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Stage One - Defining the vision

The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Oceans Policy reported to Cabinet in 2001 on the outcome of the public consultation process it had conducted. On the basis of that report Cabinet identified a vision statement for New Zealand’s oceans. The report on the outcomes of the public consultation Healthy Seas: Healthy Society, is available to download.

The vision identified for Oceans Policy was:

Healthy Oceans: New Zealanders understand marine life and marine processes and, accordingly take responsibility for wisely managing the health of the ocean and its contribution to the present and future social, cultural, environmental and economic well being of New Zealand.

Cabinet approved the shortened vision statement for the new policy work in 2005 as:

“Healthy Oceans: wisely managed for the greatest benefit of all New Zealanders, now and in the future.”

Stage Two - Developing options to achieve the vision

The second stage of Oceans Policy focused on designing policies to achieve the vision defined in Stage One. Work up until July 2003 consisted of:

Stage Three - Implementing the vision

Stage Three will deliver the policies, processes and tools identified in Stage Two as necessary to achieve the vision. Any legislative and institutional changes required will be addressed. Implementation of the Oceans Policy is expected to take several years.

Stage Three will also implement monitoring mechanisms to assess progress towards the vision and identify what, if any, further work needs be undertaken.

 

Last updated: 17 September 2007