Time running out to have say on NRC's new 10-year plan

Time running out to have say
on NRC’s new 10-year plan
Time is running out for people to have their say on a Long
Term Plan designed to meet new central government
requirements, boost regional resilience and realise the
North’s collective potential in changing times.

A series of ‘Have Your Say’ events around the region finished
in Kaitaia at the weekend (subs: Saturday 27 March) after
earlier visits to Whangārei, Kerikeri, Otiria, Waipū and
Dargaville last week.

The Have Your Say events – the public’s chance to talk to
councillors and staff and provide feedback in person – are
part of an official month-long consultation period that will
end Friday 16 April.

The regional council says while people would prefer not to
face rates rises, most supported the rationale behind its
proposed $71 annual rise in the average regional rates bill
over the next year.

As proposed, the roughly $1.36 per week the regional council’s
newly-released proposals for its Long Term Plan (LTP)
2021-2031 would add to the average ratepayer’s rates bill from
July reflects a delicate balancing act.

Factors considered include new requirements passed to local
authorities by central government, making the most of central
government funding opportunities, attempting to meet wider
community aspirations by Northlanders and importantly,
carefully weighing people‘s ability to pay.

The council has produced a ‘Consultation Document’ outlining
the main projects it’s considering – and how they might be
funded – as the basis for public feedback.

Councillors collectively believe the 19.8 percent rates rise
is necessary for Northland to stay strong and continue growing
in what is an uncertain climate, but want to hear what the
community thinks before making their final decision.

For the first year of the 10-year plan the council’s proposing
around $6.2M of new work spread across three ‘activity
groupings’ – natural environment, community resilience and
regional leadership.    Further information about the LTP is
available online from www.nrc.govt.nz/futureplan

                         Source: NRC

New coastal hazard maps due
for release mid-April
The pending release of new coastal hazard maps for Te
Taitokerau is part of a growing, shared momentum from
Northland’s councils to help their communities prepare for –
and adapt to – climate change.

Chair of the council’s Climate Change Working Party Amy
Macdonald says the latest suite of maps showing areas at risk
of coastal erosion and coastal flooding are due to be released
mid-April.

Based on new aerial survey data and updated 50 and 100-year
projections, the maps will be used to inform decision-making
to minimise the risks of coastal hazards.

“As an example, Northland’s three district councils are
required to use them to manage where and how development
occurs.”

Councillor Macdonald says coastal hazard mapping is not a new
thing and the regional council has been providing information
on coastal hazards for more than 30 years.

However, in more recent years, all four Northland councils
have been working closely on climate change and in 2018 had
established a shared staff working group to work on a
collaborative approach to climate change adaptation across the
region.

Councillors and hapū/iwi representatives from the four
councils are also meeting as part of a new joint committee
formed this year to work together on climate adaptation.

“It’s no understatement to say that climate change is the
single largest environmental challenge of our time,” Cr
Macdonald says

“How we prepare for it now will greatly influence the future
shape of Northland in many ways; these maps help us all
understand the coming changes and will provide a catalyst for
important conversations about Northland’s future.”

Councillor Macdonald says working with district councils,
tangata whenua and affected communities is crucial to ensuring
we’re collectively better prepared for climate change

To that end, all four of Northland’s councils are consulting
on climate change related proposals as part of their 10-year
Long Term Plans (LTP).

“These LTP proposals are largely centred around supporting
community and iwi/hapū adaptation planning, plus reducing
emissions from the councils and the services they
provide.” (Subs: WDC and KDC’s LTP submission period ends 01
April; FNDC’s 06 April and NRC’s 16 April.)

Councillor Macdonald says Northland is not alone in facing up
to the climate-related challenge our shared future will

involve.

“Councils all over the nation are grappling with how best to
support and prepare their communities as climate change
effects increase over time; this includes coastal hazards,
flood, drought, and permanent inundation from sea level rise.”

She says the NRC will be releasing draft maps in mid-April and
contacting those in mapped areas, to make sure people know
what the mapping is about and what it might mean for them,
prior to finalising the maps in a couple of months’ time.

More information on coastal hazards in Te Taitokerau can be
found on the regional council’s website, and the updated
mapping     is   expected     to   be    available     from
mid-April:www.nrc.govt.nz/coastalhazards

                         Source: NRC

Public urged to have say on
transport blueprint
Northlanders are being urged to attend upcoming public drop in
‘have your say’ sessions to make their views known to those
planning the blueprints addressing some of the region’s most
pressing transport issues.

The Northland Regional Transport Committee will next
month (subs: March 2021) hold a series of drop in sessions on
both the Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027 (RLTP)
and the Draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031(RPTP)
as part of a public consultation process.

Regional council member Rick Stolwerk, who chairs the Regional

Transport Committee, says the upcoming public meeting schedule
is:

     Whangārei: Mon 08 March, Northland Regional Council
     chambers (9am-11am)
     Dargaville: Mon 08 March, Dargaville Town Hall (3pm–5pm)
     Opononi: Tue 09 March, Opononi War Memorial Hall
     (10am–noon)
     Kaikohe: Tue 09 March, Far North District Council
     chambers (3pm–5pm)
     Mangawhai: Thurs 11 March, Domain Hall (11.30am–1.30pm)
     Kaitāia: Fri 12 March, Te Ahu Centre (10am–noon)
     Kerikeri: Fri 12 March, Kingston House (3pm-5pm)

Councillor Stolwerk says regardless of where they live in the
region, every Northlander has a vested interest in securing
the best ‘fit for purpose’ transport system Te Taitokerau can
afford.

“We’re hoping as many people as possible will make the effort
to come along to at least one of the drop-in sessions and
share their thoughts.”

He says while local bodies are constantly asking the public
for its views on a wide range of matters, that input is
especially important in this case as the RLTP – produced every
six years – will serve as a blueprint for tens of millions of
dollars spending on the region’s roading infrastructure over
the next three years in particular.

“Like its predecessors, the plan will attempt to address a
raft of issues including critical matters like regional route
resilience and security, but this time we’re facing some
additional challenges thrown up by Covid-19 which has added an
extra layer of complexity to our longer term planning and the
time it will take to deliver some work.”

Councillor Stolwerk says the draft plan proposes priorities
for major works projects and spending and specifically asks

for the public’s views on those proposed priorities. Among
the opportunities to capitalise on regionally agreed
priorities provided by the region’s transport network are:

     Reducing transport related deaths and serious injuries
     by investing in road infrastructure
     Regional and national connectivity, including four-
     laning of SH1 from Whangārei to Auckland and investing
     in roading, footpaths and cycleway to improve
     connections in urban areas
     Route resilience and route security
     Economic and tourism development
     Reducing the environmental effects of the transport
     network
     Provide people with better transport options and
     considering the needs of the transport disadvantaged
     Future proofing and long-term planning

Councillor Stolwerk says in common with most other regions, a
lack of funding continues to be the biggest issue facing
Northland’s land transport.

Currently funding sources include central government via
things like fuel excise tax, road user charges, vehicle and
driver registration and licensing and ‘local share’ from
Northland’s local authorities, mainly via rates and developer
contributions.

“This draft plan represents a huge effort by people from a
variety of local authority, government and other agencies to
get the best outcomes from the money available.”

He says while Covid-19 has affected the availability of
funding for land transport initiatives, Northland and central
government will continue to strive for the strategic goals set
in the Government Policy Statement and the Draft RPTP.

“In doing this, we need to be pragmatic and recognise that
funding availability may mean the objectives of this plan may

not be met as quickly as they otherwise would have been.”

Meanwhile, Cr Stolwerk says the second plan released for
consultation – the Draft RPTP – sets out how public passenger
transport services and assistance for the transport
disadvantaged will be provided for over the next decade.

“Once again cost is a big issue for us and one of the biggest
challenges is always how to continue to grow patronage
while maintaining the affordability and quality of these
services.”

Councillor Stolwerk says there are four key projects in the
Proposed RPTP which all require significant investment in
order to grow to meet the demands and expectations of the
community.

They are:

     A Whangarei District Council-led upgrade of the city’s
     Rose Street bus terminus; More room is needed for any
     future increase in the number of peak-time vehicles, as
     well as more modern seating, weather protection and
     pedestrian access for passengers from other parts of the
     Central Business District.
     Whangārei bus lane trial; the Whangarei District Council
     is to trial bus lanes where possible within the current
     footprint of the roading network. (The intent is that
     buses that visibly have an advantage in time over other
     vehicles will become more attractive to use.)
     Subject to the provision of these bus lanes, CityLink
     Whangārei will increase the frequency of the service;
     the bus service requires additional investment to make
     improvements to meet public expectations and also
     encourage a shift from private cars to public transport.
     Regional rural services; the NRC is committed to
     retaining the current network of contracted passenger
     services, but given the distance between settlements, it

can be difficult to initiate and retain services.

Councillor Stolwerk says challenges to be overcome with
regional rural services include long distances travelled, low
passenger numbers, retaining an affordable fare level and
securing local and national funding assistance.

“Again, council will continue to make every effort to improve
existing rural services as demand dictates and with continued
funding assistance from local and central government.”

Details on the public consultation – including the two draft
plans – is available from the regional council’s website
at www.nrc.govt.nz/transportplan

Consultation on both draft plans runs from Wednesday 24
February until Friday 26 March 2021.

                         Source: NRC

2021 Environmental Champions
Sought – NRC
The public is once again being asked to put names forward for
the Northland Regional Council’s annual ‘Whakamᾱnawa ᾱ Taiao –
Environmental Awards’, with a new category this year
recognising ‘action in climate change’.

The awards began three years ago as a way of recognising the
thousands of people working to improve the north’s
environment, many toiling away quietly behind the scenes. A
six-week nomination period officially opens today (subs:
Monday 22 Feb) and runs until early April.

Regional council Chair Penny Smart says the awards were
conceived as the NRC’s way of publicly thanking those who
worked with councillors and staff in their shared mission to
create a healthy environment, strong economy and resilient
communities.

“We’ve made no secret of the fact that we simply couldn’t do
what we do without their efforts; we think what they’re doing
is incredible and it deserves celebrating.”

The 2021 awards are designed to recognise and celebrate
kaitiakitanga in action and highlight the commitment and
remarkable contributions so many people from all walks of life
are making to help the region’s environment thrive.

Examples include efforts to get rid of pests so our native
species can flourish, clearing weeds, planting erosion-prone
land, stream banks and wetlands, and sustainability projects
in schools.

Last year the council received 28 applications, with two
decades of tireless work to restore Rākaumangamanga (Cape
Brett) securing the two small hapū involved – Patukeha and
Ngāti Kuta – both the ‘Te Tohu Matua – Supreme Award’ and the
‘Kaitiakitanga Award’.

This year’s awards cover eight categories: community, pest
management, education, water quality improvement, industry,
leadership, kaitiakitanga and climate change.

The last is a new category for 2021, recognising action taken
to adapt to our changing climate or transition to a low-carbon
future for Te Taitokerau.

The council says there’s a huge body of work that could
potentially fall into the climate change category, however,
just a few examples include:

     finding   innovative   ways   to   reduce   greenhouse   gas

emissions
     mitigating coastal erosion
     improving drought resilience and water management
     protecting habitats from the effects of climate change.

Entrants for the wider awards are welcome from all sectors
including individuals, community groups, schools, whānau,
hapū, iwi, businesses and leaders. Projects, activities and
contributions must be located within Northland and demonstrate
significant benefit to the region’s environment.

Entries      and      nominations        can       be    made
via   www.nrc.govt.nz/environmentalawards      and  further
information is available by emailing the council’s Marketing
and Engagement Teamevents@nrc.govt.nz or calling freephone
(0800) 002 004.

It’s free to enter and people can nominate themselves or
others who have agreed to put their names forward. Entries
close at 5pm on Tuesday 6 April, 2021.

Finalists will receive a certificate and tickets to an
official awards ceremony function in Kerikeri on Thursday 27
May, and inclusion in the awards and associated
communications.

“Award winners in each category will receive a $1000 cash
prize and trophy and Te Tohu Matua – The Supreme Award winner
will receive an additional trophy they can hold for one year.”

                         Source: NRC

Public help wanted to find
suspected Lake Taharoa koi
Authorities are appealing for sightings of a koi carp – an
unwanted freshwater pest fish – after a young kayaker
reportedly saw one while out on Lake Taharoa, the largest of
Northland’s environmentally precious Kai Iwi Lakes group.

Quick thinking by the 10-year-old boy’s parents – who
immediately reported the sighting to the Department of
Conservation (DOC) – may have given officials their best
chance to capture the fish and determine its sex and
reproductive status, a key concern as a fertile female could
be disastrous for the deep 197-hectare dune lake.

Northland Regional Council (NRC) Chair Penny Smart says based
on the 10-year-old’s description of the mystery freshwater
fish – and its behaviour – it appeared it could indeed be a
koi.

A multi-agency team responding to the incident was taking the
matter very seriously and was grateful to the boy and his
family for their prompt action in reporting the incident.
(Team members include representatives from Te Roroa, DOC,
Northland Fish & Game, the NRC, its Kaipara District
counterpart and the Taharoa Domain Governance Committee.)

Koi are already known to be in at least three of Northland’s
major river systems and in many farm dams but would be
disastrous in the ecological and culturally important jewel
that was Lake Taharoa, the largest of the three Kai Iwi Lakes,
north of Dargaville.

“Koi can cause devastating environmental damage and are very
difficult to get rid of once they are established, with a
mature female able to produce more than 300,000 eggs in a
single spawning season.”

Curtis Harris, Biosecurity Incursion Management Officer for
the NRC, says drones, environmental DNA detection, and
purpose-designed koi nets are among tools responders plan to
use in what is likely to be a time-consuming and expensive
hunt to locate the mystery fish.

Koi are an ornamental strain of common carp, and vary greatly
in colour, often including blotches of black, red, orange,
gold or white.     They can grow up to approximately 70
centimetres long and have whisker-like feelers at the corners
of their mouth.

At this stage how the fish came to be in the 197 hectare
Taharoa – at 37 metres the deepest dune lake in Northland – is
not clear; possibilities include an accidental transfer of
pest fish eggs or fry via a boat trailer or equipment or a
deliberate illegal release.

Assuming the mystery fish is a koi, Mr Harris says officials
are pinning their hopes on it either being a solitary male or
an infertile female so there’s no risk of it breeding.

“We’re very keen to catch the fish to determine its gender and
reproductive status and urge people to contact us immediately
on (0800) 002 004 if they’ve seen koi in Lake Taharoa or have
any information related to this sighting.”         He says
photographs or video footage of any sightings would be even
more helpful.

Lake Taharoa is home to rare native plants and freshwater
fish, as well as being culturally significant for Māori and a
treasured holiday spot for generations of campers.        (The
domain and popular camping ground are managed by KDC on behalf
of the domain committee.)

Northland’s dune lakes are one of the few remaining habitats
for rare freshwater fish, such as the dune lake galaxias and
dwarf inanga, rare birds, eels, freshwater kewai (crayfish),
and rare submerged aquatic plants.

Lake Taharoa in particular is hugely significant to local iwi
and hapū for its historical values and as a mahinga kai (food-
gathering place).

Mr Harris says koi are a problem because essentially, they
feed like a ‘living vacuum cleaner’, sucking up everything
from plants and organic matter to fish eggs and small fish.

“They blow out what they don’t want and this constantly stirs
up the bottom of a waterway, muddying the water and reducing
light levels.”

“This in turn negatively affects plant life, native fish and
invertebrates, and creates unpleasant swimming conditions and
bluntly, would be an absolute disaster in Taharoa, where
submerged vegetation currently grows as deep as 24 metres in
its clear water.”

Globally, koi have become a pest fish on every continent
except Antarctica and are legally classed as an unwanted
organism and a noxious species in this country.

They’re thought to have been accidentally imported into New
Zealand in the 1960s as part of a goldfish consignment and
were later illegally released on a larger scale.

Mr Harris says under the Biosecurity Act 1993 it’s illegal to
breed, transport or spread koi carp anywhere in New Zealand
and people caught doing so could be liable for fines of up to
$100,000 and/or up to five years’ jail.

Both Chair Smart and Mr Harris say the koi sighting
illustrates just how important it is to ensure all equipment
is checked, cleaned and dried before taking any craft and
equipment into the Taharoa Domain, or any of Northland’s many
other lakes.

“Similarly, it is not okay to dump any type of fish in our
waterways, as they will often negatively disrupt the native

ecosystem.”

“Releasing koi carp could cause irreversible damage and we
don’t want to end up in a position where something precious is
irreparably lost,” says Chair Smart.

The illegal release of koi into the Waikato River in the 1980s
had had extremely damaging consequences.

The population of koi had subsequently exploded to the point
where they alone reportedly now account for 80 percent of the
total biomass in the lower Waikato River catchment.

Anyone in Northland who wants to report a koi sighting or any
other pest fish is asked to contact the regional council’s
biosecurity team on (0800) 002 004.

Further   information   on   pest   fish   can   be   found   online
at www.nrc.govt.nz/pestcontrolhub

                         Source: NRC

Govt decision to remove Māori
seat poll option welcomed
Northland Regional Council (NRC) Chair Penny Smart has
welcomed news central government will remove an ‘outdated,
unfair’ law that allows referendums to overturn councils’
plans to establish dedicated Māori seats.

Currently five per cent of electors can petition for a binding
referendum on plans by local authorities to establish Māori
seats but Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced
this week (Subs; Mon 01 Feb) the law will be scrapped in time

for the local body elections next year.

The NRC had twice late last year written to government asking
for the government to remove an ‘unfair anomaly’ that allowed
just 5% of electors (in NRC’s case about 6000 people) to call
for a poll and urging it to address the situation promptly.

News the council can now proceed with its plans to introduce a
Māori seat/s in the 2022 election without the threat of a
costly and time-consuming poll driven by opponents of the move
has been ‘very warmly received’ by council collectively.

The central government decision means the only way dedicated
Māori seats would not happen in Northland now would be if the
council itself reversed its decision, something Chair Smart
says is ‘highly unlikely’.

The NRC and its Whangarei and Kaipara District Councils
counterparts all plan to introduce the seats at the next local
government elections.

Chair Smart says given more than a third of Northland’s
population is Māori, the proposed law change will enable the
council to strengthen the existing Māori/council partnership.

“As I’ve said previously, a move to dedicated Māori seats will
enable council to better reflect Māori values, issues,
priorities and aspirations as they relate to council roles and
functions and help us better reflect the needs and aspirations
of our entire community.”

“This supports council’s commitment to work in partnership
with Māori in a way that honours the principles of the Treaty
of Waitangi and reflects the people of Northland, working
together for a thriving region.”

“For Māori, it enables a way to be part of important decision
making at the council table.”

The council reiterated Māori elected to a designated Māori

seat or seats will sign the same oath as other councillors.

“At the decision table they will represent and make decisions
for the good of all Northlanders, not just tangata whenua.
All councillors – non Māori and Māori alike – are elected to
make democratic decisions using robust, well-considered
information.”

“This means as elected representatives we must all come to the
decision table with no pre-determination, willing to listen,
contribute to good debate and then support the outcome of the
vote,” Chair Smart says.

While councillors did not wish to comment in detail on efforts
by some to force a poll on the NRC’s plans, collectively they
are pleased a poll would no longer happen and the ‘outdated
and unfair’ law that allowed for it would be changed.

(The   polls   are   a   simple   ‘yes’   or   ‘no’   vote   with   no
consultation and in the case of Māori representation, a poll
would have been legally binding, which meant the council would
effectively not be able to revisit the issue of Māori
representation for six years.)

Councillors say Minister Mahuta’s announcement means they can
now continue to focus on the myriad of other important
decisions we have to make day-in and day-out as part of their
roles.

With the Minister’s announcement, the NRC will now need to
develop an ‘Initial Representation Proposal’ setting out the
proposed new constituencies, names and boundaries by the end
of August this year.

This would be followed by a period of formal consultation,
including the opportunity for public submissions. There would
then be a further objections/appeals period before a final
determination would be made by the Local Government Commission
by early April in 2022. (That determination would then apply

to both the October 2022 and 2025 Northland Regional Council
elections.)

                         Source: NRC

$3000    Scholarships     for
tertiary education, research
Eight $3000 scholarships are being offered to support students
studying or training in areas aligned to work the Northland
Regional Council does in the environmental, economic or
community resilience fields.

Council chair Penny Smart says nominations for the
council’s ‘Tū i te ora Scholarship’ will open on Monday 14
December and run until Sunday 14 February next year.

Worth $3000 each, the annual scholarships were offered for the
first time last year to recognise and support students whose
efforts reflect the regional council’s key drivers and its
mission of ‘working together to create a healthy environment,
strong economy and resilient communities’.

They also aim to build Māori capacity within Te Taitokerau and
provide opportunities for further education, with four of the
eight scholarships available earmarked for Māori who whakapapa
to Te Taitokerau.

Chair Smart says while four scholarships had been offered in
2019, that had doubled to eight this year, a one-off boost
made possible by redirecting unspent money from other awards.

Community outcomes the council is trying to achieve through
the scholarships include;

Continuous improvement in water quality and security of
        supply
        Enhancement of indigenous biodiversity and biosecurity
        A strong regional economy
        Safe and resilient communities
        Enduring relationships with tangata whenua
        Efficient and effective land transport policies

“The benefits of the scholarships themselves are quite broad
and include raising students’ environmental awareness and
understanding, encouraging Mātauranga Māori research and
education, as well as promoting leadership and innovation.”

“They    also   hopefully   provide   a   springboard   for   future
environmental leaders and champions in Northland and encourage
people into careers related to council activities.”

Councillors say the awards can also help provide financial
support to students experiencing financial hardship and
difficulties.

Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents
who live in Northland (or have family that does) or who
whakapapa to Te Taitokerau.

They must also be enrolled (or have an intention to enrol) in
a recognised tertiary course of study that directly relates to
activities that council delivers and be studying at an
undergraduate or higher qualification level.

Full eligibility criteria and application forms are available
from www.nrc.govt.nz/scholarship all applications/supporting
documentation need to be with council by Sunday 14 February
2021.

Once the nomination period closes in mid-February, a selection
panel from the council’s Community Engagement, Environmental
Services and Māori Engagement teams will review them.

Source: NRC

Regional council Christmas-
New Year office hours –
2020/21
The Northland Regional Council’s Dargaville, Kaitāia, Ōpua,
Waipapa and Whangārei offices will all be closed to the public
from the afternoon of Thursday 24 December until the morning
of Tuesday 05 January for the Christmas-New Year break.

Customer Services Manager Sue Brookes says while the council’s
man office in Water St Whangārei would remain open to the
public until 2pm on 24 December, all regional offices would
close to the public two hours earlier at noon that day.

“Our Dargaville, Waipapa and Water St offices will all re-open
at 8am on 05 January, but our Kaitaia office – which operates
to slightly different hours – will officially reopen at 8.30am
that day.”

Ms Brookes says while the NRC’s Ōpua Regional Operation Centre
will technically also reopen on 05 January, in reality it may
not be physically staffed for much of January while the
maritime team based there is out on the water.

Meanwhile, she says environmental or maritime incidents can be
reported to the council’s 24/7 Environmental Hotline (0800)
504 639 during the Christmas/New Year break.

“Maritime, environmental response, Civil Defence and
hydrological staff will remain on-call and our annual summer
swimming water quality monitoring programme will continue.”

Councillors, management and staff wish Northlanders and
visitors a merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

                         Source: NRC

Māori seats explained
Northland Regional Council (NRC) Chair Penny Smart is keen to
set the record straight on the role those elected to the local
body via dedicated Māori seats will play.

Councillors last month (subs: October) agreed to formally
introduce Māori seats from the 2022 local body elections
guaranteeing Māori a voice around the council table in a move
seen as an important expression of the NRC’s commitment to
tāngata whenua.

The move will bring the council into line with the approach
being taken both by central government and an increasing
number of other local bodies around New Zealand, including
currently three of Northland’s four councils.

Chair Smart says given more than a third of Northland’s
population is Māori, the proposed change – which had received
considerable media and public attention – will only strengthen
the existing Māori/council partnership.

“It will also support and enable council to better reflect
Māori values, issues, priorities and aspirations as they
relate to council roles and functions and help us better
reflect the needs and aspirations of our entire community.”

However, Chair Smart says there appears to be confusion in
some quarters as to the role those elected via Māori
constituencies would have.

“Councillors are elected to represent all Northlanders. Once
elected councillors sign an oath to represent all Northlanders
and this is reflected in council’s vision ‘Northland Together
We Thrive – Ko Te Taitokerau, Ka whai hua tātou’.

“Maori elected to designated Maori seats will sign the same
oath as other councillors; at the decision table they will
represent and make decisions for the good of all Northlanders,
not just tangata whenua.”

“Similarly, all councillors are elected by constituents to
make democratic decisions using robust, well-considered
information.”

“This means as elected representatives we must all come to the
decision table with no pre-determination, willing to listen,
contribute to good debate and then support the outcome of the
vote.”

Chair Smart says from time-to-time individual councillors will
find themselves at odds with a position or decisions the
council eventually collectively adopts.

“That’s simply the democratic process at work, however, it’s
worth reiterating that once decisions have been made
councillors have a duty to support them as part of their
collective responsibility.”

She says councillors make many important decisions day-in and
day-out as part of their roles. “Councillors have a duty to
seek all the facts, listen to all the debate, and then
collectively make the decision they feel is best for the
region as a whole.”

Legally five percent of electors (just over 6000 people) have
the right to demand a poll on the regional council’s intention
to create Māori constituencies.

Chair Smart says while a demand for a poll is currently being

sought by some in the community, there is an important
difference between community consultation and a poll.

“The two are not the same thing. Polls are a simple ‘yes’ or
‘no’ vote with no consultation and in the case of Māori
representation, a poll is binding, which means that council
has to abide by the result for the next two electoral cycles
(six years).”

Polls were not cheap and if required, would cost ratepayers
about $240,000.

When that was added to the roughly $80,000 it would cost for a
byelection to replace former Whangarei-based councillor John
Bain – who resigned in protest over the Māori representation
issue – the combined total was equivalent to a one percent
rates increase.

As far as meeting the salaries of those elected to represent
Maori constituencies, Chair Smart says remuneration for
councillors comes from a fixed pool of money independently
decided upon by central government’s Remuneration Authority.

“Regardless of the number of councillors the total pool amount
does not change, meaning that there would be no extra
remuneration expense to ratepayers if Maori constituency seats
are established.”    (The NRC currently has nine councillor
positions, but if the number of councillors goes up as a
result of Maori seats, all councillors will be paid less.)

Lastly, Chair Smart says regardless of which electoral roll a
person is on they are only able to cast one vote at local body
election time.

“If Māori are enrolled and vote on the Māori roll, they cannot
also enrol and vote via the general roll. One person equals
one vote.”

Chair Smart says setting up Māori constituencies would also

require a review of the council’s overall representation
arrangements, which covers the number of councillors overall,
existing constituency names and boundaries.

If opponents of the move were unable to secure the roughly
6000 signatures required from Northland’s 120,500 electors to
force a poll, the council would then develop an Initial
Representation Proposal setting out the proposed new
constituencies, names and boundaries by 31 August 2021.

“This would be followed by a period of formal consultation,
including the opportunity for public submissions.”

There would be a further objections/appeals period before a
final determination would be made by the Local Government
Commission by early April in 2022.

That determination would then apply to both the October 2022
and 2025 Northland Regional Council elections.

                         Source: NRC

Rick Stolwerk interim chair
of    Regional    Transport
Committee
Northland Regional Council (NRC) member Rick Stolwerk has been
appointed interim chair of the Northland Regional Transport
Committee.

Councillor Stolwerk, a second-term councillor who represents
the NRC’s sprawling Whangarei South constituency, temporarily
replaces former long-time committee chair John Bain, who

resigned from regional council recently.

The former councillor also held a number of other governance
roles and while a byelection process for his vacant Whangarei
Urban constituency seats is underway, it will be late February
or early March next year before a new councillor is sworn in.

Council Chair Penny Smart says given that, a number of
interim appointments had been made today (subs: Tues 17
November) to cover the former councillor’s various portfolios
and positions.

She also expressed once again councillors’ collective
appreciation – both personally and on behalf of the wider
community – for John Bain’s many years of public service on
the NRC.

“John brought considerable experience to the council table –
both as a local body representative of many years, but also as
someone with   a   long    history   of   strong   public   service
generally.”

Chair Smart says she appreciates the willingness of her
colleagues to assume the extra collective responsibilities the
resignation had created.

“I’d especially like to acknowledge Cr Stolwerk (already a
Regional Transport Committee member) who has now assumed one
of the most critical vacant roles as its Chair, as well as
joining the Audit and Risk Subcommittee.”

Council’s Deputy Chair Justin Blaikie has also assumed several
new roles, including as second council representative on the
transport committee.

Other interim roles filled include:

     Councillor Stolwerk as Chair of the Whangarei District
     Council/Northland Regional Council – Whangārei Public
     Transport Working Party

Councillor Blaikie as the third council member of
     Whangārei Public Transport Working Party
     Councillor Blaikie has also been appointed Chair of the
     Regional Economic Development Service Delivery Working
     Party
     Councillor Smart as Chair of the Kaihū River Working
     Group
     Councillor Jack Craw also becomes a full member of the
     Investment and Property Subcommittee.

Chair Smart says all the temporary appointments made today
will be reviewed after the swearing in of the new Whangārei
Urban Constituency councillor.

“This will ensure the collective skillsets of the new council
in place after the byelection are utilised as sensibly and
efficiently as possible.”

                         Source: NRC