Latest news with #Hawke'sBayRegionalCouncil
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Setback for large Havelock North subdivision plan; council opposes inclusion in key document
An independent panel recommended the Middle Rd site be included in the FDS to meet housing growth, with capacity for over 600 new homes. Developer CDL Land owns a large portion of that land and has been eyeing a future subdivision on the site. Other landowners also own land on that site. Aerial view of the proposed site. The neighbouring area under development is mainly the Iona development. Photo / Hastings District Council The land, some of which is currently used for grazing sheep, is sandwiched between CDL's existing Iona subdivision project (for over 300 residential lots) and the new James Wattie Retirement Village. However, on Tuesday, councillors opted to exclude the site and a smaller site on Wall Rd in Hastings (of 11ha) from the FDS, to protect fertile soils. Councillor Kevin Watkins said Hawke's Bay was famous for being 'the fruit bowl of New Zealand'. 'The production of fruit and horticulture is the backbone of our economy,' Watkins said, of protecting fertile soils. 'Once the land is lost, there is no opportunity to get it back.' The Middle Rd site is Land Use Capability 2, which is considered good land for growing. Councillor Wendy Schollum wanted the Middle Rd and Wall Rd sites to be included in the FDS, highlighting that it was supported by the independent panel of experts. 'As a council, we have seen what happens when we don't plan for enough housing. 'Children growing up in motels, families in limbo – I will not vote to take us back there.' Hawke's Bay Regional Council last month also opposed the Middle Rd site's inclusion in the FDS. CDL Land has been contacted about the latest decision. The FDS will be updated every three years – meaning sites can be reviewed again in future. The Middle Rd land is currently zoned Plains Production, which protects fertile soils from being developed. What happens now? The final FDS document must be agreed to by all three participating councils – Hastings, Napier and Hawke's Bay Regional Council – before it can be adopted. That is proving to be a problem. Last month, Napier City Council approved a final FDS document with the inclusion of all 15 proposed future housing sites across the region (with capacity for over 5000 new homes). Hawke's Bay Regional Council approved a final FDS document with two sites removed – the Riverbend Rd site in Napier because of flood concerns, and the Middle Rd site to protect fertile soils. Hastings has now approved a final FDS document with the removal of two sites, Middle Rd and Wall Rd. As there is no unanimous agreement, more work will need to be done. That will include a technical working group pulling together a final proposed FDS document, taking on board the concerns of each council. That technical working group will include staff from all three councils and consultants. A revised FDS document will then go back to each council to be considered for adoption. 'The options range from preparing an FDS that all parties agree on, to potentially having one FDS with notations reflecting the three councils' requests,' Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst previously said of that process. In other words, some sites could be included with an asterix next to them in the FDS, and notations or footnotes setting out specific concerns. Hazlehurst said if agreement could not be reached at that point, 'further discussions' would be required between the councils. Long-standing regional councillor Neil Kirton said earlier this month that he had concerns about the process going forward, given the differing stances. He said, in his view, a footnote raising certain concerns was simply akin to 'weasel words' to have a site included in the FDS, when the better path was to simply include or exclude a site. He said if it ended with a 2-1 vote in terms of the final shape of the FDS being adopted, he could see that ending up in court through a judicial review. The three partner councils must all adopt one FDS to meet the requirements of the National Policy Statement for Urban Development. Developers can apply for resource consents or private plan changes for housing developments in future, even if they are not included in the FDS. However, being listed in the FDS is a major advantage. Gary Hamilton-Irvine is a Hawke's Bay-based reporter who covers a range of news topics including business, councils, breaking news and cyclone recovery. He formerly worked at News Corp Australia.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Community Coalition Backs Māori Wards
Press Release – For Wards Hawke's Bay Called For Wards Hawkes Bay, the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Mori wards are better for all, organisers say. A Hawke's Bay community coalition has been formed to back Māori wards at referendums in September. Called 'For Wards Hawke's Bay', the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Māori wards are better for all, organisers say. The group's public launch on Wednesday will be chaired by former Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham. 'I am really happy to support this endeavour to secure Maori wards for our region,' Graham says. 'Maori wards add to our democracy and fit into its essential principles of 'one person one vote' and accountability to the electorate.' Speakers at Wednesday's launch at the Clive Hall will include Hastings Presbyterian minister the Rev Jill McDonald, Hastings Takitimu Māori Ward councillor Heather Te Au-Skipworth, President of the Hawke's Bay Multicultural society Rizwaana Latiff, and Hayley Whittaker from the Public Service Association. All supporters of Māori wards are welcome to attend the meeting on Wednesday July 23 at the Clive Hall. Doors open at 5pm and the brief speeches are from 5.30 to 6pm. For Wards Hawke's Bay co-ordinator Neill Gordon says Hawke's Bay is coming together to support Māori Wards. 'For Wards Hawke's Bay is a community coalition of people from throughout the region – business and community leaders, old and young, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, workers, faith leaders . . . who all recognise that Māori having a seat at the decision-making table means better decisions for all.' Hawke's Bay councils are among 42 nationwide holding a Māori wards referendum with the local body election postal vote that opens September 9 and closes October 11. Wairoa was the first council in New Zealand to introduce a Māori ward following a referendum in 2019. Voters there will take part in the Hawke's Bay Regional Council referendum. Historically, Mãori have been significantly under-represented in local government. In Napier there have been just three Māori councillors in 150 years and just a handful in Hastings. Candidates standing in Māori wards are elected by voters on the Māori roll, the same as for the Māori seats in Parliament. It's the same democratic principle as with rural council wards, which ensure people in remote areas have guaranteed representation and their voice isn't swamped by larger urban populations. There are no extra costs and councils with existing Māori wards say it saves money because better decisions are made for all, consultation happens properly and court cases are avoided. Gordon says that 'Democracy is many things – MMP, First Past the Post, a House of Lords . . . Democracy comes in many flavours. Fundamentally, democracy is about ensuring fair representation and that's exactly what Māori wards are designed to do.' 'No matter who we are or where we come from, most of us want a future where people and the environment are well cared for. 'But some people and groups are trying to divide us, and divert us from these concerns that matter to so many of us. At times, this division has meant our councils are not able to make the best decisions for our long term, ones that put care for people and our environment first. 'Māori wards have been a positive solution. By bringing in Māori culture, knowledge and ways of life, councils have become a better reflection of our communities and our shared concerns. Māori ward councillors have helped harness our collective strength by weaving our communities together so our councils can make better, long-term decisions that benefit all of us, and the places we love.'
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Community Coalition Backs Māori Wards
A Hawke's Bay community coalition has been formed to back Māori wards at referendums in September. Called 'For Wards Hawke's Bay', the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Māori wards are better for all, organisers say. The group's public launch on Wednesday will be chaired by former Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham. "I am really happy to support this endeavour to secure Maori wards for our region," Graham says. "Maori wards add to our democracy and fit into its essential principles of 'one person one vote' and accountability to the electorate." Speakers at Wednesday's launch at the Clive Hall will include Hastings Presbyterian minister the Rev Jill McDonald, Hastings Takitimu Māori Ward councillor Heather Te Au-Skipworth, President of the Hawke's Bay Multicultural society Rizwaana Latiff, and Hayley Whittaker from the Public Service Association. All supporters of Māori wards are welcome to attend the meeting on Wednesday July 23 at the Clive Hall. Doors open at 5pm and the brief speeches are from 5.30 to 6pm. For Wards Hawke's Bay co-ordinator Neill Gordon says Hawke's Bay is coming together to support Māori Wards. 'For Wards Hawke's Bay is a community coalition of people from throughout the region - business and community leaders, old and young, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, workers, faith leaders . . . who all recognise that Māori having a seat at the decision-making table means better decisions for all.' Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Hawke's Bay councils are among 42 nationwide holding a Māori wards referendum with the local body election postal vote that opens September 9 and closes October 11. Wairoa was the first council in New Zealand to introduce a Māori ward following a referendum in 2019. Voters there will take part in the Hawke's Bay Regional Council referendum. Historically, Mãori have been significantly under-represented in local government. In Napier there have been just three Māori councillors in 150 years and just a handful in Hastings. Candidates standing in Māori wards are elected by voters on the Māori roll, the same as for the Māori seats in Parliament. It's the same democratic principle as with rural council wards, which ensure people in remote areas have guaranteed representation and their voice isn't swamped by larger urban populations. There are no extra costs and councils with existing Māori wards say it saves money because better decisions are made for all, consultation happens properly and court cases are avoided. Gordon says that 'Democracy is many things – MMP, First Past the Post, a House of Lords . . . Democracy comes in many flavours. Fundamentally, democracy is about ensuring fair representation and that's exactly what Māori wards are designed to do.' 'No matter who we are or where we come from, most of us want a future where people and the environment are well cared for. 'But some people and groups are trying to divide us, and divert us from these concerns that matter to so many of us. At times, this division has meant our councils are not able to make the best decisions for our long term, ones that put care for people and our environment first. 'Māori wards have been a positive solution. By bringing in Māori culture, knowledge and ways of life, councils have become a better reflection of our communities and our shared concerns. Māori ward councillors have helped harness our collective strength by weaving our communities together so our councils can make better, long-term decisions that benefit all of us, and the places we love.'
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- General
- NZ Herald
Pōrangahau's Birch Hill Station: ‘Amy's Forest' protected by QEII covenant and fencing
A chance visit to Birch Hill Station, by Mark Mitchell from Hawke's Bay Regional Council, led him to discover a block of bush that he believed needed to be preserved. Collaborating with QEII National Trust and the regional council, Ben and Libby started to get the project under way. Ben said that after three wet summers and a cyclone, the deer fencing around the 24ha native forest block had now been completed. He said the 2m-high fence will keep out wild deer and allow the forest to regenerate in the coming years. 'Systematic predator control has been carried out to reduce the numbers of rats, possums and other predators, like cats, stoats and ferrets. 'This will allow the native birdlife to flourish.' Fletcher Tosswill (left), Libby Tosswill, with arms around Jack Tosswill, team member Max Lyver and Alex Tosswill at Birch Hill Station. Photo / Ben Tosswill Predator control will need to be ongoing, but Ben said the aim was for Amy's Forest to become an island sanctuary where birds and other fauna could proliferate and spread to other areas. Peka peka (New Zealand short-tailed bat) have also been found to use Amy's Forest as a roost. Eventually, Ben and Libby aim to create a walking track in this native block, so it can be made available for visitors to appreciate how precious our native bush is. Birch Hill Station in Pōrangahau, Central Hawkes Bay, is home to Amy's Forest. Photo / Ben Tosswill Eradicating the remaining wild deer that were inside the fence after it was completed has been a major job. Professional hunters with specially trained hunting dogs, drones with thermal cameras and game cameras were employed for this task. It took a month to complete before it was 100% certain there were no more deer left. Amy's Forest has been protected in perpetuity by a QEII National Trust covenant, meaning it will always remain in its natural state. Photo / Ben Tosswill Wild red deer (an introduced species) are prolific in Central Hawke's Bay and throughout New Zealand, posing a major threat to native forests as they browse seedlings and prevent regeneration. Amy's Forest has been protected in perpetuity by a QEII National Trust covenant, meaning it will always remain in its natural state. Ben and Libby are advocates for enriching the land and, in turn, enriching people. Significant work has gone into protecting waterways and wetlands on their farm, and they also run a glamping site that enables visitors to enjoy a taste of country life and appreciate how farmers care for the environment and their stock. 'Amy's Forest is a special place for our family, and, in Amy's memory, it will be enjoyed by generations to come,' Ben said.
Otago Daily Times
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Council opposed red weather warning before cyclone hit
By Amy Williams of RNZ MetService could have upgraded weather warnings for Hawke's Bay to red the day before a Cyclone Gabrielle hit in early 2023 - but faced opposition from the regional council, according to the agency's chief meteorologist. The first phase of the inquest into the deaths of 19 people in the storm and Auckland floods is focusing on the warnings given to the public and the emergency response. The weather forecaster issued a red severe weather warning for Hawke's Bay on Monday, February 13, the day the cyclone made landfall. Chief meteorologist Chris Noble said MetService wanted to issue the warning the day before but Hawke's Bay Regional Council was opposed, based on confidence in its flood modelling. "One thing we've learned through this event is that red warnings are significant beyond just the flood modelling that might feed into that discussion and ultimately it's MetService's decision whether to go red or not." Noble said MetService's severe weather team had discussed upgrading to a red warning with the council's hydrology team on the morning of February 12, ahead of its first issue of warnings about 10am that day. "The hydrologists were opposed to a red warning being issued, citing high confidence in their flood modelling which indicated no major concerns." MetService is tasked with communicating weather forecasts and warnings but does not undertake flood modelling. It upgraded the orange warning for the region from orange to red on February 13 at 3.15pm. "I cannot say exactly what changed other than acknowledging the event was under way so the meteorologist would have been monitoring in real time... but I can't say for certain what led to that change from orange to red." Noble said in hindsight, MetService should have issued the red warning a day earlier on the morning of February 12. "It's definitely our preference that everyone agrees that it is a good idea to issue a red warning because of the significant impacts that we do understand it will have within communities," he said. "I would say this is probably touching on one of the biggest learnings for us from these events that ultimately MetService has that decision to make, and should make it if necessary, even if the other party doesn't agree." Matthew Mortimer-Wang, the counsel assisting the coroner, asked if there was enough information to justify a red weather warning. Noble said red warnings did not have a technical threshold of rainfall because they were designed to alert people to weather's extreme impact on their region and were linked to flood assessments. "It places everyone in a difficult position if those models don't adequately capture the intensity of an event at a specific location." Hawke's Bay was one of Cyclone Gabrielle's worst-hit regions but there were no alerts or warnings before the Esk River burst its banks, flooding the entire valley in the early hours of February 14. There have since been multiple inquiries into the actions of authorities before and during the cyclone. All of the investigations found failures in New Zealand's emergency management system. The various reports made more than 100 recommendations, including the creation of an early warning system for the public. The inquest today heard how councils used a range of different information to predict flooding. Counsel assisting the families of the deceased, Jane Glover, asked why MetService believed the different flood forecasting systems were a "serious vulnerability". Noble said a range of agencies - MetService, NIWA (the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) and councils - all owned weather stations but there were restrictions on sharing data with one another. The way in which the 16 regional councils develop forecast and model future flooding varied. "Across the country there's an uneven playing field for how flooding is forecast and modelled. We're aware that councils all have their own processes and that various councils will use different types of rainfall information to inform their flood prediction and their warnings," Noble told the inquest. "What we're really calling out there is a better linked up system that's using the same inputs to the warnings with the expertise feeding through to the flood modelling." Noble said that would be "advantageous across all of New Zealand, independent of the size of the council or their ability to pay for additional information". At the time of the cyclone, he said Hawke's Bay Regional Council used one single model from MetService for its flood modelling, while in other parts of the country NIWA assisted other councils with their flood predictions using a model different to that of MetService. "It's just an example of how things are done differently in different regions. I think it would be a stronger system if the playing field was levelled and we all had a well integrated system using the same information right from the rainfall to the warnings to the flooding prediction itself." Nava Fedaeff, NIWA's manager for climate, atmosphere and hazards, began giving evidence late this afternoon about the data the institute provides about the weather and potential flooding. NIWA is a Crown Research Institute that, as of this month, has merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand. The inquest continues tomorrow. Hearings are set down for about six weeks, split between Auckland and Hastings.
