Organisational responsibilities
Until recently the Ministry's structure comprised four groups: Working with Local Government, Working with Central Government, Sustainable Industry and Climate Change, and Corporate and Community. Although this worked effectively, development of work programmes and the associated growth of the Ministry has required the creation of two new groups, to enable alignment between structure and strategic priorities. The Reporting and Review Group and the Urban Group have been formed, picking up work programmes and personnel previously part of other groups.
The Senior Management Group
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 the Deputy Chief Executive, Lindsay Gow, and five General Managers. The Senior Management Group ensures that all policy development and actions link together cohesively, and that activities and outcomes are well defined, to ensure everything the Ministry does contributes to a good environment through good governance.
Working with Central Government
The Working with Central Government Group is led by Dave Brash. It is responsible for developing and maintaining the framework of environmental legislation (including the Resource Management Act 1991 and the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996). It also works on policy in the areas of marine issues and Treaty of Waitangi claims relating to natural resources. In addition, it undertakes work to improve environmental outcomes for Maori and to encourage Maori participation in the management and use of natural resources. Other key work areas are providing support for the Bioethics Council, managing relationships with Ministers, other government agencies and iwi, and monitoring the performance of the Environmental Risk Management Authority and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
Working with Local Government
The Working with Local Government Group is led by Sue Powell. It manages the relationship with local government and works with local government in areas of collective interest. It also reports on the performance of our environmental policies, carries out statutory functions under the Resource Management Act, and develops national environmental standards and other national instruments.
Sustainable Industry and Climate Change
The Sustainable Industry and Climate Change Group is led by Bill Bayfield. Sustainable Industry works with business and industry to promote sustainable business practices and to support innovation in environmental management. It works with targeted sectors to initiate improvements in environmental performance. Climate Change implements climate change policy through measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and at adapting to climate change impacts.
Reporting and Review
The Reporting and Review group works to ensure that New Zealanders have credible environmental information to make good decisions and measure progress in maintaining a healthy environment; including our contribution to the global environmental effort. It monitors and reports on the effectiveness of policies and legislation, liaises with the science community to report on emerging environmental issues and inform policy decision-making, co-ordinates national, international, and other environmental reporting obligations, and works closely with local government to evaluate the effectiveness of policies, plans and decisions related to the Resource Management Act 1991 and the Ministry's other statutes.
Urban
The Urban Group is led by Lindsay Gow. It provides leadership across central government for the Urban Affairs portfolio (as a specific additional responsibility of the Minister for the Environment). The Group is responsible for developing and implementing the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol, co-ordinating the Year of the Built Environment 2005, and working with other agencies and Auckland local authorities to deliver the sustainable cities workstream of the New Zealand Sustainable Development Programme of Action. The Group also administers the Environmental Legal Assistance Fund, and has responsibility for co-ordinating the Ministry's leading contribution to the OECD Environmental Performance Review of New Zealand.
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.
Ministry for the Environment organisational chart
See figure at full size including text description
