Dear Hastings District Council,

As a resident of Hastings, I am seeking detailed information to better understand the council's decision-making processes, equity considerations, contracting practices, external influences, and involvement in key resilience and technology initiatives.Please provide the following information (preferably in electronic format, with documents attached or linked where possible):

1. Māori-Specific Mechanisms and Partnerships:

The full rationale, including any supporting reports, studies, data, legal advice, or correspondence, for establishing and maintaining Māori-specific governance elements (e.g., mana whenua appointments to committees with voting rights, Takitimu Māori Ward, iwi partnerships in planning or recovery).
Any evaluations, impact assessments, or metrics showing how these mechanisms address historical disparities and/or provide benefits to the wider Hastings community (beyond Māori residents).

2. Water Management and Resilience Strategies:

Copies or summaries of current water management strategies/plans (e.g., three waters infrastructure, Havelock North dams and streams resilience programme/Karanema, stormwater/flood protection).
Details of any ethnic, cultural, multicultural, or equity considerations embedded in these strategies, including rationale and supporting data if prioritisation applies to specific groups.

3. Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Efforts:

Comprehensive details on recovery initiatives (e.g., silt and debris cleanup/Silt Recovery Taskforce, roading/bridge repairs, voluntary buy-outs for Category 2C/3 properties, land categorisation processes, Mayoral Relief Fund distributions).
Any assessments of equity impacts, including whether funding allocation, buy-outs, or support programmes include ethnicity-based priorities or disproportionately affect particular demographic groups, with supporting data/rationale.

4. Contracts and Procurement (Post-2023):

A list of all contracts awarded since February 2023 for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery, infrastructure resilience, water management, coastal hazards, or related projects, including but not limited to those involving consultants/contractors such as Beca, Tonkin & Taylor, Stantec, WSP, Aurecon, Fraser Thomas, Higgins, TW Civil, or similar firms.
For each contract (or summary table if voluminous): contract value, tender process overview (e.g., open/closed/selective), selection rationale/criteria, and any evaluations of alternatives considered.
Copies of procurement policies or guidelines applied, including any preferences for local/NZ-owned firms or diversity/equity criteria in scoring.

5. Input from Agriculture and External Sector Organisations:

Records of input, submissions, meetings, or advisory roles from agriculture/horticulture organisations (e.g., Horticulture New Zealand, Federated Farmers, Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association, Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers, NZ Apples & Pears) in recovery planning, land use decisions, infrastructure priorities, or strategic funds.
Any formal reports (e.g., BCG recovery vision documents) incorporating their recommendations and how these influenced council decisions.

6. Influence of National/International Transparency or Advisory Bodies:

Any correspondence, adoption, or reference to guidelines/initiatives from bodies such as the Open Government Partnership (OGP), Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ), Royal Society Te Apārangi, or similar in council policies, transparency reporting, procurement practices, or project planning.
Confirmation if these have shaped local processes (e.g., open data, anti-corruption measures, scientific advice).

7. Deliberative Democracy, Public Participation, and Diversity Mandates:

Details of any deliberative democracy processes used (e.g., citizens' juries, assemblies, plenaries, or civil society forums) for policy development or recovery decisions.
Information on any multiculturalism, diversity, or equity mandates/policies applied to council employment, grants, community funding, or contract scoring, including rationale and measurable outcomes.

8. Pilot Programs and Innovative Initiatives:

Details of any pilot programs, trials, or innovative projects supported, funded, or partnered by the council (e.g., in agriculture, horticulture, resilience, regenerative farming, genomics/tech applications like sequencing for crop improvement, or similar—such as Land For Life, Farming for Resilience, or any involving advanced tech/partners).
For each: rationale, funding sources, partners (e.g., industry, research institutes, international orgs), selection process, equity/multicultural considerations, and any evaluations or outcomes to date.

9. Coastal Hazards and Water Services Initiatives:

Details of involvement in the Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards Strategy 2120 (e.g., current community engagement/surveys, proposed options, funding models, equity/multicultural considerations, partners including mana whenua).
Information on the joint Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation (WSCCO) formed in 2025 with Napier and Central Hawke’s Bay councils, including rationale, governance structure, infrastructure plans, and any equity impacts.

10. Emergency Management and Land Categorisation:

Progress on post-Cyclone Gabrielle Civil Defence improvements (e.g., Emergency Operations Centre, community hubs, training, collaborations with Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga).
Updates on land categorisation framework (e.g., retirement of Category 1 in December 2025, phasing out Category 3 maps, equity assessments or effects on residents).

11. Advanced Technologies, Drones, AI, and Data Practices:

Details of any use, piloting, or contracting for drones/unmanned aircraft (e.g., for surveys, inspections, monitoring, recovery, or security purposes), including compliance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules (Part 101/102, including recent 2025 changes).
Information on any integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, or automated systems in council operations (e.g., data analysis, predictive modelling, decision support).
Details of mass data collection practices (e.g., from sensors, imagery, public sources), including privacy impact assessments, storage/retention policies, sharing with third parties, and compliance with Privacy Act 2020.
For any such initiatives: rationale, partners/contractors, funding, equity/multicultural considerations, public consultation, and evaluations/outcomes.

If any information is withheld, please provide specific grounds under the LGOIMA. I am happy to discuss refining the scope if parts are too broad or to receive information in stages.Thank you for your assistance in promoting openness and accountability.

Yours sincerely,

citizen101HB
4120