The Review of the WWP concluded that while there is always plenty of room for improvement, the project is doing the right things and creating value. Regardless of what happens next, that value must not be lost and the investment made over the last 4-5 years cannot be wasted.
The WWP needs to make decisions about its future, primarily because its main sources of funding are finite. The funding from the WEL Energy Trust was $3m, backed by a Partnership and Funding Agreement with the Waikato Regional Council. The WWP is currently in year 5 of this funding, and due to resources secured from other partners (Trust Waikato, MAS Foundation), resources are currently sufficient for the project to continue operating until mid-2026 (5.5 years overall). To date, the WWP has attracted more than $2.45m in additional cash and in-kind funding for its priority project areas.
Before funding expires, a decision is needed on the future of the project. We have formed the WWP Transition Leadership Group (TLG) to help guide the next steps in the process and ensure that a well-managed, coherent and consistent approach is taken. The TLG is a subset of the previous Kaitiaki Advisory Board. Its members are:
Delwyn Abraham (Chair)
Karen Bennett
Marcel Manders
Mike Rolton
Don Scarlet
Delwyn’s membership of the TLG was confirmed by Waikato Tainui. Her role as chair is a positive reflection of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi Kaupapa which the WWP has always followed. Mike and Don are also previous members of the Kaitiaki Advisory Board and bring significant community, business and wellbeing leadership strengths and connections to the TLG. Marcel and Karen were previously observers for the Kaitiaki Advisory Board. As representatives of the original partners for the WWP, their full membership will ensure that WEL Energy Trust and WRC are fully engaged in future decisions about the WWP.
What are the Options?
While there are many detailed possibilities, a simple set of 4 framework options are set out for consideration:
A. No or minor change
B. Different structure, funding, operating, procurement, partnership and personnel models. This could apply to the entire project or its constituent parts.
C. Partnerships and/or mergers with other existing organisations and entities.
D. An orderly wind-up and cessation of the project as funding expires.
At this early stage:
Option A is not a default option. The WEL Energy Trust would need to decide to continue funding the project at its current level or at another (less or more) level. Under this or another scenario where a new alternative funder was found, some changes in the operating model, priorities and parameters of the project would be expected.
Option B has multiple potential pathways which would depend on priorities, potential funders and partners. These could be either for the entire project, or for elements- such as the Kai Challenge or Lots of Little Fires. The overall scale and funding of the project could be the same, more or less than at present under these options.
Option C is like Option B but would be for a more significant new partner. Included in this is the option of a full or partial merger of the WWP with another existing initiative or project. Again, the scale of the new version of the project could vary.
Option D is the option which would become default if all other alternatives were exhausted and no other viable options are found in time. Should the TLG decide option D is the best option, the WWP should:
Plan for this to occur when its projects are most completed and/or ready to be handed over to others; and
Time this to occur when resources from funders have been expended as required, to ensure deliverables are fully met.
What do you think?
We are currently holding discussions with stakeholders to explore the above options and assess which one(s) are most supported. The key themes from these discussions will be anonymised and reported back to the TLG, to help support their decisions.
If you haven’t heard from us and would like to share your thoughts, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop Harvey a message at Harvey.brookes@waikatoregion.govt.nz
