Waikato River Authority: Annual Report 2014

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Highlights
Formation of the Waikato River
Restoration Forum
» A strategic Waikato River leadership group has
been established under the guidance of the Waikato
River Authority to facilitate greater collaboration
between industry, central and local government and
iwi organisations for the benefit of the Waikato and
Waipa Rivers. The Forum will work together on major
projects to improve the health and wellbeing of
the rivers and encourage a coordinated and planned
approach to restoration activities.
Changes to the board
» The Waikato River Authority announced three
new board members during the year following the
retirement of two iwi and one Crown representative.
The new board members are Vanessa Eparaima
(Raukawa) and Weo Maag (Maniapoto) along with
a new Crown appointee Traci Houpapa. See pages
8 and 9 for a full profile of all the Authority board
members.
Waipa River catchment field trip
» A highlight for the Waikato River Authority during
the year was a full day’s field trip to the Waipa River
catchment. It was one of the most comprehensive
study trips undertaken by the Waikato River Authority
which saw board members travel from the confluence
of the Waipa and Waikato Rivers at Ngaruawahia to
the Waipa River’s headwaters at Pekepeke. The board
was able to observe the scale of challenges faced in
the Waipa catchment and the opportunities to address
these challenges and improve this catchment. The trip
was well supported by the Waikato Regional Council
with an informative commentary on the issues and
opportunities within the catchment.
Economic Impact Joint Venture
» This joint venture brings together the Waikato
River Authority, Dairy NZ, central government
(Ministry for Primary Industries and Ministry for the
Environment), and the Waikato Regional Council.
The joint venture is developing a model to inform on
the economic impacts arising from future freshwater
policy options that may be under consideration. The
work provided supporting information for the new
National Objectives Framework for freshwater, and
will be an important tool in developing the Healthy
Rivers Plan for the Waikato and Waipa rivers. The
joint venture was chaired by the Waikato River
Authority’s Chief Executive.
Healthy Rivers: Plan for Change/Wai Ora:
He Rautaki Whakapaipai
» Waikato and Waipa River iwi and Waikato Regional
Council’s process to work with stakeholders to
develop changes to the regional plan to help
restore and protect the health of the Waikato and
Waipa Rivers got underway during the 2012 – 2013
year. Development of the plan change is of major
importance to the Waikato and Waipa Rivers, as
the regional plan must give effect to the Vision
and Strategy, which the Authority oversees. The
Authority sits on the project steering group Te
Roopuu Hautuu with River iwi and the Waikato
Regional Council.
3rd Funding round completed
» Five and a half million dollars was allocated to
Waikato River catchment projects as part of the
Authority’s third funding round. Thirty-three
projects were funded. After three and a half years of
operation, the Waikato River Authority has funded
108 projects of which 28 are fully completed.
In total a 97.5% rate of successful funding
outcomes has been achieved with the remainder
of funds ($432,550) returned to the Authority as
circumstances meant projects did not proceed.
Investment Fund
» The Waikato River Authority’s goal of creating a
long-term investment fund to be used to support
river clean-up activities at the end of the Crown’s
30-year funding commitment is well on track.
The fund grew by $1.5 million during the year and
currently stands at just over $40 million.
Ripple Effect
» The Waikato River Authority participated extensively
in the development of a community focused website
showcasing environmental projects in the region.
The website is open to any
organisation or individual to profile projects. All
Waikato River Authority funded projects from 2011,
2012 and 2013 are now mapped on the site.
Website
» There has been further development and
improvement to the Waikato River Authority’s
website during the year.
Of particular significance has been an increase in
the amount of on-line tools and resources available
to individuals and organisations undertaking
catchment related clean-up projects.
New premises
» The Authority moved to a new stand-alone home in
August 2013. After the evaluation of the business
case the board decided to purchase an office building
at 21 Rostrevor Street near the Waikato River in
Hamilton’s central business district.
Restoring and protecting the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River
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