Community and stakeholder engagement
In late 2021 we asked the community what freshwater areas are important to them and whether they were happy with its current state. We also ran online public engagement in 2022 about long term vision and outcomes for freshwater.
We’ve been discussing issues and draft options with tangata whenua and advisory panels.
During January to March, we went along to community events where we discussed what we’re doing and how people can get involved.
From April – September 2023 we are holding engagement events across the region, this will include sub-regional hui-ā-rohe (for tangata whenua). In-person events in each of the 13 “Freshwater Management Units” (FMUs), and online webinars for some areas.
See our calendar of events at the bottom of this page.
Feedback can also be provided online or in writing.
You can find out more about freshwater issues for each FMU and the region, and the draft options we are thinking about to manage them in the Information Booklets listed above (see Information booklets about the Freshwater Management Units). This is a great time for you to give your feedback because they are draft and have not been considered or adopted by your elected Councillors yet.
In 2025, anybody will be able to make formal submissions on the proposed plan changes and can be heard in front of an independent freshwater hearings panel.
Freshwater Futures Community groups
In 2015, we set up three community groups in the Rangitāiki, Kaituna/Maketū and Pongakawa/Waitahanui catchments to provide input and advice as we worked on implementing the earlier versions of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (2014 and 2017). They helped us to identify local community values and desired outcomes for freshwater. They were starting to look at issues and solutions in their catchments. While the work programme has changed, the input they provided is still useful. We are meeting with them again in April 2023. There are also several other community groups in the region with an interest in freshwater who we will be in touch with.
Regional and Environmental Sector Organisation Forum
This Forum has representatives of primary sector and environmental organisations. It provides early feedback and advice as we develop policy options for freshwater management. They will also assist us to engage with their membership when the time comes.
Territorial Local Authorities (TLA) Freshwater Collaboration Group
This group includes staff from each of the district and city councils in Bay of Plenty region as well as regional council. We share information and promote collaboration on freshwater management issues, particularly relating to district/city functions like water supply, wastewater and stormwater networks.
