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Celebrating success

Recognising the achievements of businesses and community to improve environmental practices is important for encouraging New Zealand to keep working towards becoming a sustainable nation.

I am pleased to welcome Dr Paul Reynolds who takes over as the Ministry’s new Chief Executive.

Demands and expectations of the Ministry have increased significantly over a relatively short space of time.

High environmental standards are important for New Zealand’s identity, quality of life and its competitive advantage. This is requiring the Ministry to have a clear view of future desirable environmental outcomes. It requires deeper understanding of how different sectors can adjust to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improve water and air quality, and minimise waste.

The Ministry’s intentions are set out in its new Statement of Intent for 2008–2011. This document also states how the Ministry intends to develop its own knowledge and capability, so that it can operate effectively in a more complex and demanding work environment.

Priority areas for the Ministry include developing the evidence base relating to measures of environmental quality, understanding and influencing the pressures facing different areas of the environment, and being well informed by evaluation. Influencing in a highly strategic way is essential given the relatively small size of the Ministry and this requires working effectively in networked ways. International engagement and agreements have also become a major priority for the Ministry.

Success in achieving better outcomes will require environmental considerations to be better integrated into the decision-making of individuals, households, communities, business, farming, and government agencies. I am optimistic about the Ministry’s ability to meet future challenges.

Howard Fancy, Acting CEO Ministry for the Environment

It has been a busy five months in my role as acting Chief Executive. I wish the Ministry well. Rachel Depree, General Manager of the Sustainable Business Group, is also leaving the Ministry to take on a private sector role and we wish her luck in the future.

Howard Fancy
Acting Chief Executive and Secretary for the Environment
Ministry for the Environment

 

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