Future of Pest Management Project

How did the Future of Pest Management Project come about?

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is responsible for leading and co-coordinating the biosecurity system – including pest management – in New Zealand. This strategic direction comes from Tiakina Aotearoa – The Biosecurity Strategy for New Zealand.

Last year MAF commissioned an independent company to write 'The Think piece on the future of Pest Management in New Zealand Link to PDF document (1661 KB)' to stimulate discussion on the issue, and to help develop a national strategy to guide pest management activity in New Zealand. The final report is supported by 'Think piece on the future of pest management in New Zealand: Background analysis and interview findings' Link to PDF document (1097 KB).

Separately, regional councils also established their collective view on 'The future of pest management in New Zealand' (offsite link to library.lgnz.co.nz).

While the reports found that New Zealand's pest management system stacked up well compared with other jurisdictions, new policies and legislative change would be needed to position the pest management sector to meet future challenges

The Future of Pest Management Project was set up to address these issues, and improve the frameworks and tools that enable effective pest management in New Zealand, consistent with the direction set in the Biosecurity Strategy.

What is the project about?

The aim of the Future of Pest Management Project is to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for New Zealand for the pest management investments that we make. This means working towards the overall outcomes that pest management activities support (economic strength, a healthy environment, healthy New Zealanders and our cultural identity) by reducing the damage caused by pests and diseases already present in New Zealand.

The project will:

  • confirm the current state of our pest management system and future challenges;
  • clarify why we carry out pest management, i.e. what we are trying to achieve;
  • clarify what an effective future pest management system looks like
  • clarify who should do what – roles and accountabilities;
  • improve the frameworks and tools that enable effective pest management to ensure these are fit for purpose;
  • address any other significant issues that limit effective pest management;
  • combine the purpose, direction and improvements in a strategic action plan; and
  • make key changes to effectively implement the strategic action plan.

Initial rounds of consultation were held with key stakeholders in the first half of 2009 to gather feedback on the findings of the MAF-commissioned and regional council-commissioned future of pest management reports.

How is the project structured?

The project is split into seven work streams, each with a project team comprising key stakeholder representatives. The work streams are:

  1. Action plan development and alignment
  2. Roles and accountabilities in the terrestrial, freshwater and marine areas
  3. Crown obligations as a landowner
  4. Legislative review
  5. Physical control and monitoring tools
  6. Collective action and participation
  7. Change programme and implementation plan development

 

Each work stream will produce a recommendation on how to resolve issues identified in their work area. These will be pulled together into a strategic action plan which will be widely consulted on prior to implementation.

What is the timetable for the project?

The overall timetable for the project is:

  • Assemble the project team and work groups by July 2009
  • Draft proposals completed by work groups by December 2009
  • Draft strategic action plan for approval by March 2010
  • Release of strategic action plan by May 2010
  • Consultation on the strategic action plan completed by August 2010
  • Final strategic action plan and implementation plan completed by end September 2010.

Who is guiding this work and making the decisions?

The project is overseen by a steering group comprising:

  • Basil Chamberlain (Chief Executive, Taranaki Regional Council)
  • Sam McIvor (Chief Executive, Pork Industry Board)
  • Donald Aubrey (Board Member, Federated Farmers)
  • Kevin O'Connor (General Manager, Research Development & Improvement, DOC)
  • Terry Smith (consultant in Māori development, Ngati Kahu, Nga Puhi)
  • Peter Thomson (Director, Post-Border, MAFBNZ)
  • Chris Baddeley (Manager, Policy Group, MAFBNZ)
  • Andrew Harrison (Manager, Pest Management Group, MAFBNZ)

The key decisions will be made by Cabinet with advice by the Biosecurity Ministerial Advisory Committee and the Regional Affairs Committee. Decisions regarding actions that can be implemented within baselines will be made by the Biosecurity Central Regional Government Forum.

Page last updated: 9 July 2009