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Minister's priorities for 2003/2004

The Government's goal for the environment is to "treasure and nurture our environment with protection for ecosystems so that New Zealand maintains a clean, green environment and builds our reputation as a world leader in environmental issues".

The priority environmental issues for the Minister in 2003/04 were:

  • air quality
  • aquaculture reform
  • freshwater quality and allocation, especially:
    • water quality in Lake Taupo and the Rotorua lakes
    • allocation in the Waitaki catchment
  • implementing the New Zealand Waste Strategy, especially:
    • finalising the Packaging Accord
    • extended producer responsibility
    • disposal of special wastes
  • contaminated sites, especially Mapua
  • climate change
  • genetic modification.

The key supporting actions for tackling environmental issues in 2003/04 included:

  • improving the operation of the Resource Management Act (1991), including
    • reducing delays in the Environment Court
    • dealing with large infrastructure projects
  • improving the operation of the hazardous substances provisions of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (1996)
  • building strong relationships, especially with local government and industry.
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