Agenda of Upper Harbour Local Board - Thursday, 21 November 2024

1 Nau mai | Welcome

The Chairperson, A Atkinson, will open the meeting with a Karakia.

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 Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) whakaū / confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Thursday, 24 October 2024, 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 Upper Harbour 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.

8.1 Meadowood Community Centre - Update

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To receive an update from the Meadowood Community Centre.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Sian Bonner, Centre Manager and Sara Visser, Accounts Administrator, Meadowood Community Centre, representing Meadowood Community Centre, will be in attendance to provide an update on the Meadowood Community Centre.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) whiwhi / receive the deputation from Sian Bonner, Centre Manager and Sara Visser, Accounts Administrator, Meadowood Community Centre, representing Meadowood Community Centre and thank them for their attendance and presentation.

Attachments

a Meadowood Community Centre - Year-end report 2024...................................................................................... 257

8.2 Upper Waitematā Ecology Network - Governance Update

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To receive an update from the Upper Waitematā Ecology Network.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Tim Johnson, representing the Upper Waitematā Ecology Network, will be in attendance to provide an update on recent structural changes to assist in the next growth phase for the Upper Waitematā Ecology Network.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) whiwhi / receive the deputation from Tim Johnson, representing Upper Waitematā Ecology Network, and thank him for his attendance and presentation.

Attachments

a Upper Waitematā Ecology Network - Organisation update presentation..................................................... 275

8.3 Auckland North Community and Development - Update

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To receive an update from Auckland North Community and Development.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Fiona Brennan, General Manager and Eva Chen, Ethnic Communities Engagement Lead, Auckland North Community and Development, representing Auckland North Community and Development, will be in attendance (Via Microsoft Teams) to provide an update on supporting organisations in the local board area and to share a model on how Auckland North Community and Development are working with other local boards.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) whiwhi / receive the deputation from Fiona Brennan, General Manager and Eva Chen, Ethnic Communities Engagement Lead, Auckland North Community and Development, Auckland North Community and Development (Via Microsoft Teams), representing Auckland North Community and Development and thank them for their attendance and presentation.

Attachments

a Auckland North Community and Development presentation................................................................. 283

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.”

Upper Harbour Local Board

21 November 2024

Upper Harbour Local Grants Round One 2024/2025 Grant Allocations

File No.: CP2024/15565

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To fund, part-fund or decline applications received for Upper Harbour Local Boards Local Grants Round One in 2024/2025.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. At the 27 June 2024 business meeting, the local board adopted the Upper Harbour Local Grants Programme 2024/2025 as presented in Attachment A to the agenda report. The document sets application guidelines for contestable community grants submitted to the local board.

3. This report presents applications received in the Upper Harbour Local Board Local Grants Round One (Attachment B to the agenda report) in 2024/2025.

4. The Upper Harbour Local Board had set a total of $200,000 community grants budget for the 2024/2025 financial year.

5. Thirty applications were received for Upper Harbour Local Board Local Grants Round One and requesting $179,933.58.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) whakaae / agree to fund, part-fund, or decline each application in the Upper Harbour Local Board Boards Local Grants Round One applications 2024/2025, listed below:

Application ID	Organisation	Main focus	Requesting funding for	Amount requested	Eligibility
LG2517-101	North Shore Centres Of Mutual Aid Incorporated	Community	Towards a contribution to non-wage operation cost to run Albany CMA Centre at Albany Community Hub from 1 January 2025 to 1 December 2025	$7,360.00	Eligible
LG2517-102	Albany Chinese Association	Arts and culture	Towards venue hire, food and stationaries to support operation cost at Oteha Valley School and Albany Community Centre from 1 December 2024 to 31 March 2025	$3,500.00	Eligible
LG2517-104	Element One Charitable Trust	Community	Towards essential stationery resources to support students from Upper Harbour local schools from 1 January 2025 to 28 February 2025	$5,413.39	Eligible
LG2517-105	AUT Millennium Trust	Sport and recreation	Towards cost to install tiered poolside seating at AUT Millennium Pool from 13 January 2025 to 14 January 2025	$21,633.00	Eligible
LG2517-106	Marist North Harbour Rugby & Sports Club Incorporated	Sport and recreation	Towards a contribution to club admin, insurance, affiliation fee, power and water cost to run Junior Development Programme at Marist North Harbour Rugby Club from 15 December 2024 to 31 October 2025	$6,500.00	Eligible
LG2517-107	Camp Maynard	Community	Towards gutter replacement and weatherboard repair at Camp Maynard from 16 December 2024 to 31 January 2025	$16,770.00	Eligible
LG2517-108	James Atkinson	Community	Towards material cost to recreate the Community Fairy village at Hobsonville Point from 1 December 2024 to 14 September 2030	$750.00	Eligible
LG2517-109	Herald Island Community Wharf Trust	Community	Towards annual charge, liability insurance and property insurance charge at Twin Wharf Road from 15 December 2024 to 15 December 2025	$1,725.00	Eligible
LG2517-110	Action Education Incorporated	Arts and culture	Towards facilitator cost to deliver twenty Spoken Word Poetry workshops at Hobsonville Point Secondary School and Albany Senior High School from 1 December 2024 to 1 June 2025	$5,000.00	Eligible
LG2517-111	The UpsideDowns Education Trust	Community	Towards speech and language session cost for five kids with Down syndrome in Upper Harbour area from 16 December 2024 to 16 December 2025	$2,000.00	Eligible
LG2517-112	Badminton Oceania Confederation Incorporated	Sport and recreation	Towards a contribution to court hire and management fee to hold Badminton Oceania Championships at Badminton North Harbour Stadium from 9 February 2025 to 16 February 2025	$5,000.00	Eligible
LG2517-113	Re-Creators Charitable Trust	Community	Towards facilitator, marketing, travel, prep and materials, project management and admin time to deliver community upcycling workshops across Upper Harbour from 1 December to 30 April 2025	$5,000.00	Eligible
LG2517-114	Meadowood House Incorporated	Community	Towards venue hire, marketing, materials and transport to deliver a North Shore lactation support group at the Meadowood Community Centre from 4 February to 2 December 2025	$2,500.00	Eligible
LG2517-115	The Helping Paws Charitable Trust	Environment	Towards Council facility venue hire to run adoption events at the Albany Community Hub from 15 December 2024 to 14 December 2025	$3,213.96	Eligible
LG2517-116	Hobsonville Point Marine Sports Recreational Centre Charitable Trust	Arts and culture	Towards the costs of Pou, History board and integrating elements within the Upper Waitemata Marine Centre from 20 December 2024 to 30 June 2025	$20,000.00	Eligible
LG2517-117	The Operating Theatre Trust T/A Tim Bray Theatre Company	Arts and culture	Towards free theatre access for disadvantaged, disabled children to attend The Little Yellow Digger 2025 at the Pumphouse Theatre from 7 April to 26 April 2025	$13,044.00	Eligible
LG2517-118	Takapuna District Cricket Club	Sport and recreation	Towards a contribution to replace cricket nets at the Recreation Centre, Massey University, from 15 December to 31 December 2024	$3,400.00	Eligible
LG2517-119	Greenhithe Football Club Inc	Sport and recreation	Towards sports equipment for the club to deliver football trainings at the Wainoni Park from 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2025	$7,195.00	Eligible
LG2517-120	Open And Connect Nz	Community	Towards project leader salary, venue hire, marketing and technologic devices to deliver project at Albany, Meadwood, Harbour and Hobsonville from 3 February to 31 December 2025.	$4,097.00	Eligible
LG2517-121	Upper Harbour Indian Association Incorporated	Events	Towards activities, food & drinks, supplies and transports costs to deliver a seniors picnic at the Greenhithe War Memorial Park on the 15 February 2025	$2,500.00	Eligible
LG2517-123	The Brain Injury Association (Auckland) Incorporated	Community	Towards staff wages and venue hire to deliver a brain injury facilitated peer support at Hobsonville Headquarters and Sunderland Lounge from 29 January to 10 December 2025	$2,000.00	Eligible
LG2517-124	North Shore City Baseball Club	Sport and recreation	Towards protective screens/ball carriers and catchers mitts for Baseball games/trainings for a local baseball Club at Caribbean Drive from 16 December 2024 to 31 January 2025	$6,191.28	Eligible
LG2517-126	The Sustainable North Trust	Community	Towards operational costs (set up, running and reporting) to deliver the Eco-ECE programme in 4 UBLB Early Childhood Centres from 1 January to 31 December 2025	$6,300.00	Eligible
LG2517-127	New Zealand Blue Light Ventures Inc	Community	Towards printing costs to deliver 462 StreetSmart Magazines/APP to year 13 Upper Harbour secondary students at Upper Harbour Local Board's schools from 2 December 2024 to 31 March 2025	$3,126.00	Eligible
LG2517-129	East Coast Bays Cricket Incorporated	Sport and recreation	Towards basecourse repairs and satellite turf installation to deliver cricket nets repairs in Windsor Park from 16 December to 23 December 2024	$5,500.00	Eligible
LG2517-130	Bellyful New Zealand Trust	Community	Towards a contribution of operational costs to deliver meals to whānau in needs in the Upper Harbour Local Board area from 16 December 2024 to 15 December 2025	$4,000.00	Eligible
LG2517-131	Lazy Dude Media Ltd t/a Running Events	Events	Towards portaloos, traffic and waste management to deliver the Run Albany - Race 4 North Shore Run Series at the Albany Lakes Civic Park from 15 March 2025 to 16 March 2025.	$5,000.00	Eligible
LG2517-133	Greenhithe Community Trust	Community	Towards baby sitting and youth first aid courses, and materials to deliver more Greenhithe community safety and resilience and connection in Greenhithe from 16 December 2024 to 30 April 2025	$3,034.00	Eligible
LG2517-134	Harbour Sport Trust	Events	Towards stage start line, generators, buses and AV equipment to run Harbours Cooper & Co Shore to Shore 2025 event along Takapuna and Milford Reserve on 6 April 2025	$5,000.00	Eligible
LG2517-135	Elder Care Volunteers	Community	Towards printing, zoom subscription, materials, volunteer recruitment, training and appreciation to deliver Summer Student Companionship for Seniors at Aria Gardens and Hugh Green Care Home from 15 December 2024 to 1 April 2025	$3,180.95	Eligible
Total				$179,933.58

Horopaki

Context

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

7. The local board grants programme sets out:

· local board priorities

· lower priorities for funding

· exclusions

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

· any additional accountability requirements.

8. The Upper Harbour Local Board adopted the Upper Harbour Local Grants Programme 2024/2025 as presented in Attachment A to the agenda report. The document sets application guidelines for contestable community grants submitted to the local board.

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

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

10. The aim of the local board grant programme is to deliver projects and activities which align with the outcomes identified in the local board plan. All applications have been assessed utilising the Community Grants Policy and the local board grant programme criteria. The eligibility of each application is identified in the report recommendations.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

11. The Local Board Grants Programme aims to respond to Auckland Council’s commitment to address climate change by providing grants to individuals and groups for projects that support and enable community climate action.

12. Community climate action involves reducing or responding to climate change by local residents in a locally relevant way. Local board grants can contribute to expanding climate action by supporting projects that reduce carbon emissions and increase community resilience to climate impacts.

13. Examples of projects include local food production and food waste reduction; increasing access to single-occupancy transport options; home energy efficiency and community renewable energy generation; local tree planting and streamside revegetation; and educating about sustainable lifestyle choices that reduce carbon footprints.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

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

15. The grants programme has no identified impacts on council-controlled organisations and therefore their views are not required.

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

Local impacts and local board views

16. Local boards are responsible for the decision-making and allocation of local board community grants. The Upper Harbour Local Board is required to fund, part-fund or decline these grant applications against the local board priorities identified in the local board grant programme.

17. The local board is requested to note that section 50 of the Community Grants Policy states:
“We will also provide feedback to unsuccessful grant applicants about why they have been declined, so they will know what they can do to increase their chances of success next time”.

18. A summary of each application received through 2024/2025 Upper Harbour Local Grants Round One (Attachment B to the agenda report) is provided.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

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

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

20. The Upper Harbour Local Board adopted the Upper Harbour Local Grants Programme 2024/2025 as presented in Attachment A to the agenda report. The document sets application guidelines for contestable community grants submitted to the local board.

21. The Upper Harbour Local Board had set a total of $200,000 community grants budget for the 2024/2025 financial year.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

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

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

23. Following the Upper Harbour Local Board allocating funding for these grants, staff will notify the applicants of the local board’s decision.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	2024/2025 Upper Harbour Local Board Grant Programme	19
b ⇨	2024/2025 Upper Harbour Local Grant Round One Application Summary (Under Separate Cover)

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Andréa Poiret - Grants Advisor

Authorisers

Pierre Fourie - Grants & Incentives Manager

Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager

Upper Harbour Local Board

21 November 2024

Draft Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy – Part 1

File No.: CP2024/17394

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To seek local board feedback on Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau, the draft Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee directed staff to refresh and consolidate five regional strategies, policies and plans that guide Auckland Council‘s planning and investment for open space, sport and recreation.

3. In response, staff have drafted an open space, sport and recreation strategy (Attachment A to the agenda report) that responds to the challenges and opportunities of a growing and changing Auckland (refer background paper reported to the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee in April 2024).

4. The work has been guided by the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group, an advisory and Māori rōpū and key council kaimahi, as well as targeted engagement with partners and key stakeholders. Two local board members are on the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group. Local boards members have also been involved through briefings and workshops.

5. The draft strategy aims to provide open spaces and sport and recreation opportunities to benefit all Aucklanders now and in the future to improve the health of Tāmaki Makaurau. It provides a refreshed and simplified approach to planning and investment and sets five strategic directions and four investment principles.

6. The draft strategy also contains three supporting policies that set expectations for delivery. They are presented in a separate report on this agenda for ease of understanding and to avoid lengthy reports. This enables local boards to tailor their feedback to the different components of the draft strategy.

7. The draft strategy reduces duplication and complexity and reflects the key challenges and opportunities Auckland currently faces, taking a holistic view to better support decision-makers to respond to the needs and preferences of local communities.

8. Staff will include local board feedback in the agenda report when seeking approval from the Policy and Planning Committee to engage with Aucklanders on the draft strategy. If approved, engagement will take place in early 2025. Following engagement, the strategy will be finalised and presented again to local boards for consideration and to the Policy and Planning Committee for adoption.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) whakarite / provide feedback on the strategic directions and investment principles in Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau, the draft Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy, for consideration by the Policy and Planning Committee.

b) ohia / endorse Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau, the draft Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy, going for public consultation.

Horopaki

Context

Open space, sport and recreation contribute to all six Auckland Plan 2050 outcomes

9. Open space, sport and recreation deliver a wide range of benefits, from enhancing the physical and mental health and wellbeing of Aucklanders to climate change mitigation and resilience. They contribute to all six Auckland Plan 2050 outcomes, with activities spanning across the council’s investment areas.

10. In addition to the council, many organisations contribute to providing open spaces and sport and recreation opportunities for Aucklanders. By enhancing collaboration and partnerships with other providers and having clear common directions for success we can focus our collective efforts to maximise benefits to Aucklanders.

Staff are delivering an approved programme of work

11. In August 2022, the Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee approved the development of a refreshed and consolidated open space, sport and recreation policy framework [PAC/2022/68], which currently consists of:

· Parks and Open Spaces Strategic Action Plan (2013)

· Parks and Open Space Acquisition Policy (2013)

· Open Space Provision Policy (2016)

· Auckland Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan 2014-2024 (2014, refreshed 2017)

· Increasing Aucklanders’ Participation in Sport: Investment Plan 2019-39 (2019).

12. The committee set clear expectations that the draft strategy:

· retain Auckland Council leadership

· enable collaboration with open space, sport and recreation interests and sectors

· enable integration using a te ao Māori framework

· reflect changes in Auckland Council’s legislative, strategic and fiscal environment

· align the five documents to achieve better coordination of long-term decision-making and forward planning.

Staff have drafted a strategy underpinned by evidence and guided by an advisory structure

13. Staff developed a strong evidence base to inform the drafting of the strategy. Evidence includes assessment of the existing policy framework, relevant legislative, strategic and fiscal documents, horizon scanning of current and future trends, relevant data, contemporary literature. Staff also undertook targeted engagement with partners and key stakeholders.

14. This evidence base is provided in a background paper that outlines eight key challenges and opportunities for the draft strategy to consider. It was reported to the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee and local board members in April 2024.

15. Three key themes cut across the challenges and opportunities presented:

· focus on wellbeing and resilience: we can increase Auckland’s and Aucklanders’ oranga (wellbeing) by encouraging our communities to be more active more often and taking an ecosystem approach in the face of climate change

· make the most of what we have: we can make better use of Auckland’s many assets to deliver multiple benefits for people and the environment

· work within budget constraints: this calls for different responses, such as relying less on assets to deliver services, working with partners and the community and prioritising our efforts where they deliver the most value.

16. An advisory structure made up of the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group, an advisory and Māori rōpū (with mana whenua, mataawaka and sector representatives) and council kaimahi has provided input and direction throughout work. Details of memberships and frequency of meetings are provided in Attachment B to this report.

17. The development of the draft strategy has been informed by local board views through the two local board members on the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group. Staff also engaged with local boards through targeted engagement on the background paper, memos, briefings and workshops (see paragraph 54).

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

The draft strategy combines open space and sport and recreation, and consolidates existing policies into a single document

18. The draft strategy brings together the domains of open space and of sport and recreation. Combining these two domains reflects the significant contribution investment in open space makes in enabling Aucklanders to live healthy, active lives. Walking, running and playing are the most popular forms of physical activity among Aucklanders.

19. The draft strategy consolidates and simplifies all five existing strategies, policies and plans into a single document. It provides decision-makers and implementers with a single source of information and contains:

· five strategic directions and four investment principles that set out where we are heading and how we will get there

· supporting policies that set the council's expectations for delivery (this more technical information is presented in a separate report on this agenda).

The draft strategy connects and builds on key council strategies

20. The draft strategy takes a te ao Māori lens. It builds on and simplifies Te Ora ō Tāmaki Makaurau, the wellbeing framework developed with the Mana Whenua Kaitiaki Forum in response to Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan.

21. It speaks to the role that open space, sport and recreation play in contributing to four dimensions of wellbeing (oranga): tāngata, whānau, whenua and wai, all of which contribute to the health of Tamaki Makaurau.

22. It sets five holistic strategic directions, integrating the domains of open space and sport and recreation to better recognise their interrelated nature.

23. It also sets four investment principles to guide our investment approach. The investment principles are adapted from those adopted in Ngā Hapori Momoho: Thriving Communities Strategy 2022-32.

24. It is underpinned by a single value that will guide implementation: manaakitanga, a te ao Māori process of showing respect, generosity and care for resources and for others. Manaakitanga was chosen by the Māori rōpū for this kaupapa as it fosters community connection, supports caring for the land and each other and promotes a spirit of unity.

25. The draft strategy on a page is shown below.

Figure 1: Strategy on a page

Five strategic directions outline where we are heading to contribute to te ora ō Tāmaki Makaurau

26. The draft strategy aims to provide open spaces and sport and recreation opportunities to benefit all Aucklanders now and in the future to improve the health of Tāmaki Makaurau.

27. It contains five strategic directions that reflect the importance of Auckland’s green, blue and grey open spaces and places and take an ecosystem view of people, place and the environment.

28. Each strategic direction is presented on a page outlining: why it matters, how we manaaki (i.e. what we will do to make it happen) and our implementation focus (see Attachment A to this report, pages 9-14).

29. They were developed in response to the challenges and opportunities articulated in the background paper. In addition to feedback received on the challenges and opportunities, the five strategic directions were refined iteratively based on input and direction from our advisory structure.

Four investment principles guide our approach to prioritising investment to deliver on the five strategic directions

30. The existing policy framework contains several different approaches to prioritising investment, with little guidance about how they relate to each other.

31. The refresh and consolidation of the existing framework provides an opportunity to design a more effective approach to investment, one that is:

· streamlined – to reduce complexity

· consistent – to provide a more robust approach to prioritisation and enable better comparison of options

· flexible – to reflect and adapt to differences across communities and changes in demand over time.

32. Staff considered a prescriptive ‘action plan’ approach to investment where specific detailed priorities are identified. However, this would maintain the risk of investment prioritisation being rigid and very ‘point in time’, failing to keep pace with change and new opportunities.

33. A principles-based approach was considered to better provide both the consistency and flexibility needed. It can be more easily applied across the entire scope of the draft strategy, allow for investment to be responsive to changing circumstances, and still ensure that investment is appropriately targeted.

34. Staff reviewed existing council policies for relevant investment principles in an effort to reduce duplication.

· The principles adopted as part of the Increasing Aucklanders’ Participation in Sport: Investment Plan 2019-2039 were viewed as specific to that context, rather than to the broader scope of the draft strategy

· Those adopted as part of the council’s Ngā Hapori Momoho: Thriving Communities Strategy 2022-32 were regarded as well aligned to the strategic context and direction of the draft strategy. They have been slightly adapted to specifically respond to the unique open space, sport and recreation delivery and funding environment. They can support investment periodisation for sports and recreation.

35. The four investment principles for the draft strategy (see Attachment A to this report, pages 15-23) are:

· take a benefits-led approach to improve the holistic wellbeing of people, places and the environment

· invest based on evidence of need and the voices of Aucklanders

· honour our Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations

· work together towards a healthy future, using all our resources.

The draft strategy supports decision-makers and delivers for Aucklanders

36. When scoping this programme of work, two alternative approaches to refreshing and consolidating the five existing strategies, policies and plans that form the policy framework were considered: keeping the status quo or refreshing the individual documents without consolidating them. Those two options were discarded based on a technical assessment and feedback from stakeholders. The refresh and consolidation approach was approved by the Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee.

37. The option not to have any regional strategy for open space, sport and recreation was not considered. Having a whole of region direction is considered valuable. Having no regional strategy may provide more local flexibility but would risk not delivering equitable outcomes for all Aucklanders as well as creating inefficiencies through a less integrated network. Providing regional direction is also needed to support regional decision-making as well as to enable joint delivery with our partners and stakeholders.

38. The draft strategy better supports decision-makers to respond to the needs and preferences of their communities than existing plans and policies. This is because it reduces duplication and complexity. It is contemporary and reflects the key challenges and opportunities Auckland currently faces. It takes a holistic view; it reflects the interrelationship between open spaces and sport and recreation, encompasses green, blue and grey spaces, takes an ecosystem view, and has a strong focus on wellbeing, climate change, the environment and biodiversity.

39. Delivery of the strategy will be supported by an implementation and monitoring plan. The three-yearly plan will set out what we will deliver and track progress against the five strategic directions. A key consideration is how to best support local boards in making decisions and delivering the relevant priorities expressed in their local board plans.

The draft strategy will be refined based on the views of Aucklanders

40. Going for consultation will enable us to gather the views of Aucklanders, as well as our partners and stakeholders. This would add to the inputs from previous targeted engagement and from our advisory structure and help us refine the draft strategy.

41. Consultation would involve running an online Have Your Say submissions campaign, a limited series of regional events, hui with partners and stakeholders, as well as a People’s Panel survey. We will work closely with local board engagement advisors to maximise our reach to local groups and residents.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

42. Auckland faces significant challenges from climate change, including rising temperatures, becoming more drought prone, higher probability of extreme weather events and threats from coastal erosion, storm surges and flooding.

43. These challenges will impact our open spaces and sport and recreation opportunities. Hotter temperatures and extreme weather events will disrupt the ability of Aucklanders to engage in play, sport and recreation. Heatwaves, drought and water restrictions will affect the health of vegetation in our open spaces and its ability to moderate temperatures and mitigate the urban heat island effect.

44. The draft strategy considers how to adapt to these challenges and work to mitigate climate change by reducing emissions. One of the five strategic directions is to enhance our resilience to climate change and our contribution to mitigation, including through reducing carbon emissions, in line with Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan.

45. The draft strategy outlines what we will do to make this happen, including:

· develop the blue-green network to better manage stormwater

· accelerate the use of nature-based solutions in our open spaces and built environment to improve water capture and storage, green the city and reduce temperatures in urban areas

· improve the performance of our open spaces and facilities to reduce negative environmental impacts, including carbon emissions

· adapt our open spaces and facilities on the coast and in flood-prone areas.

46. While we already contribute to this strategic direction, the draft strategy proposes a ’do more’ approach to implementation. This is in recognition of the challenges we are facing and their significant impacts on Aucklanders now and in the future.

47. The investment approach in the draft strategy also includes a greater emphasis on identifying and quantifying the environmental benefits of our investment and designing initiatives to deliver multiple benefits, such as making recreation parks better able to support stormwater management.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

48. Kaimahi from across the council group have provided input throughout the development of the draft strategy (see Attachment B to this report).

49. This includes staff from Policy; Parks and Community Facilities; Community Wellbeing; Planning and Resource Consents; Group Strategy, Transformation and Partnerships; Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience; Engineering, Assets and Technical Advisory; Financial Advisory; Governance and Engagement; Chief Sustainability Office; Environmental Services; Māori Outcomes; Auckland Transport; Eke Panuku and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.

50. Implementing the draft strategy will span across the investment areas identified in the council’s performance management framework.

51. We will continue to work closely with colleagues in planning for and supporting delivery, and monitoring progress.

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

Local impacts and local board views

52. Local boards have a role in communicating the views and preferences of their local communities. Parks and sport and recreation assets are highly valued by Aucklanders, whether they use them or not. This is reflected in outcomes and priorities expressed in local board plans.

53. Local boards have been represented by the two local board members on the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group: Member Sandra Coney and Member Margi Watson. The direction and input received are summarised in memos after each meeting.

54. In addition, staff have engaged with local boards as follows:

· November 2023: targeted engagement on the background paper

· April 2024: memo presenting the background paper

· June 2024: memo presenting the draft strategic directions

· June 2024: briefing to all members on the draft strategic directions

· July 2024: briefing to all members on the investment principles

· July 2024: workshop with the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee, local board chairs and Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group members on the investment principles and open space provision options

· August 2024: briefing with all members on the open space provision options

· August and September 2024: individual local board workshops on the draft strategy, including a high-level overview of the proposed policies

· October 2024: workshop with the Policy and Planning Committee, local board chairs and Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group members on the open space provision options.

55. Both the Governing Body and local boards have a role in delivering the regional strategy in accordance with their allocated decision-making responsibilities. For local boards this includes:

· acquisition of local parks and local sport and recreation facilities (within budget parameters agreed by the Governing Body) and their specific location and development

· local parks improvement and place-shaping, the use of and activities within local parks (including community events and programmes) and the use of local sport and recreation facilities (including leasing and changes of use)

· local sport and recreation programmes and initiatives and local community funding and grants.

56. Local boards will consider how to deliver on the strategy, once adopted, as part of their local board plans and work programmes.

57. The strategy will support local boards in their investment and prioritisation decisions, as outlined in Attachment A to this report, page 23. It represents a number of beneficial shifts for local boards including:

· from having to navigate the application of five strategies, policies and plans to having a single coherent document to support decision-making by local boards and advocacy within annual and long-term planning processes

· from a narrow focus on costs to a wider focus on the value created by better understanding the full range of benefits delivered by different projects

· from having a one size fits all approach to having a consistent yet flexible approach to better reflect differences in local boards’ context and priorities and support local boards to deliver in response to local needs

· from having multiple uncoordinated investment frameworks to ensuring investment is evidence-based in response to needs and supports equitable outcomes

· from a focus on the council as the sole provider to strengthening the opportunity to use a wider range of potential funding sources and delivery options.

58. Local board feedback on the draft strategy will be reported to the Policy and Planning Committee when it considers whether to approve the draft strategy going for consultation.

59. We will work with Governance and Engagement to ensure we reach local community groups and residents during consultation on the draft strategy.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

60. Mana whenua have special relationships to open spaces and places in Tāmaki Makaurau through whakapapa, including the tūpuna maunga and other sites and places of significance. They are kaitiaki of the whenua and wai.

61. Open spaces and physical activities play an important role in achieving te tuakiri Māori me tōna oranga – a thriving Māori identity and wellbeing in Tāmaki Makaurau. Young Māori are active participants in play, sport and recreation, but this declines as they get older and historic inequities exist.

62. The views of mana whenua and mataawaka have been sought throughout the development of the draft strategy including:

· regular meetings of the advisory and Māori rōpū, which includes mana whenua and mataawaka representatives

· Houkura representation on the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group to provide input and direction

· invitation to mana whenua and mataawaka organisations to provide feedback as part of the targeted engagement on the background paper.

63. All iwi were invited to join the rōpū or engage in the manner that best suited them. Mana whenua have also been kept up to date with progress via memos.

64. The draft strategy incorporates a te ao Māori lens, one of the expectations of success set by the Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee and one of the key themes identified in the background paper. This includes:

· Te Ora ō Tāmaki Makaurau wellbeing framework adapted and simplified by the Māori rōpū to sit at the heart the draft strategy with four dimensions of wellbeing (oranga): tāngata, whānau, whenua and wai

· manaakitanga as a single value to guide implementation

· a focus on honouring our Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations embedded in our investment approach

· Māori as a key target group for investment in play, sport and recreation.

65. Implementation of the draft strategy includes a focus on investing in ‘by Māori for Māori’ solutions, building the capacity and capability of mana whenua and mataawaka and partnering with mana whenua to co-design our spaces and places.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

66. There are no financial implications for the local board associated with providing feedback on the draft strategy.

67. The development of, and consultation on, the draft strategy can be completed within the existing policy department budget.

68. Each strategic direction specifies an implementation focus, from emphasising continuing to do things that work well and embedding emerging practices to delivering differently and doing more.

69. Two strategic directions have a focus on doing more:

· Direction 2 ‘Deliver innovative open spaces in high-density areas’ – because population growth and intensification mean we have more people living closer together with less private green space and our ability to deliver more parks is constrained

· Direction 3 ‘Enhance our response to climate disruption’ – because significant climate change impacts and extreme weather events mean we need to make our city greener and spongier.

70. Implementation will be enabled through available budgets set during long-term plan and annual plan processes.

71. The draft strategy reflects the resource constraints faced by the council and the need to deliver value for money. The proposed investment approach emphasises the importance of establishing a robust evidence-based approach to investment and prioritisation to better support elected decision-makers.

72. Advice around investment in open space and sport and recreation will be based on a better articulation of costs and benefits, including in relation to local board plan priorities. This will be supported by a new tool to enable better identification, description and quantification of these benefits to help local boards prioritise investment.

73. Consideration of a broad range of funding and delivery tools will support implementation, including making the most of what we have, delivering differently and partnerships.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

74. Potential risks and mitigations are outlined below:

If…	Then…	Possible mitigations…
Aucklanders, key stakeholders and partners are not supportive of the draft strategy.	Decision-makers may be less likely to adopt the draft strategy. Low reputational, strategic and delivery risk.	· Stakeholders and partners were supportive of the refresh and consolidation They have been involved through the programme of work. · Engagement provides a further opportunity to seek the views of Aucklanders, partners and stakeholders and refine the draft strategy to reflect feedback as required.
The draft strategy does not provide clear enough direction to implementers.	The draft strategy may not be incorporated into business as usual. Low reputational, strategic and delivery risk.	· Implementers provided regular input into development of the draft strategy. · The implementation context, including financial constraints, has also informed the draft strategy. · Implementers will be further engaged to develop the draft strategy’s implementation and monitoring plan.
The draft strategy is perceived as unfunded.	There may be less support for the draft strategy and decision-makers may be less likely to adopt it. Medium financial, reputational and strategic risk.	· The draft strategy sets strategic directions and investment principles to guide prioritisation and enable better informed discussions on future budget allocation.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

75. Staff will include local board feedback when seeking approval from the Policy and Planning Committee in December 2024 to consult on the draft strategy.

76. If approved, public consultation will begin in February 2025 and run for approximately one month.

77. The findings from the public consultation and an updated draft strategy will then be reported to local board business meetings ahead of going to the Policy and Planning Committee for adoption.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau: Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy – draft strategic directions and investment principles	37
b ⇩	Advisory structure memberships and meetings	61

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Aubrey Bloomfield - Senior Policy Advisor

Authorisers

Carole Canler - Senior Policy Manager

Louise Mason - General Manager Policy

Lou-Ann Ballantyne - General Manager Governance and Engagement

Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager

Upper Harbour Local Board

21 November 2024

Draft Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy – Part 2

File No.: CP2024/17395

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To seek local board feedback on the proposed policies in Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau, the draft Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy, including on two options to update the open space provision standards.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Staff have drafted Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau, the Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy. It aims to provide open spaces and sport and recreation opportunities to benefit all Aucklanders now and in the future and improve the health of Tāmaki Makaurau. It contains:

· five strategic directions and four investment principles (see Draft Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy - Part 1 report on this agenda).

· three supporting policies for making the most of our open spaces, for open space provision and acquisition, and for the council’s investment in play, sport and recreation (see Attachment A to this report).

3. The proposed policies are the focus of this report. They set Auckland Council’s expectations for delivery. Like Part 1, their development has been guided by an advisory structure and engagement with local boards.

4. They build on adopted policies and plans. Proposed updated and new information is as follows:

· new objectives to guide the development of Auckland's existing open space network

· two options to change current open space provision standards and add to our existing open space network to continue serving the needs of a growing population:

o Package 1 – High-density focused: provide more open space than currently enabled in high-density areas (mostly located in brownfield areas)

o Package 2 – Capacity focused: provide more open space than currently enabled in high- and medium-density areas where residents have low or moderate levels of provision (recommended by staff as the best way to balance open space outcomes and value for money).

· more targeted council investment in play, sport and recreation to enable more equitable participation.

5. As a next step, staff will seek approval from the Policy and Planning Committee in December 2024 to undertake consultation on the draft strategy, including the proposed policies and the two options for open space provision standards. The committee report will include local board feedback.

6. If approved, consultation would take place early in 2025. The policies are detailed and technical in nature and intended for use by individuals and local and regional organisations that will deliver the draft strategy. This will be reflected in our approach to consultation.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) whakarite / provide feedback on the proposed policies in Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau, the draft Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy, for consideration by the Policy and Planning Committee

b) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the two options for updated open space provision standards for consultation:

i) Package 1 – High-density focused: provide more open space than currently enabled in high-density areas

ii) Package 2 – Capacity focused: provide more open space than currently enabled in high- and medium-density areas where residents have low or moderate levels of provision.

Horopaki

Context

Proposed policies in the draft strategy set the council’s expectations for delivery

7. The draft Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy aims to provide open spaces and sport and recreation opportunities to benefit all Aucklanders now and in the future and improve the health of Tāmaki Makaurau.

8. It provides a refreshed and simplified approach to planning and investment and sets five strategic directions, outlining where we are heading, and four investment principles, outlining how we will get there. This material is presented in a separate report on this agenda (see Draft Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy - Part 1).

9. What the council will deliver is informed by three policies contained in the draft strategy. The policies set the council’s expectations for delivery through objectives, rules or guidelines. They contain detailed technical information intended for a professional audience (e.g. developers, consultants, council kaimahi, sport funding agencies).

10. Budgets for delivery are set through the annual and long-term plan processes.

11. The policies build on the Parks and Open Space Acquisition Policy 2013, the Open Space Provision Policy 2016 and the Increasing Aucklanders’ Participation in Sport: Investment Plan 2019-39 and propose updated and new information detailed in this report.

12. Local boards have key decision-making responsibilities in relation to open spaces and play, sport and recreation, and the proposed policies are designed to support them to deliver for their communities.

13. A separate three-yearly implementation and monitoring plan will detail what we will deliver. It will include priorities for delivery and track progress against key performance indicators.

Staff considered evidence and political input and direction in developing the proposed policies

14. The proposed policies in the draft strategy have been developed using:

· a strong body of evidence, including the background paper and a fit for purpose review of the Open Space Provision Policy 2016, options development and testing through working examples and assessment

· input from the advisory and Māori rōpū and key council kaimahi

· input and direction from the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group; the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee; the Policy and Planning Committee and local boards.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Policy 1: Making the most of our open spaces

15. Auckland has an extensive network of green, blue and grey open spaces and facilities that are much used and valued by Aucklanders.

16. The quality, accessibility and functionality of those spaces and places are essential to drive participation and use. In addition, increasing demand from population growth and intensification, as well as financial and land availability challenges, mean we need to deliver more from our existing assets.

17. The policy for making the most of our open spaces sets four objectives and proposes new tools and guidelines to support delivery of the objectives (see Attachment A to this report, pages 28-41).

Proposed objectives	Proposed new tools and guidelines
1. Increase the range of benefits our open space network delivers consistent with each space’s primary purpose	· Identification of opportunities to deliver multiple benefits from our open spaces · An overview of the primary and secondary purposes of different open space types to assist with identifying risks and trade-offs associated with delivering additional functions · A risk appetite framework to support strategic asset owners taking on more risk to realise greater benefits from the open space network
2. Improve the quality of our open spaces	· Best practice guidance for improving the quality of our existing open spaces
3. Improve our network to provide diverse recreation opportunities accessible to all Aucklanders	· An open space recreation opportunities tool that outlines the diverse range of opportunities we want to provide for Aucklanders to be physically active, recreate and connect with nature across the network and how we can provide them
4. Improve open spaces’ accessibility and functionality by prioritising connections and linkages across all types of open space	· Planning and development responses to ensure the delivery of quality connections and linkages across all types of open space, including using streets and footpaths, along waterways and the coast, and in our blue-green network

18. The policy informs the planning, development and management approach for open spaces by Auckland Council, its council-controlled organisations, private developers and external development agencies such as Kāinga Ora.

Policy 2: Open space provision and acquisition

19. The open space provision and acquisition policy sets standards and methods for the types of open space we need, how we acquire them, and how we achieve quality outcomes from our open space network.

20. The policy sets two objectives and proposes new rules and guidelines to support delivery of the objectives (see Attachment A to this report, pages 42-76).

Proposed objectives

Proposed new rules and guidelines

5. Plan for the provision of a high-quality open space network that keeps pace with growth and celebrates our cultural landscapes

· Two options for updated provision standards for pocket parks and neighbourhood parks to deliver better open space outcomes in high-density and greenfield development (see paragraphs 21 to 36)

· New open space capacity measure to enable us to compare provision levels across areas and over time (for more details see paragraph 25)

6. Ensure the acquisition of fit for purpose open space land that provides value for money and is sustainable in the long-term

· Updated criteria for prioritising potential acquisitions aligned with our strategic directions

· Updated acquisition process to include the development of an open space land acquisition priority plan to provide a 10-year and 30-year view of the open space acquisition pipeline

· Strengthened acquisitions standards (mandatory standards and site assessment criteria) to ensure acquisitions are fit for purpose and align with our strategic directions

· Detailed qualitative standards (including location, configuration, accessibility, coastal inundation and soil contamination) to ensure we acquire quality open space land from the start

· Emphasis on reconfiguring, redistributing or redeveloping open spaces rather than disposing of them to help us cater for growth

· Methodology to identify future regional park acquisitions so we can continue to meet the needs of Aucklanders

21. The policy informs developers, planners, implementers and decision-makers in their planning and investment decisions to expand Auckland’s existing open space network to best respond to Aucklanders’ needs and balance value for money and affordability considerations. It is an important consideration in regulatory and planning processes such as plan changes, structure plans and resource consents.

We propose to change provision standards for pocket and neighbourhood parks as part of Policy 2

22. As part of Policy 2, staff are proposing updated provision standards for pocket parks and neighbourhood parks to provide better open space outcomes in high-density areas and greenfield areas (see Attachment A to this report, page 45).

23. Two options for updating the provision standards are outlined below. Those options reflect different ways of adding to our existing open space network across Auckland to continue serving the needs of a growing population.

Density	Park type	Current provision standards	Package 1 High-density focused	Package 2 Capacity focused (recommended)
High-density areas or other areas developed to an equivalent density	Pocket parks	1000-1500m² provided at no capital cost to the council	1000-1500m² acquired at cost to the council regardless of capacity	1000-1500m² in areas with moderate or low capacity acquired at cost to the council
	Neighbourhood parks (within 400m walking distances)	3000m² to 5000m²	5000m² regardless of capacity	2000m² to 5000m² depending on capacity
Medium-density areas	Pocket parks	No pocket parks	1000-1500m² provided at no capital cost to the council
Medium-density areas	Neighbourhood parks (within 400m walking distances)	3000m² to 5000m²	No change	2000m² to 5000m² depending on capacity
Low-density areas	Neighbourhood parks (within 600m walking distances)	3000m² to 5000m²	3000m²

24. Urban density is based on the Auckland Unitary Plan zones. Varying provision standards based on planned intensification levels enables us to better provide according to the likely demand for public open space, as well as likely private open space provision levels.

25. The capacity measure is a proposed addition to the existing policy. While the quantity of open space provision per capita is not a meaningful metric in isolation, it provides a basis of comparison when considering future provision across Auckland’s urban areas. There is no accepted international or national capacity standards. Based on local observations and international examples, we propose that capacity is considered low when below 10m² of open space per person, moderate when between 10 and 20m² and high when more than 20m².

Both Package 1 and Package 2 involve trade-offs

26. Both options involve trade-offs, as shown below.

	Trade-offs
Package 1 High-density focused	Delivers more open space in high-density areas than current policy but larger parks might be difficult to acquire due to land ownership and cost Is a simple standard to understand but not tailored to where provision is most needed


Package 2 Capacity focused	Is more affordable than Package 1 but does not deliver the same level of additional open spaces in high-density areas Takes an equity lens by focusing provision where most needed but is more complicated to understand and apply

27. Both options are included in the draft strategy (see Attachment A to this report, page 45). The final strategy will reflect the option (or variation of) that the Policy and Planning Committee chooses through resolution after consultation.

28. In addition, improving open space outcomes where needed can be supported by increasing access to and functionality of existing open space, including connection, linkage and access open spaces. This is reflected in Policy 1 – Objective 4 (Improve open spaces’ accessibility and functionality by prioritising connections and linkages across all types of open space).

HOW WERE THESE TWO OPTION PACKAGES DEVELOPED?

The current provision policy is generally consistent with good practice but could be improved

· The proposed change to existing open space provision standards responds to a fit for purpose review of Auckland Council’s current Open Space Provision Policy 2016. The review found that it was generally consistent with good practice, but there was room for improvement and innovation. In particular, it found that the policy is not working effectively in high-density urban areas and is delivering low capacity in greenfield areas.

· Staff investigated how to vary the quantity of open space provided to best respond to this problem. The process for revising the open space provision standards is outlined in Attachment B to this report. It includes significant political input and direction.

Staff developed options to vary the quantity of open space and improve open space outcomes

· To vary the quantity of open space, staff developed 12 options along a policy continuum involving changes to the size, distribution and / or number of pocket and neighbourhood parks as they are the most common types of parks. The options also included increasing access to and functionality of other types of open space (e.g. riparian margins and esplanade reserves).

· Provision standards for suburb and destination parks, civic squares, and connection, linkage and access open spaces set in the Open Space Provision Policy 2016 are unchanged.

· After applying the 12 options in four brownfield and greenfield working examples and assessing them against a set of criteria, staff developed five packages of options that vary provision according to urban density and open space capacity.

· This will enable investment to be targeted where it is needed most, focusing on areas with less open space per person, to respond to both Auckland’s population growth and the council’s financial constraints. The five packages of options are:

Package 1

High-density focused

Package 2

Capacity focused

Package 3

Budget focused

Package 4

Doing things differently

Package 5

Consolidating and simplifying

Acquire pocket parks and larger neighbourhood parks in high-density areas and increase access to / functionality of existing public and private open space

Acquire pocket parks in high-density areas depending on capacity, vary the size of neighbourhood parks depending on capacity and increase access to / functionality of existing public and private open space

Do not acquire new land for open space, instead enable pocket parks in medium-density areas and increase access to / functionality of existing public and private open space

Acquire pocket parks and increase access to / functionality of existing public and private open space

Maintain existing provision standards but acquire pocket parks in high-density areas and increase access to / functionality of existing public and private open space

Based on assessment and political direction two options are presented for local board feedback

· The five packages were assessed using four additional working examples (two greenfield areas and two brownfield areas). The results of the assessment are below.

Criteria	Package 1 High-density focused		Package 2 Capacity focused		Package 3 Budget focused	Package 4 Doing things differently		Package 5 Consolidating and simplifying
Alignment	üü		üü		üüü	üüü		üü
Open space outcomes	üü		üüü		ü	ü		üü
Response to growth	üü		üüü		ü	ü		üü
Value for money	üü		üü		üü	üü		üü
Achievability	üü		üü		üüü	üüü		üü
Key:		ü Low		üü Medium			üüü High

· Based on this assessment and direction from the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group; the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee; and the Policy and Planning Committee, two options are presented for local board feedback: Package 1 and Package 2.

· Both Package 1 and Package 2 scored well across the brownfield and greenfield working examples. Staff recommend Package 2 as it was the highest scoring package.

Policy 3: Auckland Council’s investment in play, sport and recreation

29. Regular physical activity, whether it be play, sport or recreation, provides significant health and wellbeing benefits. While many Aucklanders are physically active, not everyone is getting enough physical activity in their lives and some are missing out as they face barriers to participation.

30. The policy for Auckland Council’s investment in play, sport and recreation sets three objectives and proposes new planning and investment approaches and indicators of what success looks like to support delivery of the objectives (see Attachment A to this report, pages 77-88).

Proposed objectives	Proposed new planning and investment approaches and indicators of success
7. Increase physical activity levels by targeting our investment to low-participating communities and addressing disparities	Planning and investment approach: · balance investment to increase physical activity levels across four key groups: all Aucklanders, Māori, young people (5-17 years old) and low participation groups (based on Active New Zealand surveys, Auckland Council and Aktive information) · invest to enable Aucklanders to be more physically active, whether through play, recreation or community sport. Indicators of what success looks like: · increasing numbers of adult Aucklanders meeting physical activity guidelines (150-plus minutes per week) · increasing numbers of Aucklanders aged 5-17 years meeting physical activity guidelines (420-plus minutes per week) · increasing numbers of Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau meeting physical activity guidelines · increases in specific community groups with low levels of physical activity meeting physically activity guidelines · increase in the proportion of the regional sport and recreation grants directed to low participation groups and emerging physical activity opportunities that target these groups.
8. Deliver a fit for purpose, future proofed facility network that makes the most of what we have	Planning and investment approach: · plan for a regional sport and recreation facilities network to provide opportunities for Aucklanders to be physically active through their choice of activity, focusing primarily on facilities for community sport · accelerate the transition to multi-use and adaptable facilities to provide more opportunities for community participation, including high-level guidance on developing multi-use facilities · improving the performance of our facilities to reduce negative environmental impacts and supporting the development of universally accessible facilities so more people in our community can use them. Indicators of what success looks like: · increasing community satisfaction with the level of access to sport and recreation facilities and the range of opportunities provided.
9. Strengthen partnerships with mana whenua and mataawaka, local communities and other sport and recreation providers	Planning and investment approach: · partner with others to improve public access to existing non-council facilities and identify joint solutions for delivery of opportunities for Aucklanders · work with communities to understand barriers to participation, including guidance on co-designing with the community · support delivery of play, sport and recreation opportunities by Māori for Māori. Indicators of what success looks like: · increasing number of Auckland schools and tertiary institutions making their sport and recreation facilities available for public use over time · increasing number of sport and recreation initiatives delivered by Māori for Māori · a more visible Māori presence in sport and recreation spaces, places and activities.

31. The policy outlines how Auckland Council will fund and invest in play, sport and recreation alongside many other organisations delivering these opportunities to Aucklanders at both the local and regional level.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

32. Delivering the proposed policies in the draft strategy will positively contribute to Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan’s core goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

33. The proposed policies help enable the achievement of strategic direction three in the draft strategy: ‘Enhance our response to climate disruption.’ This focuses on better planning and designing our open spaces and places network to respond to climate change and prioritising our investment to make Auckland greener and spongier.

34. The proposed policies provide:

· guidance on delivering multiple benefits from our open spaces (including designing or retrofitting recreation parks to contribute to water retention)

· guidance on increasing connections between open spaces to green the city and manage stormwater (such as blue-green corridors)

· clear qualitative standards to ensure we acquire fit for purpose land for open spaces, including relating to flood plains, overland flow paths and coastal inundation

· a planning and investment approach focused on improving the performance of our spaces and places to reduce negative environmental impacts, including carbon emissions.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

35. Kaimahi from across the council group have provided input throughout the development of the draft strategy.

36. The proposed policies were developed with detailed input from Policy; Parks and Community Facilities; Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience; Community Wellbeing and Engineering, Assets and Technical Advisory. This helps ensure that the proposed policies provide the necessary information and clarity to support implementation.

37. Staff will continue to work closely with colleagues in planning for and supporting delivery.

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

Local impacts and local board views

38. The proposed policies are designed to support local boards to deliver open spaces and play, sport and recreation opportunities for their communities in line with their local board plan priorities.

Allocated decision-making responsibilities

Examples of proposed policies to support decision-making

Acquisition of new local parks (within budget parameters agreed by the Governing Body) and their specific location and acquisition of new local sport and recreation facilities (within budget parameters agreed by the Governing Body) and their specific location, design, build and fit out

Local parks improvement and place-shaping, the use of and activities within local parks and the use of local sport and recreation facilities

Local sport and recreation programmes and initiatives and local community funding and grants.

Standards to ensure the acquisition of fit for purpose open space land, including relating to location, configuration and accessibility

Best practice guidance for improving the quality of existing open spaces

A tool to support the provision of a diverse range of accessible recreation opportunities across the open space network

Standards to ensure the acquisition of fit for purpose open space land, including relating to location, configuration and accessibility

Guidance on developing multi-use sport and recreation facilities and maximising community benefits.

39. Two local board members were on the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group: Member Sandra Coney and Member Margi Watson. In addition, staff have engaged with local boards on the proposed policies in workshops and briefings between July 2024 and October 2024.

40. Local board views on the proposed policies, including on the two options for updating the open space provision standards, will be reported to the Policy and Planning Committee when staff seek approval to undertake consultation on the draft strategy.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

41. In a Māori worldview, Auckland's open spaces and places are interconnected parts of the natural world, imbued with spiritual and ancestral significance.

42. The draft strategy puts manaakitanga, a te ao Māori way of showing respect, generosity, and care for one another and for our resources, at the forefront of open space, sport and recreation to achieve oranga tāngata, whenua, wai and whānau.

43. The proposed policies provide:

· guidance on delivering multiple benefits from our open spaces (including reflecting mana whenua culture and identity and drawing on mātauranga Māori to protect and enhance our environment, biodiversity and heritage)

· best practice guidance for improving the quality of existing open spaces (including emphasis on the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge from mana whenua)

· a planning and investment approach that targets increased participation in physical activity by Māori Aucklanders (including in traditional Māori sports) and supports the delivery of sport and recreation opportunities by Māori for Māori.

44. The views of mana whenua and mataawaka have been sought in the development of the proposed policies. This includes input from the advisory and Māori rōpū (with mana whenua and mataawaka representatives) and input and direction from the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Joint Political Working Group (with a Houkura representative).

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

45. There are no financial implications for the local board associated with providing feedback.

46. The development of, and consultation on, the draft strategy can be completed within the existing policy departmental budget.

47. Implementation will be enabled through available budgets set during the long-term plan and annual plan processes.

48. The proposed policies reflect the resource constraints faced by the council and the need to deliver value for money. They place a greater emphasis on making the most of our open spaces and facilities, as well as recognising the need to continue to cater for a growing Auckland and to target our investment where it is needed most and will have the greatest impact.

49. All the options for changes to the open space provision standards involve high-level trade-offs, including on cost. The recommended changes (Package 2) take an equity lens, balancing the higher cost of acquisition of larger parks in some areas to address capacity issues with acquiring smaller parks in areas that are already well served.

50. The emphasis on reconfiguring, redistributing or redeveloping open spaces rather than disposing of them includes the opportunity to make greater use of the service property optimisation process. This means that money generated by disposing of an open space can be used by local boards to fund already-planned open space acquisition or development.

51. The strengthened acquisition standards will help ensure that we acquire fit for purpose open space land from the outset, with a positive flow on effect to the cost of developing and managing our open spaces.

52. The draft strategy also proposes developing an open space land acquisition priority plan every three years to provide a 10-year and 30-year view of the open space acquisition pipeline. This will support decision-makers, including local boards, in understanding the trade-offs between meeting the expectations set in the draft strategy and budgetary allocation.

53. Our investment in sport will be primarily focused on community sport, where participation levels are higher and we can achieve the most impact. Investment will also be targeted to low-participating communities and addressing disparities.

54. The draft strategy proposes changes to the Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund to increase the proportion directed to low participation groups and emerging physical activity opportunities, with a corresponding decrease in the amount of contestable funding available.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

55. Potential risks and mitigations relating to the proposed policies are outlined below:

If…

Then…

Possible mitigations…

The proposed policies, and open space provision options, go for consultation.

Some Aucklanders may feel unable / unwilling to provide their views due to the technical nature and complexity of the information.

Low reputational and strategic risk.

Consultation material will simplify the content of the draft strategy.

The two open space provision packages will be articulated in plain English and supported by images to explain what density could look like.

Staff will present at stakeholders’ meetings (as resources allow). This will enable us to answer questions and provide clarity where needed.

We will engage with mana whenua and mataawaka separately in a way that suits them.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

56. Staff will include local board feedback when seeking approval from the Policy and Planning Committee at its December 2024 meeting to consult on the draft strategy, including the proposed policies and open space provision options.

57. If approved, public consultation will begin in February 2025 and run for approximately one month.

58. The findings from the public consultation and an updated draft strategy will then be reported to local board business meetings ahead of going to the Policy and Planning Committee for adoption.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau: Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy – proposed policies (Under Separate Cover)
b ⇩	Process to develop revised open space provision standards	75

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Aubrey Bloomfield - Senior Policy Advisor

Authorisers

Lou-Ann Ballantyne - General Manager Governance and Engagement

Louise Mason - General Manager Policy

Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager

Upper Harbour Local Board

21 November 2024

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Electoral Reform Working Group - Issues Paper

File No.: CP2024/17321

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide an opportunity for the local board to feed back its responses to the questions raised in the Electoral Reform Group’s Issues Paper.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Local Government New Zealand has established an Electoral Reform Working Group (ERWG) which has published an Issues Paper for public comment. Consultation closes on 19 January 2025. The paper is attached in Attachment A.

3. The chair of the Electoral Reform Working Group, Hon Dr Nick Smith, Mayor of Nelson, notes in the foreword:

“This Issues Paper is about Local Government New Zealand leading a discussion on how we can strengthen the democratic mandate we have to represent communities across New Zealand.

The decline in participation in local elections is an existential threat to local government”.

4. The body of this report summarises the issues raised in the Issues Paper. Members are encouraged to refer to the Issues Paper itself for further detail.

5. The Issues Paper poses five issues. There are questions associated with each issue. The issues are:

Issue 1: The public’s understanding of local government and why it’s important

Issue 2: Understanding candidates and their policies

Issue 3: Voting methods

Issue 4: Administration and promotion of elections

Issue 5: Four-year terms (including transition and implementation).

6. Attached (as Attachments B, C and D to the agenda report) is the previous feedback from local boards on electoral matters.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) whakarite / provide its feedback on the questions asked in the Electoral Reform Working Group’s Issues Paper.

Horopaki

Context

7. The National Council of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) set up the Electoral Reform Working Group (ERWG) to lead efforts to strengthen local government’s democratic mandate, with a focus on increasing participation in local elections.

8. Members of the working group are:

· Mayor Hon Dr Nick Smith, Nelson City (Chair)

· Mayor Campbell Barry, Hutt City

· Councillor Toni Boynton, Whakatāne District, Co-Chair Te Maruata

· Professor Andrew Geddis, University of Otago

· Mayor Susan O'Regan, Waipā District

· Mayor Rehette Stoltz, Gisborne District.

9. The working group’s Issues Paper focusses on five key topics:

· The public’s understanding of local government and why it’s important

· Understanding the candidates and their policies

· Voting methods

· Administration and promotion of elections

· The possibility of moving to four-year terms (including how this would work).

10. Feedback on the Issues Paper will help shape the group’s position paper. A draft position paper will be open for discussion from March 2025 to May 2025.

11. The Issues Paper is on the LGNZ website and available to the public for their comment.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Issue 1: The public’s understanding of local government and why it’s important

12. Auckland Council has found this to be a key issue in terms of people’s participation in elections. More recently the Joint Governance Working Party has noted this concern through its experience with the review of representation arrangements.

13. Options in the Issues Paper (the paper) for addressing Issue 1 include:

· Greater support for delivery of civics in schools

· Strengthened civics education requirements in the New Zealand Curriculum

· Partnering with community organisations to better engage people who aren’t participating

· Nationwide promotion of local government’s work and value

· Greater use of localism approaches by councils

· Enhancing how councils communicate their value

· Introduce a stewardship function that includes a role of promoting the role of councils.

14. Issue 1 consultation questions:

i) What should be done to improve understanding of local government and its value, and who should hold responsibility for this?

ii) What should be done, given the decline in local media, to increase visibility of local government work and local elections?

Issue 2: Understanding candidates and their policies

15. Auckland Council has found that a lack of knowledge of candidates has been a key reason for people choosing to not vote.

16. Options in the paper for addressing Issue 2 include:

· A centralised digital platform providing candidate information to voters

· Require candidates to provide an explanation of their policies.

17. Issue 2 consultation questions:

i) How should voters receive better information on candidates and their policy positions and whose role should it be?

ii) Is it important to improve candidate knowledge of local government, and if so, how should this be done?

Issue 3: Voting methods

18. The paper notes the decline of postal voting. Staff have reported recently on the possibility of booth voting but have recommended against it because of cost and logistics.

19. Options in the paper for addressing Issue 3 include:

· Postal voting, booth voting, online voting (the paper lists advantages and disadvantages of each)

· Options to improve the existing postal system, such as making it possible for voters to download voting papers rather than have them posted.

20. Issue 3 consultation questions:

i) Given the challenges outlined, what should be the future method (or methods) of voting in local elections, and why?

ii) Should the voting method (or methods) be nationally consistent or decided locally, and why?

iii) What short-term improvements should be made to the postal voting system, until a permanent solution can be implemented?

Issue 4: Administration and promotion of elections

21. Postal voting requires equipment that is used only every three years, such as commercial grade optical scanners for processing votes. Auckland Council believes it is reasonable to contract services which provide these when required from suppliers who have experience and long-standing reputations. If such suppliers did not exist then the council would be in the position of having to run elections in-house.

22. Auckland Council has previously supported local elections being administered by the Electoral Commission. This would not be taking decision-making away from council elected members since elections are required to be run at arm’s length from elected members. There could be issues relating to funding. If the Electoral Commission was totally government funded it might be expected to apply a standard approach across the country, which might not be desirable. Alternatively there might be variation between councils if funding was by way of a levy, or charge for services, where the level of service might be negotiated.

23. Options in the paper for who is responsible for the administration of local elections include:

· Councils administer elections in-house

· Councils outsource administration to commercial third-parties

· Electoral Commission administers elections.

24. Options for who could be responsible for promoting local elections include:

· Councils (in-house)

· A national umbrella organisation (either funded by councils or centrally)

· The Electoral Commission.

25. Issue 4 consultation questions:

i) Who should administer local elections, and why?

ii) Who should be responsible for promoting local elections, and why?

Issue 5: Four-year terms (including transition and implementation)

26. Options in the paper for aligning local and central government four-year terms include:

· One year apart – to allow three years with stable central and local government

· Two years apart – every two years there is either a central government election or local government election

· In same year or even concurrently. If concurrent this could lead to higher turnout for local elections however voting would be more challenging to the voter who would need to vote for: electorate Member of Parliament, Parliamentary political party, Mayor, ward councillor, local board members. It would also provide 4 years without elections.

27. Ideas on transition:

· The paper seeks views on whether changing the term from 3 years to 4 years should affect planning documents that are based on a 3 year term, such as the Long-term Plan.

· In addition, it would make sense for the term of appointment to council-controlled organisations to move to 4 years.

28. Noting that moving to a 4 year term could decrease elected members’ accountability to the electorate, options in the paper to address accountability include:

· Retain status quo arrangements for Ministerial powers of intervention

· Minister to have stronger powers of intervention, councils to have stronger codes of conduct and stronger powers for chairs of meetings

· Recall elections – a petition can trigger a re-election in order to remove one or more members

· An external body or stewardship agency to hold elected members to account.

29. Issue 5 consultation questions:

i) Which of the three timing options, for a four-year term, do you prefer?

ii) How should councils’ budget and planning cycles be adjusted to a four-year term?

iii) Do four-year terms for local councils require increased accountability mechanisms, and if so, which do you support?

30. The paper invites any other ideas or options to improve participation in local elections.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

31. This report deals with an issues paper relating to electoral processes. There are no proposals in the report which impact on climate.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

32. The Issues Paper deals with the election of elected members. One of proposals is to extend the electoral term from three years to four years. This could provide council-controlled organisations with a longer period of political consistency.

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

Local impacts and local board views

33. This report seeks the views of local boards which will be reported to the Governing Body and form part of the response of Auckland Council to the invitation for comments.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

34. The Issues Paper does not consider any issues specific to Māori however the overall concern in the paper is about how to improve electoral turnout. Improvements to the community’s understanding of local government and how to participate meaningfully in elections may also benefit Māori.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

35. While the decision to provide feedback on an issues paper does not in itself have any financial implications, some of the proposals in the paper will have financial implications. If elections are run every four years rather than every three years as at present, there will be a significant saving.

36. Similarly there will be financial implications if the responsibility for elections moves to the Electoral Commission. There are no proposals for how this might be funded and so the implications are not known.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

37. A key risk this issues paper is trying to address is the decline in the democratic mandate. It is important to support all efforts to improve the metrics around elections.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

38. Feedback from local boards will be reported to the Governing Body and added to any feedback provided by Auckland Council.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Electoral Reform Working Group Issues Paper	87
b ⇩	Local board feedback on the evaluation of the 2022 elections	115
c ⇩	Local board feedback on the submission to the Justice Committee Inquiry into the 2022 elections	143
d ⇨	Local board feedback on the submission to the Future for Local Government Review report (Under Separate Cover)

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Warwick McNaughton - Principal Advisor Governance

Authorisers

Lou-Ann Ballantyne - General Manager Governance and Engagement

Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager

Upper Harbour Local Board

21 November 2024

Local board views on draft changes to cemetery bylaw / code

File No.: CP2024/16206

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To receive local board views on draft proposed changes to Auckland Council’s bylaw and code about council cemeteries and crematoria.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. To enable the local board to provide its views on draft proposed changes to the Auckland Council Ture ā-Rohe mo ngā Wāhi Tapu me ngā Whare Tahu Tupāpaku | Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2014 (Bylaw) and Arataki Tikanga mo ngā Wāhi Tapu me ngā Whare Tahu Tupāpaku | Cemeteries and Crematoria Code of Practice 2014 (Code), staff have prepared a draft statement of proposal in Attachment A.

3. The changes are in response to a review by the Regulatory and Community Safety Committee and its request for development of options and a proposal for improvements.

4. Key draft proposed changes are to:

· add a Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw approval framework that clarifies when and how council approval is required, for example for burial and headstones.

· clarify who must comply with an approval and any council directions, for example the approval holder, a person acting on behalf of the approval holder, and cemetery visitors.

· move rules from the Cemeteries and Crematoria Code of Practice 2014 to operational guidance (for example, on the types of approval conditions that may apply), and the Bylaw (for example, the approval framework and general rules about adornments).

· update the Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw structure, definitions and wording for clarity.

5. Staff recommend the local board provide its views on the draft proposed changes. Taking this approach will help develop a proposal to improve the regulatory framework.

6. There is a reputational risk that the proposed changes or the local board’s views do not reflect the view of people in their local board area. This risk would be partly mitigated by the opportunity for the local board to provide views on public feedback prior to deliberations.

7. The Regulatory and Safety Committee will consider the local board views in December 2024 and recommend a proposal to the Governing Body. Public consultation on the proposal is scheduled for early 2025, and deliberations and final Governing Body decision later in 2025

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) whakarite / provide feedback on draft proposed changes to the Auckland Council Ture ā-Rohe mo ngā Wāhi Tapu me ngā Whare Tahu Tupāpaku | Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2014 and Arataki Tikanga mo ngā Wāhi Tapu me ngā Whare Tahu Tupāpaku | Cemeteries and Crematoria Code of Practice 2014, in the draft statement of proposal in Attachment A of the agenda report.

Horopaki

Context

The Bylaw and Code help to manage council cemeteries and crematoria

8. Council seeks to minimise public safety risks, cemetery misuse, distress to families, obstruction, and damage to property, heritage and the environment from the use of council cemeteries and crematoria by the public, by:

· using a bylaw to set a framework that enables council to make detailed rules in a separate code

· using a code that requires council approval for certain services and activities (for example, for burial and headstones) and sets general rules (for example, for adornments), at council cemeteries and crematoria only

· council cemetery and Aotea Great Barrier Island service centre staff using an education-focused approach to compliance (information and advice)

· managing council cemeteries within a wider regulatory framework.^{^[1]}

9. Council in 2014 made the Auckland Council Ture ā-Rohe mo ngā Wāhi Tapu me ngā Whare Tahu Tupāpaku | Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2014 and Arataki Tikanga mo ngā Wāhi Tapu me ngā Whare Tahu Tupāpaku | Cemeteries and Crematoria Code of Practice 2014 (GB/2014/67). The Bylaw was amended in 2021 for ease of understanding (GB/2021/10).

A recent Bylaw and Code review identified improvements

10. In July 2024, the Regulatory and Community Safety Committee completed a review of the Bylaw and Code and requested development of options for improvements and a proposal on the preferred option (RSCCC/2024/46).

11. A summary of the draft proposed changes is contained in Attachment A of this report.

The local board has an opportunity to provide its views on the draft proposed changes

12. The local board has an opportunity to provide its views on the draft proposed changes in Attachment A of this report by resolution to the Regulatory and Safety Committee before a final proposal is adopted for public consultation.

13. The local board could support the draft proposed changes for public consultation, recommend changes or defer comment until it has considered public feedback on the proposal.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

The draft proposed changes seek to improve the council cemetery management framework

14. The draft proposed changes seek to amend the current Bylaw and revoke the Code.

15. The Table below summarises the key draft proposed changes. Attachment A of this report contains more details, including other options considered.

Proposed key change	Reasons for proposal
· Add a bylaw approval framework that clarifies when and how council approval is required.	· Reflects current operational practice to require approvals, for example for burial, cremation, monuments, burial plots, vaults, mausolea, ash scattering and disinterment. · More reasonable and authoritative approach, for example clearly provides council discretion to set approval conditions. · Matters requiring approval are fundamental elements of regulations that are better located in a bylaw (not a code).
· Move rules from the Code to: · operational guidance such as on the council website (for example, on the types of approval conditions that may apply in a particular case) · the Bylaw (for example, approval framework and general rules).	· More flexible (cemetery management can directly amend operational guidance for the efficient provision of services). · Removes duplicate, out-of-date, and detailed approval conditions which are already in operational guidance. · Streamlines regulatory framework by removing unnecessary rules (code).
· Clarify who must comply with an approval and any council directions (for example the approval holder, a person acting on their behalf, and cemetery visitors).	· Reflects current operational practice for effective and efficient service provision and facility management.
· Update bylaw structure, definitions, and wording for clarity.	· Reflect current operational practice. · Easier to read, understand and comply with. · Aligns with best practice drafting standards (removes duplication of legislation and internal operational matters).

Staff recommend the local board consider providing its views on the draft proposal

16. Staff recommend that the local board consider the draft proposed changes and whether it wishes to provide its views by resolution to the Regulatory and Safety Committee. Taking this approach will help develop a proposal to improve the regulatory framework.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

17. There are no implications for climate change arising from this decision.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

18. The draft proposed changes impact the Cemetery Services and Aotea Great Barrier Island service centre units of council.

19. Relevant staff input was sought to inform the draft proposed changes, and staff are aware of the impacts of the changes and their implementation role.

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

Local impacts and local board views

20. The Bylaw and Code have a potential impact on local governance and public interest in previous reviews has been low.^{^[2]}

21. Twelve interested local boards held workshops on the draft options and proposed changes to inform any views in response to this report.

22. Local boards will have a further opportunity to provide views on any local public feedback to any proposed changes prior to deliberations in 2025.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

23. The Bylaw and Code support whanaungatanga, rangatiratanga, manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga in Houkura | the Independent Māori Statutory Board’s Māori Plan for Tāmaki Makaurau and the Schedule of Issues of Significance by providing regulations that support council services to meet social, cultural and physical needs, and support the role of the Waikumete Urupā Komiti (Komiti) at Te Urupā o Waikumete (Waikumete Cemetery).^{^[3]}

24. Feedback from three mana whenua representatives highlighted concerns with burial capacity and costs, waste associated with adornments, and climate change impacts of common practices. Feedback from the Komiti included to clarify the Komiti role.

25. Mana whenua, mataawaka, and Komiti feedback will be sought on any proposed changes as part of the public consultative process.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

26. There are no financial implications to the local board for any decisions on the draft proposed changes.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

27. The following risk has been identified:

If…

Then…

Mitigation

… the draft proposed changes or the views of the local board on the draft proposed changes differ from the views of people in the community.

… there may be negative attention to council regarding the Bylaw and Code.

(low reputational risk)

The local board will have an opportunity to consider any public feedback and provide its formal views to a Panel prior to the final decision being made.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

28. Staff will present the local board views and a Statement of Proposal of proposed changes to the Bylaw and Code to the Regulatory and Community Safety Committee on 3 December 2024.

29. Public consultation on the Proposal is scheduled for early 2025, and deliberations and final Governing Body decision later in 2025.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Draft Statement of Proposal to amend Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2014 and revoke Cemeteries and Crematoria Code 2014	167

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Elizabeth Osborne - Policy Analyst

Authorisers

Louise Mason - General Manager Policy

Lou-Ann Ballantyne - General Manager Governance and Engagement

Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager

Upper Harbour Local Board

21 November 2024

Appointment of delegated local board member to provide feedback on stormwater activities

File No.: CP2024/15737

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To appoint a lead to provide local board views and preferences on council’s stormwater activities that take place over local parks.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Section 17 Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 requires that decision-making for activities that impact beyond a single local board area, and which are beneficial and effective to be managed and coordinated on an Auckland-wide basis must be exercised by the Governing Body. As such, decision-making responsibility for stormwater management and the stormwater network is allocated to the Governing Body.

3. Local boards are responsible for a wide range of non-regulatory activities of the council that are deemed to be local in nature. This includes the use of and activities in local parks and reserves. However, as parks and reserves are crucial to the stormwater network, council’s allocation of non-regulatory responsibilities acknowledges that local board decision-making over parks and reserves may be constrained where decisions relate to council stormwater management activities.

4. Prior to June 2024, staff treated all stormwater management activities on local parks as subject to local board approval. However, as part of the Long-Term Plan, it was clarified that it is not appropriate to require a landowner approval from local boards for activities of the council that are required for the management of stormwater activities. This is because council’s own activities are to be undertake under the authority that already rests with the Governing Body.

5. Although a landowner approval will not be required for the council’s own stormwater activities, Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 requires that the Governing Body (including staff acting under delegation) consider the views and preferences of local boards when making its decisions (section 15 Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009). Therefore, the new process now requires Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience staff to liaise directly with local boards and consider the views and preferences of local boards when making decisions (under delegation from the Governing Body). If a local board wishes to object to any decision made by staff under delegation, they can consider raising an objection with the Governing Body via the Policy and Planning Committee.

6. Staff recommend local boards appoint a lead who can identify and communicate each local board’s views and preferences over stormwater management-related decisions that impact local parks.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) kopou / appoint a lead, and an alternate, for stormwater activities feedback and delegate authority to these members to:

(i) identify and community the local board views and preferences on proposed council stormwater management activities in local parks

(ii) represent the local board at the Policy and Planning Committee, if required, to discuss any objections to proposed council stormwater management activities in local parks.

Horopaki

Context

7. As per their legislative role and council’s allocation of non-regulatory responsibilities (pursuant to section 17 of Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009) (LGACA), local boards are accountable for the range of non-regulatory activities of the council deemed to be ‘local’ in nature.

8. On the other hand, the Governing Body is responsible for decision-making over activities that are ‘regional’ in nature i.e. that extend beyond local board areas, and which are beneficial and effective to be managed and coordinated on an Auckland-wide basis.

9. Staff who manage local parks and reserves have relied on council’s allocation of decision-making responsibilities over local parks to require local board approval (referred to as landowner approval or landowner consents) for most activities that take place over local parks. This means that staff have been treating all stormwater management works that occur on parks, including those that the Governing Body has been allocated decision-making responsibilities for, as being subject to landowner approvals.

10. Although local boards have generally managed to accommodate council’s stormwater management activities in local parks, a recent case where landowner approval was likely to be withheld highlighted a misalignment between council’s agreed allocation of responsibilities and operational process assumptions.

11. Staff have now provided advice to local boards clarifying that activities allocated to the Governing Body, i.e. council’s own stormwater management activities, should not be subject to a landowner approval. They have clarified that the operational processes that facilitated this misunderstanding have been changed.

12. This change does not affect third-party applications for works over local parks that relate to or connect to the stormwater network. Those applications will continue to require landowner approval from local boards.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

13. Auckland Council’s allocation of non-regulatory responsibilities acknowledges that the decision making of local boards in relation to local parks may be constrained when such decisions intersect with council stormwater management activities, including the stormwater network. This provision ensures the Governing Body’s decision-making, and the effectiveness of the stormwater network, are not compromised.

14. A well-functioning stormwater system enhances flood resilience, reduces waterway contamination, and ensures local beaches are safer for swimming. Parks and reserves play a crucial role in this system, acting as flood plains, hosting waterways, and providing essential facilities for the effective functioning of the council’s stormwater network.

15. Decisions relating to the maintenance of the stormwater network have been delegated by the Governing Body to staff in Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience via the Chief Executive (CE).

Process for giving input to stormwater network decisions

16. Local boards have been advised of the new process that will see Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience, instead of Land Advisory, seeking the views of local boards before making decisions (under delegation from the Governing Body) on whether to proceed with any proposed council-led stormwater projects in local parks.

17. The experience of local boards should not differ from the previous process, where consultations occurred over landowner approval applications while final decision-making is exercised by (Land Advisory) staff under delegation from local boards. Figure 1 shows the comparison between the current and updated processes.

Figure 1: Current and updated decision-making processes for stormwater activities on

local parks

Appointment of a lead to provide input to stormwater network decisions

18. To enable the effective and efficient conduct of a local board’s business, LGACA provides that a local board may delegate to a committee, subcommittee, or member of the local board, or to an officer of council, any of its responsibilities, duties, or powers, except for the exceptions listed in clause 36D, schedule 7 of the Act. The responsibilities that cannot be delegated include the duty to identify and communicate the interests and preferences of the people in the local board area in relation to the content of the strategies, policies, plans and bylaws of Auckland Council.

19. The updated process in Figure 1 requires that Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience seek input from local boards. Seeking input from local boards often requires a report and a decision at a business meeting.

20. Appointing a lead to finalise and provide input on stormwater network decisions can enable efficiencies. While it is expected that stormwater projects on local parks may be referred for discussion to a local board workshop and may include site visits, relying on staff to identify the agreed local board view might lead to misunderstandings, especially if different views are expressed in workshops and site visits. Having a single point of contact on the local board who can be accountable for collating, finalising, and communicating the local board view can prevent confusion and avoid unnecessary delays in decision-making.

21. If it were not possible to identify a shared view from the local board, it is open to the lead to refer the matter to the whole local board for a decision (on the local board input). This can be done at an upcoming local board meeting.

Resolving disputes and disagreements over use of local parks

22. In circumstances where the local board does not support use of a local park for a stormwater management activity and Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience, and the local board are unable to agree on reasonable conditions for the use of a local park, Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience staff are encouraged to escalate the matter to the Chief Executive for a decision. This is on the basis that the Chief Executive at an operational level may be best placed to determine issues from an organisation wide perspective and may provide some assurance to the local board that competing perspectives are being carefully balanced.

23. It would also be open to the local board to seek the intervention of the Governing Body, via the Policy and Planning Committee.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

24. This is a procedural decision and is not expected to have any impact on council’s climate commitments.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

25. This report recommends the appointment of a lead to ensure that local board input can be provided in a timely manner enabling the council to undertake its operational and statutory duties efficiently.

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

Local impacts and local board views

26. This report seeks to appoint a local board member to perform a specific function on behalf of the local board. Any local board member who is appointed as a lead should ensure that they represent the wider local board views and preferences on each matter before them.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

27. This procedural decision is not anticipated to have a direct impact on Māori.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

28. A decision of this procedural nature is not considered to have financial implications on Auckland Council.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

29. If a local board chooses not to appoint a lead, staff will need to seek input from the local board at a business meeting. This may require a report which delays input and further risk delays to council projects.

30. Where a local board may feel dissatisfied with a proposed council stormwater project or feel that a project may adversely impact on the wellbeing of its community or other local board areas of decision making, and this cannot be resolved in discussions with Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience, staff are expected to escalate the matter to the Chief Executive. It is also open to local boards to seek intervention from the Governing Body via the relevant committee (Policy and Planning Committee)

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

31. Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience will provide a template to help the appointed lead quickly finalise and communicate the local board’s feedback.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Shirley Coutts - Principal Advisor - Governance Strategy

Authorisers

Lou-Ann Ballantyne - General Manager Governance and Engagement

Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager

Upper Harbour Local Board

21 November 2024

Annual Plan 2025/2026 - Input on Regional Consultation Content

File No.: CP2024/17691

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide input on regional consultation content and local board advocacy for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Annual Plan 2025/2026 contains the proposed budget and funding impact statement for the year, identifies any variations from the financial statements and funding impact statement in the 10-year budget for the relevant year, and provides for integrated decision-making and coordination of the council’s resources. The Governing Body is responsible for adopting the Annual Plan. As part of this process, local boards develop annual local board agreements which are agreed between local boards and the Governing Body (and are included in the Annual Plan).

3. Consultation on the Annual Plan 2025/2026 is planned to take place late February 2025 to late March 2025. These dates are yet to be confirmed and so are subject to change.

4. This report seeks the views of the local board on priority regional topics to be included in the Annual Plan 2025/2026 consultation.

5. The Budget Committee will approve regional items for consultation on 4 December 2024. The regional and local consultation items (adopted in separate report) will then be incorporated into the Annual Plan 2025/2026 consultation document and supporting information, which is also planned to be adopted by the Budget Committee on 19 February 2025.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) whakarite / provide feedback on the draft Mayoral Proposal including potential regional consultation topics and local board advocacy for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.

Horopaki

Context

6. The Annual Plan 2025/2026 contains the proposed budget and funding impact statement for the year, identifies any variations from the financial statements and funding impact statement in the 10-year budget for the relevant year, and provides for integrated decision-making and coordination of the council’s resources. The Governing Body is responsible for adopting the Annual Plan. As part of this process, local boards develop annual local board agreements which are agreed between local boards and the Governing Body (and are included in the Annual Plan).

7. When making decisions, the Governing Body has a statutory obligation to consider the views and preferences of the local boards if the decision affects, or may affect, the responsibilities or operations of the local board or the well-being of communities within its local board area.

8. Public consultation on the Annual Plan 2025/2026 is planned to take place late February 2025 to late March 2025. These dates are yet to be confirmed.

9. Aucklanders will be able to provide feedback during the consultation period through a variety of channels, which include face-to-face (for spoken and New Zealand sign language interaction), written and social media.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

10. At the beginning of this annual plan process, the Mayor and Councillors provided direction to staff including a request for options relating to the following areas:

· Council-controlled organisation reform,

· Planning and paying for growth, and

· Funding major events, destination marketing and visitor attraction.

11. Local board chairs were invited to attend the Budget Committee workshops on the development of the regional topics for consultation. Local board members were provided recordings or briefings of the Budget Committee workshops for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.

12. The draft Mayoral Proposal is scheduled to be released the week of the local boards’ meeting to approve feedback on the Mayoral Proposal including the Annual Plan regional consultation topics. The draft Mayoral Proposal will be tabled to the minutes when it is released. The final Mayoral proposal, which outlines the mayor’s priorities for consultation will be released toward the end of November after local boards have presented their feedback to the Budget Committee.

13. The local board is asked to provide feedback on the draft Mayoral Proposal for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 consultation. The feedback from the local boards will be collated and provided to the Budget Committee to consider when making decisions, including agreeing regional items for consultation on 4 December 2024.

14. Staff are also proposing to consult on the following changes to targeted rates and fees and charges:

· changes to waste management targeted rates to reflect updated budget forecasts including a 3 per cent increase to the overall waste management targeted rate for a typical household

· the introduction of the refuse targeted rate to the former Rodney and Franklin districts in conjunction with the rollout of rates funded refuse to these areas

· possible changes to some Business Improvement District (BID) targeted rates (noting that relevant boards have received advice and will provide a formal recommendation in May 2025 on whether the Governing Body should set each rate depending on ballot results and compliance)

· changes to some animal management fees including an increase in the dog adoption fee from $350 to $450 and an increase vet fee from $75 to $150

· changes to some cemetery fees

· changes to other fees and charges that are over and above inflationary adjustments including:

o changing deposit levels for some regulatory services to better reflect actual final charges,

o realigning bach fees into pricing tiers based on occupancy levels, capacity and location and

o aligning staff charge out rates with staff pay bands for services in regional parks.

15. More information on proposed targeted rates and fees and charges can be found in the ‘Proposed changes to targeted rates and fees and charges for Annual Plan 2025/2026’ memorandum as Attachment A to this report.

16. Local boards may also have advocacy items they want to advocate for to the Governing Body.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

17. The decision to consult is procedural in nature. These decisions are unlikely to result in any identifiable changes to greenhouse gas emissions. The effects of climate change will not impact the decisions.

18. Some of the proposed initiatives or projects included in the consultation content may have climate change impacts. The impacts of any initiatives or projects Auckland Council chooses to progress as a result of this consultation will be assessed as part of the relevant reporting requirements.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

19. The Annual Plan 2025/2026 is an Auckland Council group document and will include budgets at a consolidated group level.

20. Consultation items and updates to budgets to reflect decisions and new information may include items from across the group. This will be reflected in the report on regional consultation items going the Budget Committee on 4 December 2024.

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

Local impacts and local board views

21. Local board chairs have been invited to be involved in the development of the regional topics for consultation by attending Budget Committee workshops. Local board members were provided recordings or briefings of the Budget Committee workshops for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.

22. Local boards will have further opportunities to provide information and views as the council progresses through the Annual Plan 2025/2026 process.

23. Aucklanders will have the opportunity to give feedback on regional and local proposals through the public consultation on the Annual Plan 2025/2026. All feedback received from submitters that indicate that they reside in the local board area will be analysed by staff and made available for consideration by the local board.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

24. The approach to Māori engagement for Annual Plan 2025/2026 will be finalised once consultation topics are confirmed, including development of bespoke materials.

25. There is a need to continue to build local board relationships with iwi and the wider Māori community. Ongoing conversations will assist the local board and Māori to understand each other’s priorities and challenges.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

26. The local board provides input to regional plans and proposals. There will be information in the council’s consultation material for each plan or proposal with the financial implications of each option outlined for consideration.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

27. Under the Local Government Act 2002, the consultation document for the Annual Plan must be audited. The draft consultation document (including local consultation content) will be prepared by staff and audited in December 2024 and January 2025 ahead of adoption by the Budget Committee in mid-February 2025.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

28. The Budget Committee will agree items for consultation and approve the consultation approach for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 on 4 December 2024.

29. Following the decisions on consultation content, staff will prepare the consultation document and supporting information for the Annual Plan 2025/2026. These will be adopted by the Budget Committee on 19 February 2025.

30. Following consultation, the Governing Body and the local board will make decisions on the Annual Plan 2025/2026 and local board agreements respectively in June 2025.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Proposed changes to targeted rates and fees and charges for Annual Plan 2025/2026’ memorandum	203
b ⇩	Draft Mayoral Proposal for consultation on the Annual Plan 2025/2026 (To Be Tabled)	209

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Phoebe Peguero - Senior Advisor Operations and Policy

Authorisers

Lou-Ann Ballantyne - General Manager Governance and Engagement

Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager

[1] For example, the Burial and Cremation Act 1964, Cremation Regulations 1973 and Burial and Cremation (Removal of Monuments and Tablets) Regulations 1967.

[2] Local boards have delegated authority for council cemeteries that are inactive (function as local parks; no longer in regular use) and active (on Aotea Great Barrier Island). Only 17 local boards have council cemeteries in their area (not Albert-Eden, Henderson-Massey, Manurewa or Ōrākei).

[3] Committee with an advisory role for Te Urupā o Waikumete in partnership with council.

Chairperson	Anna Atkinson
Deputy Chairperson	Uzra Casuri Balouch, JP
Members	Callum Blair	Kyle Parker
	John Mclean	Sylvia Yang

Author	Max Wilde - Democracy Advisor (Upper Harbour Local Board)
Authorisers	Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager