Archived publication
This publication is no longer current or has been superseded.
Advisory Bodies/Ministerial Committees 2006/07
Bioethics Council
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring the Council to exist. The Council was established by a Cabinet minute as a ministerial advisory group.
Purpose
To enhance New Zealand’s understanding of the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology and to ensure that the use of biotechnology has regard for the values held by New Zealanders.
Board of Inquiry to consider the proposed national policy statement on electricity transmission
Statutory basis
A Board of Inquiry is appointed under section 47 of the Resource Management Act to enquire into and report on a proposed national policy statement.
Purpose
A Board of Inquiry was appointed in February 2007 to consider the proposed national policy statement on electricity transmission.
Business Compliance and Costs Group
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist.
Purpose
To provide input and advice on the direction, focus, and method of implementation of the resource consent process by members’ organisations and colleagues.
Cyanobacteria Issues Discussion Group
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist.
Purpose
This involved a discussion meeting held in response to an increasing number and frequency of cyanobacteria incidents.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)
Statutory basis
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000.
Purpose
EECA comprises the Authority (a board of six to eight members appointed by the Minister of Energy) and its executive agency (appointed by the Authority and led by a Chief Executive). The Authority’s purpose is to encourage, promote and support energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable resources in New Zealand.
Environmental Legal Assistance Fund Advisory Panel
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist. The Panel was developed due to a Cabinet decision.
Purpose
To advise the Ministry for the Environment on applications to the Environmental Legal Assistance Fund.
Environment Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand)
Statutory basis
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.
Purpose
ERMA New Zealand comprises three formal elements: the Authority (a board of six to eight members appointed by the Minister for the Environment), Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao (up to eight members appointed by the Authority who are responsible for advising it about Māori interests and concerns), and an executive agency (appointed by the Authority and led by a Chief Executive). The Authority’s responsibilities include assigning controls to manage the risks associated with hazardous substances and new organisms, considering applications for the introduction of new hazardous substances and new organisms, and overseeing the management regime for hazardous substances and new organisms.
Flood Risk Management Technical Reference Group
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist.
Purpose
This is a local government and sector reference group used to provide advice on developing a national policy statement on flood risk management.
Freshwater Indicators Working Group
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist.
Purpose
To assist the Ministry with the development of a core set of freshwater indicators and monitoring protocols to assess the effectiveness of national water management policies and programmes and the health of New Zealand’s freshwater resources.
Human Drinking Water Source Standard Reference Group
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist.
Purpose
This is a local government and industry reference group used to develop a favoured option for the human drinking water source standard.
Māori Water Reference Group (Wai Māori)
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist. This group was established upon an agreement by the Water Steering Group.
Purpose
To assist with the development of a policy process within the Sustainable Development Programme of Action.
New Zealand Carbon Accounting System Steering Committee
Statutory basis
Kyoto Protocol and United Nations Framework on Convention Change.
Purpose
To act as a steering committee for the development of the New Zealand Carbon Accounting System. To monitor progress and consider risks.
Professional Development Scheme for RMA Decision-Makers Advisory Group
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist.
Purpose
The members of the group are experienced RMA practitioners. They are responsible for providing an overview of the ‘Making Good Decisions’ decision-maker accreditation training programme, including provision of strategic advice on course material (and peer review of this material), complaints, and the future direction of the programme.
Quality Planning Website Management Panel
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist.
Purpose
The panel comprised representatives from the New Zealand Planning Institute, Local Government New Zealand, the Resource Management Law Association and the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors. Panel members are responsible for providing a strategic overview on both the content and direction of the Quality Planning website. They also act as a conduit to each of their respective partner organisations and are responsible for promoting the website to their membership.
Stormwater from Roads Reference Group – National Direction
Statutory basis
The formation of this group was required by Cabinet minute.
Purpose
This is a local government and industry reference group tasked to scope the need for national direction in stormwater management from roads.
Septic Tank Standard Reference Group
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist.
Purpose
This is a local government and industry reference group used to develop a favoured option for a national environmental standard addressing septic tank management.
Special tribunals to consider the Oreti River Water Conservation Order application and the application to amend the Buller River Water Conservation Order
Statutory basis
The appointment of a special tribunal to consider an application for a water conservation order is required under section 202 of the Resource Management Act 1991.
Purpose
A special tribunal was appointed in September 2006 to consider an application for a water conservation order on the Oreti River and provide a report and recommendation to the Minister.
A special tribunal was appointed in August 2006 to consider an application to amend the Buller River water conservation order and provide a report and recommendations to the Minister.
Sustainable Development Water Programme of Action – Ministerial Advisory Group
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist. This group was established by joint Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, and for Environment to provide policy advice to the Sustainable Water Programme of Action (refer CAB Min (06) 11/11). This group was established in August 2005.
Purpose
The Ministerial Advisory Group reports to the Ministers for the Environment, and of Agriculture and Forestry and underpins the successful delivery of the Sustainable Water Programme of Action goals through partnerships and collaboration.
The Ministerial Advisory Group, among other tasks:
-
assists Ministers in the implementation of the Sustainable Water Programme of Action by advising on the priority that should be accorded to various water management issues and methods to address them
-
provides independent perspectives and strategic direction on priorities or focus for future action in implementing the Sustainable Water Programme of Action
-
provides assistance, as required and appropriate, in consultation with non-government stakeholders involved with implementing the Sustainable Water Programme of Action Strategy
-
acts as a sounding board for the Ministers on the implementation of the Sustainable Water Programme of Action.
Sustainable Development Water Programme of Action – Stakeholder Reference and Stakeholder Engagement Groups
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring these groups to exist. With the exception of the Iwi Chief Executives’ Environment Forum these groups were established in 2006 to provide input to the Sustainable Development Water Programme.
Purpose
The following reference and stakeholder groups provide input into the development of policy under the programme:
-
Iwi Chief Executives’ Environment Forum
-
Regional Affairs Committee Water Subcommittee
-
Regional Council – Resource Managers (RMG) Sub-Group on Water
-
Non-Governmental Organisations Environmental Reference Group
-
Agricultural Sector Partnership Liaison Group
-
Electricity Generators Reference Group
-
Ecological Flows Technical Working Group
-
Water Measuring Devices Working Group (disestablished 2007 as specific policy work completed).
Urban Design Advisory Group
Statutory basis
There is no statutory basis requiring this group to exist. This group was set up as part of Sustainable Development Programme of Action to produce an Urban Design Protocol for New Zealand.
Purpose
To provide leadership and advice to the Minister with Responsibility for Urban Affairs on the development and successful implementation of initiatives aimed at realising the objectives and anticipated outcomes of the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol.
Acts Administered
-
Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941
-
Environment Act 1986
-
Resource Management Act 1991
-
Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996
-
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
-
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000
-
Climate Change Response Act 2002.
-
Aquaculture Reform (Repeals and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004
-
Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005
-
Resource Management (Waitaki Catchment) Amendment Act 2004
