SOE 1998-2003

The regional council through a variety of resource monitoring programmes investigates the state of the Hawke’s Bay region. These investigations are the result of the Regional Council having researched the main environmental issues for the regional and discussed these with the community. These are outlined in the proposed Regional Resource Management Plan and Regional Coastal Plan and we continue to develop policies and rules to combat the harmful effects on the environment. These policies take into account the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi as well as the kaitiaki role of Ngati Kahungunu and Rongomaiwahine as tangata whenua.

Resource information on water (coastal & inland), land and air can be found within the annual and more comprehensive 5-yearly state of the environment reports.

These state of the environment reports are used to assist in the review of planning documents, resource investigations and research directions. Every five years we are required to produce a comprehensive five-yearly state of the environment report, with the first one now having been completed (1998-2003). Detailed technical reports are also available that underpin the 5 yearly summary reports.

The first full State of the Environment Report was produced in 1997, and following Council’s revamp of its state of the environment reporting framework in 1999. Annual reports produced are updates on the comprehensive reports and information on specific investigations carried out in that reporting year. The interim reports ensure the information being gathered is being reviewed on a regular basis, and to ensure that any information gaps that are identified can be filled in subsequent years through the Council’s Long Term Community Consultation Planning process.

Each resource section of the state of the environment reports highlights key points, trends, work the Council is doing, and ways other people can help protect and enhance our natural resources.

Key points from the first comprehensive 5 yearly review (1998-2003) are:

Land and Biodiversity

Erosion is still a significant issue in Hawke's Bay and levels of residual agrichemicals in soils are consistent with elsewhere in New Zealand; however the Regional Council is encouraging sustainable land management practices and is developing a land monitoring strategy. Pest control is a significant contribution to increasing biodiversity of our land.

Natural Hazards and Climate Change

There was no major event in Hawke's Bay over the five years to June 2003, but we highlight the events that did occur. Climate change and ongoing rises in sea level and storm intensity are increasing the risks of flooding, erosion and coastal erosion, and the report discusses the future impacts and the work we are doing to respond to these.

Rainfall Patterns and River Flows

The past five years have shown typical Hawke's Bay variability, although rainfall data indicates a slight trend towards lower annual totals. The report covers water allocation, minimum flows and irrigation bans and what we're doing to monitor water use.

Water Quality of Rivers and Streams

The Council's new monitoring system shows 16 improved sites and 26 with significant poorer quality - but we still compare quite favourably with the rest of New Zealand.

Groundwater

Investigations suggest there is enough groundwater in Hawke's Bay's Heretaunga and Rautaniwha Plains acquifers for long term use, although there may be localised issues. Groundwater quality is suitable for drinking and irrigation but care is needed to ensure that it does not become degraded.

Air Quality

Fine dust and smoke particles exceeded health guidelines on a few occasions in Hastings and Napier, particularly on cold winter nights. Napier has been monitored since mid-2000 and Hastings since mid-2003.

Coastal

Our 333km of coastline has excellent water quality; where it's not so good, work is being done to identify the cause and then improve the quality.