Group History:
The Environmental Management Group was established in late 2005 as a result of the Board’s restructure.
Group Purpose:
The Environmental Management Group provides leadership, guidance and advocacy to ensure the sustainability of our resources for present and future generations, according to the Matauranga and Arikitanga of Raukawa. The group interacts in all aspects of the resource management sector affecting Raukawa at international, national, regional and local levels. The strategic approach of the group is to target specific policy development and implementation processes, legal processes, operational activities, networks and forums that will yield the most effective and beneficial results for Raukawa. The group is committed to encouraging best practice in all aspects of environmental management.
RTB Strategic Outcome:
“To exercise our role as Kaitiaki and promote the effective stewardship of our natural and physical resources”.
Environmental Management Group Strategic Priorities:
- To develop and maintain a sound and sustainable infrastructure for the Environmental Management Group.
- To provide active advocacy and leadership in the environmental sector.
- To achieve enhanced environmental outcomes through positive, strategic partnerships.
- To protect, maintain and enhance Raukawa’s ancestral lands, water, wahi tapu, sites of significance and other taonga.
- To raise awareness of environmental issues among Raukawa iwi, hapu and whanau, and the wider community.
- To assist in the building of capacity, including the provision of support to Raukawa iwi, hapu and whanau to engage in environmental issues.
- To assist Raukawa iwi, hapu and whanau to become leaders in sustainable resource use e.g. farming, forestry and aquaculture.
- To facilitate leadership that ensures that the Raukawa Trust Board meets it corporate environmental responsibilities and is a sustainable operation.
Staff:
Environmental Manager: Stephanie O’Sullivan
Steph was employed by the Board in September 2005. She is a graduate of Massey University and has a Bachelor Degree of Resource & Environmental Planning (Hons). Steph was born in Tokoroa and did most of her schooling in the district.
Steph has worked in the resource management, environmental education and sustainable agriculture industries for over 12 years and has also spent time in community development and social research sectors. She has spent time working for Te Puni Kokiri, NZ Landcare Trust, Ag Research, and the South Waikato District Council.
Steph is passionate about Maori resource management issues, and has followed particular interests in leadership, participatory facilitation and indigenous environmental issues.
In 1998 she was selected for the Johnson & Johnson New Zealand New Leaders Forum and in 2006 she represented New Zealand at the Emerging Pacific Leaders Dialogue forum, hosted by the Commonwealth Study Conference Trust.
She is currently a member of Maori Womens Welfare League, Advisory Committee for Regional Environment and the International Organising Committee for the 2009 EPLD.
2007/08 Key Initiatives:
Increasing the Group’s capacity and resourcing
Developing a Raukawa Iwi Management Plan
Developing a Raukawa Geographic Information System
Assisting marae, hapu and whanau to achieve their environmental aspirations
Key policy input and review
Relationship management & development
Key Stakeholders:
The Environmental Management Group works with a range of stakeholders. The key stakeholders currently engaging with the Raukawa Trust Board are:
- Mighty River Power
- Environment Waikato
- Ministry for the Environment
- Carter Holt Harvey Properties
- Carter Holt Harvey Pulp & Paper
- South Waikato District Council
- Waipa District Council
- Taupo District Council
- Otorohanga District Council
- Matamata Piako District Council
- Department of Conservation
Raukawa Trust Board Local Government
The Environmental Management Group also leads the Board’s formal engagement with Local Government. In 2006 the Board engaged with the ‘Choosing Futures’ Project in the Waikato and developed our key Raukawa Community Outcomes. These principles also form the underpinning values that the Board works with: