UPDATES

Media release
 17 October 2024

 

$745,000 granted across 14 special projects in second Community Development Fund round

Motupōhue inches closer to Predator Free status with latest funding boost

New Zealand Aluminium Smelter Limited (NZAS), Rio Tinto and Ngāi Tahu have awarded support to fourteen outstanding Murihiku Southland community, environment and business projects amounting to $745,000, it has announced.

The Community Development Fund, which is administered jointly by Rio Tinto, NZAS and Murihiku Rūnaka, meets a commitment made when Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, NZAS and Rio Tinto signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in October 2022.

The MOU outlined an enduring partnership between mana whenua and the smelter, based on three key pillars - remediation, energy development and community investment.

This funding provides support for a further fourteen community projects in 2024 and represents the remaining balance of the original $2 million Murihiku Rūnaka and NZAS/Rio Tinto Community Development Fund launched in 2023.

Funding in this second round includes support for a broad range of projects. From arts and culture initiatives such as South Sea Spray Wāhine – a one-of-a-kind street art festival showcasing female artists throughout Southland – to community infrastructure such as funding Kiwi Harvest’s new delivery truck, and the refurbishment of Southland Help’s support centre.

Community and youth education and support services also shine through in this round of funding, with projects such as financial mentoring provided by Jubilee Budget Advisory and Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Kiwi Can and Career Navigator.

Environmental projects are also well represented, including Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust (BHMET) which receives a $98,000 grant for a critical trap upgrade to support the journey towards Bluff Hill Motupōhue becoming Predator-Free. 

David Swann, BHMET Trustee and Project Leader says, “Predator numbers are at record lows and the ngahere is once again supporting abundant manu. For mana whenua, this is a cause for celebration; when the whenua heals, this supports the healing of our whānau.

“The Community Development Fund will support the Trust to accelerate our efforts towards Predator-Free status and bring the number of pests at Motupōhue down to zero,” he said.

Round two recipients:

·        Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust – Waiau Mahika Kai restoration and awareness project

·        South Sea Spray Trust – South Sea Spray Wāhine

·        Rape and Abuse Support Centre Southland – Southland Help Rebuild Project

·        Tuturu Charitable Trust – Matariki @ ILT Stadium 2024

·        Kiwi Harvest Limited – truck for collection of rescued food

·        Jubilee Budget Advisory Service – Financial Mentoring in Murihiku

·        Insert Coin to Play Charitable Trust – GG Murihiku

·        Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust – Preparing for a Predator Free Motupōhue

·        Southland Mountain Bike Club – Bluff Hill / Motupōhue Pump Track and Social Hub

·        South Invercargill Urban Rejuvenation Charitable Trust – Solar Panel Installation

·        Te Oho Mana Charitable Trust – Tu Manawa Roa

·        Lord Family Trust – Millars Beach Restoration project

·        Hawthorndale Care Village Charitable Trust – Hawthorndale Community Gardens

·        Graeme Dingle Foundation Southern – Kiwi Can and Career Navigator

 

Chris Blenkiron, Chief Executive of NZAS, said: “Our commitment to Southland remains as strong as ever, and is reflected in the impressive range of initiatives we have chosen to fund, alongside our partners Ngāi Tahu and Murihiku Rūnaka.

From sustainability and innovation to mental health and community resilience, all these projects reflect priorities in our business as well and will all add significantly to Southland’s future.

Collectively, these projects will make Southland an even better place to live, which is important to the team at Tiwai, who all call this place home.  We look forward to continuing to be a part of the Southland community, as we have been over the past 53 years,” he said.

Te Rūnaka o Awarua representative, Jacqui Caine, said: “We’re pleased to support so many great projects with the $2 million Community Development Fund, in accordance with the MOUs signed back in 2022. Once again, we were impressed by the applications and proud to support a diverse range of projects in round two that will have long-term, positive benefits for mana whenua and the wider Murihiku community.”

The Community Development Fund will continue to be available in 2025, with a further $500,000 commitment made. The 2025 Fund will be open in early 2025 for applications.

-ENDS-

Ngāi Tahu and Rio Tinto guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and working in New Zealand’s national interest

 

Saturday 3 August 2024

 

Ngāi Tahu and Rio Tinto have reaffirmed their ongoing partnership, in a meeting between Ngāi Tahu representatives and Rio Tinto’s global Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm on Saturday in Christchurch.

Both partners noted the certainty provided by the continued operation of the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter, which benefits the entire Southland region and supports New Zealand’s decarbonisation efforts.

Jakob Stausholm, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto, said the partnership with Murihiku papatipu rūnaka, which is framed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is pivotal to the success of the smelter going forward.

“Our understanding of Te Tiriti is that parties work together in good faith, with respect and trust for one another.

“We have a shared ambition to remediate environmental impacts of the smelter’s operation, many of them historic in nature, while supporting the whole Murihiku community now and into the future. This agreement lays a path for us to work together on Tiwai’s site remediation, energy development, and community investment – priorities for both mana whenua and Rio Tinto,” Mr Stausholm said.

Murihiku papatipu rūnaka hold mana whenua and mana moana over the region and exercise kaitiakitanga (guardianship) over Tiwai and the surrounding coastal marine area. There are four papatipu rūnaka in southern Murihiku: Te Rūnaka o Awarua, Waihōpai Rūnaka, Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka and Hokonui Rūnanga.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu group head of strategy and environment and Awarua Rūnaka trustee spokeswoman, Jacqui Caine, said, “Te Tiriti o Waitangi sits at the heart of our relationship with Rio Tinto and New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS). It is the foundation upon which we have built this mutually beneficial relationship. Without that framework I doubt we would have made the progress we have made. The principles of partnership, participation and protection have been key, and have benefitted our entire community and wider society.

“Our Memorandum of Understanding ensures that parties collaborate respectfully in the site’s remediation, benefit the community materially, and that distinct Ngāi Tahu interests in the site, including 34 cultural heritage sites, are actively protected,” Caine said.

Stausholm added that, “The Treaty principles provide a useful framework to support our engagement with mana whenua, and we appreciate the guidance and generosity of spirit Ngāi Tahu has offered. That framework is also informing how we approach relationships with Indigenous peoples in other places we operate.

“From our own perspective, working within a framework of established principles, such as those in the Treaty of Waitangi, has had a positive impact on our business here. New Zealand’s approach provides certainty and an enhanced reputation as a place to do business.

Upoko of Te Rūnaka o Awarua, Tā Tipene O’Regan is pleased that NZAS has reached a twenty-year agreement with electricity providers, securing the future of Tiwai Point.

“Had Rio Tinto ceased operations and made a hard exit, it would have impacted every New Zealand taxpayer, given the share of the New Zealand electricity market NZAS currently accounts for, in addition to challenges of environmental remediation.

“In the absence of alternative industries, that hard exit would have had a massive negative social and economic impact, given the direct and indirect employment the smelter creates,” O’Regan, said.

“The Murihiku community and New Zealand as a whole have benefitted from NZAS staying open. That is clear.  It is important for people to understand that the pathway leading to this positive outcome was paved by collaborations with Ngāi Tahu and a functional commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti by Rio Tinto, O’Regan said.

We look forward to sharing further updates on progressing the MOU with the community at the Murihiku Regeneration Energy and Innovation Expo in Invercargill on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 November”.

 

ENDS

Contact for Rio Tinto: Simon King 021 2425723

Contact for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu: Marcus Gibbs 027 6486927

 

Photo: From left to right

 

 


Te Rūnaka o Awarua Supports Tiwai Future

Media release

31 May 2024

Te Rūnaka o Awarua supports Tiwai future

 

Te Rūnaka o Awarua welcomes the announcement that NZAS has secured a 20-year electricity deal enabling the Tiwai Aluminum Smelter to continue operating.

Awarua Upoko, Tā Tipene O’Regan, welcomed the news which provides certainty to the local community, and supports New Zealand’s contribution to a low carbon future.

“Since we entered into an MOU with Rio Tinto Aluminum in 2022, Awarua has been leading the partnership on behalf of Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and actively engaging with NZAS on environmental remediation, cultural considerations, and future intentions. We look forward to continuing this important work with NZAS and Rio Tinto.”

“The demand response capacity Tiwai will now provide will be invaluable as New Zealand’s energy demand, and climate change, put more demand on the national grid. Ensuring stable electricity supply while reducing the need for coal-based energy is critical to New Zealand’s emission reduction efforts.”

NZAS has secured energy supply from Meridian Energy, Contact Energy and Mercury until at least 2044, giving certainty to employees and supporting New Zealand’s contribution to a low carbon future.

The 2022 agreement between Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu with the New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS) and Rio Tinto Aluminum Limited committed to jointly restoring Tiwai’s natural environment and securing the smelter’s future beyond December 2024.

All parties agreed to work together on plans to remove waste, enhance environmental monitoring, and remediate Tiwai Point, which are key priorities for mana whenua, NZAS and Rio Tinto, and of benefit to all Southlanders and indeed Aotearoa New Zealand as a whole. 

Murihiku Rūnaka hold mana whenua and mana moana over the region and therefore have kaitiaki responsibilities over Tiwai and its waters. Murihiku Rūnaka is comprised of four Papatipu Rūnanga: Te Rūnaka o Awarua, Waihōpai Rūnaka, Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka and Hokonui Rūnanga.

Te Rūnaka o Awarua is leading the partnership on behalf of Murihiku Rūnaka and will actively engage with NZAS and all parties around remediation, cultural considerations, and future intentions.

Upoko o Te Rūnaka o Awarua Tā Tipene O’Regan has advocated for this partnership and is pleased to reach today’s milestone.

“I believed there was a long-term future for the smelter, which is so vital to our region and nation. Securing that for at least another two decades gives us all the best chance of environmental remediation that is world-class and mana-whenua informed.”

“It is important to note that while the remediation issue is led by Te Rūnaka o Awarua, it is also supported by other Rūnaka within Murihiku,” he said.

The agreement is a commitment by the iwi to share mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and kōrero tuku iho (history and traditions) relative to Tiwai to support Rio Tinto to responsibly manage the environment as the future of the smelter is determined. 

All parties believe the region now has a strong future upon which emerging industries, technologies and renewable energy sources can bring new jobs and a wide range of economic benefits.


RELEASE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT FOR TIWAI 

NZAS recently released their latest Environmental Monitoring report, undertaken by consultants GHD.

 

The purpose of the GHD report and investigations was to understand discharges occurring from the smelter and to determine whether these were having an adverse effect on the ecology of the coastal marine area environment, or people using the coastal area for recreation and food gathering.

 

Protection of mahinga kai activities is of upmost importance to Awarua and Ngāi Tahu more broadly.  Ngāi Tahu has welcomed the partnership with NZAS on remediating the whenua (land) and coastal environment around Tiwai Point. As a result, the GHD report and investigation included testing of shellfish in the coastal marine area adjacent to the site.

 

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was agreed in 2022 between Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu with the New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS) and Rio Tinto Aluminium Limited.  The parties have been working closely together over the last year to build a shared vision of remediation of the site. The Advisory Group established under the MoU works to protect both Te Ao Tūroa (natural environment) and mahinga kai activities at or near Awarua/Tiwai peninsula coastal environment. With technical support from a joint Remediation Working Group, site specific remediation criteria have been co-designed with NZAS and Rio Tinto.  A plan for the remediation of the onsite drain network is currently under development.

 

We welcome the increased opportunity to be involved with remediation planning and implementation at the site and ensuring that these align with Awarua and Ngai Tahu values.

 

AWG are really pleased with the progress made in developing a partnership with NZAS to remediate the site.  The first remediation plan we are co-designing is for the drain network.  The GHD report confirms we have selected the right focus area and we are looking forward to continuing this important mahi.

Murihiku Regeneration is currently working with Rio Tinto around the future operation of the site and have also released an update on this report, which can be found here.

TWO MILLION DOLLAR SOUTHLAND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND LAUNCHED

Rio Tinto, operator and majority owner of the Tiwai aluminium smelter, and New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS) have announced the establishment of a $2 Million Community Development Fund, supporting investment in community development and infrastructure projects in Southland.

The Fund meets a commitment made when Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, NZAS and Rio Tinto signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in October 2022. The MOU outlined an enduring partnership between Mana Whenua and the smelter, based on three key pillars - remediation, energy development and community investment.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Chris Blenkiron, Chief Executive NZAS said:

“The commitment we have made today will support investment in a positive and sustainable future for mana whenua and the Southland region. The Community Development Fund will support new community infrastructure, enhanced social and environmental outcomes, and a strong, sustainable regional economy.

“Rio Tinto and NZAS are proud of the contribution we have made to Southland over the past 50 years. We want to increase this effort, support local projects, and be part of an even stronger future for the region” Mr Blenkiron said. 

The Community Development Fund will be administered jointly by Rio Tinto and Murihiku Rūnaka representatives. 

The Fund will support projects within four focus areas that reflect the priorities of Rio Tinto, Ngāi Tahu, and the wider community:

Rio Tinto will make $2 million available to the Community Development Fund through to the end of 2024, and intends to extend the operation of the Fund beyond 2024 in the event a long term future for the smelter can be secured.

Applications are open to all organisations in Southland, that meet Fund criteria.

Application guidelines and forms can be found at http://www.nzas.co.nz/pages/community-support-partnerships/, or enquiries can be made to community.fund@riotinto.com.

TIWAI ADVISORY GROUP CONTINUES TO PROGRESS SITE REMEDIATION WORK

The Tiwai Advisory Group has established a Remediation Advisory Working Group (RAWG) to work together on restoring the whenua (land) at the Tiwai Peninsula.

The Advisory Group has agreed the shared goal for progressive remediation is to protect Te Ao Tūroa (natural environment), and mahinga kai (food gathering) practices and principles, and whānau undertaking them,; at or near Awarua/Tiwai peninsula coastal environment.

The Advisory Group agrees that through collaboration we will achieve our goals “Mā whero, mā pango, ka oti ai te mahi”.

The Remediation Advisory Working Group (RAWG) includes four representatives from Awarua Rūnaka / Ngāi Tahu and three representatives from NZAS who will work together to progress this important mahi.

The initial scope of work for the Remediation Working Group includes the following:

 Work together on the consent requirements for the existing landfill, with the initial focus on seeking reuse and recycling options for material in the landfill to align with our waste philosophy of reduce, reuse and recycle

 Co-design and work together to define the standard and criteria for progressive remediation and develop the remediation plan for the first area of land to be remediated

 Work together to develop the remediation plan for the drain network and assess options for future open drain design

OTHER NEWS, EVENTS AND UPDATES

New Agreement in place with the Rio Tinto/ New Zealand Aluminium Smelter through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

An agreement has been reached by Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu with the New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS) and Rio Tinto Aluminum Limited to work together on restoring the whenua (land) at the Tiwai Peninsula and the future of the Tiwai aluminium smelter beyond December 2024. 

The agreement was signed on Friday, 30 September at Te Rau Aroha Marae at Motupōhue (Bluff) by representatives from Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

All parties agreed to work together on plans to remove waste, conduct environmental monitoring, and remediate the Tiwai Point site, which is a key priority for mana whenua, NZAS and Rio Tinto.  

The Awarua Working Group (AWG) see this as a first step to the effective remediation of Tiwai.

Image caption: Representatives from Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu sign the agreement.

Seated L-R: Michael Stevens (Te Rūnanga o Awarua Alt Rep); Rewi Davis (Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka Rep); Cyril Gilroy (Chair Waihōpai Rūnaka); Terry Nicholas (Hokonui Rūnanga Rep); Riki Dallas (Kaihautū - General Manager Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka); Dean Whaanga (Kaiwhakahaere Awarua Rūnaka)

Standing L-R: Albert Brantley (Advisor to parties); Megan Reid (Project Manager for Awarua Working Group); Gail Thomson (Te Rūnanga o Awarua Rep); Nicole Atherton (Rio Tinto General Manager Closure Readiness)

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