Auckland Council's Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy - July ... · People treasure our biodiversity and therefore feel responsible for protecting and enhancing it willingly People

Auckland Council’s Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy

ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY AND POLICY

July 2012

Environmental Strategy and Policy

2

Acknowledgements

Additional credits for photographs:

- Mark Seabrook-Davison

- Alastair Jamieson

”The Auckland Council acknowledges the contribution from the many people and organisations that have contributed to the development of the Biodiversity Strategy. Please inform us if you are the owner of any images in this document and we will ensure you are acknowledged in future printing of this document.”

Front Cover: Pateke Brown Teal - Anas aucklandica


3

Contents4 Introduction – Developing a Strategic Approach

6 The Importance of Auckland’s Biodiversity

7 Purpose and Scope

10 Statutory Context

12 Biodiversity and the Auckland Plan

14 Vision

18 Objectives

24 Performance measures

31 Principles

32 Evaluation

34 Appendices

36 Obligations

40 Council Structure


4

While many excellent programmes and approaches to the management of indigenous biodiversity were developed prior to the establishment of the Auckland Council, these have often been poorly coordinated across jurisdictional boundaries. The establishment of the Auckland Council has provided a unique opportunity to achieve an integrated approach to the management of indigenous biodiversity, capitalising and building on the good work done to date while identifying the new opportunities that arise from the establishment of a unitary authority, charged with multiple statutory and landowner responsibilities.

This document has been written by a Technical Advisory Group comprised of staff from teams across the Auckland Council involved in the development and delivery of programmes to manage indigenous biodiversity.

This is the first stage in the development of a long-term biodiversity strategy for Auckland Council that, ultimately, will set out the agreed strategic direction for the Council over the coming years. Implementation plans and projects to give effect to that strategic approach will be developed and measured against the objectives set out in the strategy. Thus, the strategic approach is in two parts – firstly a Biodiversity Strategy with a vision, strategic objectives, measures and principles and secondly the on-going project and programmes which will deliver on these aspirations. It is intended that the Strategy is adopted and reviewed on a five yearly basis, with work required to achieve that identified in a Biodiversity Work Plan, and delivered on an on-going basis.

Developing a Strategic Approach

Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy | July 2012

5

Shakespear Regional Park, Auckland

Wetland, Auckland


6

Biodiversity can be defined simply as the biological diversity that extends from genes to ecosystem processes. The Auckland region has an instantly recognisable, diverse natural environment made up of volcanic cones and craters, forest, streams, wetlands, estuaries and harbours, an intricate coastline including dunes and offshore islands supporting a rich diversity of plants and animals, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. This is the indigenous biodiversity that people rely on for many different social, cultural and economic reasons.

The State of the Auckland Region report (2010) describes the increasing pressures that a growing population continues to place on the biodiversity of our natural environment including new and existing biosecurity risks, the unsustainable use of natural resources, habitat fragmentation, the increasing demand for infrastructure and climate change. In order to effectively argue the threat that these pressures pose on our own survival we need to know what level of indigenous biodiversity we think is enough to meet our statutory obligations and to provide the ecosystem services that will sustain Auckland’s inhabitants. The objectives in this document provide this bottom line. This is what we have decided is essential to achieve in order to fulfil our responsibilities related to indigenous biodiversity.

This document addresses indigenous biodiversity: our native species, their genetic diversity, and the habitats and ecosystems that support them.

The Importance of Auckland’s Biodiversity


7

Auckland Council has statutory obligations to maintain and sustainably manage biodiversity, for both its intrinsic, and its ecosystem services value (see Figure 1). Under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), the Auckland Council, as a Unitary Authority, has responsibilities as both a Regional Council and Territorial Authority in relation to indigenous biodiversity. Regional Council responsibilities include a direct responsibility for controlling the use of land to maintain and enhance ecosystems in water bodies and in the coastal water. The combined regional and district council responsibilities include: to develop, implement and review policies and methods to maintain indigenous biodiversity. The RMA also requires decision makers to take into account the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, the relationship of Maori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, waahi tapu and other taonga and particular regard to kaitiakitanga. The Council must also respond to the requirements of the proposed National Policy Statement on Biodiversity, which has guided the development of the approaches set out here.

Biodiversity is everywhere and the Council needs to consider the impact of all its activities and decision making everywhere. This document applies to indigenous biodiversity on both public and private land, including people’s backyards in urban areas, parks and schools, farms, industrial sites, and roadsides. It includes aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity from forests, scrubland, streams, wetlands, estuaries to coastal, intertidal, island and marine biodiversity. Particular regard will be given to species and ecosystems that are unique to Auckland. The protection of biodiversity not native to the Auckland region is not addressed in this strategy except where exotic plants or animals are needed to protect indigenous values such as to provide habitat or shelter.

Purpose and Scope


8

It is intended that this strategic approach direct the Council’s actions in all areas of its responsibilities, including as the largest single landowner in the region, with direct control over many areas important for biodiversity. It will give guidance in the development and implementation of statutory plans, in the provision and maintenance of infrastructure, and in the provision of advice and resources to the community. It is also hoped that it will give guidance to Local Boards on achieving their identified goals.

This is an Auckland wide document in that it is the Auckland ratepayer that funds our work, and the approach has a strong focus on directing how Auckland rates are best spent to achieve biodiversity gains. It is noted that successful

implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy will require sufficient resourcing by the Auckland Council and other parties.

While this approach is focussed on the Council’s responses, it is also hoped that many programmes developed from this strategy will also change people’s behaviour in a way that benefits national and global biodiversity through increased awareness of the values of, and threats to, biodiversity generally.

Ship Rat - Rattus rattus Australian Brustailed Possum - Trichosurus vulpecula


9

North Island Kokako - Callaeas Cinerea Wilsoni


10

STATUTORY DRIVERS

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Management

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Statutory Context

Strategic Approach to Integrated Biodiversity Management

COUNCIL PLANS AND STRATEGIES

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This document describes the Council’s vision and 8 objectives for biodiversity work, along with a set of performance measures to be used to monitor progress.


11

Shakespear Regional Park

Lucas Creek - Albany


12

The Auckland Plan identifies biodiversity loss as a challenge for Auckland and acknowledges that decisions about growth, and changes in landuse, have significant implications for biodiversity. The Auckland Plan is a tool to ensure that growth and development do not occur at the expense of the very features (such as biodiversity) which make Auckland unique. The plan chooses an eco-city approach to communicate a strong commitment to preserving biodiversity and natural habitats (amongst other things) to support the development of one of the world’s most liveable cities. Methods to deliver this include ensuring significant indigenous biodiversity is identified and protected from inappropriate use and development and ecosystems restoration. Maps convey that biodiversity is everywhere in rural and urban places and on both public and private land demonstrating the importance of linkages and showing that all parts of the landscape have a part to play in maintaining Auckland’s biodiversity.

Biodiversity and the Auckland Plan


13

Rainforest, Auckland


14

He taonga, ka whaihua nga rerenga ke o te Ao Turoa i Tamaki Makaurau Auckland’s indigenous biodiversity is flourishing and treasured

This is what we want to see long term. We value and want to see:

Healthy and diverse ecosystems of plants and animals

��Auckland’s ecosystems are functioning and healthy

��Priority ecosystems and species managed effectively

��Threatened species flourishing in natural habitats

��Significant sites of indigenous biodiversity protected

��Nature connected across Auckland in linkages and sequences

Engagement, understanding and guardianship of Auckland’s indigenous biodiversity�

�� Responsibility and pride for Auckland’s biodiversity is shared by all and actions reflect this

��People treasure our biodiversity and therefore feel responsible for protecting and enhancing it willingly

��People feel connected to nature and understand their impact on it

��Aucklanders are engaged in conserving the natural environment

��Aucklanders understand ecological connections, e.g.: stream to sea

��Ecosystem services are widely understood and valued

��Our ecological and culturally significant treasures and taonga are valued, protected and celebrated

Vision


15

Stitchbird or Hihi - Notiomystis Cincta


16

Ecosystem services provided by indigenous biodiversity

��Ma te whenua ka ora te tangata, ma te tangata ka ora te whenua – Through the land the people will be nourished, through the people land will be nourished

��Food, water and fibre are used sustainably

��Regulating services are functioning to maintain climate, manage floods, pests and wastes and provide good water quality

��Supporting services are functioning such as soil formation, photosynthesis and nutrient cycling

��Ecosystem service values are recognised and incorporated in plans and decision making

��Policies in our plans that recognise the resilience that biodiversity provides to ecosystem services and functions by protecting what we currently have and enabling the uptake of opportunities to better manage and enhance our environments.

��Biodiversity maintained or enhanced to ensure that future environmental changes will not reduce ecosystem services or functions

New Zealand Copper Butterfly Lycaena Salustius on Pohuehue Muehlenbeckia complexa


17

Ecosystem services provided by indigenous biodiversity (cont...)

��The spiritual mauri, amenity and recreational value provided by the region’s biodiversity attracts people to our region and supports economic opportunities such as ecotourism

��Biodiversity is maintained in an economically viable way

��Contribution of biodiversity to ecosystem services including recreation, physical health and wellbeing are recognised and valued.

Integrated management producing biodiversity gains

��Agencies, whenua and the community share responsibility and work together in effective partnerships

��Linkages and interactions between biodiversity across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems are recognised and provided for in planning documents and internal and external programmes

��Input and support for our biodiversity plans and projects across council and with appropriate external stakeholders

��Council provides input and submits on external initiatives including legislation and national programmes that affect biodiversity

��Biodiversity outcomes achieved across neighbouring regions.

Humpback Whale - Megaptera Novaeangliae


18

These tables show how we are going to structure our work in order to achieve the outcomes stated above. The objectives provide a link whereby, through measuring progress towards achieving them, we can demonstrate how projects contribute to achieving the Council’s vision and therefore the Council’s legislative obligations. A list of projects will be identified to achieve each one of the objectives and these will be prioritised according to where we can make the greatest gain towards the objective for the greatest likelihood of success. Budget will be assigned to each objective to fund as many projects as we can in priority order. This means we will have a clearer understanding of the resources required to achieve each objective and be able to explain more easily what is not being funded. It is expected that some projects will in fact achieve more than one of the objectives.

The objectives are designed to cover most of the proactive work carried out by the Council to achieve biodiversity gains.

Objectives


19

West Coast, Auckland


20

Obj

ecti

ve 1

:

Con

serv

e th

e gr

eate

st n

umbe

r an

d m

ost d

iver

se ra

nge

of A

uckl

and’

s in

dige

nous

ec

osys

tem

s an

d se

quen

ces

Obj

ecti

ves

1 an

d 2

are

crit

ical

com

pone

nts

of w

hat w

e ar

e tr

ying

to a

chie

ve in

term

s of

indi

geno

us b

iodi

vers

ity

and

to w

hat c

ondi

tion

.

Thes

e di

rect

us

to c

hoos

e w

here

we

are

best

to m

anag

e to

ens

ure

we

have

as

man

y of

our

diff

eren

t spe

cies

and

eco

syst

ems

as p

ossi

ble

for a

giv

en re

sour

ce.

Mea

suri

ng th

ese

will

tell

us h

ow m

any

of o

ur s

peci

es a

nd e

cosy

stem

s

are

bein

g pr

otec

ted

and

enha

nced

to th

e le

vel

stat

ed in

the

obje

ctiv

e.

This

mea

ns:

» M

anag

e, in

clud

ing

thro

ugh

rest

orat

ion

acti

viti

es, a

nd s

uffic

ient

res

ourc

ing

by t

he C

ounc

il an

d ot

her

agen

cies

suc

h as

D

OC

, as

muc

h as

pos

sibl

e of

a f

ull r

ange

of

Auc

klan

d’s

ecos

yste

ms

for

a gi

ven

reso

urce

incl

udin

g su

cces

sion

al s

tage

s of

eco

syst

ems

and

the

linka

ges

betw

een

them

.

» R

educ

e th

e vu

lner

abili

ty o

f id

enti

fied

ecos

yste

ms,

incl

udin

g to

clim

ate

chan

ge, b

y en

surin

g a

95%

pro

babi

lity

of e

ach

ecos

yste

m t

ype

bein

g in

a v

iabl

e st

ate

wit

hin

30 y

ears

thr

ough

lega

l pro

tect

ion,

res

tora

tion

act

ions

and

eff

ecti

ve

mit

igat

ion

thro

ugh

the

cons

ent

proc

ess

» E

limin

ate

the

risk

of r

egio

nal e

xtin

ctio

n of

eco

syst

ems

thro

ugh

man

agin

g th

reat

s, r

esto

rati

on a

ctio

ns, a

dapt

ive

man

agem

ent,

and

impr

ovin

g fu

ncti

onal

ity

of e

co-s

yste

m p

roce

sses

» M

eet

our

nati

onal

obl

igat

ions

to

prot

ect

nati

onal

ly t

hrea

tene

d ec

osys

tem

s at

iden

tifie

d pr

iorit

y si

tes

for

nati

onal

ec

osys

tem

rec

over

y in

our

reg

ion.

Obj

ecti

ve 2

:

Ach

ieve

long

-ter

m re

cove

ry

of th

e gr

eate

st n

umbe

r of

thre

aten

ed s

peci

es w

hose

rang

e in

clud

es th

e A

uckl

and

Regi

on

This

mea

ns:

» M

anag

e, in

clud

ing

thro

ugh

rest

orat

ion

acti

viti

es a

nd s

uffic

ient

res

ourc

ing

by t

he C

ounc

il an

d ot

her

agen

cies

suc

h as

D

OC

, as

man

y in

dige

nous

spe

cies

tha

t re

quire

man

agem

ent

to p

reve

nt r

egio

nal e

xtin

ctio

n as

pos

sibl

e fo

r a

give

n re

sour

ce

» R

educ

e th

e vu

lner

abili

ty o

f re

gion

al s

peci

es p

opul

atio

ns, i

nclu

ding

to

clim

ate

chan

ge, b

y en

surin

g a

95%

pro

babi

lity

of e

ach

spec

ies

bein

g in

a v

iabl

e st

ate

wit

hin

30 y

ears

thr

ough

lega

l pro

tect

ion

and

rest

orat

ion

of in

dige

nous

hab

itat

s an

d ef

fect

ive

mit

igat

ion

thro

ugh

the

cons

ent

proc

ess

» E

limin

ate

the

risk

of r

egio

nal e

xtin

ctio

n of

spe

cies

thr

ough

thr

eat

man

agem

ent,

rest

orat

ion

acti

ons,

ada

ptiv

e m

anag

emen

t an

d in

crea

sing

spe

cies

pop

ulat

ions

wit

hin

thei

r na

tura

l ran

ge

» P

rote

ct n

atio

nally

thr

eate

ned

spec

ies

whe

re it

has

bee

n id

enti

fied

that

the

se s

peci

es a

re b

est

man

aged

in o

ur r

egio

n to

pre

vent

the

ir na

tion

al e

xtin

ctio

n.

Obj

ecti

ve 3

:

Mai

ntai

n an

d en

hanc

e th

e go

ods

and

serv

ices

pro

vide

d by

our

na

tura

l env

iron

men

t in

a w

ay th

at

supp

orts

indi

geno

us b

iodi

vers

ity

Obj

ecti

ve 3

des

crib

es w

hat w

e ne

ed to

ach

ieve

in o

rder

to p

rote

ct in

dige

nous

bio

dive

rsit

y

thro

ugh

usin

g it

sus

tain

ably

. M

easu

ring

this

will

indi

cate

how

wel

l ind

igen

ous

biod

iver

sity

is

cont

inui

ng to

sus

tain

us.

This

mea

ns:

» P

rote

ct b

iodi

vers

ity

whi

le e

nabl

ing

and

bala

ncin

g th

e fo

ur w

ell b

eing

s th

roug

h pr

ovis

ion

of a

legi

slat

ive

fram

ewor

k

» R

ecog

nisi

ng a

nd p

rom

otin

g th

e w

ealt

h cr

eati

ng v

alue

and

pot

enti

al o

f in

dige

nous

bio

dive

rsit

y

» Im

prov

e pr

otec

tion

of

syst

ems

thro

ugh

impr

ovin

g un

ders

tand

ing

of t

ippi

ng p

oint

s an

d un

dert

akin

g m

onit

orin

g to

tr

igge

r in

terv

enti

on e

arly

eno

ugh

to p

reve

nt t

he s

yste

m f

ailin

g.

» E

cosy

stem

ser

vice

s ar

e a

core

con

side

rati

on in

pol

icie

s

» E

nsur

e th

e co

ntrib

utio

n of

mar

gina

l sit

es t

o ec

osys

tem

ser

vice

s ar

e re

cogn

ised

, val

ued

and

incr

ease

d

» D

evel

opm

ent

of p

lans

tak

es in

to a

ccou

nt t

he im

port

ance

of

cons

ider

ing

adve

rse

impa

cts

on b

iodi

vers

ity

to a

void

cu

mul

ativ

e ef

fect

s

» R

esto

rati

on a

ctio

ns u

nder

take

n ex

plic

itly

con

side

r th

e en

hanc

emen

t of

eco

syst

em s

ervi

ce f

unct

ions

» R

ecog

nisi

ng a

nd p

rom

otin

g th

e ro

le o

f in

dige

nous

eco

syst

ems

in m

itig

atin

g cl

imat

e ch

ange

e.g

. thr

ough

car

bon

stor

age,

red

ucin

g er

osio

n an

d th

e ef

fect

s of

sto

rmw

ater

run

off.


21

Obj

ecti

ve 4

:

Sust

ain

and

prot

ect t

he m

auri

of

natu

ral a

nd p

hysi

cal r

esou

rces

in

way

s w

hich

ena

ble

prov

isio

n fo

r th

e so

cial

, eco

nom

ic a

nd c

ultu

ral

wel

lbei

ng o

f Mao

ri

Obj

ecti

ve 4

des

crib

es w

hat s

ucce

ssfu

l

biod

iver

sity

man

agem

ent m

ight

mea

n fo

r man

a

whe

nua

This

mea

ns:

» T

he c

ounc

il w

ill d

evel

op a

nd r

esou

rce

effe

ctiv

e pa

rtne

rshi

ps w

ith

iwi,

hapu

and

wha

nau,

indi

vidu

als

and

com

mun

ity

grou

ps in

clud

ing

carv

ers

and

wea

vers

, kur

a ka

upap

a, w

hare

wan

anga

, koh

anga

reo

and

Mao

ri la

ndow

ners

to

enab

le

sust

aina

ble

use

of b

iodi

vers

ity

» E

nabl

ing

the

prov

isio

n of

kai

tiak

itan

ga a

nd m

anaa

kita

nga

» In

crea

se t

he a

ppre

ciat

ion

of t

he M

aori

pers

pect

ive

on b

iodi

vers

ity

thro

ugh

init

iati

ves

such

as

eco

and

cult

ural

tou

rism

ve

ntur

es

» E

nabl

e kn

owle

dge

shar

ing

betw

een

part

ners

» S

ites

and

are

as o

f bi

odiv

ersi

ty t

hat

are

sign

ifica

nt a

nd s

acre

d to

Tan

gata

whe

nua

are

prot

ecte

d, r

esto

red

and

nurt

ured

to

pro

vide

for

fut

ure

gene

rati

ons

» R

esto

rati

on p

roje

cts

incl

ude

thos

e w

hich

add

ress

man

a w

henu

a as

pira

tion

s, s

uch

as t

hrou

gh t

he u

se o

f in

dige

nous

sp

ecie

s/va

rieti

es t

hat

are

valu

ed f

or c

ultu

ral p

urpo

ses

and

the

prov

isio

n of

cul

tura

l har

vest

of

thes

e.

Obj

ectiv

e 5:

Ach

ieve

gre

ater

und

erst

andi

ng,

valu

ing

stew

ards

hip

and

guar

dian

ship

of b

iodi

vers

ity w

ith

our c

omm

unity

Obj

ecti

ves

5-8

desc

ribe

wha

t we

need

to d

o

in o

rder

to a

chie

ve th

e ou

tcom

es e

mbo

died

in

Obj

ecti

ves

1 to

4.

Mea

suri

ng th

ese

will

tell

us if

we

are

wor

king

in th

e ri

ght w

ay to

ach

ieve

thes

e

Obj

ecti

ves.

This

mea

ns:

» C

omm

unit

y an

d co

unci

l wor

k in

par

tner

ship

to

ensu

re t

hat

acti

ons

and

deci

sion

s be

nefit

s bi

odiv

ersi

ty a

ckno

wle

dgin

g m

uch

of t

he p

oten

tial

to

affe

ct b

iodi

vers

ity

sits

wit

h th

e co

mm

unit

y

» T

he C

ounc

il co

mm

its

to p

rovi

ding

suf

ficie

nt r

esou

rcin

g, in

clud

ing

to le

vera

ge r

esou

rces

fro

m o

ther

sou

rces

to

supp

ort

com

mun

ity

acti

ons.

» T

he c

omm

unit

y is

eng

aged

wit

h an

d tr

easu

res

our

biod

iver

sity

incl

udin

g th

roug

h in

volv

emen

t in

eff

ecti

ve r

esto

rati

on

proj

ects

.

» T

he c

omm

unit

y ha

s ca

paci

ty a

nd is

ena

bled

to

enha

nce

and

prot

ect

biod

iver

sity

, inc

ludi

ng in

the

fac

e of

clim

ate

chan

ge.

» C

omm

unit

y ac

tion

s an

d de

cisi

ons

refle

ct t

he v

alue

of

biod

iver

sity

» C

ounc

il =

Auc

klan

d C

ounc

il in

clud

es e

lect

ed m

embe

rs (

gove

rnin

g bo

dy a

nd lo

cal b

oard

s), o

ffic

ers

and

all C

ounc

il C

ontr

olle

d O

rgan

isat

ions

.

» C

omm

unit

y =

all

who

live

, vis

it a

nd im

pact

on

the

Auc

klan

d Re

gion

’s b

iodi

vers

ity

incl

udin

g in

divi

dual

s, o

rgan

isat

ions

, in

stit

utio

ns, b

usin

esse

s an

d in

dust

ries

Obj

ectiv

e 6:

Impr

ove

know

ledg

e an

d un

ders

tand

ing

of b

iodi

vers

ity in

th

e re

gion

in o

rder

to p

rote

ct a

nd

man

age

it ef

fect

ivel

y

This

mea

ns:

» In

crea

se in

com

preh

ensi

ve k

now

ledg

e of

the

loca

tion

, sta

te a

nd c

ondi

tion

of

regi

onal

bio

dive

rsit

y to

info

rm w

here

to

man

age

and

dire

ct a

ctio

n, in

clud

ing

how

to

mit

igat

e th

e ef

fect

s of

clim

ate

chan

ge o

n in

dige

nous

bio

dive

rsit

y.

» O

btai

n tr

end

data

of

the

Stat

e of

the

Reg

ion

to m

easu

re p

rogr

ess

tow

ards

the

Vis

ion

and

chan

ges

in e

colo

gica

l in

tegr

ity

and

cond

itio

n, in

clud

ing

chan

ges

aris

ing

as a

res

ult

of c

limat

e ch

ange

.

» E

ngag

e w

ith

agen

cies

to

deve

lop,

tes

t an

d un

ders

tand

tre

nd m

easu

res.

» M

onit

orin

g th

e ou

tcom

es a

nd e

ffec

tive

ness

of

prot

ecti

on a

nd r

esto

rati

on a

ctio

ns


22

Obj

ectiv

e 7:

Ach

ieve

incr

ease

d in

tera

genc

y,

cros

s cou

ncil,

cro

ss b

ound

ary

and

cros

s dis

cipl

ine

inte

grat

ion

in

biod

iver

sity

man

agem

ent

Obj

ecti

ves

5-8

desc

ribe

wha

t we

need

to d

o

in o

rder

to a

chie

ve th

e ou

tcom

es e

mbo

died

in

Obj

ecti

ves

1 to

4.

Mea

suri

ng th

ese

will

tell

us if

we

are

wor

king

in th

e ri

ght w

ay to

ach

ieve

thes

e

Obj

ecti

ves.

This

mea

ns:

» In

crea

se in

com

preh

ensi

ve k

now

ledg

e of

the

loca

tion

, sta

te a

nd c

ondi

tion

of

regi

onal

bio

dive

rsit

y to

info

rm w

here

to

man

age

and

dire

ct a

ctio

n, in

clud

ing

how

to

mit

igat

e th

e ef

fect

s of

clim

ate

chan

ge o

n in

dige

nous

bio

dive

rsit

y.

» O

btai

n tr

end

data

of

the

Stat

e of

the

Reg

ion

to m

easu

re p

rogr

ess

tow

ards

the

Vis

ion

and

chan

ges

in e

colo

gica

l in

tegr

ity

and

cond

itio

n, in

clud

ing

chan

ges

aris

ing

as a

res

ult

of c

limat

e ch

ange

.

» E

ngag

e w

ith

agen

cies

to

deve

lop,

tes

t an

d un

ders

tand

tre

nd m

easu

res.

» M

onit

orin

g th

e ou

tcom

es a

nd e

ffec

tive

ness

of

prot

ecti

on a

nd r

esto

rati

on a

ctio

ns

Obj

ectiv

e 8:

Impr

ove

impl

emen

tatio

n of

co

unci

l sta

tuto

ry re

spon

sibi

litie

s to

supp

ort o

ur b

iodi

vers

ity

man

date

This

mea

ns:

» T

he n

atur

e of

pro

visi

ons

in c

ounc

il st

atut

ory

docu

men

ts, e

.g.:

the

unit

ary

plan

, res

erve

man

agem

ent

plan

, and

the

de

gree

to

whi

ch t

hese

pro

visi

ons

are

impl

emen

ted

in li

ne w

ith

the

stra

tegy

.

» T

he p

roce

ssin

g of

res

ourc

e co

nsen

ts a

nd t

he d

egre

e to

whi

ch t

hey

impl

emen

t th

is s

trat

egy.

» E

nsur

e th

at c

onse

nt c

ondi

tion

s re

quiri

ng r

emed

iati

on, m

itig

atio

n an

d of

fset

ting

act

ions

con

trib

ute

to a

chie

ving

the

ob

ject

ives

of

the

Stra

tegy

.

» N

o ne

t lo

ss o

f ec

osys

tem

s fu

ncti

ons

and

proc

esse

s re

sult

ing

from

con

sent

ed a

ctiv

itie

s


23

Planting Kauri Seedlings


24

Measure of how well we are progressing towards achieving the objectives. Note that the indicators below each Measure will be refined through further work, in line with the implementation approaches developed.

Performance measures


25

Predator proof fence, Tawharanui, Auckland


26

Obj

ecti

ve 1

:

Con

serv

e th

e gr

eate

st n

umbe

r an

d m

ost d

iver

se ra

nge

of A

uckl

and’

s in

dige

nous

ec

osys

tem

s an

d se

quen

ces

Mea

sure

:

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

the

rep

rese

ntat

ive

rang

e of

iden

tifie

d ec

osys

tem

typ

es b

eing

man

aged

to

impr

ove

thei

r ec

olog

ical

inte

grit

y.

Indi

cato

rs:

» In

crea

se in

num

ber

of e

cosy

stem

s th

at h

ave

incr

ease

d ec

olog

ical

inte

grit

y as

a r

esul

t of

man

agem

ent.

» In

crea

se in

reg

iona

l bio

dive

rsit

y co

ndit

ion

inde

x w

ith

ecos

yste

ms

wei

ghte

d ac

cord

ing

to r

epre

sent

ativ

enes

s

» N

o de

crea

se in

the

con

diti

on o

f im

port

ant

regi

onal

eco

syst

ems

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

nat

iona

lly t

hrea

tene

d ec

osys

tem

s be

ing

acti

vely

man

aged

for

con

serv

atio

n

» E

xten

t of

eco

syst

ems

and

thei

r st

ate

Obj

ecti

ve 2

:

Ach

ieve

long

-ter

m re

cove

ry

of th

e gr

eate

st n

umbe

r of

thre

aten

ed s

peci

es w

hose

rang

e in

clud

es th

e A

uckl

and

Regi

on

» In

crea

sed

num

ber

of s

peci

es t

hat

have

red

uced

thr

eats

due

to

man

agem

ent

and

are

on t

rack

for

via

bilit

y w

ithi

n 30

yea

rs.

» D

ecre

ase

in t

he n

umbe

r of

thr

eate

ned

taxa

(ex

clud

ing

colo

nisa

tion

s an

d ta

xono

mic

rev

isio

ns)

» N

o re

gion

al s

peci

es e

xtin

ctio

ns

Obj

ecti

ve 3

:

Mai

ntai

n an

d en

hanc

e th

e go

ods

and

serv

ices

pro

vide

d by

our

na

tura

l env

iron

men

t in

a w

ay th

at

supp

orts

indi

geno

us b

iodi

vers

ity

Mea

sure

:

» N

o ne

t lo

ss o

f ec

osys

tem

fun

ctio

ns a

nd p

roce

sses

fro

m t

hose

pro

vidi

ng e

cosy

stem

ser

vice

s.

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

the

com

mun

ity

that

is u

sing

the

env

ironm

ent

sust

aina

bly.

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

reg

iona

l GD

P ge

nera

ted

by s

usta

inab

le u

se o

f bi

odiv

ersi

ty.

» E

cono

mic

, soc

ial a

nd c

ultu

ral g

ain

thro

ugh

the

sust

aina

ble

use

of in

dige

nous

bio

dive

rsit

y.

Indi

cato

rs:

» In

crea

se in

eco

syst

em s

ervi

ces

prot

ecti

on in

pol

ices

» In

crea

sed

reco

gnit

ion

for

the

econ

omic

ben

efit

s of

bio

dive

rsit

y

» E

xten

t of

eco

syst

ems

and

thei

r st

ate

» M

arin

e an

d fr

eshw

ater

wat

er q

ualit

y, c

onta

min

ant

(sed

imen

ts a

nd n

utrie

nts

as w

ell)

load

s in

str

eam

s an

d ha

rbou

rs

» E

vide

nce

of u

ptak

e of

SO

E re

port

ing

in p

lans

» D

eter

min

e ho

w t

he c

omm

unit

y is

usi

ng b

iodi

vers

ity,

how

muc

h an

d if

it is

sus

tain

able

» A

mou

nt o

f to

uris

m d

olla

rs s

pent

on

biod

iver

sity

Obj

ecti

ve 4

:

Sust

ain

and

prot

ect t

he m

auri

of

natu

ral a

nd p

hysi

cal r

esou

rces

in

way

s w

hich

ena

ble

prov

isio

n fo

r th

e so

cial

, eco

nom

ic a

nd c

ultu

ral

wel

lbei

ng o

f Mao

ri

Mea

sure

:

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

indi

geno

us b

iodi

vers

ity

sust

aine

d an

d pr

otec

ted

thro

ugh

Mao

ri m

anag

emen

t to

ols

such

as

rahu

i.

» E

cono

mic

and

cul

tura

l gai

n fo

r M

aori

thro

ugh

the

sust

aina

ble

use

of in

dige

nous

bio

dive

rsit

y fa

cilit

ated

by

effe

ctiv

e pa

rtne

rshi

ps.

Indi

cato

rs:

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

mile

ston

es w

ithi

n pa

rtne

rshi

p ag

reem

ents

met

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

bio

dive

rsit

y ou

tcom

es w

ithi

n pa

rtne

rshi

p pr

ojec

ts m

et

» N

umbe

r of

Mao

ri le

d pr

ojec

ts t

hat

cont

ribut

e to

bio

dive

rsit

y

» A

mou

nt o

f C

ounc

il re

sour

ce a

lloca

ted

to M

aori

spec

ific

biod

iver

sity

edu

cati

on a

nd p

artn

ersh

ip a

rran

gem

ents

» In

crea

se in

num

ber

of n

ga w

henu

a ra

hui


27

Obj

ectiv

e 5:

Ach

ieve

gre

ater

und

erst

andi

ng,

valu

ing

stew

ards

hip

and

guar

dian

ship

of b

iodi

vers

ity w

ith

our c

omm

unity

Mea

sure

:»

Rat

io o

f co

unci

l to

volu

ntee

r re

sour

ce in

bio

dive

rsit

y pr

ojec

ts.

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

bio

dive

rsit

y en

hanc

emen

t pr

ojec

ts w

ith

effe

ctiv

e m

onit

orin

g of

bio

dive

rsit

y ga

ins.

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

com

mun

ity

proj

ects

tha

t ar

e co

ntrib

utin

g to

the

ach

ieve

men

t of

oth

er o

bjec

tive

s.»

Pro

port

ion

of t

he c

omm

unit

y th

at h

ave

awar

enes

s an

d ar

e in

volv

ed in

pro

tect

ion

of b

iodi

vers

ity.

Indi

cato

rs:

Und

erst

andi

ng a

nd p

ract

ices

» In

crea

se in

the

pro

port

ion

of c

omm

unit

y gr

oups

usi

ng o

utco

me

mon

itor

ing

» N

umbe

r of

pub

licat

ions

sum

mar

isin

g th

e bi

odiv

ersi

ty b

enef

its

of c

omm

unit

y gr

oup

acti

ons

Co

mm

unit

y va

lue,

und

erst

andi

ng a

nd g

uard

ians

hip

» In

crea

sed

com

mun

ity

awar

enes

s/va

lue

of b

iodi

vers

ity

show

n th

roug

h at

titu

dina

l sur

veyi

ng»

Incr

ease

d m

edia

/com

mun

ity

prof

ile

Nat

ure

and

scal

e o

f co

mm

unit

y in

volv

emen

t»

Incr

ease

d co

mm

unit

y co

mm

itm

ent

» In

crea

sed

leve

ls o

f on

-goi

ng c

omm

unit

y en

gage

men

t»

Incr

ease

d co

mm

unit

y le

ader

ship

» In

crea

ses

in a

rea

of la

nd a

nd s

ea a

ctiv

ely

man

aged

in p

artn

ersh

ip w

ith

the

com

mun

ity

» R

educ

tion

in h

arm

cau

sed

by t

he c

omm

unit

y»

Incr

ease

in n

umbe

r of

QEI

I and

DO

C c

oven

ants

» In

crea

se in

the

num

ber

of c

omm

unit

y re

stor

atio

n gr

oups

Obj

ectiv

e 6:

Impr

ove

know

ledg

e an

d un

ders

tand

ing

of b

iodi

vers

ity in

th

e re

gion

in o

rder

to p

rote

ct a

nd

man

age

it ef

fect

ivel

y

This

mea

ns:

» In

crea

se in

com

preh

ensi

ve k

now

ledg

e of

the

loca

tion

, sta

te a

nd c

ondi

tion

of

regi

onal

bio

dive

rsit

y to

info

rm w

here

to

man

age

and

dire

ct a

ctio

n, in

clud

ing

how

to

mit

igat

e th

e ef

fect

s of

clim

ate

chan

ge o

n in

dige

nous

bio

dive

rsit

y.

» O

btai

n tr

end

data

of

the

Stat

e of

the

Reg

ion

to m

easu

re p

rogr

ess

tow

ards

the

Vis

ion

and

chan

ges

in e

colo

gica

l int

egrit

y an

d co

ndit

ion,

incl

udin

g ch

ange

s ar

isin

g as

a r

esul

t of

cl

imat

e ch

ange

.

» E

ngag

e w

ith

agen

cies

to

deve

lop,

tes

t an

d un

ders

tand

tre

nd m

easu

res.

» M

onit

orin

g th

e ou

tcom

es a

nd e

ffec

tive

ness

of

prot

ecti

on a

nd r

esto

rati

on a

ctio

ns

Obj

ectiv

e 6:

Impr

ove

know

ledg

e an

d un

ders

tand

ing

of b

iodi

vers

ity in

th

e re

gion

in o

rder

to p

rote

ct a

nd

man

age

it ef

fect

ivel

y

Mea

sure

:

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

reg

iona

l eco

syst

ems

for

whi

ch c

ounc

il ha

s cu

rren

t in

form

atio

n on

the

ir co

ndit

ion

and

exte

nt.

Indi

cato

rs:

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

dat

a la

yers

tha

t ar

e cu

rren

t

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

sch

edul

ed s

ites

whe

re t

heir

stat

e of

hea

lth

is k

now

n

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

nat

iona

l prio

rity

ecos

yste

m t

ypes

and

thr

eate

ned

spec

ies

that

are

ade

quat

ely

cove

red

by S

OE

mon

itor

ing

» A

mou

nt o

f re

sour

ce a

lloca

ted

to r

esea

rch/

data

gat

herin

g

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

all

regi

onal

eco

syst

em t

ypes

tha

t ar

e ad

equa

tely

cov

ered

by

regi

onal

SO

E m

onit

orin

g


28

Obj

ectiv

e 7:

Ach

ieve

incr

ease

d in

tera

genc

y,

cros

s cou

ncil,

cro

ss b

ound

ary

and

cros

s dis

cipl

ine

inte

grat

ion

in

biod

iver

sity

man

agem

ent

Mea

sure

:

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

inte

rage

ncy

biod

iver

sity

pro

gram

mes

.

» R

atio

of

inte

rnal

to

exte

rnal

fun

ding

in in

tera

genc

y bi

odiv

ersi

ty p

roje

cts.

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

wit

hin

Cou

ncil

inte

grat

ed b

iodi

vers

ity

prog

ram

mes

.

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

the

Cou

ncil’

s bu

dget

tha

t is

spe

nt o

n ac

hiev

ing

the

visi

on.

Indi

cato

rs:

» N

umbe

r of

req

uest

s fo

r in

put

on e

xter

nal p

olic

y

» P

ropo

rtio

n of

inte

rage

ncy

proj

ects

» N

umbe

r of

cro

ss c

ounc

il jo

intl

y fu

nded

init

iati

ves

» E

vide

nce

of u

ptak

e of

sub

mis

sion

s an

d fe

edba

ck

» N

umbe

r of

inte

r co

unci

l pro

ject

s

» N

umbe

r of

cro

ss b

ound

ary

Loca

l Boa

rd p

roje

cts

» N

umbe

r of

Loc

al B

oard

pro

ject

s th

at a

re a

ligne

d

» N

umbe

r of

Loc

al B

oard

fun

ded

prio

ritie

s th

at c

ontr

ibut

e to

the

vis

ion

» E

vide

nce

of u

ptak

e of

sub

mis

sion

s an

d fe

edba

ck

» E

vide

nce

of k

now

ledg

e sh

arin

g an

d up

take

wit

hin

coun

cil a

nd b

etw

een

coun

cil a

nd o

ther

age

ncie

s an

d or

gani

sati

ons

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Lowland Nikau/Pohutukawa Forest - Piha


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Kaipara Heads, Auckland


31

PrinciplesThe following principles will guide the way we intend to work to achieve the objectives. The principles are to ensure best practice is followed, that there is a consistent approach to biodiversity management across teams and to provide some guidance on what is essential to ensure success of the objectives. In achieving the objectives, Auckland Council will be seen as a leader in effective biodiversity management on its own land and in guiding others.

The principles set out important underlying values and approaches to guide how the objectives will be implemented.

We will:

» Follow best practice and seek new solutions if this is not available and is required to achieve the objectives.

» Prioritise protection of remnant existing ecosystems and habitats

» Manage the region as a network of protected habitats (including aquatic, terrestrial and marine) which are buffered, and linked to other

habitats. Ideally these habitats sit in a matrix of land uses and actions which support the ecological function of these habitats.

» Take into account climate change and sea level rise when making management decisions

» Take account of and provide for manaakitanga (ability to provide hospitality), wairua (spiritual connection to nature) and kaitiakitanga (guarding, protecting and nurturing)

» Work corroboratively and in partnership with other agencies, tangata whenua, and the community

» Ensure budgets are used efficiently and practically for the greatest benefit

» Lead by example in the management of our land, development of policy and actions

» Monitor appropriately and ensure this guides effectiveness of future work

» Not postpone actions to conserve and protect biodiversity because of a lack of knowledge.


32

Monitoring and evaluation are essential to the implementation of this approach. Evaluation is required to understand the effectiveness of work to meet Council obligations through measurement of the degree to which it is influencing Council processes such as directing work programmes. This information will be used to revise this document 5 years from its publication. Monitoring is necessary to report on the success of the objectives against the measures stated above. This success will be informed by the results of projects in the Biodiversity Work Plan. Each project in the Biodiversity Work Plan will have a level of monitoring <�<�� "��<�_��*�� <�`�� "��<��"��projects will inform the measures in this strategy and will be reported to Council annually. This monitoring will also be used to enable an adaptive way to work with an aim of continual improvement as new knowledge is gained.

Evaluation


33

Figure 2: Process for effective biodiversity management.

Change management accordingly

Prioritise required work

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economic, cultural, social


34

Definition of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the full range of genes, species and ecosystems that comprise all existing life on Earth, and the ecological and evolutionary processes that sustain it. It can be used in a narrow sense to describe the number and/or proportion of species in a particular area, but more commonly used to describe the full range of genetic, species, and ecosystems in an area (including globally).

Biodiversity forms part of our natural heritage, including natural places, areas or features and indigenous flora and fauna. Species and ecosystems are inextricably linked to physical elements of natural heritage, including geological features and landforms. Our species rely on, respond to, and in some cases alter, physical natural elements of the environment such as soil, rock, microclimate, water and nutrients. Ecosystems are communities of species and the non-living components of the environment with which they interact.

The focus of natural heritage protection is therefore on indigenous species and the ecosystems they form. Indigenous (or native) species are species that �� #�� "��#��"��"�� `�;"�� <��"�� #�� z��"��#"��z�seabirds and wading birds.

Some exotic species that occur in Auckland may be threatened in their natural range. These species are valuable for global biodiversity however management of these are not within the scope of this strategy.

Appendices


35

Maintaining biodiversity is about more than simply protecting native species and habitats in reserves. It is also about the sustainable use of all biological resources, minimising adverse effects of activities on native ecosystems and species, and �� "��\��<<�� Z��"�K��'��{||}^`

Maori have a holistic view of the environment and biodiversity that derives from a cosmogony (belief system) that links people and all living and non-living things. Descended from the union of Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatuanuku (the earth mother), and their offspring, the atua kaitiaki (spiritual guardians) — Tane (atua of forests), Tumatauenga (atua of war and ceremony), Rongo (atua of cultivation), ;� ��K��^z�;�#"��K��#� �� ^�� '��&��&��(atua of land and forest foods) — humans share a common whakapapa (ancestry) with other animals and plants. People are therefore part of nature and biodiversity.

All components of ecosystems, both living and non-living, possess the spiritual qualities of tapu, mauri, mana, and wairua. Maori, as tangata whenua, are the kaitiaki (guardians) of these ecosystems and have a responsibility to protect and enhance them. This responsibility of people to other living things is expressed in the concept of kaitiakitanga — or guardianship.

As the people are intrinsically linked with the natural world, the mana of the iwi, hapu, or whanau is directly related to the well-being of the natural resources within their rohe, or region.

Understanding and valuing the Maori world-view is an essential step towards a +��<<��"��+�� K��{|||^`

Flax Weaving


36

Several agencies have a role in biodiversity management in the Auckland Region. The Auckland Council is the only agency that has a statutory role for managing the effects of land use and development on indigenous biodiversity on private and public land. We will look to work with other agencies, societies and trusts to achieve this. The Auckland Council has obligations to manage biodiversity under international and national legislation and strategies as well as requirements to meet community expectations.

International Obligations include: » The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

» Kyoto protocol

» International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species

» International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling

» Convention for the Prohibition of Fishing with Long Drift Nets in the South Pacific

» Forest Principles for sustainable forest development

» The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO %��'��$� �� <��"��#�� "��`�

» Rio Declaration on Environment and Development - 27 guiding principles on sustainable development

» Agenda 21 - a plan to implement the principle of sustainable development.

Obligations


37

» Convention on Wetlands of International ��<�� Z�<��%��#��'�+��(the Ramsar Convention), initiated by the IUCN in 1971 to stem the loss of wetlands worldwide.

» The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives ICLEI support and facilitate the Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) - a global urban biodiversity initiative.

National Obligations and directives include �"��#�� {|||�K��^�� "�� for protection of biodiversity on private land released by the government in 2007. New �� "��$� �� Diversity in 1993, and in part fulfilment of ��+�� "��#�� Biodiversity Strategy in 2000. The strategy sets out the Government’s response to declining native biodiversity. It identifies national goals � ��<� �<�� #�� biodiversity, and action plans for achieving the goals.

It establishes national goals to “turn the tide” on biodiversity decline and to maintain and restore a full range of our remaining habitats and ecosystems and viable populations of all species. ;"��"��z��"��"�� to indigenous biodiversity.

The first goal seeks enhanced community and individual action to conserve and sustainably use indigenous biodiversity, based on a well-educated, motivated and co-ordinated community that shares the responsibility for and benefits of our biodiversity. The second goal seeks protection of iwi and hapu interests in indigenous biodiversity. The third goal provides guidance on an appropriate course of direct action for biodiversity and states: “Maintain and restore a full range of remaining natural habitats and ecosystems to a healthy functioning state, enhance critically scarce habitats, and sustain the more modified ecosystems in production and urban environments; and do what else is necessary to maintain and restore viable populations of all indigenous species and subspecies across their natural range and maintain their genetic diversity.”

New Zealand Tuatara - Sphenodon punctatus


38

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» Pattern - i.e. the range of ecosystems, species occupancy, native species dominance; and

» Process - i.e. functions such as hydrology, reproduction, seed dispersal

In 2007 the government released a statement of national priorities for protection of indigenous biodiversity on private land, being:

1. Indigenous vegetation on land environments with 20 percent or less remaining in indigenous cover

2. Sand dunes and wetlands

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All of these features occur in the Auckland region, with a third of the region’s land area containing vegetation that meets criterion 1 alone.


39

Mangrove Ecosystem


40

Council StructureManaging biodiversity is the responsibility of many teams throughout the Council. Some deliver biodiversity gains with the community and landowners, others set policies and rules to protect biodiversity and guide its management. Protecting biodiversity is the responsibility of all teams in the council but this is sometimes not obvious or understood and biodiversity can actually be lost through council activities. To effectively meet our biodiversity mandate, coherent and cooperative ways of working are required across council. This strategy is one tool to help facilitate this by providing an agreed direction and principles that must be followed by all teams.


41

Parts of Council involved in biodiversity management:

��'�� Provide strategic direction and policies for biodiveristy management

Environmental Science: Provision of research and monitoring design to direct and inform biodiversity management

Stormwater: Provide best practice stormwater management including biodiversity protection and enhancement

Local Boards: Integrate biodiversity management into local board plans and actions

Auckland Transport: Provision of transport services

Watercare: Provision of water and waste water services

Air, Land, Water and coastal: Provide strategic direction and policies for managing ecosystem processes

Regional and Local Parks: Encourage community ownership, involvement and stewardship, provide linkages and corridors, revegetation and protect and manage key natural areas and areas of high biodiversity

Regional and Local Planning: Develop Council’s planning response

Biosecurity: Undertake regional weed and animal pest control

Resource Consents: Implement the statutory documents

Maori Strategy and Relations: Provide strategic direction and policies ensuring Maori interests and views in biodiversity management

Biodiversity: Implement biodiversity management

Find out more: phone 09 301 0101��###`��&�� `��` *

Documents

Auckland Council's Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy - July ... · People treasure our biodiversity and therefore feel responsible for protecting and enhancing it willingly People