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: Cr Hautapu Baker · Co-chair representative of iwi/hapū - tbc
Tauranga City Council representatives (2)	Cr Hautapu Baker Cr Steve Morris Alternate: Cr Hēmi Rolleston
Western Bay of Plenty District Council representatives (2)	Cr Laura Rae Cr Darlene Dinsdale
Iwi/ hapū representatives (4)	Manu Pene - Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketu (Te Hononga) Helen Biel – Tapuika Iwi Authority Travis Moke – Mokopuna o Tia me Hei Vacancy – Te Kapu o Waitaha
Iwi/hapū representatives (alternates)	Luke Whare - Te Kapu o Waitaha Hanita Dinsdale - Mokopuna o Tia me Hei Liam Tapsell - Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketu (Te Hononga) Vacancy - Tapuika Iwi Authority
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.

UNCONFIRMED Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting minutes

3 September 2025

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DRAFT MINUTES

Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting

Wednesday, 3 September 2025

Order of Business

1 Opening karakia. 3

2 Apologies. 3

3 Public forum.. 3

3.1 Te Kapu o Waitaha. 3

4 Acceptance of late items. 4

5 Confidential business to be transferred into the open. 4

6 Change to order of business. 4

7 Confirmation of minutes. 4

7.1 Minutes of the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting held on 11 June 2025. 4

8 Declaration of conflicts of interest 4

9 Business. 4

9.1 Waiari Operational Report 3 September 2025. 4

9.2 Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group Cultural Recognition Update September 2025. 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, 3 September 2025 AT 9.30am

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Ms Darlene Dinsdale (Chair), Hautapu Baker, Cr Steve Morris, Mr Manu Pene, Mr Maru Tapsell, Mayor James Denyer (WBoPDC), Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour (WBoPDC)
IN ATTENDANCE:	Stacey Mareroa-Roberts (Manager: Strategic Maori Engagement), Keren Paekau (Team Leader: Takawaenga Māori), Yolande Tipuna (Kaiārahi Maori), Wally Potts (Head of City Waters), Peter Bahrs (Manager: Water Services), Jennifer Pearson (Community Engagement Advisor: Infrastructure Delivery), Rueben Fraser (Consent Manager, BoP Regional Council), Chris Nepia (WBOPDC), Mokoera Te Amo (WBOPDC), Anahera Dinsdale (Governance Advisor)
EXTERNAL:	Te Kapu o Waitaha - Watana Williams, Rob Peake, Ray Wihapi, Luke Whare, Noel Mahia

Timestamps are included beside each of the items and relate to the recording of the meeting held on 3 September on Council's YouTube channel. Please note there are two parts to the livestream.

1 Opening karakia

Mr Mokoera Te Amo opened the meeting with a karakia.

2 Apologies

Apology

Committee Resolution WA/25/3/1

Moved: Cr Hautapu Baker

Seconded: Cr Steve Morris

That the apology for absence received from Ms Helen Biel be accepted.

Carried

3 Public forum

TIMESTAMP: 4 minutes – Part 1 of livestream

3.1 Te Kapu o Waitaha

External Watana Williams, Rob Peake & Ray Wihapi – Te Kapu o Waitaha

Key Points

The presenters:

· Described their deep ancestral connection to the Waiāri River, tracing back 25 generations, and highlighted the importance of integrating cultural knowledge and practices into river monitoring alongside scientific methods.

· Outlined their qualifications, including ongoing studies in environmental science, and detailed their experience with field sampling, macroinvertebrate indexing, and cultural health indexes, demonstrating their readiness to undertake comprehensive monitoring.

· Proposed a partnership model and collaboration which included a hub-based model for collaboration with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, aiming to combine resources and expertise from Waitaha, Tapuika, and Council staff to enhance the effectiveness and cultural relevance of monitoring activities.

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 11 June 2025

Committee Resolution WA/25/3/2

Moved: Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour

Seconded: Cr Hautapu Baker

That the Minutes of the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting held on 11 June 2025 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Carried

8 Declaration of conflicts of interest

Nil

9 Business

TIMESTAMP: 31 minutes – Part 1 of livestream

9.1 Waiari Operational Report 3 September 2025

Staff Peter Bahrs, Manager: Water Services

Wally Potts, Head of City Waters

Key Points

· The ecological monitoring report noted residual effects from significant flooding events in 2023, including damage to riparian planting and stream banks, with recovery still ongoing and influencing ecological conditions.

· A history of ecological surveys was provided, showing that monitoring had been conducted both before and after the water treatment plant came online, with results varying due to natural events such as rainfall and land runoff.

· The cost of annual ecological surveys was discussed (approximately $25,000 per year), with questions raised about the practical benefits of continued monitoring beyond consent requirements, especially in light of financial constraints.

In response to questions

· The group agreed to continue ecological surveys beyond consent requirements and to align monitoring efforts with Waitaha and Tapuika, amending the motion to reflect collaborative planning and implementation.

Committee Recommendation

Moved: Cr Hautapu Baker

Seconded: Mr Maru Tapsell

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.

An Amendment was proposed to resolution (c):

(c) Supports the need to continue with ecological surveys in addition to the consent requirements and requests staff partners with Tapuika and Waitaha to align and implement the monitoring plan.

Committee Resolution WA/25/3/3

Moved: Cr Hautapu Baker

Seconded: Mr Maru Tapsell

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.

(c) Supports the need to continue with ecological surveys in addition to the consent requirements and requests staff partners with Tapuika and Waitaha to align and implement the monitoring plan.

Carried

TIMESTAMP: 1 minute 50 – Part 2 of livestream

9.2 Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group Cultural Recognition Update September 2025

Staff Jennifer Pearson, Community Engagement Advisor: Infrastructure Delivery

Key Points

· Staff provided updates on cultural recognition projects, including the commissioning of cultural artworks, regeneration programmes, and plans to improve river access and safety, with input from Western Bay District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council staff.

· A contract was sent to Toi Takapu to create the first cultural recognition artwork near the Waiāri plant, with the operations group reviewing the agreement and work expected to begin following approval.

· Desktop studies and consultations were underway to identify potential sites for environmental regeneration along the stream, with challenges related to access through private land being addressed in collaboration with landowners

· Plans included temporary dredging near the bridge to enable safe swimming and diving, and the development of a walkway under the bridge to provide safe pedestrian access, with concept designs presented and timeframes discussed.

· The earliest expected completion for river access improvements, including the walkway and bridge enhancements, was next summer, with ongoing coordination among contractors, Council staff, and community representatives.

· In Tauranga City, marae received a two-thirds remission on wastewater charges but paid the full amount for water supply, with practices differing between Tauranga and Western Bay Bay of Plenty.

In response to questions

· Questions were raised about concessions for marae providing essential social services, with staff noting the need to understand the full range of uses and to develop policy recommendations based on comprehensive data.

· Staff acknowledged that tangata whenua had not been remunerated for attending operations meetings over the past year and committed to reviewing attendance records and discussing appropriate compensation with management.

Actions

That staff:

· Prepare and present a report detailing water use and remission policies for marae in both Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty, including a breakdown for Waitaha and Tapuika, to inform future discussions on water allocation and concessions.

· Assess and propose a solution for remunerating tangata whenua for attendance at Waiari Kaitiaki Advisory Group Operations meetings.

Committee Resolution WA/25/3/4

Moved: Mayor James Denyer

Seconded: Mr Manu Pene

That the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group:

(a) Receives the report "Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group Cultural Recognition Update September 2025".

Carried

10 Discussion of late items

The Chair thanked Mayor James Denyer and Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour and wished them well in the upcoming Local Elections.

11 Closing karakia

Cr Hautapu Baker closed the meeting with a karakia.

The meeting closed at 11:00am.

The minutes of this meeting were confirmed as a true and correct record at the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting held on 11 March 2026.

Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting Agenda

11 March 2026

9.2 Waiari Operational Report

File Number: A19832596

Author: Peter Bahrs, Manager: Water Services

Authoriser: Reneke van Soest, General Manager: Operations & Infrastructure

Purpose of the Report

1. To update the Waiãri Kaitiaki Advisory Group of Waiāri Stream Flows and working with Tapuika and Waitaha to work with iwi partners to implement the ecological monitoring.

Recommendations

That the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group:

(a) Receives the report "Waiari Operational Report" 11 March 2026.

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

Executive Summary

2. Overall, Waiāri Stream flows have shown a sustained downward trend since December 2023. During October 2025, flows fell below the long‑term average; however, more recent rainfall has contributed to a partial recovery, with flows trending upward into early 2026.

3. An update is provided for the arrangements to integrate iwi partners into the delivery of the biomonitoring surveys, with the approach to be reviewed once roles, responsibilities, and implementation details are confirmed.

waiāri stream flow data

4. The Waiāri stream flows for monthly average and minimum flows from January 2001 to mid-February 2026 is shown in the first graph below. The maximum flows have been omitted to allow better definition of the data.

5. Figure 1 Graph of monthly average and minimum Waiãri Flows

6. The graph shows that the Waiāri flows dropped below the longer-term average flow (4,328 l/s), in October 2025 but has since shown a recovery from November 2025 with the January 2026 average flows being 4.648 l/s.

Figure 2 Graph of monthly maximum, average and minimum Waiãri Flows.

7. Despite the saturating rainfall experienced over the 20-22 January 2026, a peak high flow of 65,519 l/s was recorded on the 22 January 2026. This however remains low compared to the high flow events on 28 January (Auckland Long Weekend) and 9 May 2023.

Figure 3 Graph of average daily flows for the Waiāri January 2001 to end January 2026.

8. The graph shows total daily average flow for the Waiāri from October 2000 to end January 2026 and includes the amount of water abstracted together with the stream residual flow.

9. The average residual flow for January 2026 was about 4,513 litres per second (l/s). This has dropped by about 6% compared to January 2025 where flows were at about 4,790 l/s.

10. The average abstraction for January 2026 was 146 l/s with a maximum of 191 l/s. The average abstraction for the quarter November 2025 to January 2026 was 143 l/s with a maximum of 191 l/s. The consent allows for a maximum take of 690 l/s.

Ecological Monitoring Update

11. The presentation by Te Kapu o Waitaha, at the last Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting of 3 September 2025, highlighted the importance of integrating cultural knowledge and practices into river monitoring alongside scientific methods.

12. They outlined their qualifications, including ongoing studies in environmental science, and detailed their experience with field sampling, macroinvertebrate indexing, and cultural health indexes, demonstrating their readiness to undertake comprehensive monitoring.

13. The meeting resolved “That the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group - Supports the need to continue with ecological surveys in addition to the consent requirements and requests staff partners with Tapuika and Waitaha to align and implement the monitoring plan”.

14. Further to this, the ecological monitoring requirements under the consent were presented to the WKAG Operations Group Hui of 22 October 2025, outlining the Regional Council requirements for sampling, locations, methodologies, and the reporting requirements to meet the consent requirements together with ensuring long‑term trending in maintained.

15. It was noted in the meeting minutes that iwi would take the consent conditions and work out how this can be delivered. It was also agreed that the annual ecological monitoring was separate to the monitoring relating to the Mauri and Mauri Ora of the awa.

16. Various follow up discussions were held and this culminated in the Waiāri Monitoring Workshop held on 10 February 2026. There is a desire from iwi to see an integrated ecological monitoring of the awa which extends beyond the monitoring required for the consent ecological monitoring.

17. The integrated approach will be considered as part of the wider cultural recognition initiatives. A proposal from Waitaha has been received and this will be further discussed at the next WKAG Operational Hui.

18. With regard to the ecological monitoring of the consent, it was agreed that a skills transfer process was required to ensure that the requirements for consent monitoring could be met. In this regard TCC staff were to investigate opportunities to achieve this.

19. A meeting has been set for 4 March with the bio monitoring contractor to agree how this can be integrated into a transitional arrangement with the iwi partners. This will be reviewed with the parties once all role players have been confirmed and how this can be implemented in practice.

Next Steps

20. That the WKAG receive the report, Waiari Operational Report and provides feedback or comment on report, as needed.

21. TCC staff to continue to work with the bio monitoring contractor and iwi partners to develop a transition plan to undertake the ecological surveys required by the consent.

Attachments

Nil

Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting Agenda

11 March 2026

9.3 Waiari Cultural Recognition Update - March 2026

File Number: A19260835

Author: Jennifer Pearson, Asset Delivery

Authoriser: Reneke van Soest, General Manager: Operations & Infrastructure

Purpose of the Report

To provide an update on the status of the seven cultural recognition actions since the last Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group (WKAG) meeting of 3 September at Tauranga City Council.

Recommendations

That the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group:

(a) Receives the report "Waiari Cultural Recognition Update - March 2026".

(b) Accept the design concept put forward by Toi Takapuu for the cultural recognition artwork and approve moving forward to the next stage of the design and construction process.

Executive Summary

1. The WKAG Ops Group have met twice since the last WKAG hui and have also had a hui with representatives from Tapuika, Waitaha and Mokopuna Te Hei re developing a water monitoring plan for the Waiari. Actions that required follow-up include the payment of hui fees to the iwi representatives of the Ops group. A payment schedule has now been set and is included in the budget below.

2. The seven cultural recognition initiatives agreed by the WKAG:

Tohu Māori – Storytelling	In progress
Waiāri Bridge Restoration	In progress
Regeneration Programmes	Planning underway
Education and Employment Pathways	Planning underway
Mauri Model	In progress
Access to Water	In progress
River access points	Lower priority

Budget

Item	Spend to Date	Budget 2025-26	Budget 2026 - 27	Funder
WKAG Ops Group iwi reps	$9207	$7000	$16,000	TCC
Tohu Māori storytelling Toi Takapūu cultural artwork Video story of the Waiāri Waiata for Waiāri		$60,000 $20,000 $10,000 TBC	$60,000	TCC TCC
Waiāri Bridge Restoration		$40,000	$260,000	WBOPDC
Regeneration and Riparian Management Programmes		$50,000	$200,000 (TBC)	WBOPDC BOPRC
Mauri Model Implementation Workshop with Kepa Morgan and Associates to finalise indicators		$2000	TCC	TBC
Education and Employment Pathways		TBC
Access to Waiāri water for Marae		TBC
River access points		TBC
END OF FINANCIAL YEAR FORECAST (Other actions are expected to require funding before the end of 2026 FY)		$189,000

UPDATE ON INITIATIVES

Action

Who

When

Tohu Māori Storytelling

TCC has signed a contract with Toi Takapū, artist collaboration with Tapuika artists Jo’el Komene, Dean Flavell and Noel McAllister to develop the first cultural recognition artwork to be located near the Waiāri Water Treatment Plant.

Toi Takapū will present their concepts for the artwork at the WKAG hui.

WKAG Ops Group working with I Am Studios to tell the local stories around the history of the Waiāri and its importance to the area. I Am Studios are currently working with Waitaha on their own stories.

Short Term Actions:

- Toi Takapū to develop cultural art concept with iwi

- Develop video format and content brief with Waitaha video contractor I Am Studios

WKAG members

Toi Takapūu

Wider iwi

TCC

WKAG members

I Am Studios

WBOPDC/TCC

March 2026

June 2026

Medium Term Actions:

- Develop full video content for both iwi and community audiences

- Delivery of first cultural artwork

- Develop a waiata for the Waiāri

WKAG members

I Am Studios

Toi Takapūu

WKAG

June 2026

September 2026

November 2026

Long Term Actions:

- Develop opportunities for further cultural recognition at other sites along the awa

Toi Takapūu

WBOPDC/TCC

November 2026

Waiāri Bridge Restoration (led by WBOPDC)

WBOPDC are leading a programme of work to develop a pedestrian bridge across the Stream at the Waiāri Bridge and to improve the area.

Who

When

Short Term Actions:

- Install interim stream access solution from the Waiāri Landing Reserve; and

- Clean up the site and control pest plants

- Team met at Makahae Marae monthly hui, who agreed a team from the marae to be the ongoing contacts on this project

- Consulting team from BTW meeting regularly with WKAG Ops Group to provide updates and to receive input

WBOPDC

Ongoing

Medium Term Actions:

- Complete the technical design for stream access, erosion mitigation, and an accessible bridge crossing

- Working to return land parcels from the old highway to tangata whenua

- Complete the landscape design for the Waiāri Bridge Area, which will include:

o Location of cultural and historical elements;

o Flood-resilient stream access improvements;

o Safe pedestrian connections;

o Location of an accessible bridge crossing;

o Options for recreation and amenities for visitors to enjoy;

o Future long-term developments:

§ Potential shared path linkages to Te Puke township, Waitangi, and the Kaituna River;

§ Options for safe stream access at the rail bridge; and

§ Potential for car parking near the stream.

- Complete the detailed design with consents and approvals obtained

Scott Parker PM WBOPDC

WKAG/WBOPDC/ TCC

July 2025 – April 2026

Long Term Actions:

- Preparation of detail design specifications.

- Lodgement of building consent application.

- Tender administration; and

- Commence construction

WBOPDC

May 2026 – June 2027

Budget

Forecast spend 2025/26

Future Plan

- Short term 2024/25

- Medium term

- Long term

$40,000 WBOPDC

$260,000 WBOPDC

$772,090

WBOPDC

Regeneration and Riparian Management Programmes

WKAG Ops Group members are keen to develop regeneration programmes for the Waiāri Stream to continue to improve the quality of the awa and streambank management.

Who

When

Short Term Actions:

- Working with Liesel Carnie from WBOPDC to identify potential riparian strips and landowners

- Develop Environmental Programme Agreements with landowners on the stream

- Identify other partners, including BOPRC

Iwi/ /WBOPDC /BOPRC

WKAG

June 2026

Medium Term Actions:

- Implement Environmental Programme Agreements

- Monitoring Plan complete and monitoring underway

Iwi//WBOPDC/

Other partners

December 2026

Long Term Actions:

Education and Employment Pathways

WKAG members have reviewed the existing TCC waters education.

Who

When

Short Term Actions:

- Identify education priorities and work with TCC Waters Education Team to identify opportunities to work together

- Tapuika and Waitaha working with TCC on water monitoring

TCC

WKAG

Tapuika/Waitaha/ TCC

June 2026

Medium Term Actions:

Long Term Actions:

Mauri Model and Water Monitoring

Next steps to identify key indicators for Tapuika and Waitaha and to develop an Iwi Monitoring Programme

Who

When

Mauri Model Short Term Actions:

- Set up working group with iwi reps to review the current attribute/indicator list and meet to agree priority attributes/indicators and any changes required to current model

- Iwi to develop indicator list

- Working group report back to WKAG on updated list of attributes/indicators

Water Monitoring:

- Tapuika and Waitaha to work with TCC to develop an ecological monitoring plan and undertake the next monitoring

Iwi/TCC/BOPRC/ WBOPDC

Iwi/TCC

Iwi/TCC/BOPRC/ WBOPDC

Tapuika/Waitaha/ TCC

June 2026

Medium Term Actions:

- Work with Kepa Morgan to update

Long Term Actions:

Budget

Forecast spend 2025/26

Future Plan

Workshop

$2000

Access to Waiāri Water for Marae

Who

When

Short Term Actions:

- TCC and WBOPDC provide report

- on water usage for all maraes in the rohe

- Key action from previous meeting with TCC Infrastructure GM and WBOPDC CEO was that WBOPDC to source dedicated Project Manager for the cultural initiatives programme.

Co-Chair WKAG

WBOPDC/TCC Mayors and CEOs

March 2026

Medium Term Actions:

Long Term Actions:

Attachments

Nil

Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting Agenda

11 March 2026

9.4 Water Usage for Maraes within the Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council Rohe

File Number: A19343576

Author: Jennifer Pearson, Asset Delivery

Wally Potts, Head of City Waters

Peter Bahrs, Manager: Water Services

Authoriser: Reneke van Soest, General Manager: Operations & Infrastructure

Purpose of the Report

1. To provide information on water usage of marae in the Tauranga City Council (TCC) and Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC) rohe.

Recommendations

That the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group:

(a) Receives the report Water Usage for Maraes within the Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council Rohe

(b) Recommends Councils are requested to consider a marae charging policy review paper

background

2. Iwi and hapu have frequently requested Councils to remit water and wastewater costs to marae. Reasons for this include:

· when tangata whenua come back to the marae for events – all tangata whenua benefit when they return home;

· a symbolic gesture, the water that flows in the stream belongs to tangata whenua, they never ceded sovereignty of this; and

· in a government emergency marae are often hubs.

3. Previously TCC and WBOPDC completed studies of maraes to identify those that were not receiving fresh water and waste water services. There is now only one marae in the Tauranga rohe that is not on the TCC supply: Tahuwhakatiki Marae at Welcome Bay.

4. At the request of the WKAG group the Councils have now undertaken a desktop study of the current water use and charging across the Tauranga and Western Bay rohe.

TCC Water Policy

5. Tauranga City Council has a policy to remit two thirds of the waste water charge for marae, but does not remit any of the freshwater costs:

Community and Not-for-Profit Organisations

5.5.1 In order to provide relief to applicable community and not-for-profit organisations,

who deliver social benefits to the community, where neither government nor

business is best or appropriately placed to do so, Council will allow the following:

land used for a place of religious worship, marae, or not-for-profit early childhood

centers with a non-rateable status under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002

may be remitted 66.66% of the wastewater rate

6. We have identified that Mangatawa Marae water usage consumption is affected by leaks and are working with them to rectify this.

WBOPDC Water Policy

7. WBOPDC on the other hand remit fresh water, but not waste water charges.

8. We understand at WBOPDC that there hasn’t been a policy developed/relied upon to remit the water consumption charges on Marae, however it has been an operational decision signed off by the Executive Leadership team in accordance with their Water Supply Bylaw.

Marae water consumption

9. There are 24 Marae within the Western Bay of Plenty District Council boundaries. Of those 24 Marae, 16 Marae are connected to Council’s reticulated water supply. Over the 2024 and 2025 financial years the total consumption of water across those 16 Marae amounted to approximately 15,000 cubic metres, which incurred consumption charges of approximately $23,000.00. An average of 468 cubic metres and $720.00 per year, per Marae.

10. A similar assessment of water consumption was carried out for the Marae of Te Puke through discussions of this advisory group. Those discussions sought remission of water consumption charges on Marae along the Waiāri, to recognise that water was being extracted from tupuna awa of the people who belong to those Marae. On the back of those discussions, under the provisions of Council’s water supply bylaw, water consumption charges for the Marae of Te Puke have been waived. This approach applies to the following Marae:

· Hei Marae

· Tuhourangi Marae

· Moko Marae

· Te Awhe Marae

· Te Matai Marae

· Whakaue Marae

· Makahae Marae

· Haraki Marae

· Tia Marae

11. Whilst the water consumption charges are remitted, each of these Marae continue to be charged the targeted rate for a water connection.

Future Water Policy

12. TCC and WBOPDC are working towards a future combined water organisation (WO), which would consolidate future charging for waters services, with a proposed starting date of 1 July 2027. However, this is still to be confirmed.

13. Changes to Council policy for water and wastewater charge remittances are a decision of Council and not delegated to staff.

Next Steps

14. It is recommended that respective council water team representatives visit each marae to understand their water and waste usage and where we can assist in remedying any leaks or other issues.

Attachments

Nil


AGENDA Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting Wednesday, 11 March 2026
I hereby give notice that a Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group meeting will be held on:
Date:	Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Time:	9:30 am
Location:	Tauranga City Council Chambers L1, 90 Devonport Road Tauranga
Please note that this meeting will be livestreamed and the recording will be publicly available on Tauranga City Council's website: www.tauranga.govt.nz.
Marty Grenfell Chief Executive