Nature and Scope of Functions
This section outlines the Ministry's purpose and role, and the scope of our work.
Our purpose
The Ministry's purpose is to foster economic development and prosperity for all New Zealanders.
The scope of our work
We work for Ministers in eight portfolio areas: Economic Development; Communications and Information Technology; Commerce; Energy and Resources; Tourism; Consumer Affairs; Small Business; and the Rugby World Cup.
We also contribute to work for the Ministers for Infrastructure, Regulatory Reform, and Climate Change Issues.
The Minister for Economic Development oversees the Government's ownership interest in the Ministry.
Our role
We advise the Government and implement policy in relation to a wide range of economic issues, primarily from a business perspective – including telecommunications and information technology, energy and resources, commerce, industry development, small business, tourism, and consumer affairs. We provide advice on issues that affect the business environment as a whole, and advice on what government can do to develop the economy.
We have an advisory and monitoring role in relation to ten Crown entities.
We also deliver services to business, including administering company registrations and insolvencies; issuing patents and trade marks; licensing petroleum exploration; supervising the management of registered superannuation schemes; ensuring insurance companies comply with relevant legislation; managing the radio spectrum; providing economic development, energy and tourism data and statistics; and ensuring the safe supply and use of electricity and gas.
These activities are set out in more detail in our organisational chart in Figure 1 on page 8.
→ Full size version of Figure 1 [335 kB JPG]
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