
Forestry Plan Change To Be Integrated
The outcome of those changes will determine whether Council can introduce stronger rules to manage forestry activities.
The committee agreed to bring together the forestry plan change work with other related workstreams, including the new 'Transition Land' overlay and farm/forestry planning.
Chief Executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said it was important to take a thorough and joined-up approach.
'Aligning with the freshwater planning work gives us a more cohesive and effective regional solution,' she said.
'We know delays are frustrating, but it's important we take the time to do this properly.'
'Waiting for national direction where necessary helps avoid costly rework and ensures we're building something that lasts.'
The need to improve forestry management across Tairāwhiti is well recognised, particularly following severe erosion and slash damage from Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle. These events, combined with strong community concern and the findings of the Government's Ministerial Inquiry into Land Use, have shaped Council's focus on strengthening environmental protections and reducing long-term risk.
Since 2023, Council has been actively working on a transition to more sustainable land use and responding to the Inquiry's recommendations. Progress so far includes:
Drafting policies and rules under the freshwater provisions
Commissioning supporting technical work
Establishing a cross-sector Transition Advisory Group (TAG)
Completing a landslide susceptibility model with Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research to inform the 'Transition Land' overlay
Advancing freshwater catchment planning
Developing new forestry consent conditions
Exploring integrated farm and forestry planning
This work will continue alongside freshwater planning, with pre-notification engagement scheduled for mid-2026. Stakeholders and the community will have opportunities to provide feedback ahead of formal notification.
Ms Thatcher Swann said Council would continue adjusting its approach as national direction becomes clearer.
'We'll keep working with our communities to shape a practical, locally relevant plan that reflects the realities of Tairāwhiti.'
In the meantime, Council has rolled out new forestry consent conditions to provide greater environmental safeguards. These are already in place while the broader planning framework is developed.
For more information and updates, visit gdc.govt.nz.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scoop
12 minutes ago
- Scoop
Local Water Done Well: Central Hawke's Bay Remains At The Regional Table For Local Water Done Well
Central Hawke's Bay Councillors voted unanimously to remain at the table for the next stages of the design of a Regional Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation in Hawke's Bay under the Government's Local Water Done Well policy. Deliberations were held to consider the community's submissions on three options, a Regional CCO with our Hawke's Bay councils, in-house delivery, and a standalone CCO, and the views heard during the five-week consultation period. 'Now's the time we need to sit at the table with Government and our regional partners to ensure the challenges of the district's three waters infrastructure are turned into opportunities for generations to come,'Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker said. From the submissions it was clear that those residents connected to and paying for water, supported change to the Regional CCO the most – it's this group of people that are most impacted, she said. 'But we also recognise this is a complex issue of ownership, control, Government reach, trust, confidence, as well as affordability. 'We've listened to these points, and they helped strengthen our response. Your voices have armed us with the support for clear advocacy in the region and to push back at Government policy, and how to better right-size our investment. 'Addressing the challenges of our water infrastructure is one of the most significant – if not the most significant issue for this district. We have been advocating to Government, and anyone who will listen that the system is broken and must change to support districts like ours," Walker said. 'I have called on Local Government Minister Simon Watts, imploring him to consider changes that would benefit smaller rural communities, including Central Hawke's Bay.' Local Water Done Well isn't the silver bullet for making water services delivery affordable in Central Hawke's Bay. However, it begins to address the wider challenges with water services delivery in New Zealand, said Chief Executive Central Hawke's Bay District Council Doug Tate. Council will continue working to understand how it can make the investment options more affordable, he said. 'The hard reality is that this won't come without its risks or trade-offs to the resilience and performance of our networks. 'Nothing about what we need to do is new. We have been highlighting the challenges and need for major investment in our infrastructure since 2017. The regular water shutdowns our community face are a reminder of the investment required for our ageing infrastructure.


Scoop
24 minutes ago
- Scoop
Strengthening Trespass Laws For Businesses
Associate Minister of Justice The Government is strengthening trespass laws to make them more effective and practical for businesses, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. 'We know our trespass laws are no longer fit for purpose. They're difficult to enforce and often criminals take no notice. They return with impunity and just continue to rob businesses of their livelihoods,' Mr Goldsmith says. 'Our plan to restore law and order is working, but there's still more work to be done. Trespass laws are an area we know will make a world of difference to the community. 'Businesses need extra tools to better protect their properties, keep offenders away, and stop them from coming back.' The proposed changes to the Trespass Act are: Increasing the maximum trespass period from two years to three years. Allow businesses, such as franchises, to trespass individuals from multiple locations. Increase the maximum fine for anyone refusing to leave when asked, or returning when trespassed from $1,000 to $2,000. Increase the maximum fine for anyone refusing to give their name and address when requested, or giving false information, from $500 to $1,000. 'For too long, offenders have treated trespass notices like a joke. These changes send a clear message: enough is enough. If you threaten retail workers or steal from businesses, don't expect to walk back in like nothing happened,' Mrs McKee says. 'Every New Zealander deserves to feel safe at work, especially our frontline retailers. These reforms aren't just about fines and paperwork; they are about making retail spaces safer and giving businesses the respect they deserve.' 'I want to thank Sunny Kaushal and the Retail MAG for engaging with retailers across the country and for their recommendations on how to modernise the Trespass Act, so it better upholds retailers' business and property rights, while keeping customers and staff safe,' Mr Goldsmith says. 'Our goal before the Bill is introduced is to explore how best to support retailers when distributing notices to those who refuse to engage.'


NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Regulatory Standards Bill: Group of prominent Kiwis – including former Prime Minister – issue open letter against David Seymour legislation
A group of prominent New Zealanders, including well-known academics and a former Prime Minister, have written an open letter calling for the Government to drop the controversial Regulatory Standards Bill being advanced by Act's David Seymour. The authors – including Dame Anne Salmond, Sir Geoffrey Palmer and Professor Jane Kelsey