Dame Cath Tizard To Lead Oceans Policy Group
A widely experienced group of eight New Zealanders, led by Dame Catherine Tizard, has been chosen by the Government to lead a six-month public consultation process on the development of a national Oceans Policy.
Pete Hodgson, who is leading a committee of ministers responsible for the policy, said he was very pleased with the depth and expertise of the group.
"Leading this process is going to be a very challenging task," Mr Hodgson said. "There is a very wide range of conflicting interests in our oceans. We have looked for people able to lead a consultation process that will increase understanding and begin to find a basis in shared values for resolving those conflicts.
"The development of an Oceans Policy is going to be as significant for New Zealand as the resource management law reform process begun under the last Labour government. There are at least 18 pieces of domestic legislation and fourteen departments of state involved in managing the marine environment. But there is no overall policy framework to ensure they work together consistently, towards agreed goals. That is the gap an Oceans Policy will fill."
The ministerial advisory committee will be responsible for managing and leading a nationwide consultation process to identify New Zealanders' goals for managing our oceans. It is due to report to ministers by 30 September 2001.
Mr Hodgson said the Government was entering the consultation process with an open mind. Developing an Oceans Policy would not necessarily involve progress towards a single piece of legislation, as with the resource management law reform process, or a restructuring of government agencies. The final result could be a combination of policy and legislative initiatives.
"Dame Cath's group will be challenging all users of our oceans to make some hard choices about what's really important to them and what responsibility they are prepared to accept for the greater good. This will be hard work, but I'm confident the advisory committee is up to the task."
The ministerial group on Oceans Policy comprises Mr Hodgson, Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff, Conservation Minister Sandra Lee, Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia and Commerce Minister Paul Swain.
Attached: Ministerial Advisory Committee member biographies, terms of reference, Minister's briefing to the group.
Oceans Policy Ministerial Advisory Committee - Members
Chair
Dame Catherine Tizard
Dame Cath Tizard
was Governor-General of New Zealand from 1990-96. She is a
former Mayor of Auckland and former city and regional
councillor. Before entering local politics she was a senior
tutor in zoology at the University of Auckland for 20 years.
Dame Cath has had extensive involvement with community,
charity, sporting and educational organisations. She is
currently chairperson of the New Zealand Historic Places
Trust and the Sky City Charitable Trust, a director of the
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Trust Board and America's Cup
Village, and trustee of the Enterprise New Zealand
Trust.
Members
David Anderson
David Anderson is
an accountant and company director, currently involved in
tourism in the South Pacific and in venture capital for
small and emerging companies. He has an extensive
background in the fishing industry, having been Chief
Executive of Sanford Ltd, Deputy Chair of the Fishing
Industry Board and President of the New Zealand Fishing
Industry Association.
Dr John ( Mac ) Beggs
Mac Beggs,
a geologist, is a partner and co-managing director in
GeoSphere Explorations, a New Zealand oil and gas
exploration consultancy. He has previously worked as a
petroleum geologist at the Institute of Geological and
Nuclear Sciences and the former Department of Scientific and
Industrial Research. He has experience of government policy
working groups in relation to Crown minerals and the United
Nations Convention on Law of the Sea.
Mark
Bellingham
Mark Bellingham is a lecturer in planning at
Massey University. He has experience with local government
both as an Auckland Regional Councillor and as a planning
consultant involved in statutory processes. He has a
background with environmental NGOs, having been employed by
both Forest and Bird and the Maruia Society. He is a Board
member of the Environmental Defence Society.
Te Kou
Rikirangi (Riki) Gage
Riki Gage is the Executive
Director of Te Runanga o te Whanau Tribal Authority, based
in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. His tribal affiliations are Te
Whanau a Apanui, Te Whakatohea, Ngati Porou and Ngati
Maniapoto. He is a director of TWA Holdings and TWA Fishing,
both tribal fishing companies. He has worked in the public
service as a Treaty Issues adviser and Iwi Development
Officer, represented the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries
Commission at an international convention on biodiversity,
and acted as a negotiator for Mataatua tribes on fisheries
claims.
David McDowell
David McDowell is a former
Chief Executive of both the Department of Prime Minister and
Cabinet and the Department of Conservation. He also served
as New Zealand Ambassador to Japan and the United Nations.
He is currently working as an independent advisor to the
World Bank, having recently completed a term as
Director-General of the World Conservation Union.
Dr
Abigail Smith
Abigail Smith is a senior lecturer in
marine science at the University of Otago, a lecturer in
science and mathematics at Dunedin College of Education and
a director of AMS Research. She has been a consultant in
mathematics and science education. Dr Smith has published
extensively on pure and applied marine science, including
issues of water quality and coastal erosion.
Wally
Stone
Wally Stone has been the Chief Executive of Whale
Watch Kaikoura since 1993. He is a director of the
Canterbury Tourism Council, Naturally Kaikoura (a regional
marketing company) and Coffee Culture (owner of two coffee
outlets). He is actively involved in the tourism industry at
both a national and regional level through the New Zealand
Tourism Industry Association and other industry
organisations.
Ministerial Advisory Committee
on
the Oceans Policy
Terms of Reference
Introduction
Government has decided to develop an Oceans Policy to identify the goals and principles for managing the marine environment and the best way to achieve those goals. Cabinet has established a group of Ministers to oversee the development of an Oceans Policy and agreed that the policy be developed in three stages.
„h The first stage will be Defining the Vision and will identify the goals and principles important to managing the marine environment.
„h The second stage will be Designing the Vision and will require analysing the status quo and identifying the necessary tools and policies to achieve the desired vision.
„h The third stage will be Delivering the Vision and will involve creating the tools and legal and institutional frameworks identified in stage two as necessary to achieve the vision.
Ministers wish to establish a Ministerial Advisory Committee on Oceans Policy (¡§the Committee¡¨) to assist them, for stage one of the process, in their role of overseeing the development of the Oceans Policy. The Committee is to assist with defining the vision, in particular undertaking the public consultation process.
The role of the Committee is to assist Ministers to Define the Vision by managing and leading the process of identifying the shared vision, goals and objectives of New Zealanders for managing New Zealand¡¦s oceans. The Committee¡¦s role will conclude when it has reported to Ministers on the outcomes of the consultation process, which it is expected to do by 30 September 2001.
1. Membership of the Committee. The Committee will consist of eight members, appointed by Cabinet upon the recommendation of the ad hoc Ministerial Group on the Oceans Policy.
2. Chairperson and deputy chairperson. Cabinet will appoint one of the members of the Committee as the chairperson and the Committee may appoint one its members as the deputy chairperson if it wishes.
3. Responsibilities.
The members of the Committee are responsible to Ministers
for completing the following key tasks:
a) Developing and
recommending advice on a process by which to consult with
New Zealanders to identify a shared vision for managing New
Zealand¡¦s oceans; and the goals, principles and objectives
to achieve such a vision. This process is to be undertaken
in two stages. The first stage will be preliminary
consultation with targeted groups to assist in identifying
relevant issues and developing consultation material. The
second stage is to consult more widely on options for the
shared vision, goals, objectives and principles relevant to
managing the marine environment.
b) Leading and managing
the consultation process approved by Ministers and ensuring
the process is undertaken in a manner that provides
independence and integrity to the process and is able to
provide credible advice to Ministers
c) Reporting to
Ministers on the range of views, values, principles and any
shared vision identified in the course of the consultation
process; the issues that need to be addressed; and
recommendations on goals, objectives and principles to
support enduring long-term solutions for the management of
New Zealand¡¦s marine environment.
4. Documentation. The
Committee is responsible to Ministers for preparing the
following documents:
a) A report outlining the proposed
process for consultation with all interested parties, to be
completed by 31 March 2001
b) Any documents identified as
necessary to the approved consultation process
c) Any
interim reports requested by Ministers
d) A final report
outlining the views, values and principles and any shared
vision raised in the consultation process, issues that need
to be addressed and associated key risks, and recommended
goals, objectives and principles for the management of New
Zealand¡¦s oceans, by 30 September 2001.
5. The Oceans
Policy consultation process. The function of the Committee
is to develop and lead a consultation process that:
a)
identifies all values held by New Zealanders in relation to
the marine environment, the relative significance of those
values and any conflict between such values
b) provides
for the input and participation of Maori in the consultation
process
c) identifies and defines the nature of the
rights and interests that exist in relation to the marine
environment
d) considers the nature and extent of rights
and interests in relation to the marine environment
e)
creates an environment in which it is safe for participants
to freely express their opinions and in which all views are
accorded respect
„h fosters relationships between groups
and sectors, which contribute to a greater understanding and
acceptance of the different values and interests
f)
identifies and challenges assumptions relating to managing
the marine environment
g) identifies and acknowledges
possible constraints on outcomes
h) promotes amongst
participants a sense of responsibility for the solution
i) provides participants with a sense that they can
influence possible outcomes
j) identifies principles that
could support enduring long-term solutions.
6. Compliance
with Government policies. In performing its functions and
exercising its duties and powers the Committee must:
a)
act in accordance with the policy of the Government as it
affects the responsibilities of the Committee; and
b)
comply with any directions that are given by the Ministerial
Group to the Committee in writing.
Duty to act in good faith. Members of the Committee have a duty to act bona fide in what they consider as the best interests of both the Committee and the Government to fulfil these Terms of Reference.
Disclosure of interest. Members of the Committee will disclose direct or indirect interests that may affect their judgement, or be perceived to affect their judgement, in the exercising of their duties and will not take part in any deliberation or decision of the Committee relating to the matter in which the member has the interest.
Remuneration of Committee members. Fees and allowances will be paid to the chair and to members of the Committee in accordance with the established guidelines for classification and remuneration of statutory and other bodies appointed by the Crown.
Term of appointment. The members of the Committee hold office during the pleasure of the Ministerial Group and the Committee shall conclude its function following submission of its final report to Ministers but no later than 30 September 2001.
Briefing note for Ministerial Advisory Committee
members
Welcome to a very exciting project that will
impact on all New Zealanders: the development of a New
Zealand Oceans Policy.
The aim is to create an integrated
and comprehensive framework to manage the ways in which we
engage with the marine environment.
Your role is central
to the success of developing an Oceans Policy that will
uniquely reflect New Zealand and the relationship New
Zealanders have with the marine environment.
The
development of an Oceans Policy is a priority issue for this
Government. Current management frameworks fail to meet all
existing operational issues associated with the marine
environment. Nor are they adequately managing the
opportunities and challenges of the future.
Developing
an Oceans Policy will help us to fix both these problems.
You are now a key part of that process. I am very
grateful for the commitment you have made and the time and
energy you have agreed to contribute.
I launched this
project on 12 October 2000 and I spoke then about the
relationship we all, as New Zealanders, have with the ocean.
.
It is central to our economy. It is central to our
sense of who we are. It defined how we got to be here and
is still the principal feature to be navigated when we leave
New Zealand.
The decisions we make about how we manage
our interaction with the marine environment must reflect
this relationship and the values we hold in relation to it.
For that reason, the first stage of the process to develop
our Oceans Policy will be to define a vision for managing
how we interact with our oceans. You have an integral role
in this process.
As a member of the Ministerial Advisory
Committee, I am asking you to lead and facilitate meetings,
hui, and whatever other communication methods you think best
to engage the public generally in thinking about our oceans,
what they mean to us and what we want from them.
You are
not responsible for resolving policy issues. You are not
advocates for particular perspectives or views. You were
not appointed as representatives of sector interests or
specific value systems. You have been appointed because,
you have the skills and experience necessary to engage in
constructive conversations with New Zealanders about what
they want to happen with the marine environment.
Your
role is to invite New Zealanders to be involved in
determining a shared vision. You will need to encourage
people to identify the assumptions they make when describing
what they want. You will need to challenge and test those
assumptions and put them in the context of the views of
others.
You will need to discuss with people what they
would be prepared to do, or give up doing, to ensure the
outcomes they want. You will need to move them beyond the
grievances they have with the status quo to how they can be
a part of something different.
We need you to provide us
with an insight into New Zealanders values in relation to
the marine environment and with guidance on how to set
priorities and reconcile competing interests.
This is a
unique process. Through you the Government is going out to
communities, with an open mind, to find out what New
Zealanders want for their oceans. There are no predetermined
goals. But this does not mean you are not going out to
communities with a ¡¥blank piece of paper¡¦. People need to
be able to get an understanding of the context in which the
Oceans Policy is being developed. They need to know why it
is being developed and what will happen if we don't succeed.
Initially this will mean talking to people about what
our oceans encompass, and explaining the many and varied
interests that exist in relation to our marine
environment.
To do this, you will meet Maori, local
government, stakeholders and the public. You will discuss
with them what they want from our marine environment, why
they want it, how they think it should be achieved and what
the benefits are in achieving it.
You are then to report
to the Ministerial Group on Oceans Policy on what you have
learned and the issues raised.
Your report will help
shape the vision for how we manage the way we interact with
and use the marine environment in the future. This work will
then form the basis for the second stage of the Oceans
Policy Project, which is to define the necessary mechanisms
to achieve the vision.
The first task for the Committee
is to determine a strategy for engaging with the public
generally on the Oceans Policy Project. This will not be
easy.
The strategy and process for engaging with
communities is vitally important. The success of your work
depends on ensuring we consult in a way that is fair and
open to all members of the community. You must seek to
build and maintain trust, provide independence and integrity
to the process and supply credible advice to the
Government.
The terms of reference for the Committee
specifically ask you to develop and lead a consultation
process that:
„h identifies all values held by New
Zealanders in relation to the marine environment, the
relative significance of those values and any conflict
between such values;
„h provides for the input and
participation of Maori in the consultation process;
„h
identifies and defines the nature of the rights and
interests that exist in relation to the marine
environment;
„h considers the nature and extent of rights
and interests in relation to the marine environment;
„h
creates an environment in which it is safe for participants
to freely express their opinions and in which all views are
accorded respect;
„h fosters relationships between groups
and sectors, which contribute to a greater understanding and
acceptance of the difference values and interests;
„h
identifies and challenges assumptions relating to managing
the marine environment;
„h identifies and acknowledges
possible constraints on outcomes;
„h promotes amongst
participants a sense of responsibility for the
solution;
„h provides participants with a sense that they
can influence possible outcomes; and
„h identifies
principles that could support enduring long term
solutions.
There are inherent risks in the approach being
taken to developing the Oceans Policy and you need to be
aware of these. The process will not succeed if:
„h the
process is not seen as credible and does not obtain the buy
in of stakeholders;
„h the process becomes focussed on
operational problems with the status quo and a forum for
further exchanges of entrenched views;
„h there is no
common understanding of what the process is intended to
achieve and the means by which that can be achieved;
„h
there is no willingness to accept any responsibility for
ensuring solutions to identified problems; and
„h
agreement is reached only at such a high level that tensions
and conflicts cannot be successfully resolved and hence no
meaningful improvements occur.
The process must be seen
as capable of delivering meaningful results, which means the
approach you choose is crucial. If we are serious about
reflecting the values of New Zealanders, then all groups,
sectors and individuals who wish to participate must have
the opportunity to do so and must be encouraged with open
minds.
You will probably be asking yourself: ¡§when we
get to the end of this, how will we know that we have
succeeded?¡¨
You will have succeeded if we gain a
clear understanding of:
„h the aspirations New Zealanders
have for the marine environment;
„h the values they wish
to see guiding management decisions;
„h the basis of
competing values and interests in the marine
environment;
„h the priorities attached to differing and
competing values;
„h the ways by which competing values
and priorities can be reconciled;
„h the assumptions
people make when identifying what they want to happen with
the marine environment, and
„h the behaviours they see as
relevant to managing the marine environment
It will be
important to ensure there is a community of interest in
developing an Oceans Policy and a wide range of interests
prepared to continue to be involved in the process.
To
assist you in your role you have a group of officials drawn
from the relevant government departments and agencies.
Through them you have access to a considerable wealth of
information. I invite you to use it.
This is now our
joint project for the next six months. The Ministerial
Group is extremely pleased to be working with all of you on
it and we look forward to it being advanced and to working
closely with you on it.
Ministers are confident in the
ability of this Committee to develop a strategy to respond
to this challenge and I look forward to working with you on
this issue.
Hon Pete
Hodgson