Mission and Values

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

Our fisheries outcome "the value New Zealanders obtain through the sustainable use of fisheries resources and protection of the aquatic environment is maximised", 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 Mäori 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 Fisheries Act 1996, and the Mäori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004.

Ministry staff helped define the following behavioural values of the Ministry. They reflect how we feel about being Ministry people, how we treat others, and how we expect to be treated in turn. These enduring values are part of our everyday working lives and express what is important to us as we work each day to achieve the Ministry's goals and provide leadership to the sector:

• Integrity - Ministry people are professional and widely trusted. We are honest and take responsibility. We strive to be open, transparent and impartial. >
• Respect - We respect each other, tangata whenua, stakeholders, the law, and the aquatic environment. We respect and value our role as guardians of our fisheries resources.
• Constructive relationships - We understand the sector we work in and the needs and expectations of those we work with. We maintain constructive relationships, engaging effectively with others to achieve the best outcomes possible.
• Achieving results - we approach our work with energy and drive, with a focus on achieving high quality results. We value teamwork and collaboration. We share information and recognise people's contribution to our goals.
• Continual improvement - We embrace continual improvement in the pursuit of excellence. We are agile learners and actively develop our skills, knowledge and behaviours. We are committed to helping our people to be successful.

Our role

Our role is to act as the Government's principal adviser on New Zealand's fisheries management and the impacts of fishing on 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.