The Regional Council hosted a Symposium on 30 November and 1 December 2010 at Napier’s War Memorial Conference Centre. The theme of the symposium was “taking action on water allocation for the next generation.” The Regional Council organised the Symposium to ask stakeholders to be actively involved in developing an Action Plan for freshwater allocation in Hawke's Bay. Stakeholders were asked to think about the actions that they can take to ensure water is used effectively and efficiently, and to identify their strategies and solutions for a rosy future in Hawke’s Bay.
On this Page
|
 |
- Develop a shared understanding and appreciation of the values, issues and opportunities for the region’s water resources now and into the future.
- Inform the development of a draft water strategy, direction and action plan to consider and address issues and maximise opportunities for sustainable water management in the region.
- Nominate representatives for an external reference group (or other approach for continuous engagement) to continue to collaborate with the Council and others on the implementation of the water strategy.
- Improve trust and relationships with and among iwi, governments and stakeholders in the region.
 |
The Symposium brought a diverse range of stakeholders together to discuss water management issues facing the Hawke's Bay region. 114 people attended the Symposium, representing over 40 different organisations from primary industry sectors, water user groups, large water users, iwi, environmental agencies, central government, local government, consultants and media.
Key note speakers included the Minister for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
|
Symposium presenter biographies are available.
Water and wellbeing: the cultural, social, environmental and economic values of water management in New Zealand
Understanding the issues and drivers facing water in the Hawke’s Bay with an opportunity for discussion and questions
- Darryl Lew, Group Manager Resource Management, Hawke's Bay Regional Council, PDF File - 1.88Mb
- Andrew Newman, Chief Executive, Hawke's Bay Regional Council, PDF File - 1.1Mb
- Sam Robinson’s vision for the Hawke's Bay 2050, PDF File - 1.1Mb
The full report of the Symposium is now available. The report captures and summarises the proceedings and findings of the Symposium including:
- Who participated
- Water issues in the Hawke’s Bay
- Water and wellbeing - cultural, economic, social, and environmental
- Valuing our catchments
- Visualising our future – is it bleak or rosy?
- Creating a Hawke’s Bay vision and aspirations for water
- Results of Symposium survey
Symposium Report, PDF File - 1.46Mb
The symposium provided an incredible amount of food for thought for both the participants and the Regional Council. Over the remainder of the summer the information collected will be analysed and grouped into policy themes. These will provide guidance for the policy and directions of a regional water strategy in the Hawke’s Bay.
At the symposium, nominations were sought for an external reference group to work with Council on the policy and directions of the regional water strategy. 52 people put nominations in and 92 different people were nominated. Council is in the process of contacting individuals to gauge their interest in the strategy; to be part of a reference group; and to determine their ability to fulfil the duties expected. Once the reference group has been appointed, all attendees to the symposium will be notified and more information will be posted on the HBRC website.
With the reference group to provide advice, Council will draft policies and a regional water strategy. In 2011, wider engagement will occur and another symposium-type event will be held to focus on water quality and ensure that policies and management is integrated. The diagram below explains the process for developing the strategy and the opportunities for wider input from the people of the Hawke’s Bay. Once the strategy has been finalised, it is expected to go to Council for endorsement. Following that, implementation of the strategy will proceed.
