Building the Capability of Key New Zealand Sectors
56. In sectors of key strategic importance, and where there are co-ordination difficulties, it makes sense for the government to take a more active role in assisting with the development of common approaches on sustainability.
57. Given the significant risks involved, the tourism sector is a prime area of focus. Creating more sustainable tourism is heavily dependent on factors outside the sector, e.g. cleaner vehicle emissions, improved water quality. These issues are being addressed in separate work programmes. Within the sector, high priority actions that can be taken, or are already being taken, are as follows.
58. The first is the development of environmental accreditation as part of the Qualmark brand. Through the Ministry of Tourism, MED has already taken action to accelerate progress on this from an expected 18 to 6 months.
59. Secondly, a medium to long term travel miles strategy is required to address concerns about travelling to New Zealand because of the environmental costs involved. Currently, responses such as those being taken by Air New Zealand are ad hoc and short term. What is needed is a longer term strategy that integrates the efforts of a wide range of players, government and private alike. While most of the focus to date has been on tourists visiting New Zealand for a holiday, we should also consider other types of visitors, such as international students. Travel by tourists within, as well as to and from, New Zealand also needs to be incorporated into such a strategy.
60. Creative "solutions" such as linking forest-based carbon offsets with biodiversity conservation to protect endangered species, eradicate environmental pests such as possums or assist our Pacific neighbours with sustainable development projects would have potential benefits far wider than the immediate issue and may, in fact, encourage more people to visit New Zealand over time.
61. Thirdly, a green travel guide showcasing New Zealand's sustainable tourism businesses could be developed. This would provide a practical demonstration of New Zealand's commitment to sustainable tourism and link well with the sustainable households' initiative.
62. Fourthly, current work being undertaken by MED, MfE and the Ministry of Tourism to green the Rugby World Cup 2011 could be extended into a comprehensive approach for all major events in New Zealand. This would link well with the travel miles strategy discussed above.
63. There are also high profile opportunities to demonstrate a commitment to sustainable business by linking issues across sectors. For example, an energy demonstration project involving the practical application of clean energy in an iconic tourism destination would serve not only to create positive perceptions of New Zealand's commitment to sustainability in the minds of overseas visitors but also help to bring different New Zealand interests together in a working sustainability partnership. Examples are the development of Cape Reinga as a fully sustainable tourism location, the use of renewable energy systems in back country huts, the use of hydrogen or bio-fuel to power local transport in Queenstown or Te Anau and the use of part of the Auckland waterfront for an Expo-type facility showing New Zealand's commitment to sustainable business.
64. MED intends to explore the option of partnering with DoC, Landcare and other organisations on the development of Cape Reinga and will be reporting further to Ministers on this issue in due course.
65. MfE, Building Research and the Green Building Council are working with a number of stakeholders in the building sector to identify opportunities to accelerate the adoption of sustainable building practices in New Zealand.
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