• About this site|
• Site index|
• Contact us|
• Jobs

Statement of Intent 2005 - 2008

Statement by the Responsible Minister

Statement of Responsibility

Foreword

Part One: The Ministry

Part Two: Forecast Financial Statements

Part Three: Other Information

Vote: Environment

Output Class: Environmental Policy Advice

Description

The Ministry takes a strong role in environmental governance and provides investigation, analysis, review and provision of advice on a range of environmental issues. This includes leading all government initiatives, co-ordinating the collaboration of central and local government in the delivery of environmental programmes and administration of legislation as well as advice to the Government and others.

Output operating statement

Overarching priority

To achieve the outcomes and outputs that have been identified, the Ministry needs to continue to:

• enhance its capability
• develop effective systems and structures
• build strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Outputs

Within this output class the Ministry will:

• work with central government to lead and participate in interdepartmental initiatives on:
  • sustainable development, specifically sustainable cities and energy
  • oceans policy development and provision of advice on fisheries and marine issues, including completing the Fiordland Marine Management legislation and implementation of the Aquaculture Reforms
  • biodiversity, specifically the development of a biodiversity strategy for New Zealand as well as the development of a National Policy Statement on Biodiversity
  • improving the operation of the Resource Management Act 1991
  • improving the operation of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
• work with local government to lead and participate in issues relating to:
  • improving the legislative framework
  • urban affairs
  • water, e.g. Project Waitaki and Lake Taupo
  • environmental reporting
  • addressing major environmental problems, e.g. contaminated sites
  • implementing the New Zealand Waste Strategy
• work with industry to:
  • provide advice, information and resources that demonstrate sustainable industry concepts, benefits and best practice
  • provide tools to help change practice and performance
  • co-ordinate access to government services and manage roadblock issues for industry
  • encourage other sectors to build sustainability into what they do.

This output class also includes the work the Ministry undertakes in relation to:

• raising awareness and participation to enable the involvement of the whole community in the governance of the environment
• monitoring the Environmental Risk Management Authority
• the provision of integrated advice and support to the Ministers and Government on environment issues and correspondence, e.g. ministerials and parliamentary questions.

Output Class: Administration of the Sustainable Management Fund

Description

This output class covers the purchase of policy advice on the allocation of funds to other parties, and the administration and management of Sustainable Management Fund contracts.

Output operating statement

Outputs

Within this output class the Ministry will:

• advise on the size of allocations and payments to approved providers in accordance with criteria in the Sustainable Management Fund (SMF) Guide for Applicants
• monitor contract and expenditure, including completing technical audits
• encourage community action for the environment through a greater funding emphasis on community led initiatives and proactive partnerships between the community, iwi and local government.

Output Class: Bioethics Council

Description

This output class provides for the effective operation of the Bioethics Council. This Council is a ministerial advisory committee. Its role is to:

• provide independent advice to government on biotechnological issues involving cultural, ethical and spiritual dimensions
• promote and participate in public dialogue on cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology, and enable public participation in the Council's activities
• provide public information on the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology.

Output operating statement

Outputs

The Bioethics Council is responsible for providing accurate and informative information to government on biological issues. The Ministry assists the Council by:

• providing administrative support and research material for the Council
• leading the whole of government approach by co-ordinating government agencies that are able to contribute to the Council's effectiveness
• collaborating with similar international groups to procure relevant research information to assist the Council
• assisting with the co-ordination of public dialogue and participation in Council activities.

Output Class: Resource Management (Waitaki Catchment) Amendment Act

Description

Government has agreed to develop legislation to address competing water use applications in the Waitaki River Catchment, including additional information on a further option for decision-making processes.

Output operating statement

Outputs

Within this output class the Ministry will:

• provide a process to develop and confirm a framework for the allocation of water
• provide a framework covering significant applications for water use and application of lesser significance for water use
• establish a statutory body that invites submissions, conducts a hearing, and makes decisions on an allocation framework for water use in the Catchment
• assist a panel of commissioners, which acts as a consent authority in making decisions on the significant applications for water use and other related consent applications and designations.

[ Previous|Next ]