Chapter Six: Organisational responsibilities
Consistent with a move to a relational strategy, the Ministry is structured around working with key stakeholder groups.
The Ministry for the Environment
Leading, directing and linking the work of the Ministry internally and externally is the role of the Chief Executive, Barry Carbon, who is supported by Group Leaders. His role includes ensuring that all policy development and actions link together cohesively, and that the activities and outcomes are well defined, to ensure that everything the Ministry does contributes to a good environment through good governance.
Whole of government
The whole of government work is led the Deputy Chief Executive, Lindsay Gow. It includes stage two of the Oceans Policy Project and the implementation phase of the New Zealand Climate Change Programme, for which the Ministry has recently taken on responsibility.
Working with central government
The Working with Central Government Group is led by Dave Brash. It covers developing and maintaining the framework of environmental legislation (including the Resource Management Act and the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act); sustainable development policy; Treaty claims to natural resources and other Māori concerns; providing support for the Bioethics Council; and managing relationships with Ministers, other government agencies and iwi.
Working with local government
The Working with Local Government Group is led by Sue Powell. It will manage the relationship with local government, assist local government in implementing environmental standards, and report on local government performance. It will also report on the state of our environment, carry out statutory functions under the Resource Management Act, and develop national environmental standards and other national instruments. Urban affairs is also part of this group’s responsibilities.
Sustainable industry
The Sustainable Industry Group is led by Bill Bayfield. It will work with business and industry to promote sustainable business practices and support innovation in environmental management. The group will work with targeted sectors to initiate improvements in environmental performance.
Corporate and community
The Corporate and Community Group is led by Fiona Morgan. It promotes environmental awareness and action in the community, co-ordinates corporate communications, and manages relationships with the community. It also supports our activities through information management, legal advice, financial systems, human resources and administrative support.
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