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Statement of Intent 2011-2014

Foreword: Minister for the Environment

I am pleased with the progress that has been made in the Environment and Climate Change portfolios since I became Minister in late 2008. The importance given and attention paid to the Government’s carefully balanced priorities for New Zealand’s environment and economy are reflected well in the initiatives underway.

Progress can be made and sustained only if all the different groups with an interest in the environment, economy and international trade work together and take a long term, solutions-focussed approach that enhances New Zealand’s standing in the world.

I am encouraged by the level of engagement by both central and local government with industry, farmers, environmental groups, iwi and communities on how we can improve our management of New Zealand’s natural and physical resources. In doing so, we are achieving both environmental and economic improvements and a wide level of support for a Bluegreen approach.

My priorities for 2011–2014 are set out below.

  • Improving New Zealand’s freshwater management: Freshwater management is vital to New Zealand’s economy and to the quality of life that New Zealanders enjoy. I am jointly leading the development of the Fresh Start for Fresh Water Strategy with the Minister of Agriculture. The public debate started by the Land and Water Forum creates an opportunity for significant improvement in the way fresh water is managed and, therefore, the ability for New Zealand to derive additional benefit from this natural resource.
  • Establishing the Environmental Protection Authority: This new Crown agency will provide greater national leadership and enable timely decisions on critical infrastructure and other major resource consents. It will consolidate similar technical and regulatory skills within one organisation to enhance New Zealand’s environmental regulation.
  • Resource management reforms: Through these reforms we want to ensure that New Zealand manages its resources more effectively and efficiently to deliver both economic and environmental benefits. As part of the second phase, the reforms are aimed at making New Zealand’s cities more competitive, better designed, and more appealing places to live and ensure the benefits of infrastructure development are maximised.
  • Improving management of the Exclusive Economic Zone: New Zealand’s marine resources need to be managed more deliberately than they are at present, to ensure that both their environmental and economic potential is maximised. There are gaps in the regulatory system for New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including no provision for environmental assessment and consenting of some activities. This creates uncertainty for investment and risks of poor environmental outcomes. Proposals for a regulatory regime are being developed with the intention of introducing new legislation.
  • Improving reporting of New Zealand’s environmental performance: New Zealand currently does not require national level reporting about the state of the environment. There is very limited mandatory and consistent collection of environmental statistics. I intend to introduce legislation that provides for impartial and regular environmental performance reporting. Over time, this will provide a more robust picture of New Zealand’s current and projected environmental performance.
  • Operation and review of the Emissions Trading Scheme: The Emissions Trading Scheme is preparing New Zealand for a carbon-constrained future by providing the incentive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We need to ensure that it continues to be fit for purpose. A review of the scheme is required by the end of 2011. This will provide an opportunity to assess its effectiveness and how it should evolve beyond 2012 in the context of international progress on climate change and domestic action by key trading partners.
  • Ensuring that New Zealand constructively assists in achieving a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change: Dealing with serious global environmental issues such as climate change requires international collaboration. The first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol is from 2008 to 2012. The international focus is now on what replaces the current rules at the end of this period. New Zealand needs to be engaged in the design of the rules that will affect its interests and to ensure that its target reflects a fair share with respect to costs to its economy in comparison with other nations.

I also expect the Ministry for the Environment to continue its efforts on improving air quality, waste minimisation and management, and a National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity.

The environment and economy are inextricably linked. New Zealand makes a living from its environment in many often competing ways – from fresh water for irrigation for export food, to lake water for recreation by overseas tourists. The establishment of the Green Growth Advisory Group, and its linking with the similar work of the OECD, will also inform the Ministry’s ongoing work programme.

How we choose to manage our environment and economy has a direct impact on the legacy we leave for future generations. That is why it is important that all groups work together to decide collectively what is best and then work together to achieve it.

Ministerial statement of responsibility

I am satisfied 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.

Hon Dr Nick Smith
Minister for the Environment
Minister for Climate Change Issues
Responsible Minister for Ministry for the Environment
13 April 2011