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1 Introduction

In November 2006 the Ministry for the Environment published a discussion paper titled Working Towards a Comprehensive Policy Framework for Managing Contaminated Land in New Zealand (Ministry for the Environment, 2006c), hereafter referred to as the discussion paper. This discussion paper formed the basis for discussion with stakeholders, and comprised three main elements:

  • an overview of the policy measures that make up New Zealand’s existing contaminated land policy framework

  • an assessment of the framework to identify gaps and possible solutions

  • a proposed Ministry work programme drawing on the identified solutions.

Submissions were sought and workshops held to inform and confirm the Ministry’s indicative contaminated work programme.

During the submission period 320 people participated in 13 workshops held throughout the country. These workshops aimed to prompt submissions on the paper and facilitate discussion about contaminated land issues. Participants represented local authorities, health agencies, industry, consultants, the community, professional groups and iwi authorities.

Sixty-two submissions were received on the discussion document. These submissions and the workshop findings are summarised and reported in a companion to this paper, Working Towards a Comprehensive Policy Framework for Managing Contaminated Land in New Zealand – Report on Submissions (Ministry for the Environment, 2007), hereafter referred to as the Report on Submissions.

This paper sets out a prioritised Ministry work programme designed to help manage contaminated land, as follows:

  • chapter 2 describes the main issues

  • chapter 3 confirms the indicative work programme

  • chapter 4 describes the next steps and expected timeframe.

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