HEY RATEPAYERS AND HORIZONS’ RESIDENTS DO YOU FIND ME USEFUL?

Here at Horizons we find that sometimes as your regional council, we can be like your neighbour Fred. You know Fred does something with numbers, but the detail escapes you. Well, much like Fred you may know who we are, but you don’t quite remember exactly what we do.

In a nutshell, we manage the region’s natural resources, provide public transport and coordinate our region’s response to natural disasters. What this means for you depends on if you live in an urban or rural location. However, everyone benefits from us testing the water quality at your favourite swim spot, keeping pest plants and animals under control so you can enjoy biodiversity gems such as Te Āpiti-Manawatū Gorge or Tōtara Reserve, and protecting properties and key infrastructure from flooding. 

With this edition of Across the Region we’re keen to hear if we’re providing the information you want to know, in ways you’d like to receive it.

We’ve created a quick two minute survey to determine if we can improve how we communicate with you. If you take part you’ll go in the draw to win $500 worth of native plants for yourself or favourite community group, school or early childhood centre. We’ll draw the prize at the end of the month so recommend you do it now while you remember – we’d really appreciate it.

For terms and conditions see horizons.govt.nz.

CHAIR’S MESSAGE

Tēna koutou i runga i te tau hou. Welcome to the first edition of Across the Region for 2023. I hope that you and your whānau were able to celebrate the holiday season together and that you are enjoying the summer weather.

I’d like to take a moment to thank all who voted in the local government Elections last year, it was great to see you all deciding on who you want representing you on the Horizons Regional Council. I’m pleased to have been re-elected as Chair of the Council for this term and am excited to continue supporting all the great work being done across the region.

The last elections saw the introduction of two new Māori constituencies, Raki Māori for the North of the region, and Tonga Māori for the South. Haere mai Jim Edmonds, and Te Kenehi Teira, we are glad to have you serving on the Council alongside us. We know that both Jim and Te Kenehi will bring a wealth of knowledge to Council and we look forward to making the most of the opportunity that these new seats present for us. 

This summer, Horizons staff will continue monitoring swim spots around the region. They will be collecting samples weekly from approximately 80 sites to test the water quality. These results are then uploaded onto www.lawa.org.nz where you can check the water quality of your favourite swim spot before you visit.

If you visit the beach or river, I encourage you to ensure you and your whānau use safe water practices, such as not swimming alone, checking for hazards before entering water and always supervising children. No matter where you are swimming, I hope you all have a great time and stay safe with your whānau.

Finally, I’d like to also encourage you to fill in the online survey and let us know if this publication is useful and how we could improve it.

Noho ora mai rā.

Rachel Keedwell, Chair.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT HORIZONS RECENTLY

2022 has been another big year for us, with some key milestones such as welcoming a new Council. In October we welcomed new members Gordon McKellar (Manawatū-Rangitīkei); Nikki Riley (Ruapehu); and Alan Taylor (Whanganui); Turuhia (Jim) Edmonds (Raki Māori) and Te Kenehi Teira (Tonga Māori).

Both Turuhia (Jim) Edmonds and Te Kenehi Teira have taken seats for two newly introduced Māori constituencies. As Te Tiriti o Waitangi partners we are excited to have Raki and Tonga Māori councillors join the decision-making table.

A large area of focus for this year, and especially in the last few months, has been our freshwater work and engaging with our communities on what central government reforms mean for the One Plan. This included community engagement in April and May regarding long-term visions for freshwater and preparing for the current round which looks at outstanding water bodies and water recreation spots. We go into detail of the current round in a following section of this edition, however to check out the work done to date or the project as a whole visit freshwater.horizons.govt.nz.

We’re also happy to share that we received new government funding for $9.2 million from Waka Kotahi to enhance public transport infrastructure to support planned service improvements in Palmerston North and Whanganui next year. The funding provides an opportunity to ensure bus shelters are inviting and encourage more people to take up public transport. 

Finally, work by the Joint Climate Action Group (which we are a part of) to create a Joint Climate Action Plan will come to fruition soon. This plan will help advise what the region can do to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. We know that no matter how small, every change counts, so keep an eye out for information about what you can do in the coming months.

This coming year Horizons’ priorities will continue to be focused towards the areas of freshwater, biodiversity, climate change and ensuring our information and data are accessible to the public. To keep up to date on what’s happening for Horizons, we suggest you follow our social media accounts or read the news section of our website.

STAYING SAFE THIS SUMMER AT SWIM SPOTS

Our annual summer swim spot monitoring is now well and truly underway, with the team out collecting water samples weekly. They monitor approximately 80 spots across the region by testing for bacteria and cyanobacteria in the water. These results are then updated at lawa.org.nz for the public to view. Coming into contact with water where these bacteria are present in sufficient quantities can lead to conditions such as gastroenteritis, respiratory illness and ear and skin infections. Please make sure you check the water quality before you visit a swim spot – although this is only one of many things to consider before jumping in.

Last summer our region experienced several water related tragedies, so it is really important you and your whānau know how to keep yourselves safe. New Zealand rivers and beaches can be unpredictable and deceptively powerful, so don’t enter the water alone, actively supervise children, and if you aren’t a confident swimmer stay out.

We’ve had a wet winter and that means your local swim spot may be a bit different this summer. Heavy or prolonged rain can change the course of a river and increase hazards such as large logs and deep holes. When you jump back in this summer take it slow and make sure you know your exits if the water becomes unsafe. We also recommend checking the water is clear and there’s no large debris around.

To assist with reminding users of the key things to consider we have updated signage at our swim spots to highlight safe water practices, as per below. If you would like further information about how to keep you and your whānau safe in and around our rivers and beaches, visit www.watersafetynz.org.

YOUR TOP SPOTS

To help inform freshwater regulations for our region we’re asking three things of you:

1. What are your top spots for freshwater recreation,

2. what water bodies do you think are remarkable; and

3. whether you agree with the criteria proposed to determine which water bodies are remarkable.

We want to know where and how you recreate with freshwater, from swimming in the Ōroua, rafting down the Rangitīkei, or water-skiing across Lake Wiritoa. You can do this through the map, simply drop a pin on a location and tell us what you do there. This will help inform where we monitor water quality for swimming and other water-based activities in the future.

We also want to know which freshwater bodies across the region you believe are spectacular, remarkable or just downright awesome – officially known as ‘outstanding water bodies’. We have proposed criteria that those water bodies would need to be assessed against to qualify as being outstanding and we’ve made a list of the ones we think could be outstanding.

We want to know if you agree with the ones on our list or if there are others we have missed. You can tell us by filling out our online survey and tell us what you think of the criteria.

Contact us via info@ourfreshwaterfuture.nz or call us on freephone 0508 800 800 for more information.

SECTION 36

Horizons would like to remind consent holders that Section 36 invoices will be emailed to you or posted to your mailbox next month.

What are Section 36 charges?

Local authorities fund various administrative and monitoring activities through fixed charges under Section 36 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), Section 243 of the Building Act 2004 and Section 150 of the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA).

Horizons Regional Council sets their Section 36 charges annually through the Annual Plan process and issues these to consent holders to assist with our consent monitoring work and for our science, research and environmental monitoring activities.

Since last year, all consent holders are required to pay an annual administration charge.

Charges are levied yearly unless the consent is cancelled, expired or transferred. If your details have changed or you wish to surrender your consent, please contact us at 0508 800 800.

Your contributions help Horizons' scientists and monitoring staff collect environmental data and undertake research to inform and support decision-making around regulation, sustainable development and protection of the region's natural resources.

We strive to make reliable scientific information available within and outside Horizons to benefit the wider community. Information for farmers, anglers, kayakers, swimmers and the generally curious is available through our website, on lawa.org.nz and is often highlighted in our publications.

COUNCIL MEETINGS AND EVENTS

January 2023

• Community waiora day, Feilding, 26 January

February 2023

• Strategy and Policy Committee, 8 February
• Community Waiora Day, Taumaranui, 9 February
• Esplanade Day, 12 February, 10am to 3pm
• Regional Council Meeting, 14 February
• Integrated Catchment Committee, 15 February
• Regional Council Meeting, 28 February

March 2023

• Climate Action Joint Committee, 6 March
• Regional Transport Committee, 7 March
• Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games, 10-12 March
• Regional Council Meeting, 14 March
• Central Districts Field Days, 16-18 March
• Passenger Transport Committee, 21 March
• Regional Council Meeting, 28 March
• Workshops for Intensive Winter Grazing: See www.horizons.govt.nz for details over the coming months

Unless otherwise stated meetings are open to the public and will be held at Regional House, 11-15 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North. Strategy and Policy and Regional Council meetings are also livestreamed on our Facebook page. Please note all details were correct at the time of print. However, for the most up-to-date dates and times for council meetings please check www.horizons.govt.nz

Thank you for taking the time to read this edition of Across the Region, please remember to fill out our survey linked below for your chance to win $500 worth of native plants.