EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

The Ministry has a wide range of external relationships with other government agencies, Treaty partners, service providers and stakeholders groups. These relationships are summarised in the Figure below and described in the following pages.

Government agencies

Department of Conservation (DoC)

The Ministry works with DoC on operational advice concerning protected species interactions with fishing, and marine reserve proposals under the Marine Reserves Act 1971. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising the departments' agreement to work together is directed at ensuring cooperation in a number of areas, including fisheries interactions with protected species, marine reserves, biosecurity risks, research, and the nature and extent of fisheries and conservation services.

Ministry for the Environment (MfE)

MfE and the Ministry are working together on environmental indicators for fisheries, aquaculture reform, and oceans policy, which MfE is leading. MfE also provides input on a range of fisheries policy issues.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)

The Ministry works closely with MFAT on international fisheries issues. Issues relate mainly to protecting and enhancing New Zealand's fisheries interests in global fisheries agreements, regional fisheries management, foreign licensing and market access.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)

MAF's Biosecurity Authority has a lead role in implementing the Biosecurity Act 1993 in the terrestrial and freshwater environments for animal, plant and forestry pests, and diseases affecting agriculture, horticulture, forestry and indigenous flora and fauna. MAF provides advice on these matters to the Minister for Biosecurity. The Ministry of Fisheries implements the Biosecurity Act 1993 in the marine environment to deal with the risk of entry and establishment of undesirable marine organisms, and controls to mitigate the effects of their establishment.

Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) and Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST)

The Ministry works with MoRST and FRST to determine research and funding priorities in fisheries research and minimise the overlap of research between funding organisations.

New Zealand Police

The Ministry has a Memorandum of Understanding with New Zealand Police that provides the formal authority for operational arrangements of mutual co-operation and assistance. This includes the provision of operational support in specific enforcement operations, and training and development of personnel.

New Zealand Defence Forces

The NZ Defence Forces have responsibilities for surface and aerial surveillance of the EEZ. The Ministry and NZ Defence Forces share information on offshore fishing operations to ensure surveillance efforts are directed at the areas of highest risk and that fisheries-related surveillance capacity is efficiently utilised.

Other

The Ministry works with Treasury, Te Puni Kōkiri, Office of Treaty Settlements, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of Justice, State Services Commission, Ministry of Economic Development, Department of Labour, Environmental Risk Management Authority, and New Zealand Customs Services on fisheries-related issues as they arise.

Treaty Partner: relationships with tangata whenua

The Ministry interacts with tangata whenua on a number of different levels. We continue to implement the customary fishing regulations and have ongoing consultation obligations in the Fisheries Act 1996. Māori are now the largest players in New Zealand's commercial fishing industry. Tangata whenua can manage their noncommercial customary fishing activity through customary regulations. Māori are also substantial recreational fishers.

External service providers

FishServe

In 1999, the Fisheries Act 1996 was amended to enable more flexible delivery of fisheries management services. Many registrybased services are now devolved to FishServe (a commercial company established by SeaFIC) as an Approved Service Delivery Organisation (ASDO) or provided under contract through SeaFIC. The Minister sets standards and specifications for devolved services, while the Chief Executive sets standards and specifications for contracted services.

National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)

Ministry research projects are let through a contestable tendering process where tenders are evaluated through an earned value basis, combining aspects of both quality and cost.

NIWA undertakes most of these. NIWA also maintains, on behalf of the Ministry, the research databases and other research information.

Stakeholder groups

New Zealand Seafood Industry Council (SeaFIC)

SeaFIC is a company whose shares are principally held by commercial stakeholder organisations. Its primary role is the promotion and development of the New Zealand seafood industry.

Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission

The Commission was established as part of the Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act 1992.

It holds in trust assets provided by the Crown prior to and after the Settlement.

Environmental Sector

The Ministry interacts with a number of environmental groups with strong interests in the sustainability of fisheries and the effect of fishing on the environment:

• Environmental and Conservation Organisations of New Zealand (ECO)

• Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society

• Greenpeace

• World Wide Fund for Nature.

Recreational fisheries interests

The Ministry interacts with a range of groups representing particular recreational interests.