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Statement of Intent 2010-2013

Foreword: Minister for the Environment

The Government is committed to a carefully balanced agenda of both environmental and economic goals. The two are closely connected. New Zealand depends on the wise management of natural resources for its continuing prosperity; at the same time, a strong economy is essential to enable New Zealanders to protect and enjoy this country’s abundant natural resources.

Environmental issues are intertwined with New Zealand’s international trade and reputation, as well as with the legacy we leave for future generations – whether those issues are the response to climate change or the efficient management of natural resources such as fresh water.

When I set my priorities for the Environment and Climate Change portfolios in late 2008, it was in the expectation that these substantial and complex work areas would require attention over a number of years. Therefore, my priorities for 2010–2013 as set out below reflect the progress made to date in these areas and the next stage of action required to achieve the results I am seeking. My priorities are:

  • Implementation of the Emissions Trading Scheme – The Emissions Trading Scheme is New Zealand’s primary policy instrument for addressing climate change and providing an incentive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The focus now moves to implementation, in particular allocation of emission units to trade-exposed, emissions-intensive sectors.
  • Ensuring that New Zealand constructively assists in achieving a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change – Negotiations are expected to continue through 2010 (and potentially 2011). The Government’s focus will be the design of the rules concerning forestry and land use, as well as ensuring that New Zealand’s target reflects a fair share with respect to costs to the economy in comparison with other nations.
  • Improving New Zealand’s freshwater management – The Government wants to ensure that fresh water contributes to New Zealand’s economic growth and environmental integrity. The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and I will progress the New Start for Fresh Water Strategy through a work programme on water allocation, governance, quality, infrastructure and storage. The Land and Water Forum and iwi will be actively involved in this work.
  • Developing the Environmental Protection Authority – The Environmental Protection Authority is being established to provide greater national leadership and to enable timely decisions on critical infrastructure and other major resource consents. It will operate as a statutory office under the direction of the Secretary for the Environment until the next phase of reforms is implemented. Legislation to establish the broader functions and responsibilities of the Environmental Protection Authority will be developed, along with consequential amendments to other legislation.
  • Resource management reforms – The Government’s resource management reforms are about ensuring that New Zealand manages its resources more effectively and efficiently to deliver both economic and environmental benefits. In addition to improving freshwater management and developing the Environmental Protection Authority, the second phase of reform focuses on sector-specific issues (including aquaculture, infrastructure and urban design) and better interaction between the Resource Management Act and other statutes. 

In addition to these priorities, over the next three years I intend to progress work on improving environmental reporting, which is critical to good decision making, and on a National Policy Statement on Biodiversity.

While the issues are primarily environmental, they have economic, social and cultural implications to be considered. For this reason they require careful deliberation and expert advice. As we move forward I will be seeking input from both technical experts and from the many interests that will be affected by the decisions, as well as from the government agencies charged with natural resource management.  

Ministerial statement of responsibility

I am satisfied that the information on future operating intentions provided by my department in this Statement of Intent is in accordance with sections 38, 40 and 41 of the Public Finance Act 1989 and is consistent with the policies and performance expectations of the Government.

[signed by]
Hon Dr Nick Smith
Responsible Minister for Ministry for the Environment
26 April 2010