Strategic Direction
The state of New Zealand’s environment and the pressures on it, the Government’s policies and priorities, and the outcomes that the Ministry is trying to achieve provide the foundation for the Ministry’s work programmes.
The Government’s priorities 2009 – 2012
The Government’s priorities and expectations for the next three years are set out in the Speech from the Throne and in the confidence and supply agreements between political parties. Relevant Government priorities, and the Ministry’s contribution to those priorities, are set out in the table below. These Government priorities establish the wider context for the ministerial priorities outlined on page 3.
| Government priority 1 | Ministry contribution to priorities |
|---|---|
|
Pursue an appropriate balance between meeting our environmental responsibilities and taking up economic opportunities Reduce regulatory and compliance demands that get in the way of productivity growth |
Lead work to improve and streamline the Resource Management Act, including:
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As a responsible international citizen, contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and confronting global climate change Review the Emissions Trading Scheme to ensure the reduction of emissions in ways that result in least cost to society and the economy |
Contribute to New Zealand’s efforts in negotiations for a comprehensive post–2012 international agreement to reduce greenhouse gases Advise the special Select Committee appointed to review the Emissions Trading Scheme and implement the decisions of the Government |
| Complete final durable settlements of historical Treaty of Waitangi grievances | Contribute to negotiations related to natural resources and implement settlement obligations |
| Deliver high quality public services that make the most out of every dollar | Continue to ensure that the Ministry’s activities and expenditure are aligned with government priorities and will deliver value for public money. |
The Ministry’s outcomes framework
The Ministry’s outcomes framework comprises four end outcomes, four intermediate outcomes, and the expected impacts of our work (results we are seeking to achieve) in eleven work programmes. These are summarised in the figure on page 10.
Since the last Statement of Intent, the Ministry has reviewed and confirmed our end outcomes, developed a set of intermediate outcomes, and reviewed all work programmes so that our work is better aligned with the expectations of the Government.
Further work will be undertaken over the period of this Statement of Intent on the outcomes framework and the performance measures that will enable us to demonstrate progress towards the outcomes.
Key concepts
Three key concepts underpin our outcomes and are at the heart of the Ministry’s work – behaviour change, shared responsibility for action, and environmental stewardship.
Behaviour change: New Zealand’s prosperity and quality of life will be enhanced if more New Zealanders adopt sustainable practices and efficient use of natural resources. The key to achieving these changes is championing good practice and breaking the link to practices and decisions that result in the unwise use of natural resources – for example, breaking the link between waste and New Zealand’s rate of economic growth.
Shared responsibility for action: Without shared responsibility for leadership and action across government agencies, individuals, communities, cultures and businesses, little will happen. The foundation for shared environmental responsibility is sufficient:
- information on costs, benefits and productive activities
- direction on the national interest as a common basis for action by individuals, communities and government
- incentives for change, coupled with reinforcement and encouragement to continue environment-friendly behaviour
- resources, training, guidance, etc, to assist action.
Environmental stewardship: Environmental strategies need to deliver as many benefits as possible across all outcomes for all New Zealanders – including environmental, social, cultural and economic goals. This includes:
- cooperative development of policies, legislation, regulations and guidance
- evidence-based policy, using appropriate science and research
- interventions that advance the sustainable development and efficient use of natural and physical resources
- selecting the most efficient combination of tools to encourage change that reflects New Zealanders’ values and the weight of evidence.
End outcomes
The end outcomes represent the environmental conditions required to support long-term prosperity and quality of life for New Zealand. The focus on economic, social and cultural interests in the end outcomes is deliberate, recognising that environmental health is not an end in itself – it reflects the significant benefits for all New Zealanders from addressing environmental issues.
The end outcomes (see figure on page 10) are interrelated and interdependent. For New Zealand to capitalise on its natural environmental advantages, it needs a healthy natural and built environment, along with effective management and sustainable use of natural resources. These, in turn, depend on minimising the risks from pollution, contamination and other environmental hazards that could compromise the health of air, water, land and communities.
While the Ministry has a significant interest in the achievement of the end outcomes, there are many other contributors to their achievement. We are not directly responsible for managing aspects of the environment such as waterways or urban areas. Others are also responsible for activities that support these end outcomes.
The long term nature of the end outcomes means that progress is tracked using a range of indicators. The Ministry’s environmental reporting programme provides regular information about the state of the natural environment, pressures and trends. Where information is available that is relevant to particular work programmes, we have provided this as part of the Operating Intentions section.
As the Ministry is only one player in environmental management, these trends cannot be attributed directly to the Ministry’s activities. They help to show progress across New Zealand towards the end outcomes.
Intermediate outcomes
The intermediate outcomes are the pre-conditions for New Zealand being able to capitalise economically, socially and culturally on its natural environmental advantages. The intermediate outcomes (see page 10) represent the:
- minimum changes – a commitment to sustainable development and use of resources; adaptation to changing environmental conditions
- essential resources – appropriate information on which to base decisions; wider understanding of risk and opportunities
that are required to enable measurable progress towards the end outcomes. The intermediate outcomes integrate the interests of sustainable development, environment change and a productive natural environment that feature in the end outcomes.
Although the Ministry is responsible for work programmes that target these intermediate outcomes, other agencies, stakeholders and sectors will also contribute to their achievement.
The intermediate outcomes are organised in layers that reflect the cause and effect relationships between the behaviour changes (intermediate outcomes one and two) and their enabling interventions (intermediate outcomes three and four).
Better knowledge and understanding of the opportunities and risks are the foundation for decision making informed by appropriate legislation, standards, practices and advice. In turn, these are the foundation for the sustainable development and use of natural resources, and adapting to the impacts of changing environmental conditions.
1 Speech from the Throne, 9 December 2008
