Outcome 4: Management of Natural Resources to Meet the Sustainable Economic, Environmental and Cultural Values, Aspirations and Obligations of New Zealanders
This outcome focuses on enhancing the contribution that the sectors can make to society's wellbeing over the long term. It recognises that agricultural, horticultural and forestry development and trade should not be at the expense of natural resources (water, soil, biodiversity and atmosphere) and must be in tune with New Zealand society's expectations, changing market requirements and international obligations.
New Zealand's productive industries have a major influence on the sustainable development of natural resources. The agricultural, horticultural and forestry sectors collectively manage almost 60% of New Zealand's land area and agriculture and horticulture use around 77% of all water currently abstracted from lakes, rivers and groundwater. Sustainable production requires the sectors to manage their use of and impacts on natural resources and the impact their activities have on other societal values (including recreational and cultural) in a way that is environmentally, socially, culturally and economically sustainable.
New Zealand is under an increasing threat from exotic organisms that pose risks to our natural resources and there are a number of established pests, weeds and diseases that are damaging to our natural resources and must be effectively managed.
We will know that this outcome is being achieved when New Zealand experiences:
- A demonstrated level of best practice sustainable management and environmental performance.
- A commitment from the sectors to engage with the community on its wider interests in natural resource management.
- Recognition for fulfilling its international obligations.
- Confidence that risks to indigenous flora and fauna are being taken into account in biosecurity decisions and are being effectively managed.
- A strong market demand for its products recognised as being sustainably produced to the highest quality standards.
Achieving positive natural resource outcomes requires concerted effort to reconcile the views and meet the expectations of a wide range of stakeholders. Particular risks associated with managing for this outcome include:
- Adverse impacts on the profitability of the sectors preventing investment in best practice.
- Reprioritisation of biosecurity expenditure resulting in reduced ability to manage pests and diseases effectively.
- Tensions between short-term economic drivers and societal expectations.
Intermediate Outcome 4.1: Sustainability of agricultural, horticultural, food and forestry-related land, biological and water resource use
MAF's key contribution:
- Developing a water allocation framework (in collaboration with the
Ministries for the Environment (MfE),of Economic Development (MED) and
the Department of Conservation (DOC)
- Developing policy options for land access
- Encouraging voluntary pursuit of best practice
Maintaining the ongoing ability of soils, water and gene stocks to support production and maintaining community confidence are fundamental to the ongoing viability of the sectors. Sectoral resource management practices can have adverse external impacts that should be avoided or mitigated. Achieving best practice in terms of environmental and animal welfare management is required to meet the expectations of society and of consumers in particular. Additionally, the pursuit of best practice in all aspects of the supply chain – “paddock to plate” and “forest to furniture” – will enhance New Zealand's product image, market access, market advantage and ability to earn premiums. “Market success” as distinct from “market access” can substantially contribute to social, environmental and economic benefits.
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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's key contribution:
- Safeguarding our biologically-based economy and biodiversity from
biosecurity risks
The Biosecurity Strategy states – “Biosecurity is not an end in itself. Biosecurity contributes to achieving wider goals, including those set out in the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy, the Government's Growth and Innovation Strategy and the Government's principles for sustainable development. Biosecurity is a cross-cutting issue, contributing to a wide range of outcomes for the economy, biodiversity, human health and national identity”.
MAF has the leadership, co-ordinating and major operational role in safeguarding New Zealand's biologically based economy and its biodiversity from biosecurity risks. MAF and the other biosecurity agencies – DOC, MFish and MoH – have developed a framework for biosecurity that identifies the various goals and demonstrates how biosecurity contributes to them. Within this framework, there are three goals for the biosecurity system:
- The public are active and supportive participants in the biosecurity system.
- Biosecurity pests do not cross New Zealand's borders and cause damage.
- The damage caused by biosecurity pests that have established in New Zealand is reduced.
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Intermediate Outcome 4.3: Protection of Māori biologically based economic resources
MAF's key contribution:
-Implementing the Biosecurity Strategy
-Implementing MAF's Māori strategy
Māori own substantial biological and land-based resources in the agriculture, horticulture, forestry and seafood sectors which are critical for Māori economic development. These resources are subject to biosecurity risks and MAF will work with Māori to strengthen biosecurity protection for these resources.
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Intermediate Outcome 4.4: Protection of Māori biologically based cultural resources
This focuses on the protection of biologically based cultural resources, for example indigenous flora and fauna of cultural – as opposed to economic – importance to Māori.
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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
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