News

Murihiku regional leaders discuss priorities and alignment

On Wednesday, 14 December 2022, Murihiku leaders from central and local government agencies, Iwi, community and business met to discuss regional system leadership. There was agreement on the need for a collective effort to develop clear priorities and build alignment.

The event, coordinated through Murihiku Regeneration and the Regional Public Sector Lead’s Office, was the first of a series of quarterly meetings to discuss issues, opportunities and look to confirm priorities for the region.

Left to right: Trinity McMahon, Regional Public Services Director, MSD; Terry Nicholas, Murihiku Regeneration Portfolio Director; Stephen Sanders, Service Centre Manager, MSD.The event was co-sponsored by Steph Voight, Murihiku Regional Public Sector Lead and Terry Nicholas, Murihiku Regeneration Portfolio Director.

Acknowledging the end to a busy year and impact of COVID on the community, there were around 35 participants at this first event.

“We saw this as an opportunity for regional leaders to come together before Christmas to share, reflect and identify priorties for action in 2023. I was really pleased with the level of participation and connection”, said Steph Voight.

Terry Nicholas stated that “one of the key themes from the day was that of the need for alignment to support Hapū and the community as we move forward together. I really appreciated the speakers for this first session sharing their perspectives, concerns and hope for the region”.

At the end of this first session, it was agreed that the next meeting would be in February 2023, and thereafter quarterly.

Posted: 16 December 2022

Productive day for Tiwai Advisory Group

Tiwai Advisory Group members left to right: Dion Williams (NZAS Community and Social Performance Manager); Nicole Atherton (Rio Tinto Aluminium Closure Readiness General Manager); Jacqui Caine (Awarua representative and General Manager of Te Whakaariki Strategy and Influence team at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu ); Gail Thompson (Awarua representative); Barry Bragg – Chair; Terry Nicholas (Awarua representative and Murihiku Regeneration Portfolio Director); Megan Reid (Awarua Working Group Project Manager); Chris Blenkiron (NZAS General Manager and CE).

On Thursday 15 December 2022, the Tiwai Advisory Group met for the first time kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face). Made up of representatives from Awarua Rūnaka (including Terry Nicholas, Murihiku Regeneration Portfolio Director) and the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS), the group had a productive day discussing issues such as progressing the co-design and agreement of a remediation plan for Tiwai; pathways for waste removal; protection of wāhi tapu sites and taonga; and co-designing an environmental monitoring programme.

The group will meet together again in January 2023.

Awarua representatives are part of the Awarua Working Group (AWG), which has been set up to develop, drive and monitor the programme of working involving the closure of the Tiwai aluminium smelter. See their website for more information.

Posted: 16 December 2022

Agreement with Meridian on Murihiku green energy a good first step

Pictured left to right, front row Terry Nicholas (Ngāi Tahu), Mark Cairns (Meridian), Tā Tipene O’Regan (Ngāi Tahu), Neal Barclay (Meridian). Back row Mike Shatford, David Stock, Arihia Bennett (Ngāi Tahu), André Konia (Meridian), Guy Waipara (Meridian).

On Monday 5 December 2022, Murihiku Upoko signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Meridian Energy Limited around Tiwai Smelter and green energy opportunities.

“From our perspective, a key purpose of the MOU was to ensure that the power generated at Manapōuri for Tiwia Smelter and the region remains available to support potential future industries,” said Terry Nicholas, Murihiku Regeneration Portfolio Director and Hokonui Rūnanga Upoko.

“This agreement is a necessary first step in ensuring we can build a robust and reliable relationship with Meridian. We are focused on ensuring a positive energy transition for Murihiku and it supports decarbonisation for all of Aotearoa,” said Tā Tipene O’Regan, Upoko o Awarua Rūnaka.

The agreement provides a platform for ongoing discussions around Tiwai Smelter and new green hydrogen opportunities.

Posted: 6 December 2022

Strong Murihiku Hapū input and support for potential Southland Just Transition package

Photo Back row l-r: Rino Tirikatene (MP for Te Tai Tonga); Trinity McMahon (MSD); Dean Ford (MBIE); Terry Nicholas (Murihiku Regeneration); Richard Kyte (Thriving Southland); Clare Hadley (ICC). Front row l-r: Chami Abeysinghe (Great South); Neil McAra (Co-chair JT eOG); Aimee Kaio (Co-chair JT eOG); Hon Dr Megan Woods (Minister); Anna Huffstutler (E tū); Jackie Flutey (Community Trust South); Steph Voight (MSD); Liz Craig (Labour MP).

On Thursday 1 December at Te Rau Aroha Marae, Awarua Rūnaka hosted Murihiku Upoko, other Murihiku Rūnaka Leaders, Minister Megan Woods, Mayors, government officials, members of the Just Transtions Enduring Oversight Group (eOG) and other invited leaders to a presentation around a proposed Murihiku-Southland Just Transition plan and potential package for the region.

The event was opened by Tā Tipene O’Regan and closed by Michael Skerrett.

The overarching message was one of the region being aligned and prepared for the eventuality of a Tiwai closure, but also palnning for a future where the Tiwai Smelter remains open in the long-term and other new industries come into the region.

The package looks to build on the opportunites for major projects in clean/green energy, aquaculture, and provide business and community support around either of the two potential scenarios. These will be considered in the 2023 government budget processes.

Strong supporting messaging by the Mayoral Lead – Nicol Horrell (Environment Southland), and also reinforced by Mayor Ben Bell (Gore District) and Rob Scott (Southland District) provided confidence that the plan and proposed package could help prepare for either of the two potential sceanrios.

There has been very strong Murihiku Hapū representation in this programme, with Murihiku Regeneration leading the Clean Energy and Worker Transitions workstreams, and Enduring Oversight Group Co-chair Aimee Kaio (Awarua Rūnaka) leading the Aquaculture workstream for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

The Just transtions Programme has had input from a range of Southland groups across seven workstreams.

“Our strong preference is that Rio Tinto keep the Smelter operational in the long term, having commiteed to us that they will clean up the toxic waste, apply approriate environmental protections and support potential future renewable energy industries to come into the region to provide jobs, economic opportunity and support all of our communities to prosper”, said Terry Nicholas - Murihiku Regeneration Director and Green Energy Lead.

“The recent announcement of Woodside and Mitsui as preferred developers in the Southern Green Hydorgen Project, and hard work undertaken by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu around aquaculture are two very positive steps. Equally, the work being led by Awarua Rūnaka on Tiwai remediation, and Hokonui through Murihiku Regeneration on green energy has the potential to ensure that this Just Transtions Programme is successful. I am excited for our future”, said Michael Skerrett - Murihiku Upoko.

The next steps in the programme will be for a follow up meeting with Ministers in February 2023 to ensure that identifed priorities and projects are progressing through the government budget processes for consideration in 2023.

Posted: 2 December 2022

Many hands make light work - ka pai Alliance!

Mā tini mā mano

Ka rapa te whai

Many hands make light work

Unity is strength

Riki Parata (Hokonui Rūnanga Kaiārihi Taiao Environmental Lead) receiving 20 kilos of hinu from Alliance Group Limited.

By Libby Young

Alliance Group Limited (Alliance) has kindly donated an initial 20 kilos of hinu (beef fat) to our Hokonui Biodiversity project. This donation, along with others, will be used as bait in our traps as part of our pest control activities. It is actions like this that will help us to restore the native flora and hopefully reintroduce the South Island Robin to the Hokonui Hills.

This is not the first time the Hokonui Rūnanga Kaupapa Taiao has partnered with Alliance. Their support also extends into our freshwater mahi as well. As part of their commitment to protect the biodiversity of the Mataura Mātaitai (New Zealand’s first freshwater reserve), Alliance enabled us to undertake a Kanakana (Lamprey) Monitoring Programme in both 2021 and 2022.

As illustrated above, Riki Parata is literally struggling to carry the weight of Alliance’s generosity, we continue to be astonished by the support that local groups and industry have shown us.

Posted: 30 November 2022