Me huri whakamuri, Ka Titiro whakamua.

In order to plan for the future, we must look into the past.

A tātaou kaupapa |

Our project

We undertake a wide range of projects aligned with our vision and objectives. 
We take a four-strand approach, weaving together a focus on mauri, he taiao, te tangata, and he awa. Together, we will restore a healthy Rangitāiki River, valued by the community and protected for future generations.

Mauri

Mauri of the water is protected.

He Taiao

We want bountiful rivers that people cherish, where native habitats and customary harvesting practices sustain people, and where native species, including whitebait and tuna (eels), abound.

He Tangata

We want a balanced, connected and respectful relationship with the rivers and resources, which will be the foundation for resilient, sustainable and thriving communities in the Rangitāiki.

He Awa

We want a clean and healthy environment, characterised by clean water, healthy ecosystems and the return of some threatened species. We want to see people use and enjoy this environment for their spiritual, cultural and recreational needs and to celebrate its heritage with pride.

The Action Plan for the Rangitāiki

Our Te Ara Whānui o Rangitāiki – Pathways Of The Rangitāiki document sets out key actions that Rangitāiki River Forum aims to deliver in order to achieve the vision outline above. The Action Plan outlines our eight core objectives and the actions we will take to achieve those goals:

Tuna within the Rangitāiki catchment are protected, through measures including enhancement and restoration of their habitat and migration paths.

Strategic Action A

1.1. Develop a plan and solutions to provide access for migrating tuna in Rangitāiki waterways. This Strategic Action covers:

1.1a Work with hydro-generation companies and researchers on tuna access projects.

1.1b Analyse research and make recommendations on tuna restoration programmes.

1.1c Develop a plan in conjunction with river users to address tuna access up the rivers and streams to the sea.
Contributing Actions
1.2 Recognise and encourage the use of rāhui as a mechanism to support the protection of tuna.
1.3 Advise Crown agencies to work with communities to protect, monitor, and promote a better understanding of tuna in the Rangitāiki catchment, including potentially ceasing long-finned eel commercial take in the Rangitāiki catchment.

The habitats that support indigenous species and links between ecosystems within the Rangitāiki catchment are created, protected and enhanced.

Contributing Actions

2.1 Implement projects in the Rangitāiki catchment with the local community to protect and restore wetlands and habitats.

2.2 Encourage restoration with appropriate vegetation along waterways, where suitable.

2.3 Work with industries, landowners and agencies to support protection and enhancement of biodiversity in habitats in the catchment. The use of native plants is encouraged where practical.

2.4 Implement a coordinated programme to identify, prioritise, protect and enhance the existing ecosystems, significant sites and connections in the Rangitāiki catchment.

2.5 Industries use best practice in their operation to provide for indigenous species habitat and links between ecosystems.

2.6 Work with industries, landowners and agencies to seek opportunities to regenerate indigenous cover in the catchment.

Water quality is restored in the Rangitāiki catchment.

Strategic Action B 3.1 Develop sustainable environmental flow and Rangitāiki catchment load limits (eg. nutrients, sediments and bacteria) through the Freshwater National Policy Statement framework, including establishing:

▪ the current state and anticipated future state

▪ freshwater objectives

▪ limits for meeting freshwater objectives.
Contributing Actions

3.2 Initiate strategies for managing water, wastewater and stormwater in the district, in consultation with the community and tangata whenua, including investigations into treatment and discharge options.

3.3 Identify, forecast and assess emerging pressures on the resources in the Rangitāiki catchment and likely opportunities and targets for restoring water quality.

Prosperity in the Rangitāiki catchment is enabled within the sustainable limits of the rivers and receiving environment.

Contributing Actions

4.1 Work with rural industries, iwi, landowners, the community and other willing stakeholders in the Rangitāiki catchment to articulate their aspirations for prosperity and values for freshwater through the Freshwater National Policy Statement framework.

4.2 Understand the status of water allocation and efficiency of use (including irrigation).

4.3 Work with landowners to complement best management practice as proposed by their industries and other authorities.

4.4 Engage in Rangitāiki catchment freshwater debates and issues.

4.5 Work with hydroelectric power companies and other commercial and industrial sectors on actions designed to achieve a healthy Rangitāiki River.

4.6 Put in place a programme to understand the physical resources of individual farms within the Rangitāiki catchment and drive toward a more planned farm system and awareness approach.

4.7 Encourage businesses to engage in sustainable business practices and a restorative economy (moving away from a “take, waste, pollution” economy).

4.8 Promote opportunities that enable economic development in the Rangitāiki catchment within sustainable limits (for example, new technologies).

The relationships between communities and the Rangitāiki catchment is recognised and encouraged.

Contributing Actions
5.1 Develop and implement a Cultural Health Index (CHI) for the Rangitāiki, Whirinaki, Wheao and Horomanga Rivers, which incorporates mātauranga Māori methods.

5.2 Identify where and how rubbish is entering waterways, and then prevent it by promoting better waste/pollution management with industries and communities.

5.3 Support children and young people in the Rangitāiki catchment to learn and participate in ecological regeneration and environmental sustainability.

5.4 Support schools in the Rangitāiki catchment through funding environmental projects.

5.5 Support community-based projects that improve the Rangitāiki catchment environment, raise environmental awareness and use the enthusiasm and skills of the local communities through funding, education and advice.

5.6 Monitor and report progress on protecting and enhancing the environmental, cultural and spiritual health and wellbeing of the Rangitāiki River and its resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

The practice of kaitiakitanga in decision-making for managing the resources of the Rangitāiki catchment is recognised and provided for.

Contributing Actions
6.1 Develop protocols for recognising and exercising iwi and hapū mana including kaitiakitanga in identified resource management decision-making processes.

6.2 Collect an inventory of wāhi tapu in the Rangitāiki catchment.

6.3 Develop a protocol for accessing, holding and using the wāhi tapu information.

6.4 Conduct a survey to collect information on tikanga associated with the rivers of the Rangitāiki catchment.

6.5 Encourage the industry sector to actively inform iwi and local communities about their environmental and social performance in the Rangitāiki catchment.

Naturalness of the river and the landscape of the Rangitāiki catchment is respected.

Contributing Actions

7.1 Develop a river sustainability 100-year strategy to outline how the rivers and drainage schemes in the Rangitāiki catchment can be sustainably managed.

7.2 Develop a strategy to manage flood risk.

7.3 Explore alternative options for riverbank management and protection on a case-by-case basis.

7.4 Install eco-passages where structures (such as culverts) impede the lifecycle of fish in the river.

7.5 Survey and map the status of river and other habitats and then enhance the biodiversity where possible.

7.6 Progressively remove structures that impede cultural and recreational access where appropriate, and remedy or adapt structures to minimise effects.

Access to the Rangitāiki River and its tributaries is maintained and enhanced.

Contributing Actions

8.1 Survey and map existing access points, esplanade strip/reserves and marginal strips for recreation opportunities.

8.2 Identify existing and new priority public access points linkages, as well as areas and time periods where public access should be restricted.

8.3 Provide and maintain safe and identifiable public access points along the margins of the rivers in the Rangitāiki catchment, where appropriate.

8.4 The Whakatāne District Plan continues to manage the acquisition of esplanade reserves/strips and access strips for public access, recreation and conservation purposes.

8.5 Support appropriate amenities (signage, interpretation, education and rubbish disposal).

8.6 Work with communities, landowners and industries to consider opportunities to create appropriate access, including vehicle, walking, bicycle and waka access to the river.