Ngā kaupapa o Toi Moana e panga ana ki te iwi Māori
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March | Māehe 2025
Komiti Māori members 2025: (L-R) Councillors: Te Taru White, Malcolm Campbell, Kevin Winters, Andrew von Dadelszen, Ron Scott, Ken Shirley, Jane Nees, Doug Leeder, Lyall Thurston, Toi Kai Rākau Iti, Stuart Crosby, Kat Macmillan, Paula Thompson, Matemoana McDonald (Komiti Māori Chairperson). (Back) Chief Executive: Fiona McTavish.
Ngahuru, kura kai, kura tangata
Autumn, food is plentiful, people are plentiful
Ngā mihi o te wā Ngahuru ki a tātou, greetings to you all as we settle into Autumn.
Nau mai ki Komiti Māori
Komiti Māori will be held at 9.30am on Tuesday 8 April 2025. This meeting will be held at Hungahungatoroa Marae, 29A Hungahungatoroa Road, Matapihi, Mount Maunganui.
The meeting will commence with a pōwhiri at 9.30am. Please arrive by 9.20am to gather/assemble for the pōwhiri.
Keep an eye on our website for the meeting agenda.
Presentations:
- Ngareta Timutimu - Hungahungatoroa Marae/Hapū Background and Climate Change Project
- Kiamaia Ellis – Update on Climate Change Implementation Plan, Customary Fish Overview and Crayfish PhD Project
- Mel Tata – Ngāti Ranginui – Tuna Ora Wai Ora Project
- Kawana Warahi and Porina McLeod - Mauao Myrtle Rust Project
- Awhina Ngatuere - Māori values and uses of Geothermal in Tauranga Moana
Reports:
- Chairperson’s Report
If you have any further questions, please contact Kataraina O'Brien.
Fiona McTavish reappointed as Toi Moana Chief Executive
Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua.
Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead.
Earlier this month, Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council announced the reappointment of Fiona McTavish as Chief Executive for a period of five years, effective from 1 July 2025.
Toi Moana Chair Doug Leeder said in addition to seven years’ experience in the role, Ms McTavish brings a background in policy and planning and experience from executive positions held in the education and health sectors.
"Regional Council is thrilled to endorse Fiona for another term of Chief Executive," he said. "Her vision and leadership have been instrumental in driving our strategic initiatives and fostering collaboration within the Council, the Bay of Plenty region, and the regional and unitary sector.
Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue – whakaahua by Te Rawhitiroa Bosch
Te Matatini o te kāhui maunga
Me mihi ka tika ki nga kapa haka o tēnei rohe — Congratulations to the many kapa haka from the Toi Moana rohe who attended Te Matatini in February.
Our rohe was well-represented, with six out of the twelve Matangirua groups coming from our region. We are truly blessed with high-calibre groups and it showed in the results. Both first and second place were claimed by Te Arawa teams: Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue and Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Rangiwewehi. Ka mau te wehi!
A special thanks to the organisers, including our gracious hosts, Taranaki iwi, for providing an outstanding venue and event.
Elections 2025
Every three years, you get the chance to vote for the people you want to represent you and your community when decisions are being made that affect how we live, work and play in our neighbourhoods. Now is the time to think about how you want to participate.
- Considering standing for a role? Whether you're interested in becoming a general constituency or Māori constituency councillor, you can find out more about these roles and their community impact here. Nominations open on 4 July 2025.
- General roll or Māori roll? You have the option to switch between rolls up until three months before the election. Learn more about the rolls and how to switch here.
We'll be regularly updating our website with new information as we move towards the election, including information about who's standing and where to vote.
No matter how you choose to participate, the Vote NZ website has all the information you need, including key dates, how to enrol and how to update your information. Kia kaha — make sure you and all your whānau members aged 18+ are enrolled and ready for the elections.
Update key contact details
Have the key contact people within your iwi, hapū, marae, trust, organisation or land trust changed as a result of your most recent AGM’s?
If so, please help us keep our contact list updated by filling in the online form here.
New automated gate for Lake Ōkataina
Great news for boaties — accessing Lake Ōkataina is now more streamlined with the opening of a new automated gate at the boat ramp. This upgrade is an important step in protecting our precious taonga from the potential threat of exotic freshwater clams (corbicula).
The new automatic gate ensures that people can meet the legal rules introduced by Biosecurity New Zealand in 2023 to protect the lake from exotic freshwater clams.
Local iwi Ngāti Tarāwhai have been successfully managing access to the boat ramp. The new gate means that they will no longer need to be present to manage boaties access.
To use the boat ramp, follow these simple steps:
- Clean your boat at The Wash Place on Te Ngae Road
- Scan the QR code at the wash station to fill out the online form
- You need to submit the form while you are at the wash station
- You’ll receive two 4-digit PINs by email and text
- You have two hours to get to the boat ramp before the PINs expire
- Use the first PIN to open the gate at the boat ramp and the second PIN when exiting the lake
The automated gate project has been led by Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council and funded by Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Rotorua Lakes District Council and the Ministry for Primary Industries. Other partners include Ngāti Tarāwhai, Fish and Game, and Te Arawa Lakes Trust.
Community funding opportunities
We have a range of funding currently open to support individuals, communities, hapū and iwi. The following community funding opportunities are open for applications.
He Ara Taituarā - supporting tangata whenua capability
The He Ara Taituarā (Māori Initiatives Fund) supports initiatives that build tangata whenua capability and capacity to participate in the Regional Council's decision-making processes and operations.
There are two funding options available for the 2025/2026 financial year:
- He Ara Taituarā is a contestable fund available to iwi or hapū, and Māori land trusts to support capacity and capability initiatives. This Fund will be open from 24 February 2025 and will close on 22
April 2025. Funding is limited and applications will be assessed against common criteria.
- The Kaitiaki Grant is a smaller fund to support iwi and hapū kaitiakitanga by contributing to capacity and capability projects that are in the conceptual stages of development. Applications are for up to $5,000. This grant will open from 1 July 2025.
More information is available on our website including the funding guidelines and application form.
If you have any questions, please email teamorangi@boprc.govt.nz
He Toka Tū Moana scholarship – supporting future kaitiaki
Established in 2017, the He Toka Tū Moana scholarship recognises and supports students pursuing study, research or training that contributes to the protection and enhancement of te taiao. The scholarship is open until 2 May 2025.
Find out more about the He Toka Tū scholarship here.
Te Hāpai Ora Fund – supporting community wellbeing
Are you planning an event or project that enhances the social, economic, or cultural well-being of our communities? Te Hāpai Ora provides funding to support individuals and community groups in bringing their initiatives to life.
Find out more about Te Hāpai Ora Fund here.
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