The New Wave In Consulting - Hamilton

June 20, 2001

Hamilton: WestpacTrust Lounge, Seddon Road, on Monday 25 June, 5.30pm

An independent Ministerial Advisory Committee, led by Dame Cath Tizard, starts a public consultation campaign to contribute to a national Oceans Policy, next week in Hamilton on Monday 25 June.

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

Committee Chair, Dame Cath Tizard said that 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 deep bond with our oceans.

"What we do want our oceans to be like in the future; for the next generation?" Dame Cath asked. "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 legislative framework that currently relates to the use of the oceans is complicated, piecemeal and contradictory. We need an Oceans Policy to help us resolve actual and potential conflict between different human uses of our oceans."

"This consultation is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Hamiltonians, along with all other New Zealanders, to have their say.

"By canvassing people at this grassroots level, we can hope to understand what our oceans mean to us as a nation. This will underpin the coming policy development," she said.

The committee has 36 public meetings and 12 hui scheduled from Kaitaia to Stewart Island over the next seven weeks, which Kiwis are encouraged to attend. 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 and talking about one's vision and values for the ocean is surprisingly difficult, as we benefit from it in so many diverse ways, and so many of the things we do affect the oceans. That's why we are visiting Hamilton in person, to talk with people. Also, to help people through their submissions, there is a booklet available with questions for people to think about," Dame Cath said.

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

The public consultation work of the committee 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 this first stage, and the third phase is implementation of the policy, with ongoing public consultation. 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