Banks Peninsula Committee to address water issues launched

The members of the Banks Peninsula Zone Committee have been announced meaning nine out of ten zone committees are now operational under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS).

The Banks Peninsula Zone Committee features five community members as well as four Rūnanga representatives and two from council.

The community members are Pam Richardson, Yvette Couch-Lewis, Stephen Lowndes, Richard Simpson and Kevin Simcock. The Rūnanga appointees are Iaean Cranwell, June Swindells, Elliot Briggs and Pere Tainui. The two Council representatives are Environment Canterbury Commissioner Donald Couch and Christchurch City Councillor Claudia Reid.

Francis Pauwels, Programme Director CWMS, says the creation of the Banks Peninsula Zone Committee is an important milestone for the CWMS.

“After many years of collaborative planning and consultation we are very pleased to be close to having all ten Canterbury Water zone committees operational. The existing eight zone committees have set the bar high and have already made good progress towards developing water management strategies that will enable present and future generations the greatest social and economic benefits.

“I am confident we have a pool of capable people who can give effect to the principles outlined in the Canterbury Water Management Strategy and we are looking forward to meeting the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

Committee members are appointed for a three year term, after which a new committee will be formed. The committee will operate as a joint committee of Environment Canterbury and Christchurch City Council.

Councillor Claudia Reid says much care was taken to ensure the best combination of people, skills, interests and expertise was chosen to ensure the collective strength of the committee.

“Despite coming from varied backgrounds and having different interests, each member of the zone committee has the experience, desire and collaborative skills required to achieve this and ensure the area’s water resources are managed in the best interests of the community.

“There are many passionate people in the Banks Peninsula area and we are looking forward to discussing their opinions on water management and reaching consensus based decisions that benefit the region,” she said.

Applicants were assessed on skills, expertise, and experience as well as their ability to work together to develop water management solutions that deliver economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes.

The Banks Peninsula water management zone committee will meet for the first time at its official launch on 23 September.

Agendas and minutes will be posted on each council's website at www.ecan.govt.nz/canterburywater.

Banks Peninsula Zone Committee member profiles

Community appointees

Pam Richardson

Pam is a sheep and beef farmer from Pigeon Bay who is actively involved in many Banks Peninsula community groups and networks. Pam is on the Akaroa-Wairewa Community Board, co-chairs the Akaroa Harbour Issues Working Party and has been on the management committee of the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust since it started. Pam has also been very actively involved in Federated Farmers and was the North Canterbury President 2000-04. Pam is also currently involved in the Southern Bays Farm Discussion Group, Banks Peninsula Farms Ltd., and Banks Peninsula Pest Liaison Committee. Pam is also a recipient of the insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to the Community and Conservation.

Yvette Couch-Lewis

Yvette is a management professional who lives in Rāpaki and belongs to Te Hapu ō Ngāti Wheke Rāpaki. Yvette’s work experience includes education, local government, conservation and iwi management. Yvette is a member of the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaupō Issues Group, Te Waihora Management Board, Lyttelton Environment Group and Taukahara Trust.

Stephen Lowndes

Stephen lives at Birdlings Flat and has lived and worked on Banks Peninsula for over 30 years. He has been a Director of the Akaroa Museum and a Councillor on the Banks Peninsula District Council. Steve chairs the Akaroa Civic Trust, Arts on Tour New Zealand and is also Chair of the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board. Steve was involved in developing the Urban Development Strategy and has extensive involvement in arts and heritage.

Richard Simpson

Richard lives and farms at Fishermans Bay on Banks Peninsula and has a dairy farm in the Selwyn District. Richard and his wife purchased the Fishermans Bay property in the late 1990s and have covenanted significant areas of native bush in the property. Richard has been on the Management Committee of the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust since its inception in 2001. He also has past involvement with Federated Farmers and was a Director of Dairy Company, Meadow Fresh.

Kevin Simcock

Kevin is a consulting engineer who is involved in the Akaroa Waste Water Working Party and Duveauchelle Waste Water Working Party. He lives in Christchurch and has a holiday home at Takamatua in Akaroa Harbour. He chairs the Takamatua Residents Association.

Rūnanga appointees

Iaean Cranwell (Kāti Irakehu, Kāti Kurī, Kāti Makō)

Iaean lives in Ōtautahi with his partner and two children. He works for Takuahi Research & Development Ltd, the research company for his marae involved in the restoration of Te Roto o Wairewa and its surrounding takiwā (area). He is currently the Chair of Mahaanui Kurataiao Ltd, the Manawhenua Environmental Service representing the six marae in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. Iaean is also an Aoraki Bound instructor and has been involved in Aoraki Bound from its inception.

June Swindells (Te Hapu O Ngati Wheke)

June has lived at Rapaki, under the shadow of Te Poho o Tamatea, for most of her life. For the last decade her work has focussed on health and she is currently working for Nga Maata Waka to deliver a support service for mothers and children in conjunction with the CDHB. June has interests in health, education, the welfare of Maori, and environmental issues. She belongs to many community orgaisations relating to these interests.

Elliot Briggs (Te Runanga o Koukourarata)

Elliot grew up in Lyttelton and has spent most of his life there. He has worked as the caretaker for the Koukourarata Marae and is currently an assistant youth worker for the Lyttelton Youth Centre. Elliot’s interests include environmental issues, future generations and music.

Pere Tainui (Te Rūnanga o Ōnuku)

Pere was born and bred in Akaroa where he spent many years fishing and eeling. He is a Ōnuku Marae board member and has worked as a mental health support worker for the last six years. Pere has been involved with sport in Banks Peninsula and has an interest in the environment, especially preserving native bush.

Council Appointees

Donald Couch (Environment Canterbury)

Donald Couch is Pro-Chancellor of Lincoln University, a member of the Lincoln University Council, trustee of the Ngai Tahu Ancillary Claims Trust, as well as an Environment Canterbury Commissioner. He has a long history in resource management both here and in Canada and has held elected positions on both regional and city councils in Canada and was until recently Deputy Kaiwhakahaere, Te Runanga o Ngāi Tahu.

Claudia Reid (Christchurch City Council)

Claudia is a Christchurch City Councillor for the Banks Peninsula ward and has lived in Diamond Harbour for almost 20 years. She chairs the Christchurch City Council Water and Wastewater Committee, is a member of the Akaroa Wastewater Working Party and is a member of the Canterbury Water Regional Committee. Claudia also sits on the Lyttelton/Mt Herbert and Akaroa/Wairewa Community boards.