This page last modified 30 October 1999

United New Zealand

Directory

• Environment Policy
• Recreation Policy
• Treaty Policy
• Transport Policy
• Government Policy

Environment Policy

United New Zealand promises sustainable development coupled with economic progress and balanced by environmental responsibility. We favour natural resource accounting systems. We want all consumers to take proper account of the true environmental costs of economic decisions, and ensure prices reflect environmental impact.

To these ends, we will expect environmental impacts to be reflected, where practical, in all public sector accounting and reporting. We want to see the format of the Public Accounts altered to ensure that they provide an accurate account of the current environment. We will also establish similar forms of accounting and reporting within the private sector.

Principles

• Use of market mechanisms and economic instruments (such as eco-taxes and tradeable permits) to regulate environmental behaviour.
• Support current targets for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, and the introduction of a fiscally neutral carbon tax, should these targets not be achieved.
• Provide assistance to business and market development to demonstrate government's commitment to environmental sustainability.

UNITED WILL:

• Encourage a greater degree of co-ordination amongst all levels of government, the private sector, and communities, so as to make the Resource Management Act (RMA) work more effectively.
• Provide strengthened central government support for the RMA. We will work closely with local government to provide better policy guidance, strengthened environmental data and further research into how the impact of human activity on the environment might be minimised.
• Set concrete goals and quantified targets for environmental policy at all levels of government.
• Implement mandatory environmental and disclosure requirements as an incentive for businesses to improve their environmental performance.
• Establish specific goals for the phasing out of the use of ozone depleting substances.
• Devise national policies on energy and climate change; sustainable land management; and the conservation of indigenous bio-diversity.
• Seek greater use of multi-stakeholder decision making processes and voluntary agreements.
• Ensure New Zealand remains nuclear free and a world leader on disarmament issues.

United Outdoor Recreation Policy

17 October 1999

UNITED LAUNCHES OUTDOOR RECREATION

AND LEISURE POLICY

United New Zealand is totally committed to the unique role outdoor recreation and leisure plays in the New Zealand way of life and the policy being launched today is a recognition of this says United leader, Hon Peter Dunne.

Launching the policy at All Track Adventures Limited in Ohariu Valley, the heart of his Ohariu-Belmont electorate, he said, it is timely to be launching a policy which is based on providing recreational and leisure activities which promote an awareness and appreciation of the scenic beauty and the wonderful coastline and mountains of New Zealand.

"Our policy is strong on ensuring New Zealanders have access to their coastline, crown lands and fisheries and wildlife reserves. We also applaud and support innovative ventures like All Track Adventures, which are giving locals, tourists and corporate groups the opportunity to participate in a range of fun ventures, while enjoying the outdoors and appreciating the scenery.

"They are representative of an innovative business venture which while providing enjoyment and recreation to customers is also providing valuable jobs and income for the Wellington region.

"Our policy is pro-business while recognising central and local government have an important role to play in encouraging and promoting New Zealanders and our visitors to participate in traditional and more innovative outdoor recreation and leisure activities.

"United will ensure outdoor recreation and leisure plays a more important role in local government, health, education, and tourism policy than it does presently. Ventures like All Track will get our support because they are a perfect example of the way forward in bringing fun and leisure to a wide and diverse groups," concludes Mr Dunne.

END

Attached: United New Zealand, Outdoor Recreation and Leisure Policy

Outdoor Recreation and Leisure Policy

United New Zealand recognises the unique role outdoor recreation and leisure activities play in the New Zealand way of life. Despite this outdoor recreation has been the poor cousin of conservation for the past decade.

The time is ripe for new policy that is built on a base of national pride and New Zealand's unique identity as a great place for enjoyment of and recreation in the outdoors.

New Zealand is unashamedly a green conscious nation with strong environmental credentials. However, we cannot rest on our laurels, and if we are to maintain our reputation then we need to be the leader of the pack, rather than a follower.

Outdoor recreation dovetails with other aspects of United New Zealand's policy. It promotes strong conservation values, reinforces our environment policy, is consistent with our education policy and is healthy. It will also ultimately engender confidence, self-esteem and pride in the New Zealand heritage.

UNITED WILL:

• Establish a separate department or arm of government with specific responsibility for protection and promotion of outdoor recreation. Currently there is no organisation currently dedicated to this task, so initiatives are not being developed that expand the range of opportunities available to New Zealanders.
• Guarantee access to all Crown lands and natural resources important for recreation, for example, legislation to protect access to State Owned Enterprise land would be introduced.
• Existing Queen's Chain provisions will be maintained, and where appropriate enhanced so that all New Zealanders have access to waterways and coastline.
• Extend the role of the Hillary Commission to more widely promote outdoor recreation activities, particularly for young people.
• Ensure that public fisheries and wildlife reserves are not captured by exclusive access arrangements that deny the general public free and reasonable access.
• Develop a healthy lifestyle theme campaign with outdoor recreation as a key plank of that policy
• Encourage, promote and provide stimulus funding for development of green belts in towns and cities.
• Develop partnerships with local government to develop and maintain outdoors recreational areas, for example creation of bush tracks, seating, and sports areas.
• Encourage outdoor recreation, conservation and heritage issues to be an integral part of school curriculums.
• Give sanctuary status to specified areas for specific outdoor recreation purposes, for example observation of bird and plant life.

Key Points

• Establish a separate department or arm of government with specific responsibility for protection and promotion of outdoor recreation.
• Guarantee access to all Crown lands and natural resources.
• Maintain and enhance existing Queen's Chain provisions.
• Hillary Commission to more widely promote outdoor recreation activities.
• Develop and implement a healthy lifestyle theme campaign with outdoor recreation as a key feature.
• Provide funding for development of green belts in towns and cities.

United New Zealand

Parliament Buildings Wellington

Ph (04) 471 9410

Fax (04) 499 7266

united.nz@parliament.govt.nz

http:/www.united.org.nz

Government that Works

The way our government operates is presently cumbersome, inefficient, and unresponsive. As a result, people are losing faith in both the political process and the institutions on which our society is based. A radical shake-up is needed to restore public confidence.

There is still too much waste and poorly targeted spending because bureaucratic structures encourage duplication of tasks, while other essential services struggle with inadequate funding. Successive administrations have been busy reforming every aspect of society, yet they have failed to properly reform the way central government works. As a result, New Zealanders see it as aloof, and out of touch.

The move to MMP resulted from public disillusionment with the process of government. MMP provides an opportunity to restructure the way government works, but this has not been taken up. It is time for changes which deal with public frustration and stop the inevitable drift towards extremist solutions.

It is time for government that works.

UNITED WILL:

Reduce the Executive

The total size of the Executive (Cabinet ministers, ministers outside Cabinet, and under-secretaries) should be limited to 18 members. The reform of central government services, and the sale of many former government businesses mean there is no longer the need for the number of Ministers of previous years. An Executive of up to 18 members could lead to a Cabinet of around 12 senior Ministers, supported by a small team of junior Ministers or under-secretaries outside the Cabinet.

Cut the Number of Ministerial Portfolios

Ministerial portfolios like Racing, Sport Fitness and Leisure, Information Technology, Business Development, Public Trust Office, Government Superannuation Fund, Education Review Office, National Library, Disarmament and Arms Control, Serious Fraud Office should be abolished and their functions absorbed into other portfolios. These portfolios are either superfluous, or no longer necessary, given other Government reforms of recent years. In every case, there are other portfolio areas within which they can be absorbed and administrative costs associated with them reduced, without any loss in service provided.

Institute Performance Agreements for Ministers

Upon appointment, Ministers should sign a performance agreement with the Prime Minister setting out the priorities they are to follow in their portfolios. These performance agreements should then be made public so that Ministers' performance can be assessed, and they can be held to better public account for their activities.

Create a Register of Interests for all Members of Parliament

At present, only Ministers and Under-Secretaries are required to furnish an annual declaration of interests. United

proposes that this requirement be extended to cover all Members of Parliament, both in recognition of the more diverse political system we now have, and also to help restore public confidence in the integrity of politicians.

Unify the Parliamentary Service

A unified Parliamentary Service should be established to bring under one heading the employing functions of the existing Parliamentary Service, the Parliamentary Counsels' Office, the Office of the Clerk, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Ministerial Services section of the Department of Internal Affairs.

Better Resource Parliamentary Select Committees

Select Committees need to be resourced properly, with adequate opportunity to seek contestable advice outside the public service where appropriate. Select Committees need to become more independent from the Executive, and have greater powers to initiate their own inquiries into matters of public interest. The role of the Office of the Clerk will be expanded to include monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness and contestability of policy advice provided to Select Committees.

Group Government Departments by Function

Government departments should be grouped together according to the services they provide, and small Ministries like Consumer Affairs, Youth Affairs, Pacific Island Affairs, and Cultural Affairs should be merged with larger Departments or Ministries covering the same broad areas of activity. This would both stop the duplication of effort between certain Ministries and Departments, and would also ensure better co-ordination of both Departmental and Ministerial activities.

Reduce Treasury's Power

Treasury's control function and policy advice roles ought to be separated, with the Treasury assuming the primary responsibility for economic policy advice, with a new Department of Finance and Revenue incorporating both the Inland Revenue Department and the Customs revenue service, being established to oversee government financial management. At the same time, the role of the State Services Commission will also be reviewed to ensure it has a relevant focus for the new millennium.

Re-examine the Numbers and Roles of Government Agencies and State Owned Enterprises

Despite Labour's 'Great Quango Hunt' of the 1980s, there are as many non-core government agencies as ever. United believes it is time to re-examine the numbers and roles of such bodies with a view to their abolition where possible and the incorporation of their functions into existing agencies where appropriate. Also, as it over ten years since the passage of the State Owned Enterprises Act, it is also time to review that legislation and its objectives to ensure that they are still relevant to today's circumstances.

Restrict the Government's Coercive Powers

All legislation covering the operations and monopoly statutory powers of State Owned Enterprises, Producer Boards, Hospitals, and other bodies exercising coercive or regulatory powers on behalf of the Crown will be reviewed to determine whether those powers and functions continue to be necessary, and to remove those that are not. An office similar to that of the Ombudsman will be established to oversee, monitor and investigate public complaints about the legislative and regulation making powers of the Executive, with special reference to compliance costs. Where practicable, all regulations will be reviewed by the Regulations Review Committee within 60 days of promulgation.

Hold Another Referendum on MMP

A binding referendum on the future of the MMP electoral system will be held in 2001, following a Select Committee review in 1999-2000, and its results implemented in time for the next General Election after 1 October 2002. This referendum will also include alternative systems to MMP, such as STV (the Single Transferable Vote system) which is United's preference, as well as the old First Past the Post system. The Select Committee will also be asked to review the numbers of Members of Parliament, and the rules governing the role of List MPs.

Transport

United New Zealand recognises that an efficient and varied transport sector is an essential component of national infrastructure and economic well-being. We will work towards an integrated national transport system which meets the needs of industry, commerce and the wider community at a reasonable cost. The regulatory regime must treat all forms of transport on an equivalent basis.

United is also strongly committed to effective and reliable public transport systems that are both innovative and environmentally friendly.

Road Transport

UNITED WILL:

• Abolish the Land Transport Safety Authority and reassign its functions to the Ministry of Transport.
• Allocate up to 20% of the ministry's budget towards developing and promoting fuel efficiency and energy conservation programmes.
• Re-evaluate the current warrant of fitness programme, with particular regard to assessing structural standards.
• Set the ACC premium for motorists at a flat rate on a 'pay as you go' basis, with adjustments related to rehabilitation costs.
• Allocate fuel taxes collected within a specific region to improvements in transport infrastructure and efficiency within that region.

Drivers' Licences and Driver Training

UNITED WILL:

• Enable holders of foreign licences to use these until applications for permanent residence have been finalised.
• Evaluate 'personal identifier' methods and various non-intrusive means of verifying the entitlement of a person to control a vehicle.
• Ensure traffic authorities arrange for the transport home of passengers and belongings when a vehicle is detained.
• Enable drivers who have been wrongfully detained to claim reasonable compensation when they have experienced unreasonable dislocation and inconvenience.
• Ensure there is fair, open competition between driver-testing organisations.
• Support the establishment of a National Driver Education Centre and investigate the feasibility of a national network of such centres.
• Restrict licence fees to cover processing costs only.

Traffic Management

UNITED WILL:

• Upgrade traffic control and monitoring to ensure effective responses to vehicle incidents and efficient management of traffic movements.
• Support temporary charging measures to effectively price the cost of congestion to the general public, including the possible self-funding of arterial and alternative routes, for commercial road transport to reduce congestion.
• Permit toll roads where a reasonable alternative route and transport system is available.
• Evaluate fully the social, environmental and economic effects of all road pricing policies.
• Place increased emphasis on the role of the transport sector in monitoring air and water quality levels and noise monitoring programmes.
• Request the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment to investigate regularly the impacts of road, rail, and shipping services and their infrastructure and amenities upon local communities and natural habitats.
• Encourage a shift away from non-renewable fuels.
• Introduce appropriate incentives for studies into alternative energy transport

Aviation and Marine

UNITED WILL:

• Ensure the role and objectives of the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) balance the interests and well-being of commercial and recreational aviation.
• Reduce entry costs to recreational aviation by minimising airport and security charges.
• Require regional planners to designate adequate land for future needs of micro-airports.
• Work with airport companies to improve opportunities for international passenger and freight operators to offer services to air travellers.
• Improve access to New Zealand airspace for overseas charter operators.
• Encourage regional councils to provide adequate river, lake and marine space to cater for the growing interest in powered leisure craft.
• Streamline central and local government regulatory processes for establishing new commercial leisure activities.
• Consider introducing certifications of competency for powered leisure craft, based on the Coastguard Boatmaster Course.
• Remove niche monopolies in the provision of services to shipping.
• Review the current tax treatment of commercial shipping.

Treaty Issues

United New Zealand is committed to addressing Treaty of Waitangi issues in a positive and constructive way that benefits all New Zealanders. United accepts that Maori recognise they have major historical grievances which must be remedied before they can move into a development mode.

It is not in the best interests of Aotearoa, New Zealand to lock a significant section of the population into a grievance mentality so United supports the policy of attempting to remedy provable historical grievances for all

New Zealanders.

Principles

• Recognition that the Treaty is a document for all New Zealanders.
• Commitment to fair and reasonable settlement of legitimate treaty grievances.
• Settlements are reached within a liberal democratic society and the norms and values of that society cannot be violated.
• Settlements must be generous, without being excessive, to ensure grievances can be effectively and fairly dealt with.

UNITED WILL:

• Revive the first principle of the Treaty as proclaimed by Hobson at the time of signing:
• "He iwi tahi tatou" - "We are one people."
• Encourage grievances to be brought into the open and resolved through the appropriate process.
• Budget a cap of $200 million per year to meet grievances.
• Set a time limit of 2010 for the settlement of historical grievances.
• Encourage the Treaty to become an instrument of reconciliation between the different ethnic groups of New Zealand through promoting a sense of ownership of the Treaty by all New Zealanders.
• Allow all New Zealanders the right to invoke the Treaty in the resolution of legitimate grievances.

See also United's partial response to PANZ's questionnaire

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Public Access New Zealand, P.O.Box 17, Dunedin, New Zealand

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