Latest news with #PolicyandPlanningCommittee
Scoop
5 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Hunua Kōkako Take Flight To Sing A New Song At Maungatautari
Auckland's conservation community is celebrating as the Hunua Kōkako Recovery Project begins the translocation process up to 20 kōkako to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, marking the first time the Hunua Ranges population will contribute birds to another recovery project. The operation began last Saturday and to date eight birds have been rehomed at Maungatautari. Once teetering on the brink of local extinction, the kōkako of the Hunua Ranges have made an extraordinary recovery thanks to over 30 years of commitment from mana whenua, dedicated volunteers, Auckland Council, and the Department of Conservation. From a low point of just a single breeding pair and 23 individuals in 1994, the population now numbers an estimated 259 breeding pairs as of the 2022 census. Chair of Auckland Council's Policy and Planning Committee Richard Hills says this moment is deeply emotional and symbolic. 'The haunting, melodious call of the kōkako was nearly lost forever in Hūnua. 'Thanks to three decades of perseverance and hard work by volunteers, mana whenua and council staff, we've turned that around. It is a success story that gives other conservation projects across Aotearoa huge hope and drive to keep going,' says Hills. 'To go from one breeding pair to now having enough of these stunning taonga to be able to rehome some with other sanctuaries and help their population thrive, is a profound way to honour that work and help ensure kōkako thrive across New Zealand for generations to come. 'This project shows why investing time and money into our environment is so crucial, we must continue work like this into the future to protect our precious native species. The Hunua project is funded by Auckland Council's Natural Environment Targeted Rate, which continues to support pest control efforts, including a planned aerial 1080 operation in 2025 to sustain the hard-won progress. The Hunua Ranges are now recognised by the National Kōkako Recovery Programme as one of only two mainland habitats to surpass 500 birds and the project is praised for fostering strong genetic diversity. This achievement has only been possible through intensive pest control, including three aerial 1080 operations and thousands of volunteer hours maintaining 3,000 bait stations and 700 traps across rugged terrain. Auckland Council's Project Lead for the Hunua Kōkako Recovery Project, Miranda Bennett reflected on the journey. 'The Hunua kōkako is a success story, one of resilience and community, and a symbol of hope. Other projects once gifted us birds to strengthen our population, now we have the privilege of paying that generosity forward. It's a full-circle moment that fills us with pride and gratitude,' Ms Bennett says. The upcoming translocation, supported by Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamatera and Ngāti Whanaunga, will involve a carefully coordinated two-week operation. Led by certified kōkako bander Dave Bryden, a skilled team of Auckland Council staff, volunteers, and contractors will net adult birds, health-check and band them, then gently transport them in specially designed boxes for the two-and-a-half-hour journey to Maungatautari, ensuring they are released by early afternoon to settle into their new home. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, once devoid of kōkako since the 1970s, has become a stronghold for the species after earlier translocations in 2015 and 2016. A 2020 census recorded 101 territorial birds, confirming it as the fastest growing and largest mainland kōkako population established by translocation at the time. This translocation is a collaborative effort supported by mana whenua from both Hunua and Maungatautari. The receiving iwi, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Hauā, Raukawa and Waikato are welcoming kōkako with aroha and kaitiakitanga. Chief Executive of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Helen Hughes says: 'We are absolutely thrilled to welcome these precious kōkako from the Hunua Ranges. This translocation is significant to our ongoing efforts to protect New Zealand's unique biodiversity. 'It strengthens our population's genetics and deepens our conservation partnerships. We're so thankful to iwi, volunteers, and Auckland Council for making this possible.' Dr. Janelle Ward, Science, Research and Species Lead, adds: 'Kōkako are such special manu, and their haunting song touches both the heart and the spirit. 'This event is especially meaningful as we honour the work done by Hunua iwi, Auckland Council, and community volunteers who have safeguarded these taonga for over 30 years.' The translocation will also help maintain kōkako genetic diversity nationally, laying the groundwork for Maungatautari to one day become a source site for other reintroductions and native corridors like Taiea te Taiao, allowing native species to move safely across Waikato landscapes. As the haunting call of the kōkako prepares to echo once more through the ancient forest of Maungatautari, this milestone stands as a powerful reminder of what long-term vision, cross-agency collaboration, and deep community care can achieve. Love this initiative and want the best for Auckland's future? Stand for council in Auckland's Local Elections 2025. Nominations open 4 July 2025 and close 1 August 2025, midday. If you'd like to learn more about what's involved in standing, visit
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Planning For Auckland's Rapidly Growing ‘Vibrant' South
Article – Torika Tokalau – Local Democracy Reporter A strategy to help support one of Auckland's fastest-growing regions with housing and its thriving farming industry has been approved by Auckland Council. The southern rural areas, which includes the Franklin Ward, are expected to see an increase of 89,900 people, 37,500 households, and 16,500 jobs by 2052. Auckland Council recently approved the new Southern Rural Strategy, which supports the region to accommodate its growing population, while enabling industries like farming and food production to thrive. 'The southern rural area is expected to account for approximately 15 percent of Auckland's overall population growth over the next 30 years,' Franklin Ward Councillor Andy Baker said. The area was one of New Zealand's primary food production regions, with abundant natural resources and some of the most productive land in New Zealand. 'Its strategic location – close to airports, seaport and key export markets – helps to further cultivate these industries.' In a statement, Baker said the strategy provides direction for where housing choices, industries and employment opportunities will grow, 'in a way that supports the area to thrive economically and ecologically'. It includes strengthening the role of Pukekohe and Waiuku as rural service towns, focuses growth in existing urbanised settlements and avoid growth outside settlements, and minimises urban growth where it could have negative impacts on rural production and industries. The strategy also makes sure there is sufficient infrastructure to support new development, support safe access for residential and rural production users with transport and access needs, and celebrates the Māori and Pākehā heritage of towns, villages and other areas. The strategy covers the fullFranklin ward. It also includes some rural land from theHowick, Manurewa,andPapakuralocal board areas. The strategy does not cover the area's quickest growing towns – Drury, Ōpaheke and Pukekohe – which already have community-backed plans to guide their growth. Consultation on the Southern Rural Strategy took place in October to December last year. Deputy chair of Auckland's Policy and Planning Committee, Angela Dalton, said the strategy supports the southern rural area to grow well. 'This is a vibrant region, where traditional industries thrive alongside emerging sectors,' Dalton said. 'The strategy is about balanced growth that minimises the impact on the environment, while improving housing choices and socially connected communities.' By making the most of existing infrastructure, and focusing on projects that deliver multiple benefits, the council was helping set up the region for a resilient and sustainable future, she said.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Planning For Auckland's Rapidly Growing 'Vibrant' South
A strategy to help support one of Auckland's fastest-growing regions with housing and its thriving farming industry has been approved by Auckland Council. The southern rural areas, which includes the Franklin Ward, are expected to see an increase of 89,900 people, 37,500 households, and 16,500 jobs by 2052. Auckland Council recently approved the new Southern Rural Strategy, which supports the region to accommodate its growing population, while enabling industries like farming and food production to thrive. "The southern rural area is expected to account for approximately 15 percent of Auckland's overall population growth over the next 30 years," Franklin Ward Councillor Andy Baker said. The area was one of New Zealand's primary food production regions, with abundant natural resources and some of the most productive land in New Zealand. "Its strategic location - close to airports, seaport and key export markets - helps to further cultivate these industries." In a statement, Baker said the strategy provides direction for where housing choices, industries and employment opportunities will grow, "in a way that supports the area to thrive economically and ecologically". It includes strengthening the role of Pukekohe and Waiuku as rural service towns, focuses growth in existing urbanised settlements and avoid growth outside settlements, and minimises urban growth where it could have negative impacts on rural production and industries. The strategy also makes sure there is sufficient infrastructure to support new development, support safe access for residential and rural production users with transport and access needs, and celebrates the Māori and Pākehā heritage of towns, villages and other areas. The strategy covers the fullFranklin ward. It also includes some rural land from theHowick, Manurewa,andPapakuralocal board areas. The strategy does not cover the area's quickest growing towns - Drury, Ōpaheke and Pukekohe - which already have community-backed plans to guide their growth. Consultation on the Southern Rural Strategy took place in October to December last year. Deputy chair of Auckland's Policy and Planning Committee, Angela Dalton, said the strategy supports the southern rural area to grow well. "This is a vibrant region, where traditional industries thrive alongside emerging sectors," Dalton said. "The strategy is about balanced growth that minimises the impact on the environment, while improving housing choices and socially connected communities." By making the most of existing infrastructure, and focusing on projects that deliver multiple benefits, the council was helping set up the region for a resilient and sustainable future, she said.
1News
22-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Auckland's rapidly growing south spreads around food producing land
A strategy to help support one of Auckland's fastest growing regions with housing and its thriving farming industry has been approved by Auckland Council. The southern rural areas, which included the Franklin Ward, was expected to increase by 89,900 people, 37,500 households, and 16,500 jobs by 2052. Auckland Council recently approved the new Southern Rural Strategy, which supported the region to accommodate its growing population, while enabling industries such as farming and food production to thrive. 'The southern rural area is expected to account for approximately 15% of Auckland's overall population growth over the next 30 years," Franklin ward councillor Andy Baker said. The area was one of the New Zealand's primary food production regions, with abundant natural resources and some of the most productive land in New Zealand. "It's strategic location, close to airports, seaport and key export markets, helps to further cultivate these industries." In a statement, Baker said the strategy provided direction for where housing choices, industries and employment opportunities would grow, "in a way that supports the area to thrive economically and ecologically". It included strengthening the role of Pukekohe and Waiuku as rural service towns, focused growth in existing urbanised settlements and avoided growth outside settlements, and minimised urban growth where it could have negative impacts on rural production and industries. The strategy also made sure there was sufficient infrastructure to support new development, supported safe access for residential and rural production users with transport and access needs, and celebrated the Māori and Pākehā heritage of towns, villages and other areas. The strategy covered the full Franklin ward. It also included some rural land from the Howick, Manurewa, and Papakura local board areas. The strategy did not cover the area's quickest growing towns — Drury, Ōpaheke and Pukekohe — which already had community-backed plans to guide their growth. Consultation on the Southern Rural Strategy took place in October to December last year. Deputy chair of Auckland's Policy and Planning Committee, Angela Dalton said the strategy supported the southern rural area to grow well. 'This is a vibrant region, where traditional industries thrive alongside emerging sectors," Dalton said. "The strategy is about balanced growth, that minimises the impact on the environment while improving housing choices and socially connected communities." By making the most of existing infrastructure, and focusing on projects that delivered multiple benefits, the council was helping set up the region for a resilient and sustainable future, she said. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Free Talk Brings Minor Accord On Taranaki Water Pollution
Relaxing the rules to allow free-flowing discussion has brought rare agreement on Taranaki Regional Council's biggest headache – dairy farm effluent polluting streams and rivers. Pouring treated cow pooh into freshwater is already outlawed in other key dairying regions – Waikato, Manawatu, Southland and Otago. Canterbury allows it but has zero active consents. In Taranaki 277 farms still have consent to discharge effluent to waterways. That's a fifth of Taranaki's dairy farms, and they're scattered across the entire region. The local herd stands at 450,000 suggesting effluent from some 90,000 cows can flow into streams and rivers after milking – although half those farms also have permission to discharge to land. The council's powerful Policy and Planning Committee is deciding how quickly farmers must stop polluting freshwater when their resource consents expire. Farmer-lobby committee members mostly want a grace period for those facing looming expiry of consents, or where geographical or financial challenges make land discharge difficult. Māori members want an immediately halt to tūtae flowing into awa and downstream to the moana, once consents expire. The committee suspended standing orders at its meeting last week so people could speak more than once. Rather than trying to win each debate with their sole speech, committee members instead had a more free-flowing discussion that led to unanimous consensus. All agreed to pause the pollution decision so staff could bring more facts on problem farms to the next meeting in six weeks. They hope the extra information will help the committee's regional councillors, district councillor appointees, waka representatives, and Federated Farmers local president to agree on final deadlines. New committee chair Bonita Bigham said free and frank discussion saw strongly-held views clearly articulated. 'To put those views on the table while also considering the perspectives of others, and not having to retrench back to a firm position to vote, I think is a really healthy way forward.' Kurahaupō waka representative Tuhi-Ao Bailey pointed out farmers use public waterways for private business benefit. She said Te Mana o te Wai priorities require that commercial needs come third – after the needs of the environment and of communities. 'Mana whenua are sick and tired of waiting for this to end. We've been debating this for years, decades.' For Aotea waka, Peter Moeahu said the focus was environmental improvement, not the business interests of a minority of farmers who'd chosen to take as long as possible to change. 'The more we delay, the more we defer, the more we take our eye off the environmental ball – then we are not doing justice to our communities as a whole.' Tokomaru's Mitchell Ritai completed the unanimous Māori stand against extending consents, congratulating the 80 percent of famers whose work set a benchmark for laggards. Farmer-lobby councillors differed on how long and lenient any consent extensions ought to be. Councillor Donna Cram wanted to wait for Massey University research findings on whether slightly steeper slopes can cope with cowshed waste, potentially meaning more land is available for discharge. For example, high on the ring plain around Taranaki Maunga massive rainfall soaks the ground then drains into multiple fast-running streams, leaving paddocks often unable to absorb waste. 'We should give farmers a chance to get this research because it could save them considerable money,' she said. 'We're talking five or six hundred thousand dollars for some of these systems – it's not chicken feed.' Poultry shed and piggery systems also discharge to Taranaki waterways, but they're a tiny minority compared to the hundreds of dairy farms. Veteran councillor Donald McIntyre was fed up with fellow farmers dragging their heels and said consents shouldn't be extended. 'They should just phase-out now as they come to the end of their [consents],' he said. 'They have had plenty of warning.' Staff warned that a strict pollution deadline would expose a council unable to handle the surge of consent applications. The rush might also inflate the market for building costly discharge-to-land systems, they advised. Bigham is also TRC's first elected Māori constituency councillor. She chaired what she afterwards described as a more natural debate, with similar benefits to the fluidity of wānanga discussion. 'The statements of position, the discussion around why, the opportunity for added information; the opportunity for reassessment of those positions – or clarification of how further work may enable us to make better decisions.' 'That all came up, that was all free-flowing, all open.' 'It left me really heartened that people were able to see the benefits of having a discussion like that and move forward collectively, even if at the end of the day they may still hold the same positions.'
