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ALTERNATIVE ENERGY POSITION STATEMENT Prepared by:

TE KOROWAI O NGĀRUAHINE TRUST

Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust (Te Korowai) is the post settlement governance entity for Ngāruahine Iwi as established under the Ngāruahine Claims Settlement Act 2016. Our role is to: •

Give effect to the settlement legislation;

•

Foster and promote the physical, social, and economic well-being and advancement of Ngāruahine uri;

•

Facilitate positive relationships that foster Ngāruahinetanga; and

•

Exercise strategic governance over Trust entities so as to manage prudently the affairs, business activities, assets and liabilities of the Ngāruahine Group.

Ngāruahine includes any individuals or whānau who descend from one or more Ngāruahine Tūpuna regardless of where they may reside. Importantly, it includes the following six Hapū groups from whom the Trustees of Te Korowai are elected: Kanihi-Umutahi me ētehi atu Hapū; Ōkahu-Inuawai me ētehi atu Hapū; Ngāti Manuhiakai Hapū; Ngāti Tū Hapū; Ngāti Hāua Piko Hapū; and Ngāti Tamaahuroa-Titahi Hapū.

“Ka tika ā mua, Ka tika ā muri.”

“If the foundations are properly laid, the relationship will endure.”

Te Ngutu o Te Manu - 2022

CONTENTS

Glossary of Terms / Kuputaka

Pg 1 - 2

Ngāruahine Alternative Energy Position Statement / Ngā Tauāki Pūngao o Ngāruahine Purpose

Pg 3 - 4

Ngāruahine rights and interests How this position statement was developed

Pg 5 - 6

Issues / Raru ki uta, raru ki tai Historical Treaty of Waitangi breaches

Pg 7 - 8

Problem identification

Pg 9 - 10

The alternative energy dilemna Government responses and public perceptions

Pg 11 - 12

National and regional development strategies

Engagement / Whakawhitinga Wānanga Values / Ngā Ūaratanga

Pg 15 - 16

Alternative energy systems and technologies

Pg 17 - 18

Engagement priorities General principles for alternative energy development

Pg 19 - 20

Information requirements

Pg 21 - 22

Outcomes based framework Pg 25 - 26

expectations Appendix 2: Cultural protection area

Pg 27

Terrestrial activities which will be opposed within the Ngāruahine

Pg - 28

cultural landscape area Appendix 3: Outcomes sought by Te Korowai

Pg 29 - 30

Appendix 1: Alternative energy potential impacts & Te Korowai

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS - KUPUTAKA Benthic Environment

Of or pertaining to the collection of organisms living on or in the bottom of a body of water,

CSP

Concentrated Solar Power technologies use mirrors to convert concentrated light energy

especially referring to the ocean depths.

from the sun into heat which drives a turbine and generates electrical power. EROEI

Energy Return on Energy Invested is a measure of an energy gathering systems efficiency. It is assumed that an EROEI of >7 is required for a modern society to function.

LCA

Life Cycle Assessment is an analytical tool for the systematic and quantitative evaluation of the environmental impacts of a product or system through all stages of its life. It includes the extraction, processing and manufacturing of raw materials through to the return of those materials to the Earth.

Kyoto Protocol

This protocol operationalises the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by committing industrialised countries to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with their agreed targets.

MACA

Marine and Coastal (Takutai Moana) Act 2011. An act to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004. It provides for mana moana groups to have their customary rights in the coastal marine area confirmed by the Courts.

Micro Hydro

An energy generation system which redirects a continuous flow from a stream or creek through a turbine. Also known as run-of-river systems they are typically 0.5 – 1kW in size.

Ngāruahine Cultural Landscape

A combination of natural, man-made and historical features within the rohe of Ngāruahine. It

NGO

A Non-Governmental Organisation refers to an organisation that operates independently

includes the kōrero of Ngāruahine tūpuna, the land, waterways and coastal areas which are embedded in our identity as Ngāruahine.

from any government although they may receive funding from a government. They can be clubs, associations or lobby groups for corporations. A legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted by 196 Parties in Paris in wa

2015. Implementation of the Paris Agreement requires economic and social transformation

Paris Agreement

and works on 5 year cycles of climate action by participating nations. RMA

The Resource Management Act 1991 is the main piece of environmental legislation in New Zealand. It regulates the effects of activities such as discharges to air, land, water and the coastal marine area.

SROI

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Social Return on Investment is a systematic way of incorporating social, environmental, economic and other values into decision-making processes. This places the perspectives of different stakeholders at the centre of the valuation process.

Glossary of Terms

Kuputaka

Ngāruahine Alternative Energy Position Statement Ngā Tauāki Pūngao o Ngāruahine PURPOSE The purpose of this position statement is to articulate to developers and environmental regulators: •

the resource management issues of significance for Ngāruahine;

•

the values and principles of Ngāruahine; and

•

the expected outcomes regarding the development, operation and end of life disposal of alternative energy projects in relation to the kaitiaki area of Ngāruahine.

HOW THIS POSITION STATEMENT WAS DEVELOPED This position statement stems from increasing interest in the development of offshore wind generation in South Taranaki. These proposals have shown a discernable lack of treaty partnership in national and regional development strategies around alternative energy. We have asked our Hapū and Iwi members to identify priorities from a Ngāruahine perspective. Subsequently, these have been considered carefully and incorporated into this position statement. This position statement is consistent with the following Te Korowai documents: •

Te Uru Taiao o Ngāruahine – Ngāruahine Kaitiaki Plan.

•

Te Korowai Five Year Strategy 2021 – 2026.

•

Te Ara Toiora – Ngāruahine Procurement Strategy.

The position statement will be reviewed and amended as considered necessary by Te Korowai and the six Hapū groups of Ngāruahine.

Ngāruahine Alternative Energy Position Statement

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Ngā Tauāki Pūngao o Ngāruahine

Ngāruahine Alternative Energy Position Statement Ngā Tauāki Pūngao o Ngāruahine NGĀRUAHINE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS While we have been excluded from identifying problems and solutions regarding climate change, we must still ensure that Ngāruahine uri are: •

Aware of the environmental and cultural risks of any alternative energy development in our rohe;

•

In a position to take advantage of any opportunities that are planned for that development.

All alternative energy generation technologies will impact on the Ngāruahine Cultural Landscape and our environment in some way.1 While we understand the need to move to these new technologies, this will not be at the cost of Ngāruahine rights, interests or values. Ngāruahine possess the right to free, prior and informed consent regarding the development of industrial infrastructure in our rohe. This is confirmed by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.2 Similarly, Article 2 of Te Tiriti o Waitangi guarantees to the Chiefs the subtribes and all the people of New Zealand in the unqualified exercise of their chieftainship over their lands, villages and all their treasures.3 All six Hapū groups of Ngāruahine have claims before the High Court to determine their customary rights in the coastal marine area under the MACA Act 2011. These claims require applicants for RMA consents (excluding accommodated activities), conservation permissions or marine mammal watching permits in the areas under claim to either gain permission from or notify claimants regarding

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activities in those areas. See appendix 1 for an assessment of potential impacts and Ngāruahine expectations. https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf https://nzhistory.govt.nz/files/documents/treaty-kawharu-footnotes.pdf

Ngāruahine Alternative Energy Position Statement

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Ngā Tauāki Pūngao o Ngāruahine

Issues Raru ki Uta, Raru ki Tai

HISTORICAL TREATY OF WAITANGI BREACHES In the Ngāruahine Deed of Settlement, the Crown acknowledged that the lands and other resources confiscated from Ngāruahine have made a significant contribution to the wealth and development of New Zealand. This was also confirmed in the Treaty of Waitangi Report WAI 796. The Crown also acknowledged that its actions and omissions in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries significantly undermined the traditional systems of authority and economic capacity of the Ngāruahine Iwi. It admits that it failed to protect the rangatiratanga of Ngāruahine, in breach of its obligations under Article 2 of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Crown concludes by stating that it looks forward to building a relationship of mutual trust and co-operation with Ngāruahine founded on respect for the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles. Te Korowai also looks forward to the building of that relationship.

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Issues

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Raru ki uta / Raru ki tai

Issues Raru ki Uta, Raru ki Tai PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Indigenous people have been excluded from identifying the causes of the climate change crisis. Solutions are subsequently developed based on the worldview and values of those responsible for the appalling situation we find ourselves in. Let us be clear in recognising the cause of climate change. Colonisation - and its attendant structures of capitalism, patriarchy, modernity and democracy - are responsible for this and multiple other destructive outcomes around the world. Ngāruahine have always possessed equal explanatory and decision making power to the Crown and New Zealand government. We will not look to those same structures of oppression to provide a solution. Te Korowai acknowledges that international and national capital are required in order for the development of alternative energy systems. That development however should not be at the expense of the cultural, social and environmental values of mana whenua.

THE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DILEMMA Fossil fuel suppliers and electricity generators have operated under a profit maximisation model for decades. The concepts of classic economics and western capitalism were introduced to Aotearoa by colonisation. The destructive consequences of predatory capitalism are evident in the extractive methods of commodification now normalised but unchecked in our society. This capitalist model exploits both the environment and human beings. Basic needs have been turned into commodities available only to those who possess adequate financial capital. This impacts greatly on the most vulnerable in our society and this group is growing. Housing, health, education, freshwater, energy and clean air are examples of basic needs which all people need to live happy, healthy and productive lives. All of these fundamental human needs

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have been subject to the process of commodification. The days of fossil fuels are over. In order for new energy systems to be sustainable, they must leave behind the exploitative and extractive practices of colonial and imperial control.

Issues

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Raru ki uta / Raru ki tai

Issues Raru ki Uta, Raru ki Tai

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE AND PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS New Zealand’s Nationally Determined Contribution 2021 (NDC1) sets a headline target of a 50 percent reduction of net emissions below our gross 2005 level by 2030 under the Paris Agreement. This has largely been set based on the European Unions (EU) approach and existing guidance contained in the Kyoto Protocol. While the EU has been at the forefront of the climate change response globally, it is difficult to see any similarities New Zealand might have with an economic and political union of 27 European Countries. The New Zealand government frames climate change as a political issue while public perception is centred around uncertainty over human influence including risks which are spatially distanced and can be deferred until a later date. Both are typical of the capitalist narrative which denies all liability in order to maintain its competitive advantage in a globalised economy.

NATIONAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES Development strategies have been created without Iwi and Hapū input. In 2022, it is lamentable that treaty partners are still considered one of many communities of interest amongst multiple stakeholders. Government policy and regional development NGO’s use the rhetoric of iwi engagement frequently. It is apparent that these superficial statements have no substance but serve to perpetuate and justify the status quo. A Just Transition has been proposed as a process to move to more sustainable energy generation. We believe a just transformation is required if the development

gā

of alternative energy is to be truly sustainable.

Issues

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Raru ki uta / Raru ki tai

“Kia manawa Tītī, Kia manawa Piharau.”

“The endurance of the Tītī, The resilience of the Piharau.”

Te Rua o Te Moko - 2022 13

Engagement Whakawhitinga Wānanga VALUES / NGĀ ŪARA

Ūkaipōtanga

Reducing environmental impacts, enhancement of biodiversity,

Whanaungatanga

Collaboration with Ngā Iwi o Taranaki, local communities, local

Ngāruahinetanga

Focus on mahi, kāinga and educational opportunities for

prioritising the South Taranaki economy.

industries, local government and central government.

Ngāruahine uri. Protection of the Ngāruahine Cultural Landscape.

Mana Motuhake

Development priorities and aspirations are determined collectively by the six Hapū groups of Ngāruahine. They will determine when, how and where engagement takes place.

Kaitiakitanga

The individual and collective Hapū are the customary owners, guardians and trustees for all things pertaining to their respective social, economic and political development, including how they manage their taonga tuku iho. Kaitiakitanga is an expression of rangatiratanga.

Kotahitanga

Togetherness, solidarity and collective understanding and action. This has been sadly lacking from our treaty partners and regional development NGO’s. We understand the value of unity as the collective Hapū of Ngāruahine Iwi and will seek out those who

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share common objectives for our Taiao and people.

Values

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Ngā Ūara

Engagement Whakawhitinga Wānanga ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES Renewable energy resources and technologies are a strategic component of sustainable development. The main reasons for their significance are: •

They potentially cause less environmental impact than other energy sources;

•

They tend towards system decentralisation where local communities can better influence their own wellbeing and resilience; and

•

Diversification of supply and a reduction in dependence on imported fuels.

We are aware and supportive of the need to move away from fossil fuels and reduce our impacts on the air and atmosphere. We are also aware that government legislation, policy and strategy has historically been mobilised to dispossess Hapū and Iwi of their rights and interests as in the breach of Article 2 of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

ENGAGEMENT PRIORITIES Positive, constructive and meaningful engagement develops from trust and reciprocity and is the basis of any relationship. We expect no surprises and will not offer any. Developers are encouraged to provide all proposal information up front and prior to initiating the engagement process. Early engagement allows us the opportunity for: •

Involvement of our Hapū in understanding the proposal;

•

Identifying potential issues they might have; and

•

Hapū expression of mana motuhake in their own time and on their terms.

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Engagement

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Whakawhitinga Wānanga

Engagement Whakawhitinga Wānanga GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT 1.

Our natural environment is protected and enhanced for generations to come. New and emerging technologies are not without their drawbacks. They are often developed and installed before satisfactory environmental regulation is established. Potential environmental impacts of alternative energy development should be clearly identified by the developer and communicated and understood by our Hapū.

The unique Ngāruahine Cultural Landscape is protected and maintained for current and future generations. We will actively oppose the degradation or destruction of: a. any aspects of Ngāruahinetanga not consented to by the relevant Hapū. b. any Ngāruahine site of significance. c. the relationship of Ngāruahine to any such sites of significance

Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions should be measured and proven, not assumed. There is much hype and optimism around the utilisation of alternative energy to meet the New Zealand government’s international commitments under the Paris Agreement. Developers should consider a LCA to clearly demonstrate embedded emissions rather than operational reduction comparisons to traditional energy systems.

4. Economic Analysis needs to be based on social and environmental outcomes rather than contribution to National or Regional GDP or GNP. This means identifying increases in the quality of families and communities lives as an outcome as opposed to an increase in economic output as a proxy measure of well-being. 5.

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Transformative change empowers local communities. We do not believe that the Just Transition stratagem goes far enough to making meaningful and long lasting change. There is little point in changing the technologies we use to generate energy if historical exploitative and extractive practices remain. Commodification does not work for the provision of peoples basic needs. We will all need to change our resource depleting lifestyles if true transformation is to occur. Net Energy and EROEI. The move away from fossil fuels is not about replacing them with another technology. It is about replacing them with sustainable, long term alternatives. This means we need to focus on the amount of energy that is left after the total costs of production. Allocation. The current lack of a regulatory and/or licensing framework for offshore energy generation is not a coincidence. We know that industries and the government favour low regulation as a means to progress development urgently. Treaty rights and partnership should be at the centre of all decision making for alternative energy projects.

Engagement

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Whakawhitinga Wānanga

Engagement Whakawhitinga Wānanga INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS 1.

Decommissioning plans will be required for all projects regardless of type or planned operational life. These plans will be co-designed with the relevant Hapū.

Project cost/Benefit analysis should include a SROI assessment at a minimum.

Any Assessment of Environmental Effects should include both an LCA and an EROEI report to show the projects effectiveness at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Only when the relevant Hapū are fully informed will the formal engagement process begin. This may culminate in one or more of the following: •

A Cultural impact assessment;

•

A Relationship agreement;

•

A Memorandum of understanding;

•

A Joint venture agreement;

•

A Service level agreement.

OUTCOMES BASED FRAMEWORK Te Korowai is aware that the performance of alternative energy technologies will increase as investment and innovation is encouraged leading to more efficiency and effectiveness. We have assessed a range of alternative energy technologies and their current potential impacts. The

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following table is based on this assessment and the Crowns commitment to building a relationship of mutual trust and co-operation with Ngāruahine.

Engagement

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Whakawhitinga Wānanga

“Ko wai ahau?

“Who am I?

He uri ahau o ōku tūpuna. Ko te wai ahau, ko te hau ahau e.”

I am a descendant of my tūpuna. I am the water, I am the wind.”

Ohawe Beach - 2023 23

APPENDIX 1: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND TE KOROWAI EXPECTATIONS Energy Type

Issues

EROEI

Contribution to Energy Resilience

Te Korowai Support

Te Korowai Conditions

Land compaction and increased erosion during land clearance. End of

Medium

High

Conditional

Large scale projects should incorporate maara kai or other

Solar Photovoltaic

life disposal of materials is not currently reflected in pricing.

productive land uses. Papakāinga, marae and home installations are supported.

CSP

Need water for cooling at the back end of the thermal cycle to maintain

High

efficiency. Thermal

birds.

Need water for cooling at the back end of the thermal cycle to maintain

Medium

High

Conditional

efficiency (electricity generation). Hydrogen

Visual impacts and water demands are too great. Potential to burn

Store of energy, not a source. High external energy requirements to

Water heating for homes and marae is supported. Larger projects will need assessing on a case-by-case basis.

Low

Medium

Conditional

Projects should not result in an increase in freshwater abstraction.

Medium

Conditional

Turbine towers should not be located in the Ngāruahine Cultural

utilise mean reduced efficiency. Wind Generation On-shore

Severe impacts on Ngāruahine Cultural Landscape.

Landscape Protection Area. Off-shore

Impacts on Ngāruahine Cultural Landscape less severe than onshore.

High

Medium

Conditional

Impacts on marine mammal and seabird populations unknown. Biofuels

Decreases land available for food production. Fertiliser and pesticide

Development results in minimal impact on marine mammals, seabirds and benthic environments.

Low

Medium

Conditional

use. Threat of monoculture or GMO farming if successful.

Should not result in an increase in water abstraction. Monocultures or GMO crops will be opposed.

Hydropower Large Scale

Reduction in river flows and water quality. Increase in water

Very High

High

Conditional

temperature. Impacts on indigenous biodiversity and habitats.

Native fish passage should be enhanced or protected on a catchment scale. Minimum ecological flows are maintained for all awa in the Ngāruahine rohe.

Micro Hydro Diversion

Effects not well understood. Minimal ecological impacts may be

Medium

intensified by multiple installations on streams.

Ngāruahine rights and interests in freshwater not yet realised in co-governance.

Nuclear

Disposal of spent radioactive waste components.

High

Conditional

Dependant on acceptable disposal methods being developed.

Tidal

Disturbs migration of living creatures in the ocean. Only produces

Low

Conditional

Development results in minimal impact on marine mammals,

power during tidal movements (approx. 10 hours per day).

seabirds, benthic environments and the protection of tuna & piharau migratory routes.

Wave

Infrastructure, electromagnetic fields and noise could harm marine life.

No data

Displacement of commercial and recreational fishers.

available

Unknown

Conditional

Fishing exclusion zones are designed with mana whenua. Tuna and piharau migratory routes are protected. 26

Ngruahine Cultural Protection Area

APPENDIX 2: CULTURAL PROTECTION AREA Figure 1 Ngāruahine Cultural Landscape Protection Area

TERRESTRIAL ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL BE OPPOSED WITHIN THE NGĀRUAHINE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE PROTECTION AREA:

•

Concentrated solar power projects.

•

Wind turbine towers.

•

Structures greater than 20 metres in height.

•

Large scale solar projects.

•

Increased water abstractions (including micro hydro diversion).

Kanihi Mawhitiwhiti Pā Oeo Pā

Okare ki Uta Marae

Te Aroha o Titokowaru Marae

Aotearoa Marae

Tawhitinui Marae

Note: Alternative energy development proposals in the coastal marine area and exclusive economic zone should address Te Korowai expectations as set out in Appendix 1. The areas to the East (Waihi

Waiokura Marae

Stream) and West (Taungatara Stream) of the Ngāruahine Cultural Protection Area are areas of shared interest with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust and Te Kāhui o Taranaki Iwi Trust respectively.

Rangatapu Pā

Any proposals in these areas will necessitate active engagement with Te Korowai, the relevant Iwi entity and the relevant Hapū. Key: 02.28.2023

Ngāruahine rohe/kaitiaki area 0

8 10km

Ngāruahine cultural landscape protection area Ngāruahine pā

APPENDIX 3: OUTCOMES SOUGHT BY TE KOROWAI Table 2 Ngāruahine Outcomes Based Framework

NGĀRUAHINETANGA

CURRENT STATE

METHODS

PARTNERS/ENABLERS

OUTCOMES SOUGHT

The cultural impacts of

Conduct research on the

Hapū members, Hapū researchers, tohunga

Cultural impacts are clearly

alternative energy development,

cultural impacts of alternative

tikanga, industry developers, MBIE, MfE, DoC

understood and communicated

including opportunities, are

energy development with

not well understood leading to

Ngāruahine Hapū, Whānau

uncertainty.

and uri based on Ngāruahine

The Ngāruahine Cultural

tikanga.

Landscape is protected for

Investigate solar solutions for

generations to come.

by applicants to Ngāruahine uri.

marae and papakāinga. KAINGA

MBIE, HUD, Te Puni Kōkiri, Kainga Ora

Ngāruahine uri are empowered

Ngāruahine uri are uncertain of

Identify and communicate

the changes they need to make

important information which

to understand and action the

with new energy technologies

will guide Ngāruahine

behavioural and technological

and efficiencies.

adaptation actions.

changes needed to ensure they can adapt and remain resilient.

Ngāruahine uri live in cold, damp

Promote and support

and inefficient homes.

adaptation and efficiency

Ngāruahine homes are healthy

measures to Ngāruahine uri.

and inexpensive to heat and cool.

MAHI

Witt, Industry Developers, MOE

Ngāruahine uri possess a wide

Ngāruahine uri lack the skills

Identify and support training

and qualifications needed in an

opportunities for Ngāruahine

range of formal qualifications

energy transformation process.

uri to enter high value, long

and skills to enable them to

They risk being spectators rather

term employment.

take full advantage of any opportunities that may arise in

than full participants.

the alternative energy sector. TAIAO

There is a lack of credible

Locate and disseminate

MFE, TRC, DoC, STDC, SDC, Academic

The environmental impacts

information on the environmental

high quality information on

Institutions, Hapū researchers

and real benefits of alternative

impacts of alternative energy

the wide range of potential

energy development are known

development. This includes

impacts that alternative

and understood by Ngāruahine

biodiversity and the reduction of

energy development may

uri. This enables them to make

greenhouse gases.

have.

informed decisions on how they will be impacted.

Taranaki Maunga mai Taikatu Rd - 2023

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