Figure 1: Process for developing a national policy statement or national environmental standard

Text description of figure:

The first step is to define the suite of actions to improve freshwater management. Cabinet decides to establish a Reference Group to report on potential use of national policy statement and/or national environment standard for some water issues. (We are currently at this step in the process.) The Reference Group then meets to discuss issues. The Reference Group then releases a draft report for public comment.

Cabinet decides whether to proceed with an national policy statement and/or national environmental standard.

• If Cabinet decides on an national environmental standard, the Minister for the Environment notifies the public and establishes a process that gives public adequate opportunity to comment.
• If Cabinet decides on a national policy statement, a proposed national policy statement is drafted. There are two possible actions from here:
  1. The proposed national policy statement can be referred to a Board of Inquiry, which conducts a process set out in the Act, including calling for public submissions and holding hearings.
  2. Alternatively, the process, including consultation, is determined by the Minister for the Environment.