You can read the strategy document here: Tasman Biodiversity Strategy 2022 (pdf 3.1 MB)
During the preparation of the Tasman – Nelson Regional Pest Management Plan, the lack of an agreed strategy guiding biosecurity and biodiversity activity became apparent and the preparation of a Biodiversity Strategy started.
Indigenous biodiversity, the native flora and fauna of the region, is in crisis. We are losing species at an accelerating rate. Without guidance to provide integration and prioritisation, it is unlikely that ongoing loss and degradation will be slowed, let alone reversed.
It was recognised early in the process that the breadth of the activity needed to reverse biodiversity decline would be beyond the Council alone to achieve. For the Strategy to be successful it would need as many individuals, agencies and groups working together as possible. Therefore, a hearts and minds approach was adopted.
Late 2019 saw the Strategy development underway. A governance group comprising Councillors and representatives of iwi chairs was established to oversee the project. The governance group sought nominations and appointed members to an independent working group covering a range of expertise and broadly representative of landowners, relevant agencies and groups, sectors and the broader community.
Supported by an independent facilitator, the working group worked with the community to develop a non-regulatory, high-level strategy through a consensus process.
The next step of this process is to work with all motivated parties to develop plans of action to implement the Strategy, including how and when they plan to contribute to its implementation.
Thanks to everyone who has helped to get the strategy to this stage.
The Tasman District Council has decided to complete a BioStrategy and has established a Governance Group to direct this.
The Governance Group has appointed a Working Group and a Terms of Reference have been drafted for that Group for their consideration.
The Governance Group decides on the process by which the Strategy is formed and the role of the Working Group and other entities in that process.
Tasman BioStrategy governance group terms of reference (pdf 532 KB)
This is a very broad process that will require coordination within Tasman District Council and with key partners such as Tasman Environmental Trust and Department of Conservation.
To enable this, the project team will have liaison meetings a week before each Governance Group meeting plus at other times when these are required to ensure continuity.
Note that there are parallel processes being developed by the Department of Conservation and the Tasman Environmental Trust for particular areas. Some interweaving of these processes will be desirable.
Note: direction is required from the Governance Group on processes for iwi engagement. That is, will there be any parallel processes and if so, how should these integrate with the Working Group process.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
|
2018 November |
Launch process at Tasman Biodiversity Forum
|
|
2019 30 April |
First meeting of Governance Group – understanding the task |
|
10 May |
Report back to Tasman Biodiversity Forum |
| 21 May | First newsletter and invitation to comment on December process document |
| 24 June | Second meeting of Governance Group – ratify Terms of Reference and process |
| 25 June | Nominations for Working Group invited |
| 23 August | Third meeting of Governance Group - Working Group membership decided |
| 27 August | First Liaison meeting scheduled |
| 9 October | First meeting of Working Group – getting the task clear |
| 6 November | Second meeting of Working Group – understanding the context and identifying the issues |
| 4 December | Third meeting of Working Group – Strategy structure and style and process for populating the Strategy |
2021
The Tasman BioStrategy is not being developed in isolation. It is being developed within a wider national and interregional context which includes:
A Governance Group has been established to oversee the BioStrategy process and ensure it is well integrated with Council and iwi. The Governance Group comprises three Tasman District Councillors representing a geographic spread with the District along with three nominated representatives of mana whenua/mana moana iwi appointed by the Iwi Chairs.
As at 28 June 2019 the Governance Group had met twice and resolved to establish a working group to undertake the Strategy preparation process. The Governance Group has prepared a Terms of Reference for the Working Group and is now seeking expressions of interest from those who wish to contribute to this very important project.
For futher information, please contact Paul Sheldon, Tasman District Council
Ph 03 543 8400
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