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Publications & Reports Historical Documents Five Year Strategic Plan Archive Five Year Strategic Plan 1998-2003 5 Year Strategic Plan 1998-2003 page 2

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Five Year Strategic Plan

Foreword from the Chief Executive
Setting the scene
Future position of the Ministry
Implementing the plan
Strategic resources
People
External relationships
Information
Financial resources
Planning and evaluation
Appendix 1 - Fisheries goals and milestones
Appendix 2 - Glossary

Implementing the Plan

New ways of working

Working towards our strategic direction and achieving our goals for fisheries management requires new ways of working. These involve leadership and collaboration, and will be built around open and effective communication.

Leadership

The Ministry will take the lead in building and maintaining a common understanding within the community and among stakeholders on how to achieve sustainable fisheries in a healthy aquatic ecosystem.

We will arrive at that common understanding by:


-	facilitating discussions among stakeholders which take into account their views on the management of the fishery;
-	working with stakeholders to identify options for access to the resource in ways that guarantee healthy fisheries to 2010 and beyond;
-	informing the wider New Zealand community of the outcome of discussions, and the mechanisms for achieving sustainable fisheries in a healthy aquatic ecosystem;
-	reaching agreement on issues where that is possible and, where that is not possible, understanding and acknowledging other points of view.

Collaboration

We need to work with others who have an interest in the fishery. In particular, while maintaining our direct accountability to the Minister of Fisheries, we will:


-	forge new relationships with stakeholders based on a cooperative approach;
-	develop enhanced links with environmental and resource management agencies; and
-	develop mutually beneficial relationships with other government departments.

In performing our functions, we need to actively involve all fisheries stakeholders in cost-effective ways.

Strategic resources

In working to achieve our strategic goals, we must successfully manage and integrate our strategic resources: people, external relationships, and information. This will allow the Ministry to develop and maintain the core capabilities necessary to deliver the fisheries services the government requires from us.

It is, however, important that the ongoing investment in our strategic resources is congruent not only with our fishery goals, but also with our future role, size and shape.

People

The Ministry of Fisheries comprises highly dedicated people who are committed to sustainable management of New Zealand fisheries. Our people have significant knowledge of fisheries management and a high level of technical expertise in the processes that support fisheries management.

The Ministry's role in fisheries management however, is changing and the Ministry of the future will be smaller than it is now. The Ministry will be required to develop new skills and expertise, design new processes and provide new and different services. Our people must, therefore, be developed and trained in ways that will allow them to keep pace with these changes.

With our people we aim:

To create diverse teams of high performing people, committed to the sustainable use of fisheries, who have the skills and expertise necessary to deliver the core fisheries services required by government.

The Ministry will achieve this aim by implementing its People Strategy. This depends in turn on enhancing our people capabilities and our work environment.

People capabilities

We will enhance our people capabilities by:


-	continuing to develop our performance management system;
-	developing and implementing a recruitment and retention strategy;
-	developing and implementing a training and development strategy, including programmes relating to Treaty partnership, tikanga Maori and management development;
-	developing and implementing an EEO strategy integrated with our strategic direction; and
-	continuing to implement the values and principles charter.

Work environment

We will enhance our work environment by:


-	developing and implementing strategies that enhance the provision of the systems that support our people and processes;
-	developing and implementing strategies that enhance the health and safety of the Ministry and our people;
-	facilitating flexible work arrangements;
-	realigning the Ministry's processes and systems to deliver the core fisheries services required by government; and
-	realigning the organisation to deliver the core fisheries services required by government.

External relationships

Achieving positive relationships with stakeholders and other government agencies involved in the sector is important. Only then can the Ministry take a lead in achieving sustainable fisheries in a healthy aquatic ecosytem.

For the long-term success of the fisheries management regime, stakeholder groups must also have a clear understanding of each other's views. The roles and responsibilities of all those involved in fisheries management are changing. It is essential for the Ministry to find new ways of doing things, to develop relationships that will respond to changes in fisheries management regimes, and to create effective networks among those with an interest in the fishery.

In our external relationships we aim:

To develop and maintain constructive relationships with stakeholders and other government agencies involved in the sector.

The Ministry will achieve this aim by developing a Relationship Management Strategy by 30 June 1999 that will generate participation and communication.

Participation

We will generate participation by:


-	reaching a shared understanding with stakeholders and other government agencies of roles and responsibilities;
-	developing Memoranda of Understanding with other government agencies; and
-	fostering networks of those with an interest in the fishery.

Communication

We will generate communication by:


-	establishing and maintaining relationships with media;
-	effective external communication; and
-	receiving and disseminating information through networks.

Information

Managing fisheries and delivering core fisheries services requires the gathering and dissemination of large amounts of information.

For the Ministry and stakeholders to contribute to the management of fisheries, we all must have a common understanding of the information that is required and the respective responsibilities that go with it. Currently, such understanding does not exist and there is no integrated strategy for managing fisheries information.

In managing and using information we aim:

To ensure that information is managed in a manner consistent with the government's framework for managing information; that allows the Ministry to deliver core fisheries services; and that promotes the participation of fisheries stakeholders in fisheries management.

The Ministry will achieve this aim by implementing the Information Management and Technology Strategy which has goals and milestones that address:

Obtaining the right information:


-	defining the purpose of information;
-	fisheries information requirements and standards;
-	integration with the government environmental information strategy;
-	Ministry corporate information;
-	Ministry process architecture.

Managing information:


-	frameworks for the management of government information;
-	ownership, stewardship and custody of information;
-	identifying fisheries information assets held;
-	storing of information;
-	security and integrity of information held.

Using information:


-	access and dissemination to stakeholders;
-	analysis of information;
-	quality systems which deliver information needs;
-	technical infrastructure to facilitate access, analysis and dissemination of information.

Financial Resources

Like other government departments, the Ministry works on an annual budgeting cycle. But the Ministry is different from other departments in that it must also consult annually with fisheries stakeholders on the nature and extent of services it provides. Not until it has completed these consultations does the Minister of Fisheries make final decisions on the nature and extent of those services and their costs.

The Ministry incurs a proportion of its costs as a result of the activities of the commercial fishing industry and it recovers these costs from the commercial sector through a cost recovery regime.

In the future the Ministry will have a smaller role in fisheries management as rights-holders increasingly exercise the responsibilities associated with their rights. Until rights-holders decide the extent and speed with which they wish to assume these responsibilities, it will not be possible to indicate the financial resources required by the Ministry for the next five years.

Planning and Evaluation

Planning

The Five Year Plan will form the basis for the Ministry's annual planning cycle, including:


-	the government's Budget round;
-	the Performance Agreement and Purchase Agreement between the Minister of Fisheries and the Ministry of Fisheries;
-	the Ministry of Fisheries proposed nature, extent, and cost of services document;
-	operational plans for each functional team; and
-	Ministry staff performance agreements.

Evaluation

This Strategic Plan has been prepared to give direction and to identify opportunities for the Ministry. It is intended to be dynamic, and capable of being modified to respond to changing situations.

The Chief Executive will regularly evaluate performance against the Strategic Plan.

The plan will be reviewed at least annually.

Appendix 1 - Fisheries Goals and Milestones

Fisheries Goal 1: Sustainability

To take leadership in developing an understanding shared by all fisheries stakeholders on the means to achieve sustainable fisheries in a healthy aquatic ecosystem

1998/1999	1999/2000	2000/2001	2001/2002	2002/2003
Continue developing Fisheries 2010 - a strategy for the sustainable utilisation of fisheries	Continue developing Fisheries 2010 - a strategy for the sustainable utilisation of fisheries	Produce Fisheries 2010	Meet the milestones documented in Fisheries 2010	Meet the milestones documented in Fisheries 2010
	Begin developing specifications for sustainability plans for fish stock and fish stock complexes	Finalise development of specifications for sustainability plans for fish stock and fish stock complexes	Produce sustainability plans for stocks in the QMS	Produce sustainability plans for species remaining outside QMS
Continue developing a framework for identifying environmental indicators to measure performance against sustainability plans	Develop a process for reporting on the state of fisheries within the aquatic environment	Begin monitoring and reporting on the state of fisheries within the aquatic environment	Monitor and report on the state of fisheries within the aquatic environment	Monitor and report on the state of fisheries within the aquatic environment
Develop a framework for managing fisheries information	Begin implementing the framework for managing fisheries information	Continue implementing the framework for managing fisheries information	Complete implementing the framework for managing fisheries information	Monitor the performance of the framework for managing fisheries information
Implement strategies to achieve optimal compliance with fisheries laws relating to sustainability	Monitor performance of optimal compliance strategies	Monitor performance of optimal compliance strategies	Monitor performance of optimal compliance strategies	Monitor performance of optimal compliance strategies

Fisheries Goal 2: Treaty of Waitangi

To develop a framework and manage processes that ensure the Crown delivers on its Article 2 obligations to Maori with respect to fisheries

1998/1999	1999/2000	2000/2001	2001/2002	2002/2003
Define the Crown's obligations to Maori in respect of the Deed of Settlement	Develop a plan, in consultation with iwi, to deliver on Treaty fisheries obligations	Continue delivering on Treaty fisheries obligations	Continue delivering on Treaty fisheries obligations	Continue delivering on Treaty fisheries obligations
Continue implementing customary fishing regulations	Continue implementing customary fishing regulations and related support	Continue implementing customary fishing regulations and related support	Continue implementing customary fishing regulations and related support	Continue implementing customary fishing regulations and related support

Fisheries Goal 3: Efficient Utilisation

To develop a framework and manage processes that enable the efficient use of resources, including reducing business compliance costs, in the fisheries sector

1998/1999	1999/2000	2000/2001	2001/2002	2002/2003
Support the independent review of the operation of the QMS, provide advice to Ministers on recommendations from the review, and implement the Minister's decisions, including developing policy advice and drafting instructions in accordance with the government's legislative timetable	Commence implementing the revised Fisheries Act	Continue implementing the revised Fisheries Act	Monitor the Fisheries Act	Monitor the Fisheries Act
Complete the review of the existing framework for managing commercial fisheries (including aquaculture and enhancement) with a view to increasing accountability for the duties and obligations consequent upon the harvesting right
Continue implementing those parts of the Fisheries Act 1996 not affected by the review
Develop a framework that interfaces with the Quota Management System for specifying non-commercial entitlements	Begin implementing an approved framework which specifies and provides for non-commercial including recreational fishing entitlements	Continue implementing the approved framework for non-commercial, including recreational fishing entitlements	Monitor performance of the non-commercial framework	Monitor performance of the non-commercial framework
		Review the existing commercial fisheries management regime with a view to including within it a framework for commercial fisheries exploration	Begin implementing the framework for commercial fisheries exploration	Continue implementing the framework for commercial fisheries exploration
Develop and begin implementing a strategy to reduce overall business compliance costs within the fisheries sector	Continue implementing the strategy	Continue implementing the strategy	Complete implementing the strategy	Monitor performance of strategy
Implement strategies to achieve optimal compliance with fisheries laws relating to utilisation	Monitor performance of optimal compliance strategies	Monitor performance of optimal compliance strategies	Monitor performance of optimal compliance strategies	Monitor performance of optimal compliance strategies

Appendix 2 - Glossary of Terms

· Aquatic ecosystems The natural systems of interacting aquatic life within the biological and physical aquatic environment.

· Aquatic environment The natural and biological resources that make up any aquatic ecosystem, including all aquatic life and the oceans, seas, coastal areas, intertidal areas, estuaries, rivers, lakes and other places where aquatic life exists.

· Individual Transferable Quota A transferable right to harvest fish for sale.

· Maori customary fishing Non-commercial fishing exercised in accordance with tikanga Maori, as codified in the draft customary regulations.

· QMS The Quota Management System which uses Individual Transferable Quotas to manage New Zealand commercial fisheries and so ensure sustainable utilisation.

· Stakeholders All those individuals or groups with an interest in sustainable fisheries.

· Strategic intent An overriding and inspirational goal chosen by an organisation or nation to achieve over a 5-15 year time-frame.

· Sustainable fisheries Fisheries resources that are used in an ecologically sustainable way.

· Ensuring sustainability (a) Maintaining the potential of fisheries resources to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations. (b) Avoiding, remedying or mitigating any adverse effects of fishing on the aquatic environment.

· Utilisation Conserving, using, enhancing, and developing fisheries resources to enable people to provide for their social, economic and cultural well-being.

· TAC Total Allowable Catch.

· TACC Total Allowable Commercial Catch.

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Updated : 16 November 2007