Introduction from the Chief Executive
The demands on, and expectations of, the Ministry for the Environment have changed significantly over the past few years. The Ministry is focused on building the capacity to respond effectively to the demands and expectations now being placed on it.
At the heart of these demands and expectations are three things.
First, with the country heavily reliant on its natural environment for its economic well-being, having an environment that is amongst the best in the world is an integral part of New Zealand’s identity and competitive advantage. This requires the Ministry to have a clear view of the future desirable environmental outcomes that should characterise New Zealand in areas such as water, soil and air quality, the minimisation of waste, and key aspects of our biodiversity.
Second, achieving high environmental standards such as lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved water and air quality, and better waste management will require significant changes in farming, business and household practices over time. The Ministry will need to have a strong focus on, and understanding of, the nature of the changes facing the different sectors of New Zealand and the best approaches to adapting their ways of operating over future years.
Central to sustainable development will be the need to effectively integrate environmental considerations into the decision-making of individuals, households, communities, business and farming. This will lead to better environmental outcomes that are associated with strong economic growth and positive social and cultural development.
The degree of change facing the Ministry is considerable and has happened in a relatively short space of time. In moving forward it is important that we build from the many existing strengths and expertise of staff. Key areas of priority include:
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developing its knowledge and evidence base relating to indicators and measures of environmental quality
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becoming more strongly outcome-driven, underpinned by a strong evidence and evaluation base relating to the effectiveness of different ways of intervention and influencing, and achieving and sustaining good environmental outcomes
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the ability to influence in a highly strategic way is essential given the relatively small size of the Ministry for the Environment. This requires working effectively in networked ways across agencies, organisations and disciplines to encompass environmental perspectives into their decision-making
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working closely with other agencies and sectors to assist them to adapt to higher environmental standards and climate changes
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leading and supporting more areas of international engagement and agreements relating to climate change and other aspects of environmental policies.
The Ministry will need to invest in the development of staff, organisational capabilities, relationships, strategies, systems and processes to meet future demands and expectations.
Events over the past year have identified some areas of organisational weakness. Priority areas for development are being identified and will be addressed with urgency.
However, the changes involved should be seen in the context of a small agency moving into a more complex and demanding work environment that requires it to make major shifts in its roles and capabilities within a relatively short period of time.
I have found in the Ministry a willingness and openness to meet the challenges ahead. There is a lot of energy being directed at putting in place the strategies that will give a new cohesive, integrated, strategic focus to the organisation and its development. There is a clear focus on reviewing and strengthening core business processes.
Over the next three years I expect the Ministry to become more explicitly outcome-driven in thinking about the key shifts in environmental quality required and more strategic in its relationships to extend the reach of its influence.
I am optimistic about the Ministry’s ability to do this, and that the development of new capabilities will be supported by other agencies which are facing the need to integrate stronger environmental perspectives into their work.
Howard Fancy
Acting Chief Executive
