Perceptions of MAF's regulatory impact on the grain and seed industry
Foreword
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is a regulator, as well as a provider of services to New Zealanders and policy advice to the Government. While there are potentially differing views about whether any regulation is warranted or fair, (which are policy choice questions), stakeholders' view on the implementation of regulation are a key indicator of a regulatory agency's performance.
In order for MAF to develop greater knowledge of its regulatory performance, it needs to understand the nature of stakeholders' perceptions of the implementation of its regulatory interventions, as well as general perceptions of the Ministry by its stakeholders.
This outside-in review seeks to generate this sort of information, that is, how MAF is perceived by a specific group of stakeholders – the grain and seed industry. In this sense it is about looking at ourselves through the eyes of a group of people we deal with, and, as our relationship with the grain and seed industry is mainly as a regulator, it's not always going to be complimentary.
This is because the relationship between the regulator and the regulated is inevitably an area of tension. Regulation aims to change the behaviour of individuals and/or to encourage a change in organisational activity or associated process. This may result in extra administrative responsibilities for regulated individuals and organisations or a range of specific (often compulsory) services may be provided by a regulator to individuals and organisations within an industry to ensure regulatory objectives are achieved.
In this study therefore we are mainly interested in the regulatory "service" provided by MAF to the grain and seed industry. While industry members are not "consumers of regulatory services" in a market sense, there is a service experience and we are interested in understanding how that experience is perceived. This is important if we are to maintain and adapt the service standards expected of us by Government, industry stakeholders and the New Zealand public.
While we may not agree with all the views received in this study, it is important to recognise they exist and understand how these perceptions may have come about. MAF is committed to ensuring our regulatory performance contributes positively to the sustainable development of our land-based industries. This means listening to those people we deal with for their view on our performance.
Paul Stocks
Deputy Director-General
Strategy and Performance Group
Contact for Enquiries
MAF Information Services
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
Fax: +64 4 894 0721
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