Agenda of Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting

Terms of reference - Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group

Membership

Co-chairs	Two members to be appointed as co-chairs. Council nomination; and Darlene Dinsdale – Mokopuna o Tia me Hei, Co-chair representative of iwi/hapū
Tauranga City Council representatives (2)	Cr Hautapu Baker Cr Steve Morris Alternate: Cr Hēmi Rolleston
Western Bay of Plenty District Council representatives (2)	Mayor James Denyer Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour
Iwi/ hapū representatives (4)	Darlene Dinsdale – Mokopuna o Tia me Hei Manu Pene - Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketu (Te Hononga) Maru Tapsell – Te Kapu o Waitaha Helen Biel – Tapuika Iwi Authority
Iwi/hapū representatives (alternates)	Tapuika Iwi Authority Te Kapu o Waitaha Mokopuna o Tia me Hei Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketu (Te Hononga)
Bay of Plenty Regional Council representative (non-voting)	Consents Manager.
Quorum	Two representatives from the consent holders and two representatives from iwi/hapu, including one of the Co‑chairs. However, where a major decision is required, the quorum will be one representative from each entity. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council representative is not counted towards quorum.
Decision-making	By consensus where possible. If consensus cannot be reached, by majority vote. If there is an equal number of votes, the Co-chair who is chairing the meeting has a casting vote.
Meeting frequency	Four times a year or as required by the group. Meetings to alternate between week and weekend days if possible.
Meeting venue	To alternate between marae and council venues; or as appropriate to a meeting agenda and agreed by the Co‑chairs.

Advisory staff

Tauranga City Council

Chief Executive

General Manager: Infrastructure

Director: City Waters

Manager: Water Services

Manager: Water Infrastructure Outcomes

Manager: Strategic Māori Engagement

Western Bay of Plenty District Council

Chief Executive

Group Manager: Engineering

Utilities Manager

Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Compliance Officer with responsibility for Resource Consent #65637

Ko te wai te ora o ngā mea katoa

Background

· The Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group (WKAG) was established by consent conditions to provide advice to Tauranga City Council (TCC) and Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC) as the joint consent holders in relation to matters covered under Resource Consent #65637, which authorises the take and use of water from the Waiāri Stream for municipal supply.

· Resource Consent #65637 was granted in 2010; since then there has been significant consolidation of iwi interests in the region.

· Te Kapu o Waitaha (2013) and Tapuika Iwi Authority (2014) have signed historic Treaty Settlements and Te Runanga o Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketu (Te Hononga) are still in negotiations.

· Tauranga City Council has active protocol agreements with Waitaha, Tapuika and Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketu including addendums that set out items and areas of significance to each entity.

· The treaty settlements, protocols, addendums and any subsequent plans submitted by Waitaha, Tapuika and Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketu shall be considered as background and context to the operations of the WKAG.

· Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority was established by the Tapuika Claims Settlement Act 2014 for the purpose of restoration, protection and enhancement of the environmental, cultural and spiritual health and wellbeing of the geographical area of the Kaituna River Catchment. It is a permanent joint committee under the Local Government Act 2002 and co-governance partnership between local authorities and iwi that share an interest in the Kaituna River. Recommendations will be made to Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority where required.

Role

· To exercise kaitiakitanga in relation to the Waiāri Stream to restore, protect and enhance the awa.

· To provide advice and recommendations to Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, as the joint consent holders, in relation to matters covered under Resource Consent #65637 which authorises the taking of water from the Waiāri Stream for municipal supply.

Scope

· Provide advice and recommendations to the consent holders relating to projects, action or research designed to restore, protect or enhance the health and well-being of the Waiāri Stream.

· Consider the monitoring requirements and outcomes under conditions 7.1 and 7.2 of the consent. Discuss the results of other monitoring undertaken by the group, which may include monitoring the adverse effects on environmental, heritage, cultural, economic and recreational aspects.

· Determine the actions to be taken in response to monitoring reports and make recommendations to the consent holders as appropriate.

· Provide advice and make recommendations to the consent holders and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in relation to Part 2 and, in particular, to sections 6(e) and 7(a) of the Resource Management Act 1991, as they relate to this consent.

· Inform the Bay of Plenty Regional Council of the effects of the water take authorised under the consent on the mauri and mauriora of the Waiāri Stream.

· Review and provide feedback to Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council on the Water Conservation Strategy required to be submitted as a condition of the consent.

· Discuss any other relevant matters that may be agreed by the group.

· Work together with the Kaitiaki Group established under Resource Consent RM16-0204-DC.04; which authorises the Western Bay of Plenty District Council to discharge treated wastewater from the Te Puke Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Waiāri Stream.

· Provide advice and recommendations to the consent holders on the future governance model of the Waiāri Stream.

· Provide recommendations to Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority where required.

Reporting

· The Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group will report to its member entities key discussion points, outcomes and actions following each formal meeting of the Advisory Group.

Co-chair selection process

· Co-chairs will be appointed every three years in alignment with the local government election cycle. The appointments will take place as soon as is reasonably practical following local government elections.

· The Co-chair representing the consent holder will be appointed by the Tauranga City Council and Western Bay District Councils.

· The Co-chair representing iwi/hapū will be appointed by the iwi/hapū representatives.

NB: Resource consent condition 10.2 defines the membership of the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group.

Resource consent condition 10.7 notes that the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group shall cease if all members of the group agree the group is to be disbanded. In such case Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council (as consent holders)[1] shall give written notice of this to the Chief Executive of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Advice notes from Resource Consent #65637 include:

(10) The Kaitiaki Advisory Group may make recommendations to the Regional Council to review conditions of this consent in accordance with condition 11 and s128 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Advisory Group is informal in nature and is NOT established as a committee, subcommittee or other subordinate decision-making bodies of Council under clause 30(1) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002 and does not have any delegated decision-making powers.

Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting minutes

11 June 2025

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MINUTES

Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting

Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Order of Business

1 Opening karakia. 3

2 Apologies. 3

3 Public forum.. 3

4 Acceptance of late items. 3

5 Confidential business to be transferred into the open. 3

6 Change to order of business. 3

7 Confirmation of minutes. 4

7.1 Minutes of the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting held on 12 March 2025. 4

8 Declaration of conflicts of interest 4

9 Business. 4

9.1 Waiāri Operational Report 11 June 2025. 4

9.2 Project Update - Waiāri Rest Area Restoration. 5

9.3 Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group Cultural Recognition update. 6

10 Discussion of late items. 7

11 Closing karakia. 7

MINUTES OF Tauranga City Council

Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting

HELD AT THE Tauranga City Council Chambers, Level 1 - 90 Devonport Road, Tauranga

ON Wednesday, 11 June 2025 AT 9.30am

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Cr Hautapu Baker (Chair), Ms Darlene Dinsdale, Mayor James Denyer (WBoPDC), Mr Maru Tapsell, Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour (WBoPDC), Ms Helen Biel, Mr Maru Tapsell.
IN ATTENDANCE:	Peter Bahrs (Manager: Water Services), Kelvin Hill (Manager: Water Infrastructure Outcomes), Keren Paekau (Team Leader: Takawaenga Māori), Jennifer Pearson (Community Engagement Advisor: Infrastructure Delivery), Clare Sullivan (Team Leader: Governance Services) and Anahera Dinsdale (Governance Advisor).

Timestamps are included beside each of the items and relate to the recording of the meeting held on 11 June 2025 at Waiari Kaitiaki Advisory Group - 11 June 2025.

1 Opening karakia

Mr Dean Flavell opened the meeting with a karakia.

2 Apologies

Apology

Committee Resolution WA/25/2/1

Moved: Ms Darlene Dinsdale

Seconded: Mayor James Denyer

That the apology for absence received from Cr Steve Morris, Cr Hēmi Rolleston and Mr Manu Pene be accepted.

Carried

3 Public forum

Nil

4 Acceptance of late items

Nil

5 Confidential business to be transferred into the open

Nil

6 Change to order of business

Nil

7 Confirmation of minutes

7.1 Minutes of the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting held on 12 March 2025

Committee Resolution WA/25/2/2

Moved: Ms Darlene Dinsdale

Seconded: Ms Helen Biel

That the Minutes of the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting held on 12 March 2025 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Carried

8 Declaration of conflicts of interest

Nil

9 Business

TIMESTAMP: 5:00

9.1 Waiāri Operational Report 11 June 2025

Staff Peter Bahrs, Manager: Water Services

Key Points

· The report was taken as read.

In response to questions

· Stream flows were fed from the underground water aquifers and it took time for rain water to flow through to the water aquifers. The water flows were found to be steady otherwise.

· Tauranga City Council (TCC) undertook monthly checks on water quality and fortnightly on bacterial content.

· The Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group would continue as it was part of the Resource Consents so was believed to not be impacted by Local Waters Done Well.

· The maximum allowable take was 690L a second. The maximum amount Council had been taking was 180L.

Discussion points raised

· The significance of Waiāri; research of social, cultural and environmental impacts.

Action:

· That staff include Ms Helen Biel in water quality updates sent to Mr Kepa Morgan for the Mauri Model

· That staff report back to the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group on whether there was a direct negative impact on Waiāri from Local Waters Done Well.

· That a Wānanga be held to discuss the Regulatory Standards Bill impact on Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group and writing a submission opposing the bill.

Committee Resolution WA/25/2/3

Moved: Ms Helen Biel

Seconded: Mayor James Denyer

That the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group:

(a) Receives the report "Waiāri Operational Report 11 June 2025".

(b) Provides feedback or comment on report, as needed.

Carried

TIMESTAMP:33.08

9.2 Project Update - Waiāri Rest Area Restoration

External Jason Crummer, Senior Recreation Planner

Chris Nepia, Manager: (Western Bay of Plenty District Council)

Scott Parker

Key Points

· Since the last Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group hui, Council had installed a fully relocatable hand rail at the swimming hole.

· Staff had secured an additional $30,000 of funding from the Te Puke Community Board to go toward the Waiāri rest area restoration project and noted that this was secure as long as the proposed pedestrian bridge remained a priority. Staff had confirmed it was.

· Staff noted that BTW Company were awarded the contract for the project.

· It was noted the next steps were for the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Groups Operations Group to meet with BTW Company on site.

· It was noted that the design work for the project took a long time as opposed to the actual building of the bridge.

In response to questions

· In response to a question, it was noted that the project was funded and was progressing well. The goal for the project was to obtain the Resource Consent in March 2026 and complete the project for the 2027 Summer season.

· Currently, the pedestrian bridge design was to build an underpass under the highway bridge which also brought an aspect of safety for pedestrians.

Discussion points raised

· Concern was raised by an Iwi member regarding health & safety and the depth of Waiāri around the proposed building of the bridge.

Committee Resolution WA/25/2/4

Moved: Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour

Seconded: Ms Darlene Dinsdale

That the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group:

(a) Receives the report "Project Update - Waiāri Rest Area Restoration".

Carried

TIMESTAMP: 52:30

9.3 Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group Cultural Recognition update

Staff Kelvin Hill, Manager: Water Infrastructure Outcomes

Jennifer Pearson, Asset Delivery

External Chris Nepia (Western Bay of Plenty Regional Council)

Dean Flavell (Toi Takapū)

PowerPoint Presentation

Key Points

· Staff spoke to the report and highlighted the following:

o Budget and funding from Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Tauranga City Council and other sources.

o That the seven cultural initiatives were not listed by priority as iwi members confirmed they were all a priority.

o The refresh for reporting to Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group to show more substance for members to understand budget and included an action plan.

· Toi Takapū was a collective of local Tapuika artists that had been working to create cultural presence at the Waiāri.

· The group was working to develop a concept plan for a series of art work to go along length of the Waiāri in celebration of the stream.

· Mr Flavell noted that Toi Takapū would like to be involved in the project before construction started so that the group could advise.

· Mr Flavell also gave a short description of areas of interest for art work to be located along the Waiāri.

Discussion points raised

· Resolution (e) was added to the recommendations to reflect discussion on cultural recognition seven.

Action

· That staff report back to the next hui on progress regarding the supply of water to marae and the cultural recognition seven.

Committee Resolution WA/25/2/5

Moved: Mayor James Denyer

Seconded: Cr Hautapu Baker

That the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group:

(a) Receives the report “Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group Cultural Recognition update June 2025”.

(b) Accepts the revised priority list for Waiāri cultural recognition actions.

Agrees to appoint Toi Takapū to develop the cultural recognition artworks

(d) Endorses WBOPDC plan for the Waiāri Bridge area improvements

Requests staff progress and facilitate discussion on Waiāri water supply to marae.

Carried

Attachments

1 Presentation – Item 9.3 – Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group June 25 Final pdf

10 Discussion of late items

The Manager: Water Infrastructure Outcomes for TCC, Mr Kelvin Hill, noted his role had been disestablished at TCC and this would be his last time attending Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group hui. He thanked the group and wished them well in the future.

The Chair thanked Kelvin for his mahi over his four years in service.

11 Closing karakia

Mr Mokoera Te Amo closed the meeting with a karakia.

The meeting closed at 12:26pm.

The minutes of this meeting were confirmed as a true and correct record at the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting held on 3 September 2025.

......................................................

Councillor Hautapu Baker

CHAIR

Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting Agenda

3 September 2025

9 Business

9.1 Waiari Operational Report 3 September 2025

File Number: A18699115

Author: Peter Bahrs, Manager: Water Services

Authoriser: Wally Potts, Director of City Waters

Purpose of the Report

1. To update the Waiãri Kaitiaki Advisory Group of Stream Flows and other Operational Activities.

Recommendations

That the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group:

(a) Receives the report "Waiari Operational Report 3 September 2025".

(b) Provides feedback or comment on report, as needed.

Executive Summary

2. Overall, while the Waiāri stream flows have shown a downward trend from December 2023, but the average flows remain at higher levels compared to the longer-term average flows. In general stream flows are again improving with the higher than average rainfall during the period April to July this year.

3. The Waiāri ecological monitoring survey was undertaken in February 2025. The report is separately attached.

4. Overall, ecological conditions were consistent between upstream and downstream sites, aligning with results from previous years. While some residual effects from the 2023 flood events were observed, the 2025 survey also recorded positive signs, including the presence of torrentfish and giant kōkopu.

5. That the WKAG give consideration to only undertaking surveys as stipulated by the consent conditions, due to council’s financial constraints.

waiāri stream flow data

6. The Waiāri stream flow for monthly average and minimum flows from January 2001 to end of July 2025 and is shown in the first graph below. The maximum flows have been omitted to allow better definition of the data.

7. Graph of monthly average and minimum Waiãri Flows

8. The graph shows that overall, the Waiāri flows remain above the longer-term average flows (4,333 l/s), with an average flow of 6,182 l/s in July. Flows have picked up from the low in March 2025, following above average rainfall between April to July with 800mm of rain recorded during this period.

9. Graph of monthly maximum, average and minimum Waiãri Flows.

10. A high flow of 53,976 l/s was recorded on the 30 July 2025. This however remains low compared to the high flow events on 28 January (Auckland Long Weekend) and 9 May 2023 (Cyclone Gabrielle).

11. Graph of average daily flows for the Waiāri January 2001 to end July 2025.

12. The graph shows total daily average flow for the Waiāri from October 2000 to end July 2025 and includes the amounts abstracted and the stream residual flow.

13. The average residual flow for July 2025 was about 6,000 litres per second (l/s). This has dropped slightly compared to July 2024 where flows were at about 6,200 l/s.

14. The average abstraction for July 2025 was 125 l/s with a maximum of 163 l/s. The consent allows for a maximum take of 690 l/s.

waiāri stream Ecological Monitoring

15. The annual stream ecological monitoring survey was undertaken during the second week of February 2025. The ecological monitoring of the stream is to assess the ongoing impact of water abstraction on stream health and biodiversity. This information integrates into the wider Mauri Model used to assess the life essence of the ecosystem, integrating cultural values with scientific data.

16. The monitoring includes assessment of the following:

(a) Macroinvertebrate communities

(b) Fish populations

(d) Water quality parameters (e.g., temperature, dissolved oxygen, clarity)

17. The key findings of the report include:

18. Stream Health

· Macroinvertebrate indices (MCI and QMCI) indicated good to excellent ecological condition in upper reaches, with slightly lower scores downstream.

· EPT taxa (mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies), which are pollution sensitive, were present, indicating good water quality.

19. Fish Communities

· Native species such as longfin eel, redfin bully, and smelt were recorded.

· Fish QIBI scores ranged from good to excellent, with consistent presence of native species over time.

20. Water Quality

· Parameters remained within acceptable ecological thresholds.

· No significant degradation was observed compared to previous years.

21. Habitat Observations

· Flooding events had caused some erosion and vegetation loss, particularly in lower stream sites.

· Water clarity was lower in downstream reaches, but not critically impaired.

22. The Waiāri Stream continues to support a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Continued monitoring and collaboration with iwi are essential to ensure long-term sustainability and cultural integrity of the stream.

23. Overall, ecological conditions were consistent between upstream and downstream sites, aligning with results from previous years. While some residual effects from the 2023 flood events were observed, the 2025 survey also recorded positive signs, including the presence of torrentfish and giant kōkopu.

Next Steps

24. That the WKAG receive the report, Waiari Operational Report 3 September 2025 and provides feedback or comment on report, as needed.

25. The ecological report recommends the continued annual ecological monitoring to be continued for several consecutive years as this would be beneficial for the purposes of comparison and trend analysis. These additional surveys are, however, is not required for consent condition requirements.

26. In light of the above, that the WKAG give consideration to only undertaking surveys as stipulated by the consent conditions, due to council’s financial constraints.

Attachments

1. Waiari Stream Ecological Monitoring Report 2025 - A18698828 ⇩