A Court of Appeal decision around water bottling may affect the way we manage water in Canterbury.
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Partnering with Ngāi Tahu for Te Mana o te Wai
Last updated: 22 February 2023
Reporting frequency: Quarterly
Portfolio: Water and land
We will continue to partner with Ngāi Tahu and engage with communities to implement the Government’s Essential Freshwater package, including Te Mana o te Wai, and improve freshwater outcomes.
We will protect and restore priority aquatic ecosystems and habitats and create opportunities for mahinga kai through regulation and other initiatives to improve water quality and flow.
We are leading a shared regional commitment through the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) – strengthening collaborative arrangements with Papatipu Rūnanga, Zone Committees, community and key organisations, including through joint work programmes.
How are we tracking on our Levels of Service?
Level of Service 1: Facilitate the Canterbury Water Management Strategy zone and regional committees to support achievement of the 2025 goals, in partnership with Ngai Tahu and the Canterbury region’s city and district councils.
To achieve this level of service we will:
- 1.1 Provide opportunities for community engagement through Zone and Regional Committee actions.
How are we doing: There are ten water management zone committees in Canterbury. You can find out more about the committees and their work programmes.
On track
Level of Service 4: Partner with Papatipu Rūnanga and engage with the community to inform amendments to the regulatory framework (to give effect to Central Government's Essential Freshwater package, achieving Te Mana o te Wai).
To achieve this level of service we will:
- 4.1 Notify a land and water regulatory framework that provides for a Ngāi Tahu and community vision when giving effect to the Government’s Essential Freshwater package across the region.
How are we doing: On 2 December 2022, a significant milestone was reached for the development of the regulatory framework, with Te Rōpū Tuia approving the Tuia Protocol – Partnership Arrangements for Phase 1 of the integrated planning programme. The delay in confirming the governance arrangements means, however, that delivering a freshwater planning instrument in 2024 remains at risk.
At risk
Level of Service 5: Partner with Papatipu Rūnanga and engage with the community to implement Central Government's Essential Freshwater package to improve freshwater outcomes.
To achieve this level of service we will:
- 5.1 Develop and implement a programme in partnership with Papatipu Rūnanga to deliver Te Mana o te Wai.
How are we doing: The Kaitiakitanga Mahinga Kai programme of work involves working with ngā Papatipu Rūnanga to identify sites they would like to see actively restored and/or protected.
On track
How are we doing on our key initiatives?
Zone Committee Action Plan delivery and implementation
How are we doing: Zone Committees continued to identify and recommend Action Plan funding projects, with a quarter of available funding allocated to projects across the zones. The Regional Committee is not yet re-established. Find out more about the committees and their work programmes.
On track
Ashburton Consent Reviews
How are we doing: The project is very near to completion - the majority of the 88 consents reviewed have been decided, with decisions for a further two expected to be made by the end of January/early February, and one objection hearing ongoing.
On track
Te Mana o te Wai implementation – implementing new Essential Freshwater national direction in partnership with Papatipu Rūnanga
How are we doing: We have connected with Papatipu Rūnanga, with four projects now in progress, and others being scheduled to increase community engagement and awareness towards achieving Te Mana o Te Wai.
On track
Zone initiatives
How are we doing: We are delivering priority projects in water management zones in conjunction with our other programmes of work. A work programme is in place with more than 65% of the available funds committed.
On track