Protecting People and the Environment

1 Introduction

2 Responsibilities of the Minister for the Environment

3 About the Ministry for the Environment

4 Sustainable Development

5 Framework for Environmental Protection

6 Conclusion

7 Issues that the Minister will Need to Consider in the First Month of Office

3 About the Ministry for the Environment

The Ministry for the Environment is the Government's principal adviser on the New Zealand environment and on international matters that affect our environment. We are working to deliver the environment that New Zealanders expect and deserve.

We see our role as:

• providing leadership across government and the community on environment
• working in partnership with key sectors and organisations to improve our environment
• fixing problems that require central government intervention
• ensuring that New Zealand has good environmental governance.

This approach is based on extensive discussions with key people and organisations in 2002.

Because we recognise the importance of New Zealand's environment to our economy and our society, we have identified three strategic priorities for our work:

• a healthy environment
• sustainable economic growth
• good environmental governance.

These priorities focus our work programmes and the outcomes we are seeking as the result our work. The outcomes and work programmes are set out in our Statement of Intent.

Over the past three years the Ministry for the Environment has transformed itself from primarily a provider of policy advice to an organisation that works effectively with others to achieve the sustainable development of New Zealand. While protecting and enhancing the environment continues to be the driver for our work, we acknowledge both the impact of environmental policy on communities and businesses and the role that many others play in environmental management in New Zealand.

Partnerships and relationships

The Ministry for the Environment has some particular strengths that can help foster a sustainable development approach in New Zealand.

First, we have experience and capability in leading whole of government policy development. We have demonstrated this in leading elements of the Sustainable Development Programme of Action, the climate change programme, and the 2004 review of the Resource Management Act - which involved nine government departments as well as Local Government New Zealand. We have regular business connections at senior levels with about 20 other central government agencies.

Second, we have the strongest relationship with local government of any central government agency. New Zealand has a very devolved system of environmental management, so relies on local government, especially regional councils, for day to day environmental management. Nearly 20 years after the reforms of the 1980s, local government generally has considerable experience and capability in managing a diverse environment.

While there is still room for the relationship to improve, especially with city and district councils, we and local government are actively seeking to build stronger partnerships. We see value both in local government bringing a practical perspective to policy development and in the Ministry working closely with councils to ensure policy implementation is effective.

In the past few years there has been a significant shift in our engagement with local government, especially at a senior level, towards more strategic partnerships.

The best example of this is the Chief Executives Environment Forum, where we bring together chief executives from regional government with chief executives of the government departments that have strong interests in environment and resource management - Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, Economic Development, Fisheries, Conservation, Transport, Internal Affairs, State Services Commission, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Te Puni Kokiri.

The forum, which meets four times a year, is a place for exchanging information and views, planning joint work programmes, agreeing on complementary activities, and resolving problems. Both central and regional government are committed to adding value to the work done through the Chief Executives Environment Forum.

A group of deputy secretaries across government is also developing strong working relationships with the metro city councils on urban affairs and sustainable cities priorities.

Recently we have established a forum with iwi leaders and central and local government to strengthen relationships, discuss issues and identify opportunities to work together.

Other relationships

Because any action taken on environmental issues is likely to cut across someone else's business, a very broad range of other stakeholders takes a close interest in our work. This includes many industry sectors, Crown research institutes, iwi, environment and conservation organisations, and professions such as law, planning, and surveying. We keep in regular contact with the key players across all sectors and often involve them in our activities.

We have many partnerships with sectors such as industry, for example the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord with Fonterra and regional councils, and the Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Project. We are also working with relevant iwi and local government to improve water quality in Lake Taupo and the Rotorua lakes.