GDC keeping up engagement with Rau Tipu Rau Ora

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Gisborne District Council has retained a relationship with regional forum Rau Tipu Rau Ora (RTRO) despite removing itself from the group in March.

The forum was set up three years ago to lead a regional response to Covid-19, but the council left it in March, citing a need to concentrate its energy on cyclone recovery.

At the time of the departure, three of the district’s four iwi leaders expressed disappointment at the decision, believing the partnership group was best placed to deal with recovery efforts.

However, the council is still meeting with RTRO, a council report reveals.

A Civil Defence Emergency Management meeting agenda for Wednesday showed the council’s Regional Recovery Office manager Anita Reedy-Holthausen met with the forum to “outline the recovery office functions and discuss collective impact methodology”.

The Regional Recovery Office, led by Ms Reedy-Holthausen, was created in response to recent severe weather events and seeks to coordinate region-wide response.

At the council’s Civil Defence Emergency Management meeting on Wednesday, Māori ward councillor Rawinia Parata asked about the recent interaction between the two parties.

“I’m confused about why we’d present to RTRO when we’ve removed ourselves from them?” she said.

Reedy-Holthausen explained the council had been invited to present, and took the opportunity to do so.

“What came out of that discussion was an understanding that we are all developing our recovery plans, but also a commitment to share at an appropriate time when those plans are developed, so that we can align those plans,” she said.

“I have been invited back to present at the next RTRO (meeting).”

Councillor Parata then asked what the current relationship between the council and iwi looked like, and whether the council had a good understanding of what their plans were.

Ms Reedy-Holthausen said the council was committed to working towards ensuring it supported iwi-led plans.

Cr Parata had previously raised concerns with Mayor Rehette Stoltz and chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann about the impact leaving the group could have on iwi relationships.

On Thursday, she told Local Democracy Reporting she was “entirely supportive

“This is not a forum mandated by a council decision — I was there as the Mayor taking part in a forum. It’s time to move forward.”

Also included in RTRO are Te Whatu Ora Health NZ and Eastland Group.

Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust left the group last year, and Trust Tairāwhiti departed last month, although it will continue to participate at an operational level.

Wednesday’s discussion arose during the presentation of a council report about a funding request made to the Minister of Finance and Cyclone Recovery on April 30.

The Regional Recovery Office requested funding of $1 billion for repair and resilience for flood protection, transport networks, water, communication and utilities and community facilities and services, as well as $71.4 million for environmental monitoring and restoration.

It also requested $16.8 million for wellbeing and housing support and services, and $500,000 for collective impact community engagement and recovery planning.

The council is yet to receive a response to the funding request.

” of council engaging with RTRO because the forum had proven to be “priceless” as a practical model of co-governance.

“My concerns were centred squarely around the withdrawal of Gisborne District Council from RTRO and the detrimental impact it would have on our relationships with iwi.

“Knowing now that we are engaged in the space, albeit at an operational level, is a small step towards healing that friction.”

Last month, Parata said Mayor Rehette Stoltz’s decision to leave RTRO was made without the support of council, and that elected members were made aware after the fact.

In response, Mayor Stoltz said initial concerns had been raised, but a shared understanding of her decision-making was reached at an informal meeting.