Strategic direction
The direction
The Ministry for the Environment works to achieve the sustainable development of New Zealand
Sustainable development is the context for all of the Ministry's work. It assumes the implementation of the ten principles of sustainable development for policy and decision making adopted by the Government [Sustainable Development for New Zealand Programme of Action, 2003, p10.] (see page 57).
Our objectives
The Ministry's principal objective is a good environment for New Zealand through good governance. Our principal objective is closely aligned to the Government's goal of sustainable economic growth based on maximising the country's competitive advantages. The environment is central to this goal. Our major objective is supported by three overarching outcomes (as opposed to programme outcomes referred to in the Delivering Outcomes Section) that reflect the key elements of sustainable development. These overarching outcomes drive the actions and activities of the Ministry and hence the programme outcomes.
Outcome 1: Quality environment
There will be a good environment for New Zealand; the quality of the environment should meet the reasonable aspirations of New Zealanders.
All people should be able to live in a clean, healthy and safe environment, and biodiversity should be protected and enhanced. This will be achieved by working with others to clearly set goals for the parameters of the environment and to strive for their attainment. The mechanisms will vary from intrusive and forceful, through expecting and requiring, to wanting and encouraging.
This outcome primarily contributes to the wider government goal of 'Protecting and enhancing the environment'.
Outcome 2: Good environmental governance
There will be good environmental governance for New Zealand. Governance includes setting directions, prioritising, being effective, being responsive, and being trusted. The outcome will be good governance of the environment at all levels - central and local government, community, iwi, public and private firms, and by individuals.
Again this means the Ministry working with others to provide cohesive governance that is efficient and effective. It means that New Zealanders are told about and informed on environmental issues where they have an interest. It means they are given a say, and listened to, before decisions are made that affect them. It means that the Ministry will work to uphold the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
This outcome includes governance arrangements that involve:
- the Ministry:
- providing leadership on national environmental issues
- ensuring the Government receives coherent advice, which incorporates a range of perspectives
- ensuring that legislation and regulation purposefully achieve effective and efficient management of environmental resources
- ensuring cost-effective regulation with minimal compliance costs or barriers to innovation
- exercising national and international roles
- the role of the Crown in allocating resources, defining environmental limits and bottom lines (e.g. sustainable yields)
- setting bottom line standards (lack of standards can contribute to a playing field that is not level, less than efficient decision-making and uncertainty about environmental performance)
- eliminating arrangements that present purposeless barriers to development
- giving effect to the Government's Sustainable Development Principles
- providing certainty of safety from harm (through codes, standards, enforcement, penalties for non-compliance).
This outcome will contribute to the wider government goal to 'Maintain trust in government' as well as to 'Protect and enhance the environment'.
Outcome 3: Quality economic growth
Economic growth will follow the principles of sustainable development. This is a practical way forward for New Zealand that will build on its competitive and commercial strengths while maintaining the environment for future generations to use and enjoy. We share this objective with others.
Sustainable development is the context of much of the Ministry's activity. As well as an overall role in government action on sustainable development, we have a special responsibility for the delivery of sustainable water and sustainable cities.
We also have taken on the function of promoting sustainable industry. We will consistently look for ways to help industry think and plan and operate sustainably, by providing:
- advice, information and resources that demonstrate sustainable industry concepts, benefits and best practice
- tools and service to help change practice and performance
- co-ordination of access to government services and management of issues that are roadblocks for industry
- encouragement to other sectors to build sustainability into what they do.
This outcome will contribute to the wider government outcome to 'Grow an inclusive, innovative economy for the benefit of all'.
