Green Growth

The Ministry for the Environment’s mission is environmental stewardship for a prosperous New Zealand. Green growth is a concept entirely consistent with this mission. It reflects the importance of growing our economy while also caring for, and enhancing, our environment.


Green growth is increasingly to the fore in international thinking on economic and environmental policy. New Zealand’s economy is especially reliant on its natural assets – and as a people, we also give high intrinsic value to all aspects of the natural environment.


Early in 2011, the Government established an independent advisory group to look at green growth topics of particular importance to New Zealand. This group is made up of eight accomplished businesspeople, and it is supported by the Ministry for the Environment, the Ministry of Economic Development and other government agencies. The Green Growth Advisory Group is due to report to the Government in December 2011.


The Advisory Group’s terms of reference emphasise the importance of New Zealand’s country brand, the role that innovation can play, and the significance of small / medium sized businesses in the New Zealand economy. Considerations behind the setting up of the Green Growth Advisory Group are laid out in the relevant Cabinet paper, Cabinet minute, and Terms of Reference.


The Advisory Group has published a discussion document, “Green Growth – Issues for New Zealand” [Ministry of Economic Development website]. Members of the public are encouraged to read this and other relevant documents and provide comment and ideas to the Group between 7 July and 20 September 2011.



Last updated: 15 September 2011

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