This committee works with Environment Canterbury staff and members of the local community on water management initiatives in the Kaikōura region.

[11] In the 2014 general election, Howard stood as a candidate for the Money Free Party in the Kaikōura electorate, finishing ninth with 72 votes.

In his role as chair of the Trust, Howard leads conservation measures for the shearwaters, including community initiatives to rescue birds that crash-land at night on streets in Kaikōura.

[17] Howard has been involved in establishing and maintaining a new protected breeding area for Hutton's shearwaters on the Kaikōura Peninsula, including a predator-proof fence, man-made burrows, and translocating fledgling birds from the remaining colonies.

He outlined the loss of adult birds and chicks in the alpine colonies, and the increased risk of predation as a result of landslides caused by the earthquake.

[19] In November 2019, Howard met with the Prince of Wales during the royal visit to Kaikōura, and discussed the conservation efforts for Hutton's shearwaters.

[25] Howard was part of the work of the society that led to the passing of the Kaikōura (Te Tai o Marokura) Marine Management Act in August 2014.