The New Wave in Consulting

6 July 2001

Invercargill: Environment Southland Council Chambers,
Corner North Road & Price Street,
Tuesday 10 July, 5.30pm

A group drawn from an independent Ministerial Advisory Committee and led by Chair Dame Catherine Tizard, will be visiting Invercargill on Tuesday 10 July to find out what local people value about the oceans.

The eight person Ministerial Advisory Committee for Oceans Policy, has been set up to conduct the public consultation. The committee is travelling the country over the next two months to listen to and report on New Zealanders' values and vision in relation to the oceans.

"As people of a maritime nation, with the fourth largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world, even New Zealanders who don't live by the sea have a stake in the management of our oceans," said Dame Cath.

"What do we want our oceans to be like for coming generations? What do we value about our seas and coastlines? What are the 'values and visions' that we share or the areas of disagreement about our use of the maritime environment?

"The laws that currently relate to the use of the oceans are complicated, piecemeal and contradictory. Coherence is needed in legislation and management. We need a comprehensive Oceans Policy to help resolve conflict between different human uses of our oceans.

"This round of consultation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the people of Southland, along with all other New Zealanders, to have their input into the policy development process. This is an innovative move which will underpin the coming policy development," she said.

There are more than 50 public meetings and hui scheduled from Kaitaia to Stewart Island over seven weeks. The meetings are designed to inform people about the scope and context of the Oceans Policy values consultation, and to spread the word about the opportunity to contribute.

"Thinking about one's values and vision for the oceans is surprisingly difficult, as we benefit from them in so many ways, and so many of the things we do as a nation affects the oceans. That's why we are visiting Invercargill in person, to talk with people. To stimulate new thinking we have developed a booklet with a seven question guide to making submissions," Dame Cath said.

Other elements of the campaign are: a schools' programme, a website and an 0800 number so people can request copies of the booklet or details on public meetings.

This is the first stage of a three stage Oceans Policy process. The second stage focuses on designing policies to achieve the vision set out by New Zealanders in the first stage, and the third phase is implementation. This three stage process provides opportunities for input at each stage.

The deadline for submissions for stage one is August 17, 2001.

For further information on the Oceans Policy and the public meetings in your area call 0800 001461 or check www.oceans.govt.nz

• Unique - once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
• Get Involved
• No pre-determined outcome: it's up to you