Archived publication

This publication is no longer current or has been superseded.

Human Resources

In 2006/07 the Ministry’s Human Resources team provided a range of initiatives to enhance the organisation’s capability. The Ministry’s graduate recruitment programme proved successful, with the recruitment of 16 high-quality graduates. This focus on recruitment was also supplemented with an extensive coaching programme, with an aim to add real value to staff skill and knowledge. In addition, the Ministry provided staff with an extensive in-house training and development programme that included a record number of high-quality courses and participants.

Significant emphasis was placed on the Pay and Equity Review led by the Department of Labour. The Ministry completed its review on time and within budget. The Review Committee played a key role in ensuring the project’s success and many of the recommendations from the review will inform the Ministry’s future organisational development plan in 2007/08.

Progress was made with the Ministry’s Human Resources Management Information System. The development of the system proved valuable in supporting a range of activities related to employee data. Significant refinements were made to the online Performance Management, Learning & Development, and Occupational Safety and Health modules, the benefits of which will be realised in 2007/08 and beyond.

The Ministry’s internal Climate Survey last carried out in 2004/05 again proved a useful means to assess the work culture in 2006/07. The results of the survey were generally positive and will provide a useful source of information to inform future organisational planning.

Equal Employment Opportunities

The Ministry is a member of the Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Trust Employers Group and works to ensure that procedures for recruitment, selection, promotion, training, career development and conditions of employment are designed to provide equal opportunities and, where appropriate are based on merit.

We aim to ensure that no person is disadvantaged in any way on the basis of sex, marital status, age, religious belief, colour, sexual orientation, race, ethnic or national origins or disability.

The Ministry continues to progress its EEO objectives as set out in the EEO guidelines to 2010 Programme. The recently completed Pay and Equity Review will be an important guide for addressing any equity issues.

Stakeholder Relationships

Developing and nurturing relationships with our stakeholders continued to be a key focus for the Ministry during 2006/07. Through the Talk Environment Roadshow, Chief Executives’ Environment Forum (CEEF) and stakeholder liaison meetings, the Ministry has strengthened its relationships and has sought input from stakeholders into the Ministry’s work.

The 2006 Talk Environment Roadshow saw close to 2,000 people from various walks of life, industry, local government and the community attend a series of meetings held across New Zealand. The Talk Environment Roadshow is a great opportunity for our stakeholders to provide input into the Ministry’s current and emerging work programmes. Feedback from the Roadshow meetings was incorporated into current work programmes, where appropriate.

The CEEF is a meeting between chief executives from all regional councils, Local Government New Zealand, and central government departments concerned with the environment and resource management. Four CEEF meetings were held in the 2006/07 financial year. The meetings were all well attended, particularly by regional council chief executives. The forum aims to: develop a working partnership between central and regional government; support leadership in areas of mutual interest; undertake joint strategic planning and programmes of action; and encourage open discussion of environmental issues. Feedback from the last meeting indicates that chief executives appreciate the strategic nature of this forum. Update papers are circulated well in advance of each meeting. Only strategic items that result in direction and action are discussed on the day.

Outside the above major events, the Ministry has continued to have regular contact and liaison meetings with its key stakeholders. Feedback received has indicated that the Ministry is accessible and open in relationships with its stakeholders. This work area is still developing, and will continue to improve the connection between the Ministry and its stakeholders.

Information Management

The Ministry continues to build on its information management capability. We refined and implemented internal processes to better manage our information technology and information management systems.

A number of significant information initiatives were completed in 2006/07, including:

  • implementation of video conferencing facilities at Environment House

  • implementation of a new intranet, incorporating a Web Content Management System for managing and publishing content on our intranet

  • requirements written for a new Financial Management Information System and a Stakeholder Management system

  • the PERSEUS web survey tool, used for a number of Ministry purposes

  • implementation of a workflow-based Contract Management system.

In 2007/08 the Ministry will update its Information Management Strategy. One of the key deliverables will be the selection of a Financial Management Information System. Another will be the integration of a Retention and Disposal Schedule, in line with the Public Records Act 2005.

The Information Management team will also define the Ministry’s requirements to improve the management and reporting of ministerial correspondence.

The Land Use Carbon Analysis System (LUCAS) project will be processing images to establish the 1990 baseline position required for the Kyoto Protocol. Information will continue to be gathered for New Zealand’s planted forest stock to ensure the accuracy of data already collected for natural forests. In addition, the Ministry will continue with the development of the LUCAS database that holds the images, performs carbon calculations and produces the reports required for the Kyoto Protocol.

|