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Our purpose and work
Kia ora koutou.
![[image] david smol.](http://www.med.govt.nz/about-us/image-library/david-smol.jpg "[image] david smol.")
I’m David Smol, the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Economic Development.
On this page you can learn about the Ministry’s purpose, and our role and responsibilities.
- Our purpose
- Our role and responsibilities
- Developing and implementing policy
- Services to business
- Consumer advice
- Earthquake recovery
- Crown entities, statutory boards and Crown companies
- Appointments
- Find out more
Our purpose
The Ministry of Economic Development’s purpose is to create the conditions for businesses to succeed and New Zealanders to prosper.
Our role and responsibilities
Developing and implementing policy
The Ministry provides policy advice to the government, and implements policy, in relation to a wide range of economic issues.
These include:
- Communications and information technology.
- Energy and resources.
- Tourism.
- Government procurement.
- Consumer issues.
- Industry, regional, and sector development.
- Regulatory reform.
- Commerce.
- Small business.
- Economic development generally.
Learn more about the government’s priorities and how we contribute to them.
Services to business![[image] services to business.](http://www.med.govt.nz/about-us/image-library/services-to-business.png "[image] services to business.")
The Ministry provides a wide range of services that help New Zealand businesses operate effectively and grow.
- We administer company registrations and insolvencies.
- We administer the trade remedies regime and the tariff concessions scheme.
- We issue patents and trademarks.
- We license petroleum and minerals activity, and manage the radio spectrum.
- We provide economic development, energy, and tourism data and statistics.
- We ensure the safe supply and use of electricity and gas.
- We investigate and prosecute offences under various laws.
Access our websites that provide services and information for businesses.
Consumer advice
We provide consumer advice through the Ministry of Consumer Affairs (which is part of the Ministry).
We also provide advice on the safe use of electricity and gas (Energy Safety website).
Earthquake recovery
We support the economic recovery of Canterbury and Christchurch following the Canterbury earthquake.
- We’re providing expert advice to the Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery on economic development and business support.
- We’re reporting to ministers on the state of the energy, water, wastewater and storm water sectors; and facilitating solutions in the water, wastewater and storm water sectors.
Crown entities, statutory boards and Crown companies
We provide advice to government on a number of Crown entities and statutory boards. This includes advice on appointments, roles and functions, and on the overall contribution of each organisation to the government's policy objectives.
These organisations are directly accountable to ministers for their performance in supplying agreed output classes.
Crown entities we monitor are listed below.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
Testing Laboratory Registration Council
New Zealand Venture Investment Fund
In addition, we provide advice, when required, and manage appointments to the boards listed below.
- Complaints Assessment Committee
Electricity and Gas Complaints Commission
Insurance and Savings Ombudsman
Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand
Māori Trade Marks Advisory Committee
Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal
New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute
- Small Business Advisory Group
- Temporary Safeguard Authority [97 KB PDF]
- Tourism Research Council New Zealand
Trans-Tasman Accounting and Auditing Standards Advisory Group
Telecommunications Dispute Resolution Service Council
Appointments
We occasionally recruit members for Crown entities and statutory boards on behalf of ministers. These roles, when available, are listed on our Careers website.
Find out more
- Statement of intent
- Annual report
- Learn how we support the government’s priorities.
- Find out about the ministers we work with and their portfolios.
The State Services Commission provides guidance and information on a number of Crown entity issues.
![[link to the New Zealand government website].](http://www.med.govt.nz/site-tools/footer-images/newzealand.govt.nz.png "[link to the New Zealand government website].")
![[link to the Companies Office website].](http://www.med.govt.nz/site-tools/footer-images/companies.govt.nz.png "[link to the Companies Office website].")
![[link to the business.govt.nz website].](http://www.med.govt.nz/site-tools/footer-images/business.govt.nz.png "[link to the business.govt.nz website].")
