Latest news with #BayofPlenty
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Minister Shane Jones accuses council of being 'iwi back office'
The Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones wants politicians to ask ratepayers if regional councils are value for money. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER The Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones says problems in regional councils are "hobbling" economic progress. Last week, Jones told a forum New Zealand First did not see a compelling case for regional government to continue to exist after changes to the Resource Management Act came into effect. However, Bay of Plenty Regional Council chair Doug Leeder says scrapping regional councils is not in the interest of the wider community or the environment He was reacting after Jones told Morning Report regional councils such as Otago and Waikato were standing in the way of mining and marine farming permits. "In 2012 the Waikato Regional Council itself made a submission to the Productivity Commission and it identified that co-ordination and a host of other problems was actually hobbling its ability to contribute towards productivity. "If we don't have mining, if we don't have marine farming then a lot of the regional areas of New Zealand they're going to be blighted," Jones said. The councils represented a small part of a case for a "broader rationalisation" which he intended to put before his party in the lead up to next election. "New Zealand politicians should ask the public: Do they feel that the current system, is it generating ratepayer value? Is it actually delivering economic growth at a time where the narrative we have - as a government - is to boost economic growth, to generate the surplus so we can afford the services that we take for granted," Jones said. The influence of iwi and the creeping scope of co-governance initiatives had extended beyond initial intent. "I'm deeply concerned that the Waikato Regional council is turning into some sort of iwi back office. "I think that there's a host of other challenges though where [council] staff are hobbling economic development such as an unwillingness to support mining in Otago where they've dredged up some dead moth," Jones said. Minister for Resource Management Act Reform Chris Bishop said the changes the government was making will look at the functions and responsibilities of regional councils. Bishop said the reform process has implications for regional councils, as they do a range of things such as public transport, natural hazard management, and environmental monitoring and planning. He said Jones was giving his party view but he could understand his frustration with regional councils. Doug Leeder Photo: NZME Bay of Plenty Regional Council chair Doug Leeder says passing off regional council's responsibilities onto another agency will not alter the challenges associated with their functions. Councils gained a raft of important responsibilities from regional catchment boards in the late eighties. "They include really important functions such as the stewardship of land, water and air, therefore the environmental issues. There's rivers, drainage, flood protection schemes, you've got public transport delivery, emergency management functions, regional planning functions, bio-security, bio-diversity as a starter. "So when we understand those and we understand how they are best delivered then that's the start of the conversation rather than the unilateral just getting rid of councils," Leeder said. Councils were open to discussions on streamlining those functions if the tasks were underpinned by good, solid governance. "Let's be upfront, some of the consenting processes across the country in terms of the RMA [Resoruce Management Act} and getting infrastructure and delivery of services are really complex, they are really expensive and they need review. The regional sector of Local Government New Zealand has been advocating for this for a significant period of time," Leeder said. Scrapping regional councils and their associated functions was not in the interest of the wider community or the environment, he told Morning Report . Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
5 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
Kurt Eklund named as Māori All Blacks captain
Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu) has been named as the new Māori All Blacks captain, with a 29-strong squad including 11 uncapped players announced today ahead of two matches against the Japan XV in Tokyo, and Scotland in Whangārei. The 2025 squad selected by Māori All Blacks head coach Ross Filipo (Muaūpoko) and his two assistant coaches Greg Feek (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Roger Randle (Ngāti Awa) will play the Japan XV in Tokyo on June 28 and Scotland in Whangarei on July 5. 'This team demands a strong leader with mana, and Kurt has shown that quality and more over a long period of time, for the Māori All Blacks, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and the Blues,' Filipo said. 'He has a lot of experience throughout the squad and that will be a strength for what will be two tough matches.' Filipo congratulated the new caps, who range from 20-year-old Blues midfielder Xavi Taele, the youngest member of the squad, and 31-year-old Gisborne-born, Taranaki prop Jared Proffit. ADVERTISEMENT 'It's a proud moment for all the new caps and their whānau. This is a special team, and these players know they are here to are represent something bigger than themselves - their whakapapa, their language, the jersey and Aotearoa.' The squad has assembled in Auckland to begin their campaign preparations before leaving for Japan tomorrow. Māori All Blacks squad (iwi, province, Super Rugby club) * denotes new cap Props / Poumua: Benet Kumeroa (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs), Jared Proffit* (Ngāti Porou/Taranaki/Chiefs), Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes), Kershawl Sykes-Martin* (Ngāti Porou/Tasman/Crusaders), Mason Tupaea* (Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Amaru/Waikato/Blues). Hookers / Waekape: Jacob Devery* (Te Aitanga a Mahaki/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes), Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu/Bay of Plenty/Blues) ADVERTISEMENT Locks / Pouwhītiki: Zach Gallagher* (Te Ātiawa/Canterbury/Hurricanes), Laghlan McWhannell (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Blues), Antonio Shalfoon* (Whakatōhea/Tasman/Crusaders), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes). Loose forwards / Pouwātea: Nikora Broughton (Ngārauru, Ngāti Ruanui/Bay of Plenty/Highlanders), Jahrome Brown* (Ngāti Porou/Waikato/Chiefs), Caleb Delany (Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Wellington/Hurricanes), Cullen Grace (Ngāti Whakaue/Canterbury/Crusaders), Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe/Manawatū/Highlanders). Half Backs / Poutoko: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara* (Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Porou/Auckland), Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi/Northland/Blues). First five-eighths / Topatahi; Rivez Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine/Northland/Crusaders), Kaleb Trask (Ngāpuhi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs). Midfield / Topapū: Corey Evans (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kahu/Northland/Blues), Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Hurricanes), Daniel Rona (Te Ātiawa/Taranaki/Chiefs), Xavi Taele* (Ngāi Tahu/Auckland/Blues), Gideon Wrampling* (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine/Waikato/Chiefs). Outside Backs / Pouwaho: Cole Forbes (Ngāti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Blues), Jonah Lowe (Ngāti Pikiao/Hawke's Bay/Highlanders), Zarn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Hawke's Bay/Blues). Injury Cover/Kaiwhakakapi - Kade Banks* (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua/North Harbour/Hurricanes) has joined the squad as temporary injury cover for Daniel Rona. ADVERTISEMENT The following were not considered due to injury / Te hunga whara: Rameka Poihipi (Ngāti Whakaue), Cameron Suafoa (Ngāpuhi), Taha Kemara (Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Pikiao, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Awa), Marcel Renata (Ngāti Whānaunga), Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Ngāti Raukawa).
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Gallagher Chiefs player Naitoa Ah Kuoi stays with club for another year
Gallagher Chiefs lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi has extended his contract with the club for another year. The 24-year-old made the announcement on his Instagram page in a special episode of 'Toa's Tours' featuring fellow Bay of Plenty player Leroy 'Boomfa' Carter. Ah Kuoi made his debut for the Chiefs in
RNZ News
20-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Why ‘cute' pets are now included in pest management plan
The red-eared slider turtle is capable of growing to the size of a dinner plate. Photo: Supplied/ NZME- Doug Sherring Bay of Plenty turtle owners must now securely house their pets, as the regional council changes its pest plan to prevent escapees. While unlikely to form a sewer-dwelling gang of martial arts fighters, escaped or released pets can harm ecosystems and native species. The Regional Pest Management Plan sets the Bay of Plenty Regional Council's priorities and goals for managing animal and pest plants, and includes rules to comply with the Biosecurity Act. A recent council review has seen new species added as pests and changes to how others are categorised. As of this week, all wallaby species known to be in the country and all introduced turtles will be included. Biosecurity team leader Shane Grayling said the pest management landscape was "ever changing". "The pests included in the [plan] and the ways to manage them have recently been reconsidered to reflect emerging pest issues." The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has adopted new rules for turtles, wallabies, and invasive exotic species of seaweed and freshwater clams. Photo: Collage/ NZME and supplied Turtles were included in the plan for the first time, covering all introduced freshwater types. Consultation on the topic showed split views on the need to manage turtles. Some submitters asked for introduced turtles to be included in the eradication programme, rather than sustained control. Some wanted a ban on the sale and breeding of them, while others did not believe turtles caused adverse environmental effects that needed managing. Grayling said climate change and the Rotorua area's warm geothermal soils increased the likelihood turtles could successfully breed in the wild. This included red-eared slider turtles, which have been found abandoned and breeding in Bay of Plenty waterways. Katikati reptile breeders Donna and Graeme Hannah, who have worked to raise awareness of the issue, told SunLive last year they were often called by people who found abandoned turtles. "They start off cute around the size of a 50c piece," Graeme Hannah said, but they could live 50 years and grow to the size of a dinner plate, needing more maintenance, and a bigger tank or pond, leading owners to abandon them. Sightings reported to the regional council included a female found nesting in Tauranga's Gordon Carmichael Reserve with 16 eggs. The turtles feed on small fish, plants, kōura (freshwater crayfish) and small birds such as ducklings, degrade water quality by disrupting the ecosystem, and displace wetland birds by taking over nesting sites. Under the new regional rules, turtle sales could continue, but pet owners needed to house them securely to prevent escape. "There have been instances previously where there has been no barrier around a pond to prevent the turtle from relocating elsewhere," Grayling said. He said, anecdotally, there had been increased reports of turtle sightings throughout the Bay of Plenty during the past couple of years. Most were red-eared sliders. Turtles were "inherently difficult to catch" and therefore controlling them was challenging. The council would respond to reported sightings in the wild and consider options for control on a case-by-case basis. "The focus for council, particularly in the short term, will be on education and advocacy for responsible turtle ownership." All wallaby species found in New Zealand are now included in the plan. Photo: Supplied via Local Democracy Reporting: The Rotorua Daily Post/ Andrew Warner The pre-amended plan only listed the dama wallaby as a pest, but Grayling said the need to include all known species found in New Zealand was identified, after the parma wallaby was discovered around the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes in 2023. Dama and parma were now listed under the progressive containment and eradication programme. Other species not known to be in the Bay of Plenty were under the exclusion programme. "The amendment is a technical one, and there is no change in how wallaby control is managed or funded," Grayling said. Efforts to control wallaby spread were funded with $1 million this year under the International Visitor Levy, including work in the Te Arawa area. Exotic caulerpa - a pest seaweed - was also included in the plan to minimise the risk of it entering the region. It has been described as the country's most serious marine biosecurity invasion in a lifetime. Corbicula - invasive exotic freshwater clams - were also listed as exclusionary pests. Other changes in the plan included treating certain species of conifers as pests, regardless of whether they were deliberately planted. The amendments prohibited new plantings of these species to ensure that the region's biodiversity was protected from the potential impact of pines growing in the wild. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Regional Wrap goes to ?p?tiki
A gateway to Tairawhiti East Cape from the north is the town of Opotiki in the Bay of Plenty. As a creative hub local organisation Opotiki Arts has a new leash of life with this year 95 members in their ranks, and since 1977 they've owned their own premises, a historic 1898 hall. Our guest on Regional Wrap this week, and a spokesperson for Opotiki Arts is something of a local cultural legend. Dorothy-Anne Wilson or Dot, as she's known to many, was a founding member of the Opotiki Community Arts Council back in the day. In 2017 she was awarded a Queen Service Medal for her contribution to art and community. The former manager of Opotiki Museum she joins us from the coast on Culture 101.
