the Council’s PC80 decision as set out in the amended RPS chapters B2 Urban Growth and Form, B7 Natural resources. B8 Coastal environment and B10 Environmental risk and shown in Attachments A, B, C and D of the agenda report.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

17. Schedule 1 of the RMA sets out the statutory process for plan changes.

18. Clause 17(2) states that ‘a local authority may approve part of a policy statement or plan, if all submissions or appeals relating to that part have been disposed of’. Decisions were made on all submissions and the one appeal received has been withdrawn. On this basis the plan change can now be approved.

19. Clause 20 of Schedule 1 sets out the process that is required to be undertaken for the notification of the operative date. Staff will notify the operative date as soon as possible following the Policy and Planning Committee’s resolution.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

20. The council’s climate goals as set out in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan are:

· to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero emissions by 2050

· to prepare the region for the adverse impacts of climate change.

21. PC80 included amendments to the RPS in relation to climate change and these were considered through the hearing process.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

22. As this is a procedural step, there are no council group impacts associated with the approval of PC80. Therefore, no views from the council group were sought in relation to the approval of PC80 or the direction sought to undertake the necessary steps to make the plan change operative.

23. However, it is noted that through the PC80 process there was input from Watercare and Auckland Transport as subject-matter experts.

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

Local impacts and local board views

24. As this is a procedural step, there are no local impacts associated with the approval of the plan change.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

25. As this is a procedural step, there has been no engagement with iwi authorities on this specific report. However, iwi authorities were consulted as part of the development of PC80 prior to its notification in accordance with the statutory requirements for consultation in Schedule 1 of the RMA. Iwi authorities also had the opportunity to make submissions on PC80, but no iwi authorities did so.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

26. There are no financial implications arising from this procedural decision. Approving plan changes and amending the AUP is a statutory requirement and is budgeted expenditure for the Planning and Resource Consents Department.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

27. There are no risks associated with making the plan change operative.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

28. The final step in making PC80 operative is to publicly notify the date on which the plan change will become operative, and to update the AUP.

29. Planning and Resource Consent Department staff will undertake the actions required under Schedule 1 of the RMA to make PC80 operative, including the public notice and seals.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	RPS B2 Urban growth and form PC80 Amendments
b ⇨	RPS B7 Natural resources PC80 Amendments
c ⇨	RPS B8 Coastal environment PC80 Amendments
d ⇨	RPS B10 Environmental risk PC80 Amendments

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Dave Paul - Senior Policy Planner

Authorisers

John Duguid - General Manager Planning and Resource Consents

Megan Tyler - Director Policy, Planning and Governance

Policy and Planning Committee

14 November 2024

Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024: Auckland Council Group Māori Outcomes Report

File No.: CP2024/16729

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To present the annual Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024: Auckland Council Group Māori Outcomes Report.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024: Auckland Council Group Māori Outcomes Report shows how the Council group is contributing to the 10 Mana Outcomes of Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau and the 10-year Budget priorities.

3. Māori identity and wellbeing is one of six key outcomes outlined in the Auckland Plan 2050. To advance this outcome, 10 strategic priorities are set in the council’s 10-year Budget with $150 million allocated specifically for supporting delivery of Māori Outcome initiatives, in addition to baseline budgets.

4. Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, the Māori Outcomes Performance Measurement Framework aligns the 10 strategic priorities with 10 Mana Outcomes – areas identified by Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau that matter most to them.

5. The annual Māori Outcomes reports illustrate how the council group is delivering against the Mana Outcomes. These reports showcase achievements by Auckland Council, council-controlled organisations (CCOs) and local boards in enhancing outcomes for Māori.

6. Each edition provides a snapshot of annual progress to our Māori partners, elected members, governance leaders, decision-makers across the council group, and whānau Māori. This is the sixth edition of the Māori Outcomes Report, with the inaugural edition published in 2019.

Highlights for the 2023-2024 year include:

7. Ngā Mātārae commissioned an impact evaluation of the Māori Outcomes Fund (MOF). The findings clearly demonstrate that the MOF significantly contributes to achieving diverse outcomes for Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau. Kaupapa Māori partners emphasised the following key impacts: business growth, strengthened infrastructure and capacity, benefits for youth, cultural advancement, promotion of te reo Māori, strengthening Māori identity, and mātauranga Māori, and community and environmental gains.

8. In 2022/2023 the MOF faced delivery challenges resulting in a 39% underspend. In 2023/2024 intensive efforts were made to ensure that the MOF funds were allocated. As a result, the underspend was reduced significantly to 5 per cent, with 95 per cent of the fund being allocated ($14.8m of $15.6m).

9. For the Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 an additional $21 million was secured for the MOF over the 10-year period from FY27/28, taking the investment to $171 million. This funding will support crucial projects that significantly impact our Māori communities, from environmental initiatives to empowering grassroots Māori businesses and groups.

10. Capacity grants were increased in 2023/2024, with a total of $3.57 million distributed to 17 mana whenua entities and seven mataawaka entities, strengthening the ability of these groups to contribute to Auckland’s future. Capacity Grants provide crucial funding for both mana whenua and mataawaka, enabling these groups to engage meaningfully in Auckland Council’s decision-making processes, ultimately delivering significant benefits to our wider communities. Work is ongoing to ensure all mana whenua receive funding, and to gauge the impact of this support.

11. The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan was published nearly 12 months after the extreme weather events of 2023 with mana whenua playing an active role in both its development and also the ongoing recovery efforts. The recovery plan includes opportunities for Māori businesses to support the efforts to deconstruct flood affected homes over the next two years.

12. Auckland Council continues to attract, recruit, and retain Māori staff and is an employer of choice for Māori across Tāmaki Makaurau. More staff identify as Māori compared to last year, and there are more Māori kaimahi in top tier leadership roles. Rangatahi Māori are well represented in youth employed at council.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Policy and Planning Committee:

a) whiwhi / receive the annual Auckland Council Group Māori Outcomes Report: Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024.

Horopaki

Context

13. In March 2024, the Council Chief Executive announced his intention to refresh the structure of the leadership teams. It was decided that the Executive Leadership Team would focus on steering the organisation within our strategic and external environment and delivering outcomes for the region including commitments to Māori outcomes. It also decided that there would be Māori Outcomes leads for all directorates within Council with a shared Māori Outcomes leads for two smaller directorates. These changes became effective from 1 July 2024.

14. In the refreshed leadership structure, leadership position descriptions include an accountability for embodying the organisation’s commitment to delivering outcomes for Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau. Work is being undertaken in 2024-2025 to review the appropriate internal governance and accountability framework for achieving outcomes across the Council group, including Māori Outcomes.

15. Ngā Mātārae, the Māori Outcomes directorate, was restructured at the end of 2023. A permanent appointment to the role of Tumuaki Huanga Māori/ Director of Ngā Mātārae Māori Outcomes was made early in 2024. The unit comprises 23 FTE and new appointments mean the unit is now operating at close to capacity, allowing the directorate to progress a significant number of projects to help Council to advance outcomes for Māori.

Looking ahead

16. The upcoming year for Ngā Mātārae promises further advancements in strategic initiatives and a deepening of our partnerships with Māori, including:

· the design and implementation of an engagement framework for strengthening partnerships with Māori

· the refresh of Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, our Māori Outcomes performance framework to ensure it is fit for purpose, accelerates mana whenua and mataawaka aspirations, and leads to sustained and significant outcomes for Māori

· the review and refresh of the Māori Outcomes Fund, exploring partnerships with mana whenua, mataawaka, Māori communities, central government, and external stakeholders, with the aim of enhancing the fund’s impact.

· the refresh of the Te Reo Māori strategy following the closure of the Te Reo Action Plan in 2023

· coordinating and progressing the response to He Waka Kōtuia 2024, the Treaty Audit

· providing guidance to Council group for the development of comprehensive Achieving Māori Outcomes (AMO) plans integrated into delivery plans from 2025-2026, following on from departmental Transitional AMO plans in 2024-2025.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

17. The 10-year Budget allocates $150 million over 10 years towards the achievement of Māori outcomes.

18. For the financial year 2023/2024, the direct spend on activities specific to Māori identity and wellbeing was $14.8 million (95 per cent) of the $15.6 million budget.

19. In the 2024/2025 year the Māori Outcomes Fund will be reviewed and refreshed to ensure that it delivers greatest impact for Māori.

Māori Outcomes Fund impact evaluation

20. Ngā Mātārae commissioned a kaupapa Māori informed evaluation to assess the impact of the Māori Outcomes Fund in early 2024. This evaluation was informed by mātauranga Māori measures of success to ensure that Māori voices were heard and valued in the assessment of impact.

21. The evaluation included six initiatives: Amotai, the Cultural Initiatives Fund, the Marae Infrastructure Programme, Te Kete Rukuruku, Te Whakaoranga, Te Puhinui, and Te Wharekura.

22. The findings clearly demonstrate that the Māori Outcomes Fund significantly contributes to achieving diverse outcomes for Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau, including increased participation of Māori in business, enhancement of marae infrastructure and capacity, wide reaching benefits to tamariki and rangatahi, and promotion of te reo Māori, Māori identity, and mātauranga Māori. Kaupapa Māori partners also highlighted strengthened cross-entity collaborations and community engagement in protecting te Taiao.

23. The evaluation also highlighted areas that could be strengthened, which have been included in the scope for the review of the Māori Outcomes Fund Review and Refresh underway in 2024-2025.

Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau: Māori Outcomes Performance Measurement Framework

24. Auckland Council Group uses the Mana Outcomes and strategic priorities set out in Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau to guide our progress. See Attachment A for the full report with case studies, highlights and performance measures across all 10 Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau outcomes. A snapshot of activity in three outcome areas are noted below.

25. This 2023/2024 annual report includes increased reference to the activities of CCOs and Local boards in delivering outcomes for Māori. Local board agreements and work programmes outline annual activities responding to Māori Outcomes, set in cooperation between the Governing Body and each local board. CCO’s have an "Achieving Māori Outcomes" plan, aligned with the Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau performance framework, which details their commitment to enhancing Māori outcomes. Making their work more visible in the report celebrates their contribution and highlights the breadth of council’s commitment to delivering Māori Outcomes.

Kia Ora te Hononga – Effective Māori participation

Auckland Council's Investment in Māori Capability

26. Capacity Grants provide crucial funding for both mana whenua and mataawaka, enabling these groups to engage meaningfully in Auckland Council’s decision-making processes, ultimately delivering significant benefits to our wider communities.

27. Before the 2024 financial year, capacity funding was capped at a maximum of $50,000 per group annually—a figure that had not been reviewed since 2010. This allocation was increasingly out of step with inflation and insufficient to meet the actual capacity needs of Māori entities across Tāmaki Makaurau.

28. In response to the identified funding gaps and to deliver greater value to Auckland Council and our communities, the capacity funding package for mana whenua entities was increased from $50,000 to approximately $200,000 per annum this past year. Additionally, for the first time, we introduced ongoing annual investments to support mataawaka capacity, enhancing their participation in key council decision-making processes.

29. In FY23/24, a total of $3.57 million in capacity grants was distributed to 17 mana whenua entities and 7 mataawaka entities, strengthening the ability of these groups to contribute to Auckland’s future.

Kia Ora te Reo – the Māori language

Te Kete Rukuruku: Elevating Te Reo Māori and Māori Stories in Public Spaces

30. Te Kete Rukuruku continues to play a crucial role in preserving and promoting Māori culture across Auckland, ensuring that the rich heritage of the area is recognised and revered well into the future. The culture and identity initiative uses a collaborative naming process involving mana whenua, local boards, and the council, to restore traditional Māori names or introduce new resonant ones to landscapes.

31. This past year marked significant progress, with an additional 54 sites, including parks, plazas, libraries, and a town hall, receiving Māori names. This achievement increases the total to 521 sites named since the programme’s inception.

32. Community Impact of Te Kete Rukuruku: 16 local boards and 17 iwi are actively engaging in the programme. 924 out of 4590 parks in Tāmaki Makaurau now bear te reo Māori names. 10 iwi have had names adopted across 12 local board areas. The year featured 2 whakarewatanga events and 2 hui tuku ingoa, celebrating the launch and formal naming of sites.

Kia Ora te Marae – Marae development

Investing in marae to be self-sustaining and thriving hubs for Māori and the wider community

33. The Marae Infrastructure Programme (MIP) is in its sixth year and is dedicated to improving the conditions of 32 identified marae across Tāmaki Makaurau for mana whenua and mataawaka over a 10-year period.

34. The $60 million MIP helps marae meet Building Warrant of Fitness standards and increase their Code of Compliance where possible, supporting the creation and maintenance of safe and healthy marae for whānau in Tāmaki Makaurau.

35. This year 22 marae received support, meeting the target of 22. Twelve through the Marae Infrastructure Programme, 7 through the Cultural Initiatives Fund, 2 through Resilient Marae and 1 through a local board grant. 9 of the 22 marae received funding support across multiple council support programmes.

Kia ora te Rangatahi – Realising Rangatahi potential

Empowering rangatahi leadership in climate resilience

36. Mātātahi Taiao is a rangatahi-led initiative dedicated to developing climate resilience solutions. This project operates in partnership with the Resilient Marae project, focusing on the long-term aspirations of two primary mana whenua marae to cultivate their next generation of leaders. These young leaders are being equipped to engage deeply with the development and implementation of mātauranga Māori-informed resilience plans.

37. Efforts have concentrated on three pivotal projects: sustaining food sovereignty, restoring repo (wetland) areas, and enhancing local freshwater quality. Additionally, these young leaders have contributed their skills as in-home energy assessors for an energy company, broadening their practical impact and understanding of environmental stewardship. This initiative not only builds essential skills and awareness among rangatahi but also prepares them to address the environmental challenges their communities face.

Kia Hāngai te Kaunihera – An empowered organisation

Positive shifts for employing and retaining Māori kaimahi

38. As of June 2024, Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland Council employed a total of 714 staff who identified as Māori. This is now 9.8 per cent of all of our employees and is an increase of 59 kaimahi Māori (0.6 per cent growth) from the total reported in last year’s Māori Outcomes annual report. In the senior leadership space, there has been a 1.4% increase of leaders that identify as Māori with Tier 3 leaders at 23 per cent and Tier 4 at 5 per cent.

39. Rangatahi Māori employee numbers have also increased across Tāmaki from 17.6 per cent of all employees under 25 years in April 2023 to 20.6 per cent in June 2024, a 3 per cent increase over the past 12 months.

40. These measures show that the council continues to attract, recruit, and retain Māori staff and is an employer of choice for Māori across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery: A Unified Approach to our Rebuild

41. Following the extreme weather events of 2023, the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office within Auckland Council was established to coordinate the repair and rebuild of the region’s built and natural environments, and to support those communities most impacted by the storms.

42. The Recovery Office has collaborated with partners across the Auckland Council group, central government, iwi Māori, and other industry sectors with a combined approach which epitomises kotahitanga, and represents a new way of working for the many people involved.

43. Engagement with mana whenua regarding the recovery plan has included regular and ongoing hui with Houkura and the Tāmaki Makaurau Mana Whenua Forum, as well as one-on-one interactions. Key themes emerging from this engagement is highlighted in Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024.

44. An important focus of the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery plan has been the provision of opportunities for Māori businesses in recovery efforts.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

45. Climate change continues to impact several of the Māori Outcome Strategic Priorities including Kia Ora te Taiao and Kia Ora te Marae.

46. Two projects with significant outcomes for Māori in addressing climate impacts are Mātātahi Taiao, a rangatahi-led initiative dedicated to developing climate resilience solutions and the Resilient Marae project, designed to enhance outcomes for Māori by supporting mana whenua marae in exercising their kaitiakitanga obligations, leveraging technologies and resources to meet their Taiao resilience needs.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

47. Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau provides direction to the Council group on the delivery of Māori outcomes and enables the monitoring and measurement of the Council group’s contribution towards these outcomes.

48. The Monitoring and reporting of outcomes delivery sits across the Council group, and discussions with the respective CCO Māori outcome leads will continue as the framework, work programmes and performance measures are reviewed.

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

Local impacts and local board views

49. Local boards will receive Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024: Auckland Council Group Māori Outcomes Report.

50. A selection of activities from the Local Board work programmes were included in this year’s report, acknowledging their commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi through Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, and demonstrating how Local Boards meet their obligations to the Māori community in their region.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

51. The aim of Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau is to ensure the Auckland Council Group is focused on and delivering positive outcomes for Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau. The Annual Māori outcomes report is a key tool and resource to report on how Council group activity is delivering for Māori.

52. The impact of the performance measurement framework will continue to be improved and developed as Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau is refreshed in the upcoming year. As part of the refresh, monitoring and reporting will be strengthened to focus on the extent to which Council group activity is delivering the intended impact for mana whenua, mataawaka and hapori Māori.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

53. The 10-year budget includes a Māori Outcomes Fund of $150 million over a 10-year period. For the Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 an additional $21 million was secured for the Māori Outcomes Fund over the 10-year period from the 2027-2028 financial year.

54. In addition to the Māori Outcomes Fund as a key enabler for Council group to deliver on Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, the Māori outcomes portfolio includes council and CCO baseline budgets used towards programmes and projects specifically targeted at delivering outcomes for Māori.

55. The Programme Manager Ngā Mātārae confirms the figures in this report section, and the detail regarding MOF expenditure as outlined in Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

56. There is a risk the Council group may be unable to meet its responsibilities to Māori, resulting in a range of significant impacts and consequences including social inequality, breach of statutory obligations and a loss of trust and confidence in council by Māori.

57. As part of the mitigation approach, Māori outcomes is included in council’s risk register and is monitored regularly by Ngā Mātārāe.

58. Ngā Mātārae adopts a continuous improvement approach to all aspects of the governance and delivery of Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau to mitigate risks and issues.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

59. The Auckland Council Group Māori Outcomes Report: Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024 will be published and distributed to mana whenua iwi, mataawaka entities, elected members, senior leadership across the council group, and key partners. Note that this year digital copies will be distributed to help manage cost and reduce council’s carbon footprint.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Mike Hennessy, Senior Communications Advisor

Authorisers

Marina Matthews - Manager - Insights and Strategy

Nicholas Turoa - Tumuaki Huanga Māori

Policy and Planning Committee

14 November 2024

Status Update on Action Decisions from Policy and Planning Committee – 10 October 2024

File No.: CP2024/14592

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To update the committee on action decisions made at the last meeting.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The information provided below is a status update on action decisions only that were made at the Policy and Planning Committee meeting on 10 October 2024:

Resolution Number	Item	Status
PEPCC/2024/102	Southern Rural Strategy	Minor changes were made to the draft strategy prior to the start of the public consultation. These changes were endorsed by Cr Baker, Cr Dalton and Houkura Member Wilcox. The public consultation started on 29 October 2024 and will finish on 1 December 2024. The first public drop-in event will be held on 6 December 2024 in the Waiuku Library between 11.00am-1.00pm, followed by two drop-in events: in the Papakura Library on 14 November between 11.00am-1.00pm and in the Pukekohe Library on 19 November 2024between 11.00am-1.00pm.
PEPCC/2024/103	Approval of the Pahurehure Inlet Shoreline Adaptation Plan	The plans will now be available to be considered for ‘local implementation’. Following completion of the remaining plans (mid-2025), a regional prioritisation schema will be proposed to support proactive, regional implementation of the plans.
PEPCC/2024/103	Approval of the Manukau Harbour East Shoreline Adaptation Plan
PEPCC/2024/106	Update on the Strategic Approach to Sediment (SAS) Programme	Staff are preparing an Our Auckland article to convey progress over 2023/24 financial year, as reported. Staff pursuing initial actions in Table 1 of the report including workshops on the review of Guidance Document 05 (Sediment and Erosion Controls for land disturbing activities), refinement of sediment discharge detection network using cameras, and preparing to evaluate data from detention ponds used on the Puhoi to Warkworth roading project.
PEPCC/2024/107	Private Plan Change Request - Whenuapai Business Park	The private plan change will be publicly notified for submissions on 8 November 2024.
PEPCC/2024/108	Auckland Unitary Plan – Making private plan change operative – Plan Change 75 (Mason Clinic)	Staff expect Plan Change 75 (Mason Clinic) to be made operative and the Auckland Unitary Plan updated on Friday, 8 November 2024.
PEPCC/2024/111	Adoption of the Auckland Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024	Waste Solutions staff are finalising minor amendments to Auckland’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan for approval by the Chair, Deputy Chair and Houkura member prior to publication of the plan on our website (as per clause d) of the resolution. Initial planning for a trial for fortnightly rubbish collections has begun.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Policy and Planning Committee:

a) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the status of decisions made at the 10 October 2024 meeting.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Sandra Gordon - Kaitohutohu Mana Whakahaere Matua / Senior Governance Advisor
Authoriser	Miriana Knox - Executive Officer Policy, Planning and Governance

Policy and Planning Committee

14 November 2024

Summary of Policy and Planning Committee information memoranda, workshops and briefings (including the Forward Work Programme) – 14 November 2024

File No.: CP2024/14595

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the progress on the forward work programme appended as Attachment A.

2. To whiwhi / receive a summary and provide a public record of memoranda, workshop and briefing papers that may have been held or been distributed to committee members.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

3. This is a regular information-only report which aims to provide greater visibility of information circulated to committee members via memoranda/workshops and briefings or other means, where no decisions are required.

4. The following memoranda/information have been sent:

Date	Subject
22/4/2024	Auckland Council’s submission on the Fast-track Approvals Bill Please note this submission was omitted from the Summary of Information report for the committee’s meeting on 23 May 2024 due to an administrative error.
1/10/2024	Memorandum – Summary of feedback and direction received at meeting eight – Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group
18/10/2024	Memorandum - Resource Management Act reform phase two and three: Government’s recent announcements
25/10/2024	Auckland Council’s submission on the exposure Draft Regulations for Natural Hazard Information in Land Information Memoranda (LIMs)
5/11/2024	Memorandum - Changes to the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land
5/11/2024	Memorandum – Update on exotic freshwater clams
5/11/2024	Memorandum - Update on engagement activity towards strengthening the Auckland Unitary Plan to better address natural hazards
5/11/1024	Memorandum – City Centre Targeted Rate Annual Report 2023/2024
6/11/2024	Memorandum – Update on City Centre Action Plan and Downtown West precinct

5. The following workshops/briefings have taken place for the committee:

Date

Subject

16/10/2024

Workshop: Draft Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy - open space provision standards

Documents available on the Auckland Council website here

Recording of the workshop available here

These documents can be found on the Auckland Council website, at the following link:
http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/

o at the top left of the page, select meeting/te hui “Policy and Planning Committee” from the drop-down tab and click “View”;

o under ‘Attachments’, select either the HTML or PDF version of the document entitled ‘Extra Attachments’.

6. Note that, unlike an agenda report, staff will not be present to answer questions about the items referred to in this summary. Members should direct any questions to the authors.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Policy and Planning Committee:

a) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the progress on the forward work programme appended as Attachment A of the agenda report

b) whiwhi / receive the Summary of Policy and Planning Committee information memoranda, workshops and briefings – 14 November 2024.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Forward Work Programme
b ⇨	Auckland Council’s submission on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, 22 April 2024 (Under Separate Cover)
c ⇨	Memorandum – Summary of feedback and direction received at meeting eight – Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group, 1 October 2024 (Under Separate Cover)
d ⇨	Memorandum - Resource Management Act reform phase two and three: Government’s recent announcements, 18 October 2024 (Under Separate Cover)
e ⇨	Auckland Council’s submission on the exposure Draft Regulations for Natural Hazard Information in Land Information Memoranda (LIMs), 25 October 2024 (Under Separate Cover)
f ⇨	Memorandum - Changes to the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land, 5 November 2024 (Under Separate Cover)
g ⇨	Memorandum – Update on exotic freshwater clams, 5 November 2024 (Under Separate Cover)
h ⇨	Memorandum - Update on engagement activity towards strengthening the Auckland Unitary Plan to better address natural hazards, 5 November 2024 (Under Separate Cover)
i ⇨	Memorandum – City Centre Targeted Rate Annual Report 2023/2024, 5 November 2024 (Under Separate Cover)
j ⇨	Memorandum – Update on City Centre Action Plan and Downtown West precinct, 6 November 2024 (Under Separate Cover)

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Sandra Gordon - Kaitohutohu Mana Whakahaere Matua / Senior Governance Advisor
Authoriser	Megan Tyler - Director Policy, Planning and Governance

Chairperson	Cr Richard Hills
Deputy Chairperson	Cr Angela Dalton
Members	Houkura Member Edward Ashby	Cr Mike Lee
	Cr Andrew Baker	Cr Kerrin Leoni
	Cr Josephine Bartley	Cr Daniel Newman, JP
	Mayor Wayne Brown	Cr Greg Sayers
	Cr Chris Darby	Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, JP
	Cr Julie Fairey	Cr Sharon Stewart, QSM
	Cr Alf Filipaina, MNZM	Cr Ken Turner
	Cr Christine Fletcher, QSO	Cr Wayne Walker
	Cr Lotu Fuli	Cr John Watson
	Houkura Member Hon Tau Henare	Cr Maurice Williamson
	Cr Shane Henderson