Strategic direction
The direction
The Ministry for the Environment works with others 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 Principles for Policy and Decision-Making adopted by the Government [Sustainable Development for New Zealand Programme for Action, 2003, p10.] (see Sustainable development principles for policy and decision-making).
The connections between environment and economy and environment and society are central to our activities, though our primary focus is to protect and enhance the environment. We desire a good environment where biodiversity and natural areas are protected and enhanced, where productive resources are used in a sustainable way, and the places where people live are clean, healthy and safe. We believe in a New Zealand that is reinforced by its sense of place. Our strategic priorities flow from the Government's Key Goals to Guide the Public Sector in Achieving Sustainable Development, linking them to our outcomes and work programmes.
Strategic priorities
The Ministry's long-term priorities are a healthy environment for New Zealand and sustainable economic growth. Since a whole range of environmental management responsibilities have been devolved to local government and Crown agencies, we also stress the importance of good environmental governance. These strategic priorities drive the actions and activities of the Ministry and hence the outcomes we are seeking in the medium term.
1 A healthy environment
There will be a good environment for New Zealand; the quality of the environment should meet the reasonable aspirations of New Zealanders. Everyone should be able to live in a clean, healthy and safe environment, and biodiversity should be protected and enhanced.
A healthy environment cannot be achieved by the Ministry for the Environment alone. It will be achieved through working with others, using mechanisms ranging from promoting action by households, businesses and communities, through to voluntary agreements and laws and regulations.
This strategic priority primarily contributes to the wider government goal of 'Protecting and enhancing the environment'.
2 Sustainable economic growth
There will be economic growth that follows the principles of sustainable development. If New Zealand is to have a healthy environment, we must have economic activity that is based on sustainable practices and maintains the natural environment for future generations to use and enjoy. Our interest in sustainable economic growth, therefore, supports our primary focus on a healthy environment.
In recent years we have taken on the function of promoting sustainable industry. We see our role as:
- providing resources that demonstrate sustainable industry concepts, benefits and best practice
- supporting and encouraging sustainable industry initiatives
- helping change practice and performance by providing practical strategies, actions and tools
- helping government to be a sustainable sector.
This strategic priority contributes to the wider government goal to 'Grow an inclusive, innovative economy for the benefit of all'.
3 Good environmental governance
There will be a system of environmental governance that is integrated, cohesive, efficient and effective. Governance includes setting directions, determining priorities, delivering results, being responsive, and being trusted. The result will be good governance of the environment at all levels - central and local government, community, iwi, public and private firms, and by individuals.
Good governance 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.
Again this means the Ministry working with others to do things together where we have interests in common and to collectively agree on priorities and work programmes where appropriate. It also means that the Ministry will:
- provide leadership on national environmental issues
- ensure that the advice given to the Government is coherent and incorporates a range of perspectives
- ensure that legislation and regulation deliver effective and efficient management of natural and physical resources
- set bottom-line standards for environmental protection
- ensure cost-effective regulation with minimal compliance costs or barriers to innovation
- eliminate arrangements that present purposeless barriers to development
- provide certainty of safety from harm (through codes, standards, enforcement, penalties for non-compliance).
This strategic priority will contribute to the wider government goal to 'Maintain trust in government' as well as to 'Protect and enhance the environment'.
