Outcome 4

Management of Natural Resources to Meet the Sustainable Economic, Environmental and Cultural Values, Aspirations and Obligations of New Zealanders

This outcome covers the long term environmental and therefore economic sustainability of the primary production sector and focuses on enhancing the contribution the sector can make to society's wellbeing. It includes the sustainability of soil, water, and biological resources, and biosecurity and addresses any negative impacts of sector activity on the environment. It recognises primary sector development and trade should not be at the expense of natural resources, and must be aligned with society's expectations, changing market requirements and international obligations.

State indicators:

  • Rates of erosion and degradation of New Zealand's soil resources.
  • Sustainability of New Zealand's allocation and management of freshwater resources.
  • Freshwater quality.
  • Sustainability of New Zealand's biological resources.
  • Number of species, terrestrial and aquatic sites and environments threatened by biosecurity pests.
  • Number of species, terrestrial and aquatic sites and environments being protected by biosecurity programmes.
  • Animal, plant and seafood resources of economic significance to Māori damaged by biosecurity pests.
  • Māori biologically-based cultural resources damaged by biosecurity pests.
  What MAF Does... Performance Measures Collaboration

Intermediate Outcome 4.1:

Sustainability of agriculture, food and forestry-related land, biological and water resource use

MAF's contribution to sustainable development includes the development of well-informed policies which optimise socio-economic benefits to New Zealand while protecting the biophysical environment and sustaining the country's ability to draw resources and services from that environment. This will be achieved through the creation of a sustainable development framework, proactive advice, stakeholder engagement, and identification and response to critical sustainability issues.
  • Completion and publication of a sustainable development framework for the agriculture and forestry industries.
  • Development of the policy framework to improve water quality, especially by reducing nitrification of waterways.
  • Improvement in the framework for the allocation of freshwater among competing users.
  • Improvement of policies and initiatives to conserve soils and protect soil quality.
  • Development of effective strategies and policies to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and forestry.
  • Development of initiatives to assist the agriculture and forestry industries to adapt to climate change.
  •  
 MAF will be engaging with a wide range of collaboration partners in its work on sustainable development. These will include the MED, MfE, Regional Councils, and the agriculture, and forestry industries.

Currently MAF and the MfE are working together on the Sustainable Water Programme of Action, which focuses on water quality and allocation.

Intermediate Outcome 4.2:

Protection from biosecurity pests of the economic, environmental, recreational and cultural values and benefits associated with land, biological and water environments

 MAF and the other biosecurity agencies - the Department of Conservation (DOC) and MoH - have developed a biosecurity framework identifying goals and demonstrating the biosecurity contribution. MAF will identify priorities and improve risk management systems for protecting the full range of values in this framework.
  • Development of a standard process for making risk management decisions across the biosecurity system taking into account the broad set of values.
  • Management of the risks associated with the establishment of pests and diseases in New Zealand, where practical and efficient.
  • Improvement in capability to manage high impact pests.
  • Improvement in compliance with biosecurity and related legislation.
 MAF works with Regional Councils, DOC and other organisations (e.g. Fish and Game New Zealand) to ensure that there are people on the ground to raise public awareness and highlight the importance of personal responsibility in attempts to reduce the further spread of pests such as Didymosphenia.

 

Intermediate Outcome 4.3:

Protection of Maori biologically-based economic resources

 Māori own substantial biological and land-based resources in the agriculture, horticulture, forestry and seafood sectors critical for Māori economic development. These resources are subject to biosecurity risks and MAF will work with Māori to strengthen biosecurity protection around these resources.
  • Reduction of damage to animal, plant and seafood resources of economic significance to Māori by biosecurity pests.
  • Increased input by Māori into the development of MAF planning, policy development, research, standards setting and operational activities.
 MAF liaises with iwi and hapu in high biosecurity risk regions such as Auckland, through both formal and informal processes. This strengthens MAF's relationship with Māori on a local level and raises Māori awareness of, and input into, MAF's biosecurity activities.

Intermediate Outcome 4.4:

Protection of Maori biologically-based cultural resources

 The biosecurity programme needs to reflect the protection of indigenous biodiversity of cultural value to Māori. MAF's focus will be on developing and improving relationships and networks to ensure the biosecurity programme is responsive to the needs and aspirations of Māori and that effective consultation contributes to biosecurity decision-making.
  • Increased staff awareness of Māori needs and aspirations and how these can best be met in a way that enhances the performance of MAF's biosecurity system.
  • Enhancement of working relationships, and network development, with appropriate Māori groups on biosecurity issues.
  • Development of a communications strategy to specifically inform Māori of MAF processes.
 MAF's Māori Strategy Unit advises MAF's business groups about Māori concerns regarding the sensitivities in the handling of taonga. Other government agencies (e.g. ERMA and MfE) also contribute to the protection of biologically-based resources.

 

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Contact for Enquiries

Strategy and Performance Group
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington

Tel: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0738 Contact this person

 
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