MĀORI STANDING COMMITTEE - Wairoa District Council

WAIROA DISTRICT COUNCIL
MĀORI STANDING COMMITTEE
Minutes of a meeting of the Māori Committee held at Putahi Marae, SH38, Frasertown on Friday,
25 July 2014 at 1.19 pm
PRESENT:
G Symes
(Chairperson)
G Hawkins, P Kelly, H Nissen, P Whaanga, K Hammond, S Jury, E Foster
COUNCILLORS
B Cairns
IN ATTENDANCE: D Culshaw
H Montgomery
R Matthews
H Hamilton
T Quenneville
M Kaimoana
(Māori Liaison Officer - WDC)
(Regulatory Manager - WDC)
(Transformation Manager – WDC)
(Aranui Marae)
(Whetumarama Marae)
KARAKIA
Meeting opened with a prayer by K Hammond.
APOLOGY
Apologies were received from Councillor M Bird, F Power and N Lambert
Resolved:
That an apology from Councillor M Bird, F Power and N Lambert be accepted.
K Hammond/E Foster
CALLS FOR CONFLICT OF INTEREST
CALL FOR ITEMS OF URGENT GENERAL BUSINESS NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA AND
NOTICES
Planting – Sir James Carroll Memorial Walkway
Waihua Recycling
Resolution – Tangihanga for Charlie Culshaw
Interview Panel for new MLO
Letter – Alex-Ann Edwards
Freedom Camping Policy
Māori Policy Review
Council Report
(H Nissen)
(G Hawkins)
(D Culshaw)
(D Culshaw)
(D Culshaw)
(D Culshaw)
(D Culshaw)
(P Kelly)
PUBLIC FORUM
Tara Quenneville
Spoke about Whenua Rāhui. Wanted to know about the policy. A discussion was had about the
current policy and whether it is actually working in reality. MLO explained the current policy and
situation from an operational viewpoint. There is consideration towards reviewing the current policy.
Resolved:
To initiate a workshop with the Council and MSC with regards to the Whenua
Rāhui Policy
H Nissen / E Foster
Roger Matthews
R Matthews introduced himself and briefly explain his role as the Transformation Manager.
Helen Montgomery
H Montgomery introduced herself as the new Regulatory Manager.
Confirmation of Minutes
MĀORI COMMITTEE MEETING HELD
27 JUNE 2014
Minutes of the Māori Standing Committee held on Friday, 24 April 2014 was presented.
Resolved:
That the minutes of the Māori Standing Committee held on Friday, 27 June 2014
be confirmed as correct.
H Nissen / P Whaanga
DISCUSSION
Under ‘Public Forum’ it was noted that Dr Steven Finlay was ‘contracted’ not ‘employed’. This will be
changed in the minutes. On the point of customer service, T Quenneville noted that there are always
‘complaint forms’, but would like to see ‘compliment forms’ be initiated.
The MLO indicated some of the points discussed at the previous meeting will be covered in the MLO
Report.
General Item
MĀORI LIAISON OFFICER’S REPORT
A 28.01
The MLO spoke to his final report.
Wairoa District Council Road Naming and Number Policy
The MLO explained that nothing had been received as yet. The basis of giving the information to the
MSC representatives is so that they may initially identify street names to be considered for change.
Once the street names have been identified, these will be given to the Asset Manager – Roading for
collation. In due course, a consultation period will be considered. As this will be an ongoing exercise
the MSC representatives were asked to report back regularly (if possible) on any possible name
changes/corrections.
Resolved:
That the MSC review the list of Roading and Policy and report back with
proposed changes at the next meeting (August)
H Nissen / P Whaanga
Nuhaka River Road Erosion / Scour
G Symes spoke about Nuhaka River Road erosion, which has been an ongoing issue for many years.
There has been discussions between the HBRC, WDC, mana whenua and landowners.
Māori Land Court – Retention and Disposal Appraisal Report
Small discussion regarding this report, nothing was received to date.
Request for Change of Meeting Dates
P Kelly spoke to this report with regards to timing of recommendations and resolutions to be passed
onto the Council for their consideration. A lengthy discussion was had regarding the dates of the MSC
hui. It was decided that Friday would be the preferred day, with an earlier start time to be considered.
It was also suggested that a permanent minute taker be considered for all MSC hui (at Council and on
Marae). It was noted from the MSC representatives that by enabling a minute taker to attend all hui,
this would allow the MLO (who takes the minutes when hui are on Marae) to fully participate in the hui.
This would need to be further discussed with the Regulatory Manager for consideration.
Recommended:
That the preference for the MSC hui to continue to be held on a Friday, in the
interest of improving the continuity to ensure that the minutes and agendas be
shared appropriately.
P Whaanga / P Kelly
Wairoa Branding
Discussion was had about the branding of Wairoa. It was mentioned by some MSC representatives
that this is the third time such a process has been undertaken. They are mindful of the relevance and
cost of such an exercise. The MSC would prefer to see what the ED team ‘come up with’ before
offering feedback and/or comments
Resolved:
That the report be received
P Kelly / G Symes
General Business
Planting – Sir James Carroll Memorial (H Nissen)
H Nissen spoke about the planting programme in place at the Kura Kaupapa. A date has been set for
20 August 2014 (Sir James Carroll’s Birthday). The Kura has approximately 300 plants for
consideration at the Sir James Caroll Memorial walkway (near the monument) and Whangawehi. The
MLO will advise the Engineering Manager.
Waihua – Recycling Bins (G Hawkins)
G Hawkins asked for recycling bins to be situated at Waihua, similar to those placed at Mohaka,
Raupunga and Kotemaori. It was suggested to contact Waipapa Recycling.
Resolution – Tangihanga for Charlie Culshaw (D Culshaw)
The MLO expressed his gratitude to all the kind condolences his whānau received over the passing of
his father, in particular for the Council presence during this sad time. In keeping with procedural
matters, the MLO requested a resolution from the MSC to ensure that those MSC representatives who
attended the tangihanga on behalf of the Council (Friday, 11 July 2014) be paid a sitting fee.
Resolved:
That K Hammond, N Lambert and H Nissen be paid a sitting fee (including
mileage) for attending the tangihanga (funeral) for Charlie Culshaw on behalf of
the Māori Standing Committee on 11 July 2014
P Kelly / G Hawkins
Interview Panel for new MLO (D Culshaw)
The WDC Māori Policy 2012 indicates that the MSC can ‘…recommend to the Chief Executive Officer
that the Chair of the Māori Standing Committee is involved in the interview panel for appoint of the
Māori Liaison Officer’. The CEO has requested that the Chairperson sits on the interview panel, as
well as one other representative from the MSC. The MSC recommended H Nissen to be the second
delegate. The MSC will also consider a backup person just in case G Symes or H Nissen are unable
to attend. This will be determined closer to the time.
There was a discussion around the position of the MLO within the new Organisation Chart, in
particular that the MLO will now be part of the Regulatory Department under the Policy Team.
K Hammond expressed his concerns about this. There was a passionate discussion about where the
MLO should possibly sit within the organisation. P Kelly indicated that at a recent Council Retreat, that
he attended, it was pointed out that Māori interests are an over-arching principle for not only the
Council, but also the community, thus P Kelly and the MSC believes that the MLO should report
directly to the CEO to clearly reflect this over-arching principle. Due to the CEO’s absence from this
hui, the MSC requested that this be discussed with the CEO, F Power, at a later date. R Matthews
added comments.
Councillor Cairns indicated that this was the first time she had seen the chart, so also had concerns of
its organisational flow.
Letter – Alex-Ann Edwards (D Culshaw)
A letter from Alex-Ann was presented to the MSC for their consideration. A letter of reply will be sent to
Alex-Ann to present her plan at the next MSC hui.
Freedom Camping Policy (D Culshaw)
The MLO gave a ‘heads up’ that there will be a review of the Freedom Camping Policy. Once it is in a
draft format it will no doubt be brought back to the MSC for consideration / feedback. H Montgomery
spoke to this kaupapa (issue) as to what this will entail.
Māori Policy Review (D Culshaw)
S Jury questioned the position of the Wairoa Whānui representative and whether it should be
abolished. A short discussion was had around this kaupapa, with some clarification to be placed on
this role within the upcoming Māori Policy Review, which is due in November 2014.
Council Report (P Kelly)
P Kelly gave a verbal report to the MSC from agenda items of the Council. In particular he made
mention of the landfill. A small discussion was had, but will await further outcomes.
CLOSED:
The meeting closed with a karakia by K Hammond at 3.49 pm.

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