Protecting freshwater Two years ago, the Government released its vision for improving our degraded rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands. A key part of this vision is the principle of Te Mana o te Wai which prioritises the health and well-being of waterbodies and freshwater ecosystems over the use of freshwater. It's required us to work on new rules and other actions we can take for activities that impact freshwater to meet the government's expectations. We're doing a lot of background work to understand what improvements we need to our freshwater. While we have yet to consider what the new rules and actions might be, the reality is that the changes required are big, they're complex and they need to happen. We'll share more detail with you on what the changes might look like when we release a new freshwater draft plan change for public consultation around this time next year. We'll also be sharing a lot more detail about the process. the background work and the draft plan itself very shortly so rest assured, you'll have ample opportunity to tell us what you think We have set up two separate advisory groups to help guide the process and development of the draft plan. One is a group of tangata whenua Eight $3000 T i te ora Scholarships awarded Eight $3000 Northland Regional Council scholarships designed to provide a springboard for future environmental leaders and champions have been awarded. We received 40 applications for this year's 'T i te ora Scholarships' which recognise, encourage and support students to undertake study, research or training that relates to our environmental and regulatory functions, whilst contributing to council's vision 'Our Northland - together we thrive. Winners were; Tayla Bamber, Fern Donovan, Rosa Harper, Aya Morris, Josh Otene, Maria Secker, Shavonne Toko and Taiawhio Wati. More information on the winners is available at: www.nrc.govt.nz/scholarships2022 Contact your local councillor at www.nrc.govt.nz/councillors Northland REGIONAL COUNCIL Te Kaunihera á rohe o Te Taitokerau Northland Local Body People interested in becoming a councillor and helping shape Northland's future are encouraged to stand during this year's local government elections in October, and to vote. If you have ever wondered what it takes to become an elected member, come along to our future councillor information session on Wednesday 22 June, 5-7pm at Hihiaua Cultural Centre in Whangarei. Come along to get the facts and latest information and hear from a panel of experts answering your questions. We will cover: -How does the nomination process work? - What should I expect as a councillor? - Do I need billboards to advertise? -Do I need to have experience? Stand for your community, it's time. Come and have a chat. Take our residents survey We'd love to hear from you about the work we do, what's important to you and how we can do better. Head to: nrc.govt.nz/residentssurvey or scan the code to share your views with us. SCAN ME Northland REGIONAL COUNCIL Te Kaunihera à rohe o Te Taitokerau freshwater technical experts, and the other the Elections 2022 Primary Sector, What we do know right now is that the Government has said we must improve our freshwater in areas which are below a certain level (called a "bottom line") and there are many places in Northland where our freshwater is not meeting that bottom line such as for E. coli, sediment, and freshwater insects. We know this through the monitoring we do. We all share the same desire to see future generations be able to enjoy clean water and to also be able to enjoy the natural environments that healthy water supports. The challenge in front of us is how do we get there? Improving our freshwater is going to be a long game and while we can't expect to achieve all the things we need to overnight we think it will require significant change at scale across Northland. We'll keep talking with you about the rate of that change and the timeframes needed for realising it. To find out more, search for Essential Freshwater on our website. You can also sign up for notifications so when changes to relevant content are made, you'll be aware of it. Protecting freshwater Two years ago , the Government released its vision for improving our degraded rivers , streams , lakes and wetlands . A key part of this vision is the principle of Te Mana o te Wai which prioritises the health and well - being of waterbodies and freshwater ecosystems over the use of freshwater . It's required us to work on new rules and other actions we can take for activities that impact freshwater to meet the government's expectations . We're doing a lot of background work to understand what improvements we need to our freshwater . While we have yet to consider what the new rules and actions might be , the reality is that the changes required are big , they're complex and they need to happen . We'll share more detail with you on what the changes might look like when we release a new freshwater draft plan change for public consultation around this time next year . We'll also be sharing a lot more detail about the process . the background work and the draft plan itself very shortly so rest assured , you'll have ample opportunity to tell us what you think We have set up two separate advisory groups to help guide the process and development of the draft plan . One is a group of tangata whenua Eight $ 3000 T i te ora Scholarships awarded Eight $ 3000 Northland Regional Council scholarships designed to provide a springboard for future environmental leaders and champions have been awarded . We received 40 applications for this year's ' T i te ora Scholarships ' which recognise , encourage and support students to undertake study , research or training that relates to our environmental and regulatory functions , whilst contributing to council's vision ' Our Northland - together we thrive . Winners were ; Tayla Bamber , Fern Donovan , Rosa Harper , Aya Morris , Josh Otene , Maria Secker , Shavonne Toko and Taiawhio Wati . More information on the winners is available at : www.nrc.govt.nz/scholarships2022 Contact your local councillor at www.nrc.govt.nz/councillors Northland REGIONAL COUNCIL Te Kaunihera á rohe o Te Taitokerau Northland Local Body People interested in becoming a councillor and helping shape Northland's future are encouraged to stand during this year's local government elections in October , and to vote . If you have ever wondered what it takes to become an elected member , come along to our future councillor information session on Wednesday 22 June , 5-7pm at Hihiaua Cultural Centre in Whangarei . Come along to get the facts and latest information and hear from a panel of experts answering your questions . We will cover : -How does the nomination process work ? - What should I expect as a councillor ? - Do I need billboards to advertise ? -Do I need to have experience ? Stand for your community , it's time . Come and have a chat . Take our residents survey We'd love to hear from you about the work we do , what's important to you and how we can do better . Head to : nrc.govt.nz/residentssurvey or scan the code to share your views with us . SCAN ME Northland REGIONAL COUNCIL Te Kaunihera à rohe o Te Taitokerau freshwater technical experts , and the other the Elections 2022 Primary Sector , What we do know right now is that the Government has said we must improve our freshwater in areas which are below a certain level ( called a " bottom line " ) and there are many places in Northland where our freshwater is not meeting that bottom line such as for E. coli , sediment , and freshwater insects . We know this through the monitoring we do . We all share the same desire to see future generations be able to enjoy clean water and to also be able to enjoy the natural environments that healthy water supports . The challenge in front of us is how do we get there ? Improving our freshwater is going to be a long game and while we can't expect to achieve all the things we need to overnight we think it will require significant change at scale across Northland . We'll keep talking with you about the rate of that change and the timeframes needed for realising it . To find out more , search for Essential Freshwater on our website . You can also sign up for notifications so when changes to relevant content are made , you'll be aware of it .