Context in which the Ministry operates

The Ministry's Role

Mission and Values

The mission, established when we were formed in 1995, is expressed in our Māori name - Te Tautiaki i nga tīni a Tangaroa - which means 'the guardian of the multitudes of Tangaroa', gifted to the Ministry by tangata whenua.

Our goal is to "Maximise the value New Zealanders obtain through the sustainable use of fisheries resources and protection of the aquatic environment". This goal helps to deliver on the Government's priorities of economic transformation and enhancing national identity.

Our mission and how we work supports wider Public Service values:

• We are proud to be part of the New Zealand public service and will maintain the highest standards of professional behaviour. We will meet our obligations as public servants to:

  • Fulfil our lawful obligations to the Government with professionalism and integrity

  • Perform our official duties honestly, faithfully and effectively, respecting the rights and interests of the public and our colleagues

  • Not bring the public service into disrepute through our private activities.

• We recognise the status of Māori as tangata whenua. Our behaviour will, at all times, be consistent with the responsibilities of the Crown as partner to the Treaty of Waitangi and our specific legal obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act 1992, the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004 and the Fisheries Act 1996.

• In our day to day work we will act in ways consistent with our own behavioural values, which are:

  • Leadership - developing effective and innovative means to allow people to contribute to and support the Ministry to deliver on its mission.

  • Relationships and people - developing, internally and externally, constructive and collaborative relationships built on trust.

  • Working in teams - sharing information and knowledge through superior team work and networking.

  • Achieving results - creating an organisation that encourages and recognises people's contribution and dedication to the Ministry's mission.

Our Role

Our role is to act as the Government's principal adviser on New Zealand's fisheries management and on matters related to the aquatic environment, including issues that may impact on the continued viability of fisheries or other marine resources.

A critical part of that role in the next few years will be to exercise stronger leadership in the fisheries sector, particularly in developing an objectives-based approach to fisheries management. We will work with tangata whenua and stakeholders to set standards and develop fisheries plans, specifying objectives for fisheries and the strategies and services necessary to achieve those objectives.

At the same time we will continue to deliver on the broad range of services approved by the Minister of Fisheries that are funded through Parliamentary appropriation.