Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Improved E. coli levels at freshwater swimming sites (12 of 14 sites within guidelines more than 75% of the time)
• All monitored coastal swimming sites were within guidelines more than 75% of the time
• Thirty-two fencing projects sponsored for lakes and wetlands; approximately 15,000 plants supplied for lake and wetland planting
• Fifty Community Pest Control Areas implemented; approximately 40 landowners receive funding to manage pests
• Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary covers 17,400 hectares of intensive predator control
• Water quality improvements in Whangārei and Kaipara harbours over the last six years
• Nearly 600km of riparian fencing built with grant funding
• Nearly 230 Farm Water Quality Improvement Plans developed
• Significant reduction in Manchurian wild rice at outlier sites (77% of outlier sites had no plants or less than 5% cover in 2014-15)
• Positive contribution to kauri dieback management program
• Northland remains mostly free from feral deer populations
• Successful multi-agency response to Queensland fruit fly incursions
• Ongoing control of Mediterranean fanworm in Whangārei Harbour (densities suppressed to effective zero limits at several sites)

Social Achievements

• Flood management planning carried out in 26 river catchments; coastal flood hazard maps developed for about 60 areas
• Support for communities to identify, understand, and cope with natural hazards
• Tsunami evacuation zone mapping produced for the entire Northland coastline; tsunami sirens installed in coastal communities
• Collaboration with district councils, iwi/hapū, and local communities on freshwater management
• Community engagement initiatives to contain kauri dieback disease
• Collaboration with stakeholders on Kai Iwi Lakes projects (weed control, pest surveillance, community events)
• Marine industry network group established to raise awareness and surveillance
• Community-based clean-up of Whangārei Harbour

Governance Achievements

• Development of new natural hazards policy in the Regional Policy Statement
• Progress on major flood mitigation works, minor river works, and coast care work
• Development of a new regional plan to address air quality issues
• Collaboration with district councils on dust mitigation framework
• Development of a marine pathways plan for marine biosecurity
• Data sharing and collaboration with territorial authorities on contaminated sites
• Programme to assist ratepayers with disposing of household hazardous wastes

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Localised air quality issues (smoke from burning, dust from unsealed roads)
• Risks from natural hazards (flooding, tsunami, droughts, erosion)
• Microbial contamination of swimming water, particularly after heavy rainfall
• Impacts of introduced animal and plant pests on biodiversity
• Sediment accumulation in harbours and estuaries
• Marine pest invasions
• Land use change affecting soil health and land stability
• Groundwater contamination from land use activities, bore construction, and groundwater takes
• Balancing water demand with environmental needs
• Water quality degradation in lowland catchments
• Nutrient enrichment and algal blooms in lakes and rivers
• Marine litter and rubbish
• Stock access to coastal marine areas

Mitigation Strategies

• Dust mitigation framework; work on a new draft regional plan
• Flood mitigation works, hazard mapping, community awareness, planning
• Microbial source tracking, sanitary surveys, land management initiatives
• Pest control areas, fencing, planting, predator control
• Investigations of sediment accumulation rates; estuary monitoring programme
• Marine pest management pathway plan; vessel hull surveillance and awareness campaign
• Farm Water Quality Improvement Plans, Environment Fund grants, soil conservation actions
• Specific groundwater investigations; monitoring of water quality parameters
• Water allocation limits; hydrometric network
• Catchment profiling, land management initiatives
• Monitoring of nutrients and algal blooms
• Marine pollution patrols, harbour clean-up
• Fencing to exclude stock from coastal areas

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Flooding
• Droughts
• Erosion
• Increased storm intensity
• Sea level rise

Awards & Recognition

• 2014 New Zealand River Awards (Mangere River)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental Management
• Māori Participation
• Economic Development
• Community Engagement
• Financial Prudence
• Hazard Management
• Resource Management

Environmental Achievements

• Completion of Whangārei’s Hopua te Nihotetea detention dam, reducing flood impacts.
• Revamped Whangatane spillway and stock bridge in Kaitāia, improving flood protection.
• Mayflower Farms Ltd reduced water use by 58% (7.9 million litres/year) and effluent volumes by 51% (9.9 million litres/year).
• Waiotu Farms Ltd saved 43% (3.1 million litres/year) of water and reduced effluent by 26% (3.5 million litres/year).
• Significant reductions in possum and rat numbers in Warawara Forest.
• 100% of monitored air sheds met national environmental standards.
• A digital project for marine pests response received national recognition.

Social Achievements

• Launch of 'Northland | Forward Together', a collaborative plan with three district councils.
• Establishment of the Northland Transportation Alliance.
• Increased digital enablement in remote areas.
• Marae-based workshops with Te Tai Tokerau Māori Advisory Committee.
• Warawara forest pest control project in partnership with nine marae and Te Runanga o Te Rarawa.
• 1152 people participated in CoastCare groups.
• Two dedicated staff roles for iwi liaison support.

Governance Achievements

• Sound management of investment portfolio generated increased revenue without rate increases.
• Secured lower interest rates on borrowing, minimizing targeted rates.
• Strong balance sheet and sound financial position.
• All resource consent applications processed within statutory timeframes.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• 17% of permitted farm dairy effluent activities had significant non-compliance events (slightly short of target).
• Decline in Whangārei CityLink bus service passenger numbers.
• Appeals to the Environment Court delaying Kerikeri-Waipapa rivers flood management scheme.
• Kauri dieback disease affecting kauri forests.

Mitigation Strategies

• Increased resourcing for farm dairy effluent volume reduction work.
• Extension of targeted transport rate for BusAbout Kaitāia bus service and application for national funding.
• Mediation to resolve appeals for Kerikeri-Waipapa scheme.
• Partnership management programme for kauri dieback involving various agencies and tangata whenua.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• River flooding

Awards & Recognition

• ALGIM Web and Digital Awards - Project of the Year

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Above national average in taking action to increase biodiversity (98%); Above national average in looking after water (82%); Above national average in controlling animal pests (35%); On national average in controlling plant pests (30%). 7300 metres of riparian margins planted by Enviroschools in 2014 (38% of national total); 10,546 trees planted by Enviroschools in 2014 (88% native plants); and, fencing off waterways to exclude stock through the WaiFencing component of the WaiRestoration project. Mayflower Farms Ltd reduced water use by 58% (7.9 million litres/year) and effluent volumes going to the ponds by 51% (9.9 million litres/year). Waiotu Farms Ltd saved 43% (3.1 million litres/year) of water and reduced effluent going to the ponds by 26% (3.5 million litres/year).

Social Achievements

• Increased participation from 47% to 70% of Northland schools in the Enviroschools programme; Increased outcomes from a larger number of Enviroschools in Northland; and Increased numbers of Enviroschools in Northland will further strengthen the regional network and add to the diversity, perspectives and knowledge shared by participants. Additional support for public transport services in Northland.

Governance Achievements

• Automated agenda and minutes system for council and committee meetings; Contribution towards a national historic aerial photography project; Upgrade of mobile devices; Legal expense associated with legal challenges to the setting of rates through the Kaipara District Council.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Current Enviroschools programme at capacity; Increasing demand for poplar and willow poles exceeding supply; Insufficient resourcing in the farm dairy effluent team; Insufficient equipment to continuously monitor dissolved oxygen levels in rivers; Existing groundwater pump is old, heavy, and requires two staff to operate; Increasing volume of environmental data requiring more data management and reporting; Increasing requests for flood hazard information; Rivers/natural hazards team working at capacity; Increasing demand for new passenger transport services in Northland; Ongoing changes to legislation and NZTA management, and increased administrative requirements relating to funding for public passenger transport, road safety, policy and planning; Aged maritime navigation and safety aids needing replacement; A rock at Waipapa landing posing a navigational hazard.

Mitigation Strategies

• Allocate $32,500 to support the Enviroschools programme; Contribute $30,000 to continue support for the poplar and willow nursery; Update and replace technical equipment for water quality and pest monitoring ($187,000); Purchase five dissolved oxygen loggers ($25,000); Purchase a new groundwater pump ($7,000); Allocate $65,000 for staff resourcing for data management and reporting; Allocate $70,000 for staff resourcing for rivers and natural hazards; Allocate $10,000 to upgrade river level stations; Replace pumppro river level sensors ($24,000); Acquire satellite loggers for flood event data ($27,500); Contribute $30,000 to support the expansion and improvement of public transport services in Northland; Allocate $152,000 to upgrade beacons; Allocate $30,000 to remove a rock hazard at Waipapa Landing.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• River flooding

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance
• Cultural Heritage

Environmental Achievements

• Not disclosed

Social Achievements

• Not disclosed

Governance Achievements

• Not disclosed

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Increasing commercial surface water activities impacting natural character, remoteness, and wilderness values.
• Cumulative effects of various activities on the Fiordland environment.
• Balancing public access with environmental protection.
• Managing the impact of cruise ships on the Fiordland environment.

Mitigation Strategies

• Implementing a management regime with activity limits in different Fiords.
• Integrated management approach involving various agencies and stakeholders (e.g., DOC, Environment Southland, Ngāi Tahu).
• Emphasis on preserving natural character, remoteness, and wilderness values.
• Clean vessel pass requirements for all vessels entering Fiordland internal waters.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
• Goal 13 (Climate Action)
• Goal 14 (Life Below Water)
• Goal 15 (Life On Land)

The report highlights the importance of protecting the unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Fiordland, aligning with these SDGs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Economic Development
• Community Wellbeing
• Climate Change
• Water Management
• Infrastructure Development

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced carbon emissions through energy savings at the Whakatāne Aquatic Centre
• Transitioning vehicle fleet to electric vehicles

Social Achievements

• COVID-19 response plan providing immediate support to local businesses and ratepayers, including rent relief and refunds.
• Whakatāne Regeneration Programme creating job creation and training pathways.

Governance Achievements

• Amendment to Significance and Engagement Policy for agile decision-making.
• Changes to Revenue and Financing Policy for fairer rates distribution.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• COVID-19 pandemic's economic and social disruption.
• Whakaari/White Island eruption's impact on communities and businesses.
• Need to balance economic recovery with rates affordability.
• Upgrading water and sewerage systems.
• Addressing climate change.

Mitigation Strategies

• 13-step COVID-19 response plan.
• $36.8 million Provincial Growth Fund for Whakatāne Regeneration Programme.
• Proposed average rates increase of 3.5%.
• Changes to depreciation funding to reduce rates increase.
• Amendment to Revenue and Financing Policy to smooth rates impact.
• Increased capital works programme to stimulate economy.
• Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan development.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Biodiversity
• Environmental Protection
• Economic Sustainability

Environmental Achievements

• Eradication and containment programs for various invasive species resulting in reduced infestation areas.

Social Achievements

• Collaboration with stakeholders to develop and implement pest management plans.

Governance Achievements

• Compliance with the Biosecurity Act 1993 and National Policy Direction for Pest Management.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Uncertainty regarding the impacts of pests and the effectiveness of control measures.
• Data limitations on pest impacts and spread.
• Community resistance to certain control methods (e.g., 1080).
• Maintaining long-term funding for pest control programs.
• Contractor capacity for large-scale pest control.

Mitigation Strategies

• Use of high and low scenarios in cost-benefit analysis to account for uncertainty.
• Collaboration with stakeholders to address concerns and build support for programs.
• Securing continued central government funding for some programs.
• Expanding the pool of contractors to address capacity issues.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Biosecurity Act 1993, National Policy Direction for Pest Management