Stakeholder Advisory Group – What is its purpose? New additional members

The Stakeholder Advisory Group – or StAG for short – was formed in November 2012 to give advice on a rules and incentives package to help meet Lake Rotorua’s sustainable nitrogen target. You can check out StAG’s terms of reference here .

Some people have criticised StAG’s “decisions” and its composition. To clarify:

• StAG does not make decisions – it provides advice, mainly to BOPRC, but also to RDC and the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group. The Regional Council is the key decision-maker for any new nutrient rules.
• StAG members bring their own experience and views to the table. They are not representatives, even if individual members are associated with particular sectors.
• StAG tries to operate by consensus. While sometimes that proves difficult, the discussion at StAG can still assist BOPRC staff to develop and amend the draft rules and incentives package.

During the draft rules consultation, it became clear that small block owners wanted more say at StAG. At its October meeting, StAG supported having one additional small block member plus a new member from the deer sector.