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Organisational responsibilities
The Ministry comprises six business groups that enable efficient delivery of our work programmes. Each of these groups is led by a General Manager who reports to the Chief Executive.
The senior management team
The Ministry is led by the Secretary for the Environment, Hugh Logan, who is the Ministry's Chief Executive. He is supported by the Deputy Chief Executive, Lindsay Gow, and five general managers. The senior management team is responsible for the corporate governance of the Ministry, for determining strategic direction and ensuring that all policy direction and actions link cohesively. Work on the Ministry's strategic direction and our long-term role in environment sustainability is led by the Deputy Chief Executive.
Urban and Maruwhenua
Deputy Chief Executive: Lindsay Gow
The Urban and Maruwhenua Group is led by Lindsay Gow. The Urban team provides leadership across central government for Urban Affairs (as a specific portfolio responsibility of the Minister for the Environment). Over the next few years, the team's work will build on these foundations to facilitate and promote cross-government delivery of the policies and programmes to make New Zealand's towns and cities more successful.
The Maruwhenua team undertakes work with Māori on resource management issues, including encouraging Māori to be leaders in creating positive environmental outcomes.
Working with Central Government
General manager (acting): Todd Krieble
The Working with Central Government Group leads the Ministry's connections across central government, particularly with other government departments, the two Crown agencies for which we are responsible, and supporting our Ministers' offices. The group maintains the framework of environmental legislation and leads the development of major environmental policy, including climate change policy, natural resources policy, and urban and infrastructure policy.
Its work in coordinating a whole of government approach to climate change policy development includes liaison with stakeholders and the development of New Zealand's international negotiating position.
Other key work areas are providing support for the Bioethics Council and monitoring the performance of the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
Working with Local Government
General manager: Sue Powell
The Working with Local Government Group manages the relationship with local government and works with local government in areas of collective interest. It has a strong focus on management of natural resources, particularly sustainable land and water management and adaptation to climate change.
The group provides national direction to local government through development of national policy statements and national environmental standards. It reviews local government performance under the Resource Management Act and works to improve it by promoting best practice. It also carries out statutory functions under the Act.
Sustainable Industry
General manager: Rachel Depree
The focus of the Sustainable Industry Group is to harness the power of business and the market to drive environmentally sustainable development. It promotes sustainable business practices and supports innovation in environmental management by working with industry and business to identify solutions.
It works with selected sectors to improve environmental performance through initiatives such as product stewardship, measures to reduce New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable procurement practices. The group also leads the Ministry's work to help central government agencies become more sustainable.
Reporting and Review
General manager: Mary-Anne Macleod
The Reporting and Review Group works to ensure that New Zealanders have credible environmental information. The group measures the progress being made towards a healthy environment, including New Zealand's 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; coordinates 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 and other environmental statutes.
Corporate and Community
General manager: Fiona Morgan
The Corporate and Community Group provides a range of services that support the Ministry's business. It promotes environmental awareness and action in the community, coordinates corporate communications and manages relationships with the community. The Group is responsible for the coordination and provision of legal and financial advice - advice on legislation, compliance, contractual relationships and payments to, and with, stakeholders.
Alongside this, the Group provides the information, human resource and administrative support required for an organisation with 300 employees.
