Sustainable Economic Development
[ Last Updated 11 November 2005 ]
The Government's overarching economic goal is to grow an inclusive, innovative economy for the benefit of all. This goal is closely related to the Government’s other social and environmental goals. These include improving the skills of New Zealanders, closing the gaps for Maori and Pacific People in Health, Education, Employment and Housing and protecting and enhancing the environment.
The concept of sustainable economic development is central to the achievement of these key goals. It can be thought of in terms of policies and programmes designed to meet the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The achievement of sustainable economic development requires a new and different approach to policy making and its implementation. The Government is looking for greater integration and co-ordination of policy making and its implementation across the public sector, and across social, economic and environmental policy portfolios. It is also looking for an approach characterised by greater partnership between central government, local government, Maori economic entities, private industry and other community groups.
The Ministry is being challenged to lead the production and co-ordination of policy advice on issues related to sustainable economic development across the public sector. It is also required to work closely with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to design and implement policies and programmes to deliver the Government’s sustainable economic policies. To meet these challenges, the Ministry will need to work proactively with other government agencies, and across policy portfolios. It will also need to develop close working relationships with industry, local government, Maori economic entities and other non-government stakeholders.
Successfully meeting this challenge will require the Ministry to develop a range of new functions, while continuing to advise the Government on the regulation and operation of markets and industries. These new functions include those related to the:
- Development of policies and co-ordination of policy advice on issues related to economic development, regional development and industry development;
- Monitoring and researching trends and issues related to sustainable economic development, regional development and industry development;
- Evaluating government policies and programmes to determine their contribution to sustainable economic development, regional development and industry development goals and objectives; and
- Advising on the performance and governance of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
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